NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is encouraging more early learning and childcare providers to join the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Scheme.
Backed by the Scottish Government and delivered by local health boards, including NHSGGC, this initiative helps ensure women feel welcome and supported to breastfeed at childcare centres, either as a mum, visitor or staff member.
It also ensures that breastfeeding and return-to-work policies exist for centre staff, and that breastfeeding and nurture is normalised via inclusion of discussions with children in the teaching curriculum.
NHSGGC launched the Early Learning Scheme in June 2024, with its first nursery signing up that month. Since then, 27 early years centres across Greater Glasgow and Clyde fully signed up to the scheme and 74 centres currently working towards full accreditation.
This week, as part of Breastfeeding Week, the NHSGGC Health Improvement team engaged with the public about the scheme in Glasgow’s busy Silverburn shopping centre.
Jacalyn McIlwham is an NHSGGC Health Improvement Practitioner who was part of this activity and works directly with the early years centres to implement the scheme. She explained how the scheme works:
“Centres appoint a breastfeeding champion who we liaise with to help set things up and then as this rolls out. We support this Champion in helping staff to partake in the online training and normalise breastfeeding in their setting.
“Overall, the online training teaches staff how to promote a breastfeeding-friendly environment, support breastfeeding families and colleagues, and understand the benefits of breastfeeding so teams have a well-rounded understanding of how best to support women.”
One of the nurseries leading the way is Pollok Children’s Centre. Team Leader and Breastfeeding Champion Anne McNair said:
“Becoming a breastfeeding friendly nursery has been a positive experience. We want families to feel supported and comfortable.
“The sign-up process was easy, and we now include breastfeeding training for all staff. We display the scheme’s sticker and poster at reception, and parents have responded positively, especially those with new babies.
“If any nurseries are considering signing up, I’d be happy to speak with them. It’s been a great experience for us.”
Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health at NHSGGC, said:
“It is fantastic that early years centres are participating in this, and we commend them for making mums and families feel comfortable. We’re hoping to increase numbers even further to provide more mums with welcoming breastfeeding settings.
“Juggling life with a young family is challenging, and having accessible, supportive locations can make a huge difference to how long a mum chooses to breastfeed. It also reassures parents planning for another child that support will be there when they need it.”
For more information or to sign up, contact:
Jacalyn.mcIlwham@nhs.scot South Glasgow
Annette.dougan@nhs.scot North West Glasgow
Fiona.hughes@nhs.scot North East Glasgow
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