Health psychologists at the University recruited nine members of The Breastfeeding Network in Stoke-on-Trent to investigate how well public places in the local area accommodate breastfeeding parents.
Based on the findings, they have created free resources with ‘tops tips’ on how to become more breastfeeding friendly. And they are inviting local businesses and organisations to feedback on whether the resources are useful.
The project was funded by Staffordshire University's Participatory Action Research (PAR) programme which involves members of the community in the research process.
Breastfeeding peer supporters working with The Breastfeeding Network were recruited as co-researchers. They were involved in deciding the topic for the research and used an approach called PhotoVoice, taking photographs and writing short summaries of things that facilitated breastfeeding or that may present barriers.
The co-researchers spent several weeks documenting their experiences at locations including health centres, shopping centres, retail shops, supermarkets, plus leisure locations like zoos and theme parks.
Dr Amy Burton, who led the project, explained: “A welcoming staff member, breastfeeding welcome signs, comfortable seating, family rooms with toys to entertain older children and space for a pushchair or buggy were all seen as positive ways to make breastfeeding parents feel comfortable and supported.
“However, the co-researchers found that posters suggesting that breastfeeding was welcome were sometimes displayed in locations which provided no features that actually supported comfortable breastfeeding.”
She added: “Some ‘family rooms’ designated for breastfeeding were also found to be unsuitable, with seating being next to or situated within a toilet, poor lighting, and a lack of sanitary space to breastfeed.”
The team are now sharing guidance on creating breastfeeding friendly environments in public spaces, cafes, outdoor locations and workplaces.
A poster with 'dos' and 'don'ts' has been made for local business owners and organisations to print and display. The co-researchers have also designed a water colour image depicting a breastfeeding friendly cafe in collaboration with a local artist from Yellowstone Art Boutique.
Dr Burton said: “We want to support managers and owners of environments where breastfeeding might take place to reflect on the spaces currently offered. We hope that these free resources will help small changes to be made which could make a big difference for those who breastfeed in Stoke-on-Trent.
“If you are from a local business or organisation we would also love your feedback to help evaluate our resources. If you have time to complete our short online survey and tell us what you think, we’d really appreciate it!”
Read the full findings from the research by Dr Amy Burton, Dr Alison Owen, Dr Jennifer Taylor and Dr Sarah Dean or complete the feedback survey here.
For further information or to request copies of the resources, please get in touch Dr Amy Burton at amy.burton@staffs.ac.uk.