Fr Seamus Enright , Rector of the Redemptorist Fathers at Mount St. Alphonsus Church in Limerick has officially signed up to the We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick initiative at the church this week.
We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick is supported by Limerick City and County Council and Healthy Ireland and aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding mothers, babies and their families by encouraging businesses, organisations and communities to become 'Breastfeeding Friendly'.
The initiative has been receiving huge praise since it was launched recently in Limerick.
Said Fr Enright: “I'm delighted we have taken the step in the Redemptorists to sign up to the We're Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick initiative. It is important that it is normalised in everyday society. We had a simple ceremony after the 10am Mass here in Mount St. Alphonsus on Tuesday during which I signed up to the initiative. The Shrine of St. Gerard Majella was the backdrop for the signing as we celebrated his feast on Tuesday. Many people in Limerick are named after Gerard Majella and many couples pray at the shrine during pregnancy. People pray for safe childbirths, give thanks after the birth of children and people who are longing for children also pray there.”
By signing up to the We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick initiative, the Redemptorists have joined private, community and statutory organisations across Limerick who are showing they welcome and support breastfeeding by some easy and zero-cost actions.
Any business, community group or organisation that has premises open to the general public is eligible to join once they fulfil certain criteria. The initiative is very simple and cost-free for a business, group or organisation to sign up to.
Firstly, breastfeeding must be acceptable in all areas of their premises open to the public. All staff members and volunteers are made aware and are supportive of the business, community group or organisation participating in the We’re Breastfeeding Friendly campaign.
Mothers breastfeeding in the premises must never be asked to move to another area or stop breastfeeding. The public are made aware which premises are taking part through the display of a We’re Breastfeeding Friendly window sticker and/or poster that will be provided by Limerick City and County Council. It is not a requirement for premises to be adapted in any particular way.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr James Collins said he is delighted and proud to be part of the campaign. “The ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ campaign is really about our youngest citizens, our babies across all of Limerick. It is not a breastfeeding promotional campaign but rather a campaign that is focusing on the environment around babies and mothers being friendly and welcoming to breastfeeding. It’s also about making those in that environment fully at ease with breastfeeding.”
“Think of the many public places and spaces that new parents may go in and out of – customer services here in this building, health centre, GP surgeries, pharmacies, hotels, restaurants, community centres, sports and leisure facilities, libraries, offices, indoor play centres, churches/ places of worship and so on. We’re Breastfeeding Friendly is seeking to make all of these friendly to breastfeeding.”
For FREE information packs for We're Breastfeeding Friendly, email healthy.limerick@limerick.ie or visit 'Healthy Limerick' on www.limerick.ie.