A new Doncaster Milk Trail is launching this August to help families explore the city while discovering welcoming, comfortable spaces to feed their babies.
Launching during World Breastfeeding Week (1 to 7 August), the trail shines a light on seven city-centre venues that offer a supportive atmosphere for parents and carers: Cast, Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, The Point, The Corn Exchange, The Wool Market, Frenchgate Shopping Centre and the Central Family Hub.
Families can pick up a specially designed trail map from any of the participating venues, or from any of the 12 Family Hubs across the city, and collect a sticker at each location as they go. To celebrate the launch, the first 50 families to complete the trail can claim a free standard hot or iced tea or coffee from Poppy’s Café Lounge in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre, and the first 100 families to collect all seven stickers and hand them in at the Central Family Hub will receive a tote bag including a small care pack.
Built on the success of a similar project in Hull, the trail was developed by Doncaster Family Hubs in partnership with Doncaster Public Health. It forms part of a wider city network of accredited Breastfeeding Friendly venues, aiming to make feeding-friendly spots easy to identify while helping to normalise infant feeding through community engagement and education. It is designed as a long-term resource, with no set end date.
Alongside the main trail, Doncaster Family Hubs will also roll out portable Infant Feeding Hubs — specially designed gazebos that will appear at community events across the city, offering quiet feeding and changing spaces alongside advice from trained staff.
Explore with confidence
Councillor Sue Farmer, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “Doncaster is a fantastic place to raise a family. The Doncaster Milk Trail is a brilliant and practical way to help families explore our local venues with confidence, knowing they’ll receive a warm and supportive welcome whenever they stop.”
She added: “Whether you’re stopping for a break while shopping or collecting trail stickers with your little ones, it’s a wonderful initiative for all local families to get involved in.”
Rachel Leslie, director of public health, said: “The Doncaster Milk Trail is a fantastic way to help families feel confident and supported when feeding their baby while out and about. By highlighting welcoming venues across the city, we’re helping to normalise infant feeding and create a more family-friendly Doncaster.”
She added: “The project is a fantastic example of partners working together to make infant feeding more visible, accessible and accepted, while encouraging families to connect with local services and community spaces.”
To take part, families can pick up a map at any of the participating venues or local Family Hubs. More information is available at yourlifedoncaster.co.uk/doncaster-milk-trail.
