Cornwall’s Cafés and Pubs Can Join ‘Breastfeeding Welcome’ – Will Yours?

Marking World Breastfeeding in Public Day

Today is World Breastfeeding in Public Day, a reminder that mothers have a legal right to breastfeed anywhere, yet many still feel uneasy about doing so. In Cornwall, businesses are being encouraged to show their support by joining Cornwall Council’s Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, making it easier for mums to feed their babies with confidence.

The scheme invites cafés, restaurants, pubs, and other venues to display a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in their windows, reassuring mothers that they are in a supportive space.

Why the Scheme Matters

Breastfeeding in public is protected under the Equality Act 2010, meaning it is illegal to treat a woman unfairly for feeding her baby in a public place. Despite this, many mums feel anxious, leading some to avoid going out, stop breastfeeding earlier than planned, or feel isolated at home.

The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, funded by the Government’s Start for Life programme, aims to normalise breastfeeding and make public spaces more inclusive for families.

How Businesses Can Get Involved

Businesses that sign up receive:

✅ A window sticker to show they are breastfeeding-friendly.
✅ Tabletop info cards and a leaflet explaining the scheme.
✅ Inclusion in Cornwall Council’s online directory, making it easy for mums to find supportive locations.

To join, businesses can email breastfeedingwelcome@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has a lifelong impact on both mother and baby, offering significant health benefits.

For babies, it helps protect against:

✔️ Severe diarrhoea and vomiting
✔️ Chest infections
✔️ Eczema
✔️ Sudden infant death syndrome (cot death)
✔️ Ear infections
✔️ Obesity
✔️ Asthma
✔️ Coughs and colds
✔️ Diabetes

For mothers, it reduces the risk of:

✔️ Ovarian and breast cancer
✔️ Obesity and cardiovascular disease
✔️ Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)

Where to Find Breastfeeding-Friendly Venues in Cornwall

Cornwall Council has provided a full list of venues that have signed up for the scheme across West, Mid, and East Cornwall.

West Cornwall

• Beige Donuts Limited, 36c Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2HT
• Birdies Bistro, Griggs Quay, Hayle, TR27 6HN
• Duke Street Cafe, 6 Duke Street, Newlyn, TR18 5JA
• Jubilee Pool Café, Jubilee Pool, Battery Road, Penzance, TR18 4FF
• Penzance Gymnastics Club, Unit D, Questmap Business Park, Poniou Way, Long Rock Industrial Estate, Penzance, TR20 8AS
• The Front Room Penzance, 83 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2LG
• The Honey Pot Cafe, 5 Parade Street, Penzance, TR18 4BU
• Tremenheere Kitchen, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Tolver, Penzance, TR20 8YL
• Trewidden Garden Tearooms, Buryas Bridge, Penzance, TR20 8TT
• Two Sisters, 38 Fore Street, St Ives, TR26 1HE

Mid Cornwall

• Atlantic View Cafe, 4 East Street, Newquay, TR7 1BH
• AWNA Coffeehouse, The Square, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, TR11 5EP
• Baker and Chef, 6 River Street, Truro, TR1 2SQ
• Barley Sheaf, Old Bridge Street, Truro, TR1 2AQ
• Bowgie Inn, West Pentire, Crantock, Newquay, TR8 5SE
• Bush Pepper, 6 Fore Street, Newquay, TR7 1LN
• Café Tengo, 1 Fore Street, St Austell, PL25 5PX
• Camborne Wesley Toddler Club, Camborne Wesley Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Camborne, TR14 8EG (c/o Grovewood House, 1 Rosewarne Close, Camborne, TR14 0AA)
• Gilly’s Cafe, Cliff View Road, Camborne, TR14 8QH
• Cornish Craft Barn, Kea Downs Road, Blackwater, Truro, TR4 8PA
• Grovewood House, 1 Rosewarne Close, Camborne, TR14 0AA
• Gweek Village Stores, Post Office Row, Gweek, Near Helston, TR12 6TU
• Heart and Soul, Newquay Community Orchard, Yeoman Way, Newquay, TR7 2SL
• Hidden Hut, Porthcurnick Beach, Portscatho, TR2 5EB
• Hidden Valley Gardens, Par, PL24 2TU
• Kresen Kernow, Little Vauxhall, Redruth, TR15 1AS
• Lappa Valley Railway, Benny Halt, St Newlyn East, Newquay, TR8 5LX
• Lighthouse Café, 11 Market Square, Mevagissey, St Austell, PL26 6UD
• Little Avalon, Valley Caravan Park, Polzeath, PL27 6SS
• Lobbs Farm Shop, Heligan, St Ewe, St Austell, PL26 6EN
• Miners and Mechanics Institute, 18 Vicarage Road, St Agnes, TR5 0TL
• Palm Bay, 8 Bank Street, Newquay, TR7 1JF
• Par Track Café, Moorland Road, Par, PL24 2PB
• Pirates Quest Adventure Golf, 22 St Michaels Road, Newquay, TR7 1RA
• Royal Cornwall Museum, 25 River Street, Truro, TR1 2SJ
• Teacup Tearoom, 21 Church Street, Mevagissey, St Austell, PL26 6SP
• Truro Cathedral, The Cathedral Office, The Old Cathedral School, Cathedral Close, Truro, TR1 2FQ

East Cornwall

• Callington Town Council, Callington Town Hall, New Road, Callington, PL17 7BD
• Calstock Community Primary School, Back Road, Calstock, PL18 9QL
• Calstock Therapy Hub, Unit 3B Commercial Road, Calstock, PL18 9QT
• Calstock Village Hall, The Quay, Calstock, PL18 9QA
• Clements and Hope, Fore Street, Polperro, PL13 2QR
• Hush Hair and Beauty, 9 Church Street, Launceston, PL15 8AW
• National Trust Lanhydrock, Lanhydrock, Bodmin, PL30 5AD
• Rafferty’s Cafe and Wine Bar, St Merryn, Padstow, PL28 8NA
• Rhiannon Bailey Fitness, South Leat House, Albaston, Gunnislake, PL18 9EZ
• Slice Tintagel, Fore Street, Tintagel, PL34 0DA
• Stoke Climsland School, Stoke Climsland, Callington, PL17 8ND
• The Castle Heritage Centre, The Wharf, Bude, EX23 8LG
• The Courtyard, Fore Street, Looe, PL13 1AE
• Wadebridge Chiropractic Clinic, 3 Pen-y-Bryn, Gonvena Hill, Wadebridge, PL27 6DJ
• Wadebridge Leisure Centre, Bodieve Road, Wadebridge, PL27 6BU
• Zero Gravity Academy of Gymnastics, 1-3 Castle Buildings, Gilston Road, Saltash, PL12 6TW

A More Welcoming Cornwall for Breastfeeding Mums

On World Breastfeeding in Public Day, this scheme highlights the importance of supporting mothers wherever they go. With more venues signing up, Cornwall is becoming a more inclusive and welcoming place for breastfeeding families. If you own a café, pub, or restaurant, why not sign up and make a difference?