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#FreeToFeed: Govia Thameslink Railway is among the first businesses to join the Cambridgeshire breastfeeding campaign
#FreeToFeed: Govia Thameslink Railway is among the first businesses to join the Cambridgeshire breastfeeding campaign

Press release -

Breastfeeding campaign encourages South Cambridgeshire businesses and community venues to welcome families who breastfeed and / or pump

South Cambridgeshire District Council and NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have issued the following press release about the GTR-supported #FreeToFeedCP campaign to normalise breastfeeding in public:

Businesses across South Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to welcome families who breastfeed and / or pump thanks to a new campaign launched this month.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is working with the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Infant Feeding Team and ‘Best Start in Life’ partnership to support venues across the district to become more welcoming to families who breastfeed and/or pump in public.

The #FreeToFeedCP campaign is encouraging businesses and community venues to pledge their support for families who breastfeed and/or pump by signing up and displaying the sticker and promotional material in their premises.

Among the first businesses to take the #FreeToFeedCP pledge are Shepreth Wildlife Park and Govia Thameslink Railway. To launch the campaign, a group of families took a train trip from Cambridge to the animal park to enjoy a day out.

Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Breastfeeding is proven to be very beneficial to the health of the mother and baby, it should not be daunting for mothers to breastfeed or pump in bars, cafes, restaurants and other venues while they are out with their children. As someone who breast fed all three of my sons, I feel strongly that normalising breastfeeding and pumping in public is really important and something we can all help with through conversation and support.”

Nina Morley, of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Infant Feeding Team, said: “As a service we are proud to hold stage 3 UNICEF baby Friendly Accreditation and we believe that breastfeeding has amazing health benefits for families, but knowing where to access support for breastfeeding can be difficult. All families, by law, are free to breastfeed and/or pump for their baby in public, anytime, anywhere. If breastfeeding parents are aware of local venues that support breastfeeding and will be welcoming of them, it will make a huge difference to their confidence, and will support their breastfeeding journey.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We’re committed to making our services as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone. That includes making breastfeeding and pumping normal everyday activities on the train, that no-one feels awkward about.

“It was a great pleasure to welcome these Cambridgeshire families on this special trip, and to support this important campaign by the District Council and their NHS partners. Many thanks are due to Sarah Grove of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership for bringing everyone together to make this happen.

“I breastfed both my kids, and on a train too, so this is something I really endorse. I hope the event gives all breastfeeding and pumping families the confidence to travel with us and feel ‘Free to Feed’.”

The #FreeToFeedCP campaign is designed to raise the confidence of families and increase understanding among the public, businesses and community venues. Breastfeeding friendly venues often report a real improvement in customer service and can have the added benefit of attracting a new client base.

Almost three-quarters of women start breastfeeding when their child is born, but this drops to below half within six to eight weeks. Evidence shows the right support can help families sustain breastfeeding for longer.

  • To take the pledge and become breastfeeding friendly, venues must adopt the “breastfeeding welcome” policy, and ensure staff are aware of how to implement it.
  • For more information and how to get involved, visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council #FreeToFeedCP page on their website or Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust website.
  • To find out more about taking the pledge to become a breastfeeding / pump friendly venue email: Duty.Communities@scambs.gov.uk
  • a range of children’s services to children, young people and families in (Cambridgeshire and Norfolk and Suffolk)
  • iCaSH: Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health Services (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk)
  • dental services (Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Suffolk)
  • musculo-skeletal services and uro-gynaecological physiotherapy services (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough)
  • the Oliver Zangwill Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation and the Evelyn Community Head Injury Service
  • Children and Adults’ Community Health services for the residents of Luton
  • Children and Adults’ Community Health services for the residents of Bedfordshire are provided in partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT).

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NOTES TO EDITOR

For further information contact:

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Kath Sansom in South Cambridgeshire District Council’s communications team on katherine.sansom@scambs.gov.ukor 01954 713499 or

The Council Communities portfolio responsible for new towns, community resilience, heath & wellbeing, arts and culture:

Cllr Bill Handley (Liberal Democrat) on 01954 200287 cllr.handley@scambs.gov.uk

Cllr Sue Ellington (Conservative) on 01954 202923 or cllr.ellington@scambs.gov.uk

NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Infant Feeding Team

Joint Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children and Young People’s Health Services Communications team: ccs.cpft.hcp@nhs.net

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Infant Feeding Team is part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Child Programme, which is provided in partnership by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Follow us on Instagram Facebook and Twitter: @CambsPboroCYP

Visit: www.bit.ly/nhscambspboro-hcp

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust provides the following extensive portfolio of services:

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For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.

Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:

  • Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/Littlehampton/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
  • Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
  • Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
  • Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

www.southernrailway.comwww.thameslinkrailway.comwww.gatwickexpress.comwww.greatnorthernrail.com

Govia Thameslink Railway
United Kingdom