Safe feeding environments for babies

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Woking URC Infant Feeding Policy

Woking United Reformed Church (‘the church’) wants this to be a safe place for infants to be fed by their carers/parents.

We will endeavour to give all parents and carers active and practical support for their needs in feeding their infant here whether by breast or bottle.

Guidelines

  1. The Equality Act 2010 says that it is discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. It applies to anyone providing services, benefits, facilities and premises to the public, public bodies, further and higher education bodies and associations.
  2. We will acknowledge and support the rights of women to breastfeed their children in all public areas of these premises.  If a mother is happy to feed in a public area, then she should be made to feel comfortable to continue.  An appropriately placed chair can be offered for her comfort and convenience.
  3. If a mother wishes to feed her baby in private, we will advise her of the facilities available – e.g. youth room, vestry, office.  If a mother chooses not to use the private facilities offered to her, her right to do so must be respected.
  4. Toilets are not acceptable as a private space to breastfeed and should not be offered as they do not offer a hygienic environment.
  5. If a mother wishes to express milk to feed her baby, we will advise her of the facilities available e.g. youth room, vestry, office.  If a mother chooses not to use the private facilities offered to her, her right to do so must be respected.  Toilets are not acceptable as a private space to express and should not be offered as they do not offer a hygienic environment.
  6. If there are siblings with the parent or carer, and there is no creche provision, then we will try to provide an appropriate space alongside the feeding parent/carer with age appropriate materials for those children to play with safely.
  7. We will provide information to everyone about the options for feeding infants, giving support to those who cannot breastfeed their own children and are grieving about this.
  8. We will signal our support for breastfeeding with appropriate public signs.
  9. We will support local, national and international campaigns that promote safe feeding environments for infant feeding and breastfeeding.
  10. We will support the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) campaigns.  Whilst acknowledging that not every mother can breastfeed, the targeting of the world’s poorest nations by large multinational companies is not acceptable.

Handling Objections

  1. It is the policy of this church to try and meet the needs of all its members and visitors and make their attendance as positive and safe as possible.
  2. If a visitor or member of the church objects to a mother breastfeeding, then a conversation about the church’s policy will be held and an alternative place for the person with objections to sit will be offered.
  3. The policy was discussed by elders and church members prior to its adoption and will be reviewed annually.  Anyone wishing to comment on this policy should contact the Church Secretary, secretary@wokingurc.org.uk.

Equipment which may be helpful:

A comfortable chair without arms which is suitable to use for feeding a child. Various types of chairs are available throughout the building, including sofas for the most comfort. We could consider a low comfortable chair, which could also be brought out for Tots Together on a Sunday morning.

There are toys and books stored in the lounge and forum for siblings to play with. Toys can also be found in the large store next to the youth room.

Facility to warm a bottle- Bottles can be warmed by providing hot water in a jug. Bottles should not be warmed in the microwave. Hot water should be kept in a safe space away from children playing.

Facility to keep milk cold- sealed containers can be safely placed in the fridges in the forum or main kitchen. It should be labelled with a name and details of the contents, dated and placed, upright, in the main body of the fridge, not in the door (the main body of the fridge is colder and better for storing infant milk). Labels are available from the forum office or on the door of the kitchen fridge.

This policy was adopted at the Woking URC Church Meeting held on 26th November 2023.