The Big Breastfeeding Café is Back for its 7th Year
National Breastfeeding Event Returns as 80% of Mums Admit to Finding it Difficult Not Having Access to the Usual Mum-to-mum Support
Returning for its 7th year, The Big Breastfeeding Café is back on the 24th June, opening the conversation about breastfeeding once again! With support for new mums more important than ever as they have had to overcome so many challenges from the past year, The Big Breastfeeding Café is encouraging mums to get together, virtually or in person at their local café (venues involved from Edinburgh, through to Birmingham and down to Brighton) to share support, advice and build invaluable communities to lean on when they need it the most.
In a recent survey taken by over 2,000 women (77% of which began their breastfeeding journey during lockdown), 80% of participants shared they have found it difficult not being able to access the usual mum-to-mum support (from local groups, friends, family) over this past year. The social survey ran by world Breastfeeding band, Medela, demonstrates the importance of support for breastfeeding women, and the worrying impact it is truly has had for those who have missed out on this during lockdown.
Now restrictions are beginning to ease, there is understandably, feelings of apprehension for breastfeeding mums, as 42% shared they are not feeling confident to breastfeed out and about.
With this mind, Medela wants to use this year’s national event to encourage mums to pull together and celebrate the wonders of mother’s milk! Recent studies have shown breastfeeding rates look to have gone up over 2020* which is fantastic news and only confirms the importance of supporting new mums as life begins to adapt once again.
This year, The Big Breastfeeding Café continues virtually across Medela’s social channels, with live content on Instagram throughout the day, competitions, mum to mum advice and lots more! Mums can join along expert Q&As, tips from midwives or even just listen along to a breastfeeding mum share her story – the day will go through the ups and downs of the journey into motherhood, truly celebrating all many wonders of mother’s milk!
And if that’s not enough, this year, Medela is encouraging local cafes to open their doors and welcome breastfeeding mums back, joining the celebration in their own communities. With cafes confirmed from Edinburgh, through to Birmingham and down to Brighton, mums can pop into their local participating café to enjoy a catch up or takeaway hot drink in their favourite breastfeeding friendly establishment – with many offering discounts to mums who want to get involved!
Talking about The Big Breastfeeding Café 2021, Charlotte Price, Medela UK’s Marketing Manager commented:
‘The Big Breastfeeding Café has always been a great opportunity to celebrate breastfeeding, catch up with breastfeeding buddies and offer the all-important support new mums really need.
As this year’s event adapts once again with virtual and in-person opportunities, we hope that many new mums will benefit from the tips and advice, whether it is in person or in the comfort of their own home.
It’s so important to us to rebuilding our mum-to-mum communities after such a challenging number of months and keep the message of support going. We know with things opening up and national restrictions shifting, it is an anxious time with lots of change, so being able to offer answers to questions mums may have and help to build confidence is a really special thing to be part of.’
*BBC News – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57242678
For more information or images please contact Lisa Bryant or Katie Knott at bumpPR on 01462 613 002 or email lisa@bumppr.co.uk / katie@bumppr.co.uk
About The Big Breastfeeding Café:
The concept was born four years ago when Medela decided to take its popular social media Breastfeeding Cafe on the road. Inspired by a survey completed by 1,4000 parents, it was found that 50% of mums believed the most helpful breastfeeding advice and support they received came from local breastfeeding support groups. Along with and family and friends, these ranked significantly higher than all other channels including midwives and GPs, parenting books and websites.
About Medela Medela have been supporting breastfeeding mothers for over 50 years, and thanks to their extensive research into the science of breastfeeding their breast pumps are trusted and loved by parents, celebrities and healthcare professionals across the globe. Their breast pumps have won countless awards, including a Which? Best Buy and are found in 94% of UK hospitals.
Published by PRFire