 News
15th May 2006
Mums call for breastfeeding law in UK
At the start of Breastfeeding Awareness Week (BAW), the
National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is calling for a law throughout the UK
to give all mothers the right to breastfeed in public places, so that
they can feel confident and comfortable feeding when out and about.
A new survey showed that 79 per cent of mums would like
there to be a law throughout the UK, to protect a woman’s right to breastfeed
in public places while 52 per cent of breastfeeding mums have felt embarrassed
breastfeeding in public at some point.
The law is supported by MP David Kidney who believes that
it would help women feel more comfortable and confident feeding their
baby.
This year's Breastfeeding Awareness Week is encouraging
all mums to feel proud of breastfeeding emphasised with the slogan 'A
Mother's Pride'.
National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is an annual health
campaign coordinated by the Department of Health to promote the benefits
of breastfeeding and encourage more mums to give it a go.
Research reveals that nine out of ten women who stop breastfeeding
in the first six weeks are stopping before they want to often because
they feel didn't receive the accurate information and support that they
needed.
However, many people do not realise that the benefits of
breastfeeding start straight away so this year's campaign aims to highlight
this, urging all mums to feel proud whether they breastfeed for one day
or one year, as research shows that every feed makes a positive difference
to both mother and baby.
Rosie Dodds, Policy Research Officer said, “Mothers shouldn’t
be made to feel that they have to hide away while they are breastfeeding.
We believe mothers should have the freedom to feed their babies when they
need to be fed. Most breastfeeding is so discreet, no one notices.
“Breastfeeding makes a difference for both mothers and babies
right from the first feed.
"It is important that mothers feel proud of any amount
of breastfeeding - not embarrassed.
"If women are denied the right to breastfeed when they
are out and about or don’t feel comfortable enough to feed in public,
they are being forced to deprive their baby of the healthiest start in
life.
Last week, 3,738 mothers simultaneously breast-fed their
babies for at least one minute, breaking the Guinness World Record in
a bid to raise awareness about the benefits of breast-feeding.
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