Glasgow Caledonian first university in Scotland to become Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland accredited

Glasgow Caledonian is the first university in Scotland to be awarded Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland accreditation by providing and promoting a supportive environment for students, staff and visitors to feed their babies.

The University now provides baby changing and feeding rooms with a fridge for storing expressed breast milk in the George Moore Building where staff, students and visitors to campus can go to feed their babies, if they choose.

However, as a Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland University, Glasgow Caledonian staff and students are committed to supporting the legal right for infants in Scotland under two years of age to receive nutrition in the public areas.

Leading this initiative is June Gribben, School of Health and Life Sciences Nursing and Community Health Lecturer and the PgD Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting) Programme Lead.

June said: “Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland has confirmed that Glasgow Caledonian is the first university in Scotland to receive this award and this is great news for all our students and staff. I am very proud to be leading this initiative.

“Raising awareness of this scheme across all Schools and departments in the University will help students and staff with young children with their feeding choices when continuing or beginning their studies, or staff returning to work following maternity leave, in knowing that there are facilities for safe storage of expressed milk to maintain milk production and provide mothers more opportunity to continue providing their infants with breast milk.

“The facilities are at the back of the canteen on the ground floor of the George Moore Building. There are two rooms for baby changing and feeding, although only one room has the fridge for milk storage. All staff and students can have access to these rooms, although ID cards need to be activated to gain access.”

Annette Dougan, from the Scottish Government’s Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme, visited the campus to announce the accreditation and meet students from the health visiting programme - pictured holding Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland promotional posters with June and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Infant Feeding Advisor Janice Moodie.