Breastfeeding Policy

• To ensure all Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council public areas and venues provide a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding families. 
• To inform and support managers and staff to facilitate women to continue breastfeeding for as long as they want to. 
• To adopt a breastfeeding culture throughout our Council area. 
• To support women who choose to breastfeed for longer. 

Outcomes:

• To develop a culture where breastfeeding is seen as the normal method of feeding babies and young children whereby mothers feel supported to do so. 
• To encourage and support more women to breastfeed; for as long as they want. 
• To ensure any mother choosing to breastfeed feels confident, comfortable and supported to do so whether working; living in, or visiting the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Area. 

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Strategies: 

• Equality Scheme (renewed 2020)
• Equality Action Plan (2019-2023)
• Every Customer Counts Policy
• Information Governance Policies & Procedures
• Local Government Code of Conduct
• Comments, Compliments, Complaints Policy
• Breastfeeding – A great start a Strategy for NI 2013-2023
• Breastfeeding on the island of Ireland 2017
• Making Life Better 2012-2023 Strategy – Public Health Agency, Thematic Area 1:  ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start’.

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011
• NINIS, Census 2011 
• Breastfeeding Welcome Here Scheme and PHA public information campaign #NotSorryMums 2018 which aims to support mums to feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public.
• Health and Wellbeing 2026 – Delivering Together, Department of Health (2016)
• A Healthier Future: A Twenty Year Vision for Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland 2005-2025, DHSSPS (2005).
• Children and Young People’s Strategy 2017-2027 Consultation Document, Department of Education (DE)
• ‘Supporting the best start in life’ Infant Mental Health Framework and Action Plan 2015 – 2018, Public Health Agency (2016)

It is proposed that all Section 75 categories will be considered via:

• Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2019.
• Requests received.
• 53 periods of maternity leave were taken by members of staff over the last 5 years.

• Mid-year 2019 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144, 838, accounting for 7.6% of the N.I. total.  Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 
• It is also clear that the majority of our borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals must to be considered during screening.  The provision of this service may offer individuals from rural communities a clean, safe and free place to breastfeed while shopping or visiting the area.
• Breastfeeding – A great start a Strategy for NI 2013-2023, outlines the Strategy to normalise breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding on the island of Ireland 2017(4) showed that the rates from initiation to discharge dropped and in 2015/16 initiation rates were 56.7% (Public Health Agency(2)) whereas the rate at discharge was 46%.  In addition the report highlighted that “one in eight adults in Northern Ireland consider breastfeeding in public to be embarrassing and one in six school children report that they have never seen a woman breastfeeding in public”.
• Council will support the mother in her choice to breastfeed in any of our buildings and will explain this to others whose views on breastfeeding may not align.  However as all views are respected those who do not support the policy may be provided with an alternate waiting area or given the option of returning at a later time.
  This is based on research carried out by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention which shows that views on breastfeeding are generally supportive, however breastfeeding in public is not as supportive with some opinions supporting a dedicated room for feeding. (Public Opinions About Breastfeeding | Breastfeeding | CDC)  

The 2011 Census outlined:

The religious breakdown of staff is as follows:       

Although both staff and service users who wish to breastfeed may have a variety of religious beliefs or viewpoints, there is no evidence to indicate that this policy will have a negative impact on any particular grouping.

In certain religious beliefs there are laws regarding breastfeeding which extend the cultural “norms” in Northern Ireland.  The policy supports women to adhere to religious laws and to breastfeed as long as they want.  In addition the policy incorporates the offer of a room for mothers who want privacy and also welcomes family groupings of various make-ups.  Staff are welcome to breastfeed or express in the workplace and their manager and OD/HR can offer them support to do so in line with mothers feeding goals and any religious practices.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2019) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:

Although both staff and service users who wish to breastfeed may have a variety of political opinions or viewpoints, this policy will have a neutral impact on this Section 75 category as all are welcome to avail of the service.

On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:

This policy will have a neutral impact on this Section 75 category; however the mainstreaming of language provision will support the inclusion of various racial groupings to which staff and service users may belong.  In order to show that breastfeeding is welcome in our premises we will link to breastfeeding friendly which is a nationally recognised scheme.  This will ensure the maximum advertising coverage and the associated promotional materials will be used to promote this at each building.  The promotion materials use plain English and clear representative pictures. 

The fact that Council is breastfeeding friendly will be advertised on-line and the translation tool will ensure this is available in over 40 languages.  The pictorial sign will facilitate individuals to point to it and staff can show the individual(s) to the available room if this is required.  The breastfeeding policy will also be provided to all staff, in addition staff will be made aware of the facilities to support breastfeeding families via the staff news and staff portal.  This information can be shared with family and friends.

The fact that Council is breastfeeding friendly will be promoted with local community groups and advertised within the Tourism establishments and all other Council buildings.

Age: (Mid Year 2019)*   (NISRA statistics)

This policy strives to have a positive effect on younger parents; although all ages are welcome to use our buildings to facilitate breastfeeding.  This may be as a lone parent, or family group.

This is based on the last UK Infant Feeding Survey in 2010 which showed initiation rates of 64% in Northern Ireland to be the lowest in the UK and rates at discharge from hospital and highlighted that our Council had the second lowest uptake in Northern Ireland at 39.9% in 2024.  With the uptake increasing with the mothers age.

One of the reasons for these lower rates is the ‘embarrassment’ associated with breastfeeding in public.  Yet research also shows health benefits for both mother and child as a result of breastfeeding.  The fact that Council is supportive of mothers to feed in our buildings will attempt to reduce this blockage and in turn support mothers to continue to breastfeed for longer.  In addition to support those individuals’ who wish to breastfeed in private; a room is also available. 

Marital Status: 
Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

This policy will have a neutral impact on this Section 75 category; as the marital status of any breastfeeding parent is irrelevant to the service provision available. 

There are no specific figures available on how many people may be Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Trans-gender or Trans-sexual (LGBT) specific to the Council area. 

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2019)* provides the following information on the sexual orientation of people in Northern Ireland (this information is not available at local government level):

In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. 

Gender:  (Mid Year 2019 Population Estimates)* 

The gender profile of staff is as follows:

The Census information in 2011 showed:
People With or Without Dependents:

This policy strives to have a positive effect on individuals with younger dependents who need to breastfeed their child. 

People with a Disability/People Without:
People with a long term condition/illness by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

 ____                                                              

Source: NINIS, Census 2011, KS302NI
Notes: 

1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood. 
2. ‘A mobility or dexterity difficulty’ means a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting or carrying. 
3. ‘An emotional, psychological or mental health condition’ includes conditions such as depression or schizophrenia. 
4. ‘Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing’ includes conditions such as asthma. 
5. ‘A chronic illness’ includes illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy. 
6. ‘Long-term’ refers to a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

This policy will have a neutral impact on this Section 75 category; and Council strives to support individuals who need to breastfeed their child irrespective of any disability, any parent is welcome to breastfeed in our buildings or use a room to support feeding in private or where additional or accessible space may be required.

The opportunity to breastfeed in Council buildings may support mothers of all ages and young children.  However the policy supports government targets and may impact greater on younger mother groups as statistics shows older mothers are more likely to breastfeed for longer.

The opportunity to breastfeed in Council buildings may support mothers with additional dependent children or family groups.

Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category.  Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities?  (For example:  disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.)

This policy is available for individuals with various multiple identities for example mothers with young children who need to breastfeed in private due to religious beliefs and/or racial background.  

Screening Decision
Likely Impact
          ☐        Major                   ☐      Minor                     ☒     None

If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this:
N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced: 

The policy and procedure has included mitigation and the need for additional adjustments will be kept under review.

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:

The policy and procedure do not adversely impact on any grouping, in addition mitigation has been included and the need for additional adjustments will be kept under review.

If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

N/A