Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre is officially Breastfeeding Friendly

New mums can feel confident when feeding their babies at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre with official confirmation that the building is a breastfeeding friendly environment.

It follows an inspection of the venue by Breastfeeding Friendly Newark and Sherwood, which is a partnership of Nottinghamshire County Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Nottinghamshire Children and Families Partnership and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Senior Site Manager Gemma Howarth received the certificate from Sami Farrand, Early Years Practitioner and Breastfeeding Champion for Sherwood East and West Children’s Centre.

Under the breastfeeding friendly pledge outlined on the certificate staff at the Visitor Centre, which is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), will:

• Support breastfeeding in all public areas
• Provide breastfeeding mums with seating and a welcoming, clean and comfortable environment
• Ensure that they are positive towards and supportive of breastfeeding mums
• Help mums who would prefer to feed their baby in privacy

Gemma said: “Sherwood Forest is such a popular place with young families and we have always welcomed breastfeeding at our Visitor Centre cafe when mums have needed to.

“The positive and supportive approach of our staff has been key to being awarded this certificate. We hope that seeing the certificate on display in our cafe will provide further reassurance for new mums that they can feed their babies in comfort and safety here at Sherwood.”

If anyone would like to participate in the Breastfeeding Friendly Award Scheme or receive more information please contact Alison Hardman, Health Improvement Officer, at Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Email alison.hardman@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Telephone: 07890987120.

For more information about all facilities at the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, see the At the Visitor Centre pages of our website.