FOR Kate Morison of Nowra, breastfeeding in public has never been an issue. “I’ve had no problems breastfeeding while out, ever,” said the mother of two-year-old Annabelle and 10-month-old Claudia.

But for some, feeding their babies in cafes or shopping centres has been fraught with disapproving looks and unhelpful staff.

So, as an initiative of Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Child and Family Health Services is encouraging Shoalhaven businesses to make women more comfortable by displaying ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ stickers.

So far, A Wing and a Pear, in Nowra, and the Berry Hotel, have agreed to welcome breastfeeding mothers.

Throughout this week, South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health (SESIH) midwives and early childhood nurses will be highlighting the importance of breastfeeding.

Southern Hospital Network Manager for Women’s and Babies’ Health, Deborah Cameron, said that staff promote, support and encourage breastfeeding of all newborn babies exclusively up to six months, then ongoing in addition to other food for two years.

There are many advantages to a breastfed infant, including the unique nature of human milk that is perfect – nutritionally, immunologically and developmentally.

To the mother, it provides the obvious benefits of convenience and closeness, and decreases a woman’s fertility and risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and osteoporosis.