Comfortable armchairs, a wash basin, changing tables and a play area: this is the new Baby Pit Stop at the Colosseum promoted by UNICEF and set up in a new space created by the PArCo as part of the redevelopment of a section of the second level of the monument.
The space of two rooms was set up with the support of IKEA Roma, which donated the carefully chosen furniture to make those who need to breastfeed or change their nappies, or even just a quiet moment for the little visitors, even more comfortable during their visit. The rooms are located on the second level of the Colosseum and have a dedicated and appropriately signposted entrance along the visit route; to gain access, please contact the security and reception staff.
The Director General of UNICEF Italy, Paolo Rozera, the Director General of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo, Alfonsina Russo, and Victoria Miglietti, Head of Stores IKEA Roma, attended the ceremony.
“Breastfeeding is a simple and natural act that all mothers should be able to do anywhere, but sometimes it is difficult, if not prohibitive, to find a suitable place to stop,” said Paolo Rozera, Director General of UNICEF Italy. “On behalf of UNICEF Italy we want to thank the Parco archeologico del Colosseo for this important initiative, a good practice that will have a great response among many families. It is important that places of culture, of educational and cultural growth of the person, are also services that are attentive to the needs of citizens and, in particular, of families. We would also like to thank IKEA Roma, our long-standing partner, for its support and for being committed once again to the children’s side.”
“Welcoming, accessibility and safety, these are the key words of our mission to offer the public, who in all seasons of the year come to visit us, the pleasure of a comfortable visit, suitable for all ages” – comments Alfonsina Russo, Director General of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo. “UNICEF’s new breastfeeding area is one more piece in the range of services that the PArCo makes available to visitors on a daily basis, thus meeting the multiple needs of audiences from all over the world. I would like to thank UNICEF and IKEA Roma for following up and reaching an important milestone with the PArCo,” concludes the Director General.
The Baby Pit Stop is among the initiatives implemented by UNICEF to guarantee the rights sanctioned by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Adolescent, in particular art. 24, which protects the right to health, and is part of the UNICEF “Together for Breastfeeding” Programme. To date, 31 Hospitals, 7 Communities recognised by UNICEF as Baby Friendly, 4 Degree Courses recognised as Breastfeeding Friendly and over 900 Baby Pit Stops are part of the UNICEF programme in Italy.
We thank
For UNICEF Italy
- Paolo Rozera (Director General UNICEF ITALY)
- Elisa Grifantini (Head of Advocacy Area)
- Arianna de Leo (Head of Strategic Philanthropy)
- Stefania Solare (Coordinator of the Programme “Insieme per l’allattamento”)
- Chiara Aluffi Pentini (Fundraising Area Manager)
For IKEA
- Victoria Maria Miglietti Head of Stores IKEA Roma
- Annunziata Caretti
- Claudia Rosiello
- Angela Ilaria Antoniello
For the Parco archeologico del Colosseo
Elisa Cella, Federica Rinaldi, Barbara Nazzaro, Astrid D’Eredità, Andrea Schiappelli, Valentina Mastrodonato, Maura Tollis, Andrea Caracciolo, the Secretary’s Office of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo and all the staff of Vigilance and Hospitality