The Suffolk Public Library has won a Business Investment in Babies Award from the Consortium for Infant and Child Health at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The award recognizes local businesses, organizations and individuals who have invested in the health and well-being of babies and moms through the EVMS Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care initiative and Breastfeeding Welcome Here programs. An awards celebration was held on Aug. 17 at EVMS in Norfolk.

The Breastfeeding Welcome Here Project is focused on helping nursing mothers to be more comfortable feeding their babies when in public places. Providing a comfortable, shame-free area for nursing mothers in area businesses such as shops, libraries and shopping venues means more moms being able to have the freedom to be away from home longer and enjoy their community more.

Suffolk Public Library was the recipient of a 2017 BIB (Businesses Investing in Babies) award for Breastfeeding Welcome Here, as well as the 2017 Breastfeeding Welcome Here Breastfeeding Champion. The champion award was awarded because all Suffolk libraries signed Breastfeeding Welcome Here pledges and put up signage, which provides environmental cues to breastfeeding moms that they are welcomed in their establishment. If they have to nurse, they will not be asked to leave, to relocate to another area of the library, or to cover their babies’ head. Also, all of the library staff at each library location received training on this initiative which, according to CINCH, is a major accomplishment.

To learn more about the Suffolk Public Library, visit www.suffolkpubliclibrary.com. Follow the library on Twitter @SufPubLib and check for updates on Facebook at facebook.com/SuffolkPublicLibrary.