Venues Getting Behind Breastfeeding App

Friday 4 December 2015

Venues Getting Behind Breastfeeding App

Public venues throughout Southland and Otago are getting behind BURP “Breastfeeding’s Ultimate Refuel Place” – a website and free app promoting venues that are breastfeeding friendly.

There are currently 260 venues which range from cafes and restaurants to airports listed on the website/app which was created by Public Health South and WellSouth Primary Health Network to give confidence to breastfeeding mums when they are out and about.

Invercargill City Library’s Cynthia Smith sees BURP as an integral part of the library’s identity as the community living room of the city. “It allows families to come and spend time at the library more easily, knowing that we are both family friendly and a BURP facility.

“Whether it’s young mums attending one of our weekly ‘Wriggle and Rhyme’ sessions, a pre-school session, a book club, ‘Crafternoon tea’ or just here while older siblings attend one of our very popular after school clubs, breast feeding is welcomed.”

Cynthia says that being a BURP facility had also been useful in providing staff with the tools to support young families.

The only requirement for venues to be listed on BURP is to have staff who support breastfeeding. This can range from providing a glass of water, showing mums a couch where they can feed or even standing up for them if other patrons take offense.

H & J Smith’s Food Manager Steph Tutem commented they are proud to have the Copper Kettle and Mooch café registered as BURP venues, “customers really appreciate that they come in and feel at ease knowing we have a fully serviceable parents room and are a family friendly business” she said.

BURP uses map icons to direct mothers to the nearest breastfeeding friendly venue anywhere from Bluff, to Kurow, and over to Queenstown while the website offers local breastfeeding support.

Nitin Sukumaran of WellSouth Primary Health Network commented, “ Though it is a human right to breastfeed anywhere, mums and babies are an integral part of the community and a tool like BURP can give mums extra confidence to know they will be supported by staff when enjoying outings or meeting with friends.”

Kathleen Eade of Public Health South said “We have had really great feedback and support from mums and families since launching BURP in February. This has led us to developing an iPhone app, just in time for the festive period when families are travelling throughout the region. BURP has also proven itself as a helpful tool for all families with young children regardless of breastfeeding as it lists other facilities available such as toilets, change tables and play areas – which are always handy to know.”

WHAT: FREE iPhone and android app listing public places in Otago and Southland where women are supported to breastfeed

AVAILABLE: www.burpapp.co.nz, the GooglePlay store and the App store

ENDS

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