Friendly for families - Increasing numbers of breastfeeding retreats in municipalities.
In various communities of Thuringia, options for breastfeeding and swaddling babies are being made available. "Jena currently has 35 institutions, associations, cafes, and businesses that offer private swaddling spaces," shared Stefanie Braune with the city of Jena. Such facilities are also provided in Altenburg, Erfurt, Gera, Ilmenau, and Suhl, along with many other locations. The features of these spaces vary just as much as the dedication of the respective communities to this cause.
Parents in Jena were polled in 2021 about their breastfeeding and swaddling experiences and desires. Over 80% of them expressed a need for more unmonitored spots for baby care, with the fewest available in the city. In the subsequent period, the city identified potential locations and reached out to the institutions, associations, or operators there. These locations were publicized through a brochure and online through the Thuringian Family Compass.
Through a state program, breastfeeding tables have been procured in Jena, but typically, the participating institutions are responsible for designing the spaces. Breastfeeding apparatus is not yet provided by the city, but potential plans from the Jena Family Alliance are in the works.
Breastfeeding tables and chairs in Erfurt
Since February, there have been 23 officially designated breastfeeding and swaddling areas for infants and toddlers in Erfurt, according to spokesperson Patrick Weisheit. In a survey of families with young children, more than half said there was a deficiency of such locations. With the initiative "Breastfeeding-Friendly Spots in Erfurt," the city is encouraging greater approval of breastfeeding in public and is still seeking out public or private entities that can host young families.
"This allows mothers to engage in social life while breastfeeding," stated Weisheit. Following the first ten interested parties, Erfurt has furnished a breastfeeding table and a breastfeeding chair. Places with breastfeeding and swaddling amenities are identified by a corresponding sticker and are also featured in a brochure and online.
Towels and wrapping paper in Altenburg
In Altenburg, the city government has now established ten such spaces. On the district's website, swaddling and breastfeeding locations in the surrounding towns and municipalities are also showcased, including in Schmölln and Meuselwitz. In Eisenach, there is only a breastfeeding table in the entrance area of the city library, said a spokesperson. No specific retreats are being planned in Suhl right now.
In Suhl, the city has crafted four such spaces, which even include disposable materials like towels or wrapping paper. Families should be able to "care for their baby in a comfortable atmosphere." In addition to these, there are other spaces provided by other providers.
In general, the existing options are typically well-utilized, according to consensus from the municipalities. Mainly, mothers appreciate not needing to sit at a presentation table while breastfeeding. A major impetus for the idea of setting up swaddling and breastfeeding rooms, per the speakers, was the publication of the "National Breastfeeding Promotion Strategy" by the federal government in 2021 and the guide "The Breastfeeding-Friendly Municipality" by the Thuringian State Health Conference in 2022.
Read also:
- Families in Ilmenau can also find supportive breastfeeding and swaddling facilities, as the municipality joins the trend of providing such spaces.
- The city of Erfurt, similar to its neighboring municipalities like Jena and Altenburg, recognizes the importance of baby care and offers wrapped towels and designated spaces for breastfeeding in various public places.
- A baby-friendly wrap can be found in the Town Hall of Suhl, one of the few municipalities in Thuringia that currently offers this type of convenience for parents.
- In contrast, the city of Eisenach, although part of Thuringia, only provides a breastfeeding table in the city library's entrance area, showing disparities in family-friendly policies among municipalities.
- Baby care facilities, inspired by the 2021 "National Breastfeeding Promotion Strategy" and the 2022 guide "The Breastfeeding-Friendly Municipality," are now being expanded across municipalities in Thuringia, including those in Erfurt, Jena, and Altenburg.
