New app shows breastfeeding friendly spots

Kathryn Whitwell breastfeeds her 6-month-old son, Hugo Anstey, at the Burp launch at Ironic Cafe and Bar in Dunedin. Photo / Gregor Richardson.

A new android app and website will direct South Island mums to the nearest breastfeeding friendly public place.

The app, BURP - Breastfeeding's Ultimate Refuel Place, was released on Tuesday by the Southern District Health Board.

''It's to help mothers feel comfortable breastfeeding," said WellSouth Health Primary Network spokeswoman, Sophie Carty.

More than 100 locations registered to be on the software, including cafes, restaurants, libraries and museums. More would be uploaded on the ''ever-evolving'' software, Ms Carty said.

The aap displays the places on a map and includes photos of the venue. Users can give feedback and a star-rating of their experience.

Symbols also indicate if the spot has a play area, change table and privacy.

The registered places provide supportive staff coached on how to make breastfeeding mothers comfortable.

One training scenario included dealing with a person uncomfortable sharing a space with a woman breastfeeding. The staff are to tell them of its policy and move them to another table, leaving the mother to feed, Ms Carty explained.

Breastfeeding ''anywhere, anytime'' is a human right, she said.

''The Burp app provides an opportunity to create staff awareness at public venues which all contributes to normalising breastfeeding and to reinforce to mums that it's okay to feed your baby in public.''