A Wimbledon cafe has been nominated by mums for a national breastfeeding award.

Gooseberry Bush Cafe in Kingston Road is up for a Feed With Confidence Award, organised by breastfeeding cream brand Lanisoh to celebrate people and places across the country supporting breastfeeding mums.

One mum who nominated the café said: “The local breastfeeding support group is run here with expert lactation consultants on hand to help you. Safe environment to breastfeed with a cuppa and cake.”

The breastfeeding Drop-in at the café is held from 10am to noon on Thursday mornings with NCT Wimbledon & Wandsworth counsellors in attendance and has been running for over five years.

NCT breastfeeding counsellors have trained for three years and self-fund themselves to provide support to people with their breastfeeding.

The family-friendly café owned by Angela Yates has been open since 2011 and also incorporates the Gooseberry Bush Centre, therapy rooms, office spaces and studio.

Angela said: “I am delighted that we have been shortlisted for this award, I am particular delighted that people who use the drop in have voted.

“To us that shows we are providing a service that is valued. We are filling a gap that is not meet by the stressed NHS.

“The people that attend vary week from week sometimes two or three with most being nine in each week. You don’t have to be an NCT member to attend everyone is welcome at the Gooseberry Bush Café.”

The service at Gooseberry Bush is entirely financed by voluntary donations. 

According to research from Lansinoh, in 2015 226.950 babies were born in the UK. Yet just half a per cent of UK mums are breastfeeding their new-born at 12 months and research found that witnessing a woman breastfeeding in a café, restaurant or pub was uncomfortable for an average of 46 per cent of people.

Kevin Vyse-Peacock, CEO of Lansinoh Laboratories said: “We’re committed to supporting all mums who choose to breastfeed, and Feed With Confidence e is an important initiative for us because it highlights the places and people who are doing exactly that.

“The more we encourage openness and acceptance within society, the more confident mums will become and that’s good news for everyone.”

The awards remain open for nominations until December 31, with the winners announced in March 2018.