Yorkshire and Humber Infant Feeding Awards 2027 call on region to celebrate good practice and improve support for breastfeeding families 

People and organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber are being urged to nominate the individuals and teams making a difference to infant feeding, as the Yorkshire and Humber Infant Feeding Awards return for their third year.

The awards were founded by Dr Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, Associate Dean for Law and Policing at York St John University. They are rooted in her research which examines the structural and institutional barriers facing breastfeeding women.

Supported by York Business School at York St John University, the awards aim to empower breastfeeding women, raise awareness of their needs and encourage organisations to improve feeding facilities and support by celebrating and sharing examples of good practice. Unique in the UK, they provide a dedicated platform to recognise the contribution of healthcare professionals, employers, universities, researchers, volunteers, peer supporters and community organisations in helping families make informed infant feeding decisions.

Nominations for the 2027 awards close at midnight on Saturday 31 October 2026, with the awards ceremony scheduled to take place in February in York.

Now into their third year, the awards came out of the Yorkshire and Humber Infant Feeding Project, led by Dr Ndzi, which brings together healthcare professionals, local authorities, charities, employers and researchers to understand the barriers to infant feeding and improve the support available to parents. Her research at York St John University explores how workplace policies, shared parental leave, inadequate facilities and limited institutional support can affect breastfeeding women.

Dr Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, Associate Dean for Law and Policing at York St John University said:

“The awards grew out of my research because I wanted to make breastfeeding more visible and help people understand the barriers women face. Breastfeeding support cannot sit solely with mothers and healthcare professionals. Workplaces, universities, public spaces and society as a whole have an important role to play.

“These awards are about empowering breastfeeding women, recognising their needs and celebrating the people and organisations that are making a real difference. By highlighting good practice, we can share ideas, encourage others to improve their facilities and policies, and help create a culture where families feel supported, respected and able to make informed decisions about infant feeding.”

Previous winners demonstrate how organisations across Yorkshire and the Humber are improving support and creating more inclusive environments for breastfeeding families. St Stephen’s Shopping Centre in Hull was recognised in 2025 for creating a welcoming public space for infant feeding, while Leeds City Council (2025) and Wakefield Council (2026) were celebrated for their support for breastfeeding employees. Barnsley Council’s Children’s Public Health Team and 0–19 Public Health (2025), followed by the Sheffield team (2026), were recognised for using research to improve local infant feeding support.

The 2027 awards feature ten categories, recognising contributions across clinical care, education, research, employment and community support.

Categories are:

• Outstanding Peer Support Champion
• Father and Co-parent Inclusion Award
• Infant Feeding Hospital Exemplary Practice Award
• Outstanding Volunteer Contribution to Infant Feeding
• Infant Feeding Lead of the Year Award
• Long Service and Dedication to Infant Feeding Support Award
• Lactation Consultant Excellence Award
• Excellence in Infant Feeding Education
• Breastfeeding Friendly Employer
• Infant Feeding Research Award

Dr Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi said:

“I hope the awards will inspire organisations to look at their own policies, facilities and practices and ask what more they can do to support breastfeeding women and families. Sometimes, relatively simple changes can make a meaningful difference to someone’s experience.

“By celebrating good practice and sharing learning across Yorkshire and the Humber, we can encourage sustainable improvements and strengthen collaboration between healthcare, education, employers and communities. Ultimately, the aim is to help ensure that every family has access to the information, resources and support they need to make informed infant feeding choices.”

Healthcare professionals, parents, colleagues, employers, researchers, volunteers, community groups and members of the public are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organisations before midnight on Saturday 31 October 2026.

Find out more and submit a nomination:

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/events/yorkshire-and-humber-infant-feeding-awards/