Annette Brooke tables parliamentary motion in support of campaign for Breastfeeding in Public Places

6.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Nov 2005

Annette Brooke with breastfeeding mothers from Poole at local support network "Bosom Buddies"

Following MP David Kidney's recent 10 Minute Rule Bill "Breastfeeding etc" earlier this month, Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children and families and a significant supporter of the breastfeeding lobby, tabled an Early Day Motion Breastfeeding in Public Places (EDM 1046).

David Kidney's Bill sought to protect the rights of mothers to breastfeed an infant in public places, and to make it an offence to prevent a woman from doing so.

Ironically, only the same week news reports highlighted an incident in Norfolk in which a woman was asked by a policeman to stop breastfeeding in public, as it caused offence to a member of the public, thus drawing further attention to the desperate need for more public understanding and education on this important issue. Breastfeeding is, and should be recognised as, a normal part of everyday life.

Annette Brooke MP: "It is shocking that in this day and age, a woman's ability to breastfeed freely in public is compromised by some negative social attitudes to breastfeeding. The situation is improving, but a great deal more public education and understanding is required to ensure that all mothers feel comfortable and accepted when and if they breastfeed their infant in public."

Both UNICEF, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the APPG for Maternity have supported the EDM, highlighting it on their websites and asking members to lobby their MPs to sign it.

The UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe, with only 1 in 5 babies receiving breastmilk by the time they are six months old. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies need nothing other than breastmilk for the first six months. It should be of great concern that many women report having been harassed for breastfeeding in public, particularly given the proven health benefits to both mother and child.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Photo shows Annette with breastfeeding mothers at her local breastfeeding support group Bosom Buddies.

EDM 1046 in full.

As of 28-11-05 the EDM has support from 49 MPs, including 18 Liberal Democrat MPs.

That this House recognises the benefits of breastfeeding for babies and welcomes the provisions of the recently introduced Breastfeeding etc Bill, which propose to address some of society's attitudes to breastfeeding; notes that research shows that breast milk is the ideal first food for most babies; regrets that the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe with just one in five babies receiving breastmilk by the time they are six months old, although the World Health Organisation recommends that babies need nothing other than breastmilk for the first six months of life; is deeply concerned that many mothers report having been harassed for breastfeeding in public while others have stopped breastfeeding early or chosen not to breastfeed as they have anticipated embarrassment or difficulties in feeding their babies whilst in public; supports UNICEF's call for legislation to protect breastfeeding mothers' rights to feed their babies in public areas and the Baby Friendly Initiative; appreciates that social attitudes are slowly changing but that there is a long way to go and calls for greater understanding and positive attitudes to ensure that breastfeeding is a normal part of everyday life.