Leeds Milk Trail to highlight breastfeeding-friendly venues

Families will be able to explore nine city-centre venues while learning about breastfeeding and finding places that welcome parents feeding their babies.

The free Leeds Milk Trail is a mapped route featuring questions and answers hidden at participating venues. It is intended to encourage families to explore the city, raise awareness of breastfeeding and help people find support available locally.

Nine venues are taking part: City Library, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute, The Light, Trinity Leeds, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Playhouse and the Royal Armouries. The venues are all members of the Breastfeeding Friendly Leeds Scheme, which recognises businesses, community venues and public spaces that welcome and support breastfeeding.

Taking part in the trail is open to everyone, whether or not they have breastfed or are currently breastfeeding. The route is designed to be educational as well as an activity for families, with the organisers saying it will help normalise breastfeeding.

Launch planned for Baby Week

The trail is due to launch during Leeds Baby Week, which runs from 14 to 20 November. The annual initiative highlights activities and support for babies, toddlers, new parents and families with children aged five and under. Its theme this year is “Chat, Play, Read With Me”.

A new event, The Leeds Big Showcase for Little Ones, is scheduled to take place at Temple Newsam on 14 and 15 November, from 10.30am to 3.30pm on both days. The programme is set to include family stalls, sensory zones and children’s activities. Visitors on the Saturday will be able to find out more about the Milk Trail and pick up associated items.

The council says breastfeeding can support children’s immune-system development and reduce the risk of some longer-term health conditions. It also says breastfeeding can help build emotional bonds between a mother and baby. Breastfeeding in public is a legally protected right, according to the council, while the scheme aims to provide a welcoming environment for families.

Part of wider work for young children

The Milk Trail follows similar initiatives in Hull and Doncaster. It also forms part of work linked to Leeds City Council’s Best Start and Beyond Strategy, a ten-year plan developed with NHS and voluntary-sector partners. The strategy aims to improve health and education outcomes and reduce inequalities for children from conception to age five.

More information about the trail, including its venues and how businesses can join the Breastfeeding Friendly Leeds Scheme, is available at leeds.gov.uk/leedsmilktrail. Details of Leeds Baby Week events are at babyweek.co.uk/leeds.