Anger over attitudes to breastfeeding in public

The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2017, published this week, shows that 82 per cent of people agreed with the statement that it is ‘OK to breastfeed in public places’.

However, 16 per cent said they would feel uncomfortable if a mother breastfed her child near them, while a majority of people said it should be done ‘discreetly’.

The term ‘discreet’ was left for respondents – who were chosen at random – to interpret and the figures were weighted by the States Statistics Unit to reflect the views of the Island as a whole, not just those who responded.

Members of the Breastfeeding Support – Jersey Facebook group, which offers advice and support on all matters breastfeeding-related, have said the figures show that more needs to be done to educate people and remove stigmas associated with the natural act of feeding a child.

And Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore, who is the ‘breastfeeding champion’ for the States, said further statistics showing that 45 per cent of women feel there is too much pressure on mothers to breastfeed are also concerning.

Vicky O’Neil, founder of Mum Space – a community for mothers – and a member of the breastfeeding group, questioned why so many people felt mothers should be discreet when feeding.

‘There is so much shame and embarrassment associated with this. There are such double standards in our society, where women can go topless on a beach but a woman who may slightly flash a nipple as she puts it into her baby’s little hungry mouth is regarded as being disgusting – and we should be discreet? It’s something natural and just not a big deal.’

Natalie Standen added: ‘I don’t understand why people feel uncomfortable by a mother doing what is so natural. And being discreet… If it’s an issue, then that’s the other person’s problem! I refuse to use a cover of any kind.

‘Why should my son have to have his milk in the dark under a cover?

‘Totally ridiculous stats for this day and age, when we know how much of a benefit babies and children get from breastmilk.’

Sally Spencer said: ‘I’ve been lucky enough to breastfeed both my boys and have fed them wherever they have required feeding at the time. I am proud to breastfeed and the more people that see mums breastfeeding, then the quicker it will become normalised, as in other countries.’

Deputy Moore, meanwhile, said she would be continuing her work on this ‘important’ area, with the experiences of new mothers key to informing future debate.

She said: ‘It is good to see that most people are supportive of women who breastfeed. I am also very pleased with the feedback regarding attitudes towards rest breaks for breastfeeding mothers at work.

‘We perhaps need to do more work on the general message about why breastfeeding is so important.’

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