Free breastfeeding support cafe in Northampton will close next month

The Wellington Street-based Northampton Breastfeeding Cafe, which was saved from closure in 2012, has confirmed it will end its free drop-in sessions on March 18.

Northamptonshire Breastfeeding Alliance, which runs the cafe, said they have been unable to sustain their huge fundraising and grant-sourcing efforts that have seen them cover the £12,000 a year cost of its experts for four years.

Briony Askew, joint-chair of the committee, said it was not a decision that was taken lightly.

She said: “We feel absolutely gutted, but without sustainable funding you can’t say whether you will stay open. That makes it hard to take referrals and uncertain for any paid staff.”

NBA will still continue to work with the NHS, county council and other partner organisations as the voice of breastfeeding mothers in the county.

They have also pledged to continue their efforts to develop the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme while also looking into future funding streams for the Breastfeeding Cafe.

Mums who currently use the cafe can contact the NHS to find the nearest alternative, which includes the drop-in sessions at Royal & Derngate.

A web page with more information is at this link: http://www.nht.nhs.uk/main.cfm?type=BREASTFEEDINGSUPPO