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Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
Last updated at 21:22pm on 12.06.07
New Bill: Expectant and new mothers would be protected from discrimination
Nursing mothers will be allowed to breastfeed their babies wherever they like under new anti- discrimination laws announced yesterday.
Restaurants, cafes and shops which tried to ban them would face court action and fines of up to £2,500.
The move is a victory for pressure groups who have been asking for greater rights for mothers in the interests of better health for babies.
It will mean that mothers of children up to a year old will be able to feed them 'discreetly' in public - despite the misgivings of restaurant managers or the possible embarrassment of other diners.
The breakthrough for breastfeeding campaigners comes in a scheme for a sweeping new 'Single Equality Bill' designed to replace and streamline 40 years of legislation against prejudice.
The plans, outlined in a 190-page consultation paper from the Communities Department, include laws to curb bias against women at private clubs, new rules to try to ensure dignity for elderly people and 'balancing measures' to let police forces and other employers speed the careers of ethnic minority staff.
Mothers who breastfeed are regularly asked to leave business or public premises. In recent months, women have been asked to stop feeding and cover up in the National Gallery and Hampton Court palace in London.
Last month, the Mayor of Trafford in Greater Manchester, Dr Pauleen Lane, went to a tribunal after she was told she could not breastfeed in her official car.
In Scotland, however, it has been a criminal offence since 2005 to ban breastfeeding in cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops or public transport.
The maximum fine, £2,500, is likely to be followed in England and Wales, officials said yesterday.
The rules will be introduced as part of the Single Equality Bill by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly, who is a longstanding supporter of breastfeeding.
As a junior member of the Government she took her third child Roisin, then three months old, on a parliamentary trip to Rome because she was breastfeeding her.
Campaigners said they were 'delighted' that the needs of nursing women out with their children had been recognised. But the National Childbirth Trust said the change should be extended to cover children more than a year old.
Rosie Dodds of the NCT said: "According to the latest survey, 13 per cent of women in England and 16 per cent in Wales have been asked to stop or made to feel uncomfortable when breastfeeding.
"We regularly receive calls from distressed mothers who have been told they can't breastfeed in restaurants or shops, or even in schools and health centres. It leaves them embarrassed, shocked and angry and it is time it stopped."
The consultation paper does not specifically mention breastfeeding, but ministers made clear that this would be the chief impact of new rules forbidding discrimination against pregnant women and mothers of babies.
Officials have no definition as yet of what 'discreetly' means. That will be decided when ministers assess the results of their consultation.
The consultation paper contains a raft of potentially controversial ideas. Police forces would be allowed to fast-track training for ethnic minority recruits.
Government bodies and local councils would, if the law goes through, be told that they must treat all religions equally.
The proposal could risk constitutional arguments because the Church of England remains the established state religion, and the head of state, the Queen, is its Supreme Governor.
But the consultation paper said councils will merely be told they should give equal support to voluntary groups from different religions.
The paper also proposes specialised discrimination courts - local county courts with judges trained in discrimination law.
There was criticism of the new plans from some groups - notably feminists disappointed at the lack of new laws on greater wage equality and organisations for the elderly who said measures against age discrimination should go further.
But ministers say a key aim is to simplify the law, to protect people rather than create extra bureaucracy.
The new anti-discrimination laws affects many different groups. To see if you're among them scroll down for more...
THE ELDERLY
New laws are likely to try to protect the dignity of vulnerable older people, both at home and in care homes. The idea follows six years of the Daily Mail's Dignity for the Elderly campaign.
Discrimination in goods and services against older people would also be banned - for example, banks would no longer be able to deny a credit card to a solvent person over 65 just because of their age.
But there would be some exemptions - there would be no block on companies providing holidays aimed specifically at over-55s or youth groups.
POLICE AND THE NHS
Police forces will be able to give favoured treatment to ethnic minority recruits under new 'balancing measures'.
The NHS will be allowed to open special facilities for gays and lesbians and ethnic minority groups to target illness and diseases particular prevalent among them.
But the consultation paper insists that this remains 'positive action' and does not cross the line into employment quotas or 'positive discrimination' that would mean minority members would be preferred for jobs and services over others.
AT THE GOLF CLUB
Private clubs with more than 25 members will no longer be able to discriminate on grounds of gender.
At the moment, golf clubs can ban women from their courses or clubhouses at popular times such as weekends and limit their rights to play.
Some stop women members joining management committees. Working men's clubs also often give women second-class status.
But single-sex clubs, for men or women, will still be allowed to exclude members of the opposite sex.
THE DISABLED
Landlords will be unable to refuse to put in facilities such as wheelchair ramps or stairlifts which help disabled tenants get in and out of buildings and public areas inside them, such as lounges.
The consultation paper says disabled people should not be forced into isolation because they cannot easily move outside their homes.
The new law is likely to affect large numbers of buy-to-let owners. But the cost of alterations will have to be met by the disabled tenants who ask for them, the paper said.
GENDER SWOPS
Britain's estimated 5,000 transsexuals will be brought under the umbrella of anti-discrimination laws.
The planned changes would prevent any public body treating transsexuals differently from other people and stop anyone denying them goods or services.
Religious organisations will have an exemption, however, to allow them to exclude transsexuals from jobs on doctrinal grounds. Sports will also be able to ban transsexuals from matches or events reserved for single-sex competitors.
Reader views (23)
At one time I believed that you English were less prudish than us Americans because you allow more nudity than we do in your commercials, etc. It seems like we've all fallen for the lie that the human body exists separate from biology, and that breasts have only a sexual purpose. What makes it even more ironic is the extent to which we display naked breasts as sex objects, and the pure disgust we heap on real women who choose to feed their children. I'm for discretion in any activity, so I would always remain as covered as possible. That being said, I think that we have become dangerously detached from our biological natures... Only time will tell if this will be to our detriment.
- Katie, Columbus, United States
The more (pardon the pun) exposure the topic of breastfeeding has the more relaxed everyone will be about it in the end. If people get used to it, it will not be such a big deal.
But how often do you actually see a mother breastfeeding in public? There are facilities offered in many places for Mum and baby to hide away and feed in private.
Nursing / breastfeeding covers are great for nursing discretely in public, if a mother is shy about feeding and I think the more mothers we see feeding in public the less of an issue it will be in the future. It takes time to change opinions but as breastfeeding is so actively encouraged now-a-days I think we are slowly getting there.
- Marie, UK
I fed my son when he was hungry, where ever we were and whatever we were doing.
People who have problems with a mother breastfeeding her baby, need to either stop looking or think back to how they where fed as babies.
- Amy, Whaplode Drove
I was visiting my mother in St Austell this week and we had to go in to the bank to resolve a change of address that they had failed to do. We were in the bank for over an hour and my 12 week old baby girl was hungry. I was sat right in the corner behind a screen and very discreetly put her on the breast, the young girl (Hayley) who was attending to my mums problem said "I don't know about that" and made me feel very uncomfortable. I would like to know who I should complain to? Please help
Thank you
- Heidi, St Austell
A policy on breastfeeding in public should not be necessary but as many of the comments above reveal, the public is largely ignorant about breastfeeding.
Breastfed babies need to feed on demand because mother's milk serves as a drink and meal. The foremilk in the beginning of the feed is more of a drink. The longer the baby drinks, the thicker milk mixes in called hind milk.
Like us, babies do not eat or drink the same amount every day. Sometimes they are thirstier and therefore feed more often but for shorter periods of time. This is especially the case when babies are a bit ill or the weather is hot.
Feeding a baby in public is an indication that the mother is responding to her child's needs.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion concerning breastfeeding but the negative comments are based largely on ignorance. Educate yourself regardless of whether you are for or against breastfeeding. Look up WHO or UNICEF guidelines as a place to start.
- Aki, UK
I am a breastfeeding mother of my 18 month old daughter. I go out as I like and feed my baby wherever I am. I do not agree that I should have to timetable my day so that I can only feed at home, or express and feed from a bottle when I am out. I used to live in Laos in Southeast Asia and there the village people will have their breasts on display and feed openly and no-one takes any notice as it is so normal. Babies feed well into toddlerhood. Our Western society is very strange where it is OK for someone to have a newspaper open with a picture of a large breasted woman on show, and no-one thinks to say that causes offence. If it does, you simply look the other way. I say - go on breastfeeding mums - try not to feel embarrassed and feed as you like - it is only when the public see it more often that it will become "normal" and not have to be done secretly. Feeding a baby breastmilk is the most natural and healthy thing to do.
- Lucy Best, Southampton, UK
I don't see why people make such a fuss about women breastfeeding their babies.. It is one of the most natural things in the world. If people did not just sexualise breasts but saw them as their proper purpose, for feeding babies, then I don't think it would be a problem. I'm sure most of the men who object to women breastfeeding in public do not mind page 3 girls. I breastfeed my baby in public, and have never asked permission, if I have to see you drinking your coffee and eating your meal, then why can't you see my baby have his lunch? Women do not show all their breast while feeding, clothes and baby cover 99% of it anyway. If it offends you, I suggest you look the other way!
- Sarah, Bridgwater
I have the right to partake of my meal in peace and not be offended by another's behaviour. That’s the real tragedy, all manner of bad taste, judgement, and behaviour has now become forcibly acceptable, and i have to pay to tolerate it.
- Bradley, Petersbough
I don't particularly want a woman to "flob one out" when I'm having a coffee as much as someone not wanting me to smoke when they are having theirs.
- Dan, Manchester
As a woman, your shame, modesty and self respect is so important - many women have no concept about this. I have children, I exclusively breastfed them until they were well over 1 year old yet I never ever resorted to sitting in shopping malls and restaurants baring myself. It is the most natural thing in the world and women all over the East have no other choice. Western women have to put everything down to 'equal rights' which in this case means sitting in public view and showing your breasts to everyone. Prepare in advance..not be caught out by a hungry child whilst out purchasing a pair of shoes or eating in a restaurant. Take a bottle, express, sit in your car, wear discreet clothing so you are not sitting there for all to see.
- Priya, London, UK
Honestly, I have never ever seen a woman breastfeed her baby with her breasts fully on display. I breastfed in public, mostly with my first child. He was a very hungry baby and wanted to feed all the time. He still does. I just got on with it and didn't give it much thought. If a nipple popped out, it would be because maybe he didn't latch on correctly, or was becoming a bit fretful and wriggly. Is it really that big a deal if you see a nipple by mistake? And why are these people staring so much? Do they have a breast fixation? Personally, I find it offensive that so many mothers care so little about their childs long term health that they feed them formula instead without even trying to breastfeed.
- M, Bedford
I wholly support being able to breastfeed in public and I did breastfeed in public.
What some people don't understand is that when a baby needs to be fed, they need it right then and not to wait. The longer they cry, the more disorganised they get, and then it makes it difficult to feed. This is the same for formula fed babies.
- Kelly, North West
Many women in primitive societies breastfeed in public and, I understand, sometimes give birth in public and both sexes also urinate and defecate in public too - can we perform these 'natural' functions in public as well as the breastfeeding, or wouldn't that be civilized?
- Judith Chisholm, London
Breastfeeding is one of the key things to do for a child's development and as the article states gives vital protection against diseases plus providing other countless benefits. I have managed to go out and breastfeed my 5-week -old daughter without flashing people as I'm sure anyone can do. Would you expect new mothers at a risk of post-natal depression to stay inside on their own because a minority of small-minded people won't allow public breastfeeding. The time for such old fashioned and ill-advised opinions is long gone.
- Claire, London
Jay, from London, asks why you'd want to breastfeed in public? Convenience is one major reason! Having to prepare bottles of formula feed in advance and then find some way to warm them when you're out is immense hassle. Moreover, when you are out virtually the only places you can find that are totally private are the Mother & Baby section of a public lavatory - not somewhere most of us would choose to spend time, let alone feed a child.
What some seem to have forgotten here is the real reason women have breasts!
- Lindsey Harris, Poole, UK
Why is it considered ok for a man to walk up the high street bare chested but not for a woman to feed her child the way nature intended. Some of these men have bigger boobs than me!
I am still breastfeeding my one-year-old and have never been approached to stop, but then that may be because I have a defiant look on my face which says 'go on then. I dare you!'
I refuse to feed my daughter in a toilet...would you eat in one?
I am discreet, but that is my choice. If I wanted to take my top off and do it in the most indiscreet manner, that should be my right too. If it embarrasses people, then they should be the ones to leave. It is their problem not mine.
- Lisa, Essex
It may be 'natural', but that still doesn't mean that the majority of people find it acceptable for mothers to breastfeed in public. Is nothing in this country sacred anymore? If it is done discretely it's OK, but most of the time it is not. Same goes for pregnant woman who wear those awful tight fitting tops that rise up so you can see their bare bellies. Although 'natural' it looks quite revolting and cheap. Much better to wear a smart smock dress and look pregnant and feminine, rather than look like a tart.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
We live in a culture where we are surrounded by breasts ie page 3, top shelf mags, Loaded, Nuts, advertising etc. I really can't understand why people are so freaked out when breasts are used for their intended purpose!
- Hattie, London, UK
A young child gets hungry when out and about. Do you expect women to run home or worse still feed in a toilet to satisfy prudish minds?
- John, London, London
This is shocking in its implication that women don't have the right to breastfeed at the moment. Of course they should feed in public if they need to. It's a necessary and natural function of human life. (As well as being government policy!) It's keeping everything covered up that's unnatural.
- Suzanne, London
I appreciate your highlighting the importance of breastfeeding, including protecting the right of mothers and children to breastfeed wherever they otherwise have a right to be.
A newborn's stomach is about the size of a marble. At day 3, it's about the size of a shooter marble. And at day 10, it's about the size of a golf ball. Thus, 10 to 12 feeds in 24 hours are entirely ordinary, even necessary.
Most mothers regularly go out and about with their children, and since, thankfully, more and more mothers and children are breastfeeding, it's no surprise that they will pause, as needed, to do what mothers and children have always done.
Since 1993, legislation has been adopted in nearly 40 US states and, as you point out, in Scotland to protect the right of mothers and children. Perhaps the only thing worse than adopting such legislation is the need to do so in the first place.
Finally, I would like to clarify one important piece of information. The World Health Organization recommends that infants be fed exclusively for the first six months of life. Thereafter, in addition to appropriate completementary foods, WHO recommends that breastfeeding continue up until the age of two years or beyond.
- James Akre, Geneva, Switzerland
Never had an issue with some woman popping her boob out in public to feed the nipper. My only question is why would you want to? I know I wouldn't want to do that if I was a woman. Still have some decency left. Best done behind closed doors methinks. But then some women nowadays - whew.
- Jay, London
I breastfed my daughter where ever and when ever I needed to and was never asked to stop. That's because I was always discrete and wore a jacket to disguise what I was doing. I have seen some women breastfeeding in the most peculiar, in your face manner recently and it is these women that cause a problem for all. Feeding a child is the most natural thing and no-one should stop her from doing so, however getting a glimpse of a woman's breasts is a great source of amusement to many and will always be so, so best not to make a show of it.
- Steph, Ilford
