New Plymouth gym backs family friendly environments

The Rampage Fitness City Gym is one of two New Plymouth retail businesses to sign up to Taranaki District Health Board’s ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ (BFWH) programme.

The Gym gained accreditation earlier this year, making it the only fitness facility in Taranaki to provide baby friendly facilities accredited by Taranaki DHB.

Taranaki DHB Health Promoter Alisha Stone explained “Taranaki DHB encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months; longer if possible.

“Being able to breastfeed comfortably in public spaces and commercial environments plays a significant role in a woman’s choice to do so.”

The BFWH programme identifies and promotes suitable sites throughout Taranaki that offer supportive environments and facilities for whānau and their young children.

Rampage Fitness City Gym owner Allan Ross added “we think it’s important that we can offerchildcare facilities for all parents that have babies; whether they are here to exercise or just need to pop in to comfortable surroundings to feed their baby whilst away from home. We also wanted to help normalise breastfeeding in public settings.”

Sites accredited by the BFWH programme have staff that are supportive and welcoming to breastfeeding mothers. These sites provide a warm, clean, safe and smokefree environment that has baby change and hand washing facilities, pushchair access and comfortable seating.

Participating BFWH sites are publicised to pregnant women and mothers of young babies through avenues such as Taranaki DHB Maternity Services, independent midwives, WellChild/Tamariki Ora services and the breastfeeding page on the Taranaki DHB website.

Trundles Automotive is the other accredited New Plymouth business.

3rd June 2015 - LIFE FITNESS BACKS SEARCH FOR BEST PERSONAL TRAINER IN THE WORLD