MEDIA RELEASE
18 March 2010
BREASTMATES' FRIENDLY FEEDING AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The inaugural 2010 Breastmates' Friendly Feeding award
nominations have now closed.
Eighty-five nominations were received and 10 finalists have been
chosen to compete for the honour of being New Zealand's best place
to feed a baby.
"Proving that mothers really do know best, we asked them to
nominate places they had experienced great breastfeeding
environments," says Frances McInnes, the founder of Breastmates
award-winning online maternity store who is a guru on baby feeding
and was involved with the Ministry of Health's breastfeeding
campaign.
Finalists were judged on the number of nominations they
received, their ranking out of 10, and their match to the criteria
of whether they had water available, nappy change areas, were clean
and tidy, had couches, easy parking, stroller access, highchairs,
sun protection, nice staff and/or heating facilities.
"In the first 12 months of a baby's life, when things can be
quite hectic for mothers, the way people treat women wishing to
breastfeed has a huge impact on whether that woman will continue
breastfeeding," says McInnes, who believes the ten finalists may
have been responsible for at least a couple of mothers continuing
to breastfeed after a positive public breastfeeding experience.
Eleven nominations for terrible places to breastfeed were also
received. Breastmates will be in contact to give them a few tips on
how they can improve their services to breastfeeding mothers.
A letter and certificate has also been sent to the finalists to
inform them of their accolade.
"Mystery mums from Breastmates' almost 3,000 Facebook fans are
now visiting the finalists around New Zealand to report back on
their experiences to help decide the ultimate winner," explains
McInnes, who has enjoyed working on the project.
"It's been good to let businesses know that they are doing great
and that they've been noticed by mums, this will encourage them to
keep it up. We also hope it will encourage other businesses to step
up"
Finalists
Addington Coffee Co-Op, Christchurch (www.addingtoncoffee.org.nz): "Very easy to
manoeuvre buggies around. We can fit eight around our favourite
table, which staff kindly extend out for us if everyone in our
antenatal group comes to coffee group."
Abracadabra, Rotorua (www.abracadabracafe.com): "They have an awesome
grassed outdoor area that is suitable for children, including a
playhouse. You can also hire a room out specially for a more
private coffee group."
Bayfair Mall, Tauranga (www.bayfair.co.nz): "Has the best parenting
facilities ever, all shopping centre's MUST have these."
Café Windsor, Auckland's North Shore: "Huge car park out the back
and off the street. Food is always superb and they are very
accommodating to wee children, as well as mothers with babies. Many
people in our suburb go there for their antenatal get-togethers
because they never bat an eyelid at 8-12 women breastfeeding with
car pods at their feet. Staff offer to put coffee in a takeaway cup
so it's easier to drink and they even once cut up a Panini for me
when they saw I had my hands full."
Joe's Garage, Christchurch (www.joes.co.nz): "This cafe is very
mother/child friendly with helpful staff, art for kids, toys,
chalk, closed outdoor back area, kids menu, no problems
breastfeeding and support from staff is above and beyond what would
normally be expected."
Sylvia Park Mall, Auckland's Mt Wellington (www.sylviapark.org): "Spacious and clean,
cubicles with cosy lounge chairs, curtains for privacy, relaxing
background music."
The Plaza, Palmerston North (www.theplaza.co.nz): "There are HEAPS of spaces
for changing baby and two curtained booths for feeding, large
enough to fit your pram in. Access is easy and there's an enclosure
where toddlers or older children can watch TV while mum feeds baby
or goes to the toilet. Lovely and clean."
Westfield Chartwell, Hamilton (http://westfield.co.nz/chartwell): "Great
facilities and nice feeding chair/cubicle/kids play area and toilet
facilities, top notch!"
Westfield St Lukes, Auckland (http://westfield.co.nz/stlukes): "A haven in a
busy mall."
Barefoot in the Bay Café, Auckland (www.barefoot-inthebay.co.nz): "Friendly relaxed
place. We were made to feel welcome and didn't feel like we were
being rushed along when it started to get busy."
For more information, images, interviews with Frances or
additional resources on breastfeeding, please contact Frances.
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