Motivated by the belief that nourishment, care, and stimulation are fundamental for infants, especially in the first 1000 days of life, and during this time mothers are mobile to enjoy cultural activities, Soroptimists in Italy joined forces with UNICEF Italy to create Baby Pit Stops.
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In February 2020, the Italian Union signed a protocol with UNICEF Italy, to create Baby Pit Stops, where mothers could find a place dedicated to feeding and caring for their child. The initiative began in view of the further development of principles included in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in order to support women when they need to breastfeed and take care of their child even when being out and about.
Cosy spaces have been chosen for Baby Pit Stops by the Italian Union in museums, theatres, libraries, and botanical gardens across the country. The cost of the project is moderate, there is only the need to find an appropriate, quiet, intimate place, provide some furniture such as a comfortable armchair, a changing table, and some toys.
In less than one year, and during this difficult worldwide pandemic, Italian Soroptimists managed to initiate 15 Baby Pit Stops, spread all over the country seen here: https://www.soroptimist.it/it/progetti-nazionali/baby-pit-stop-protocollo-con-unicef-84/