ON WORLD Breastfeeding Awareness Week (WBAW) NHS Borders are encouraging local businesses and organisations to sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme.

WBAW is celebrated every year from August 1 -7 in more than 120 countries. Its focus is to encourage parents to breastfeed their children to support all-around development and health.

NHS Borders say that they recognise that breastfeeding when out and about can be intimidating for some mums.

In the Borders there are many places they might visit in the community such as libraries, restaurants and cafes which have signed up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme.

These breastfeeding friendly venues are welcoming to all mums who breastfeed their babies by providing a comfortable and relaxing space to do so.

Juliet Fraser, Health Improvement Specialist for Maternal and Infant Nutrition, at NHS Borders said: “World Breastfeeding Week is a great opportunity to raise the awareness of breastfeeding.

“Here in the Borders we pride ourselves in supporting women to make informed feeding choices that complement themselves and their babies. This week is an opportunity to give thanks to the staff, volunteers and members of the community who continue to support families every day.

“We continue to work in collaboration with Early Learning Centres and encourage more businesses in the Borders to sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme to help promote the importance of breastfeeding in our communities. So far 33 local businesses have done just that, and we are very grateful to them for doing so.

“This World Breastfeeding Awareness Week we would stress that we all have a role to play in education about breastfeeding, and that it is so important to create breastfeeding-friendly health facilities, supportive communities and workplaces.”