'I review cafes so other mums can feel welcome'

A mum who reviews cafes for others with young children said she wanted to help others know where they would feel welcome.

Alexis Fullard, from Wolverhampton, began writing Instagram reviews of venues around two years ago when she was struggling to get to grips with breastfeeding her daughter.

"You hardly ever saw people breastfeeding in public," she said.

"It helps to know when you're going out if there is somewhere that feels safe because I think it can be quite difficult for a lot of people to feel confident."

Writing under the username flatwhiteandbabyccino, the belly-dancing teacher said it was essential for new mums to get out of the house to a space where they felt comfortable.

"In the early days, you're so overwhelmed with this responsibility, you've got to take care of this new life.

"It can get very very lonely and very emotional. To have that little bit of human connection is so important."

She has experienced being "glared or stared at", and heard stories from others of negative comments they received about feeding their children in public.

"Our breastfeeding rates in the UK are so low," she said. "If you see people doing it that might inspire another woman to have the confidence."

She said baristas at her favourite local venues, such as Cup of Joy in Penn, Cafe 29 in Perton and Lupo Lounge in Wolverhampton, understood mums needed to feel part of the community.

"You can feel supported, even by a complete stranger."

She has a check list for essentials all venues should offer, with good baby changing facilities at the top of the list.

"Having comfortable places to sit is really key, because when they're newborn you could be there nearly 40 mins," she said.

"Decaf coffee—it sounds ridiculous but not every place offers it. Decaf tea."

A small selection toys or books suitable for young children is also a big plus.

"It's just the little things like that, really."

She cites a "a very sleek, trendy looking cafe" she visited in Seville, Spain, as one of the best she had been to, with small toilets for those potty training and an area with educational toys.

She also regularly visits venues in Birmingham, and has reviewed places as far afield as Prague in the Czech Republic, the Danish capital of Copenhagen and Zagreb, Croatia.

She hopes to see more places proactively advertise they welcome breastfeeding, and a nationwide scheme similar that certifies businesses as such similar to that running in Liverpool.

Now a breastfeeding peer mentor who goes into hospitals to support new mums, other families have told her the reviews helped them.

"That's what I set out to do when creating the page," she said. "I'm glad I've achieved that."

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