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.
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
What's next, allowing men to walk around in speedos!
I think it's past time for women to have this right. As long as it is done as discretely as possible. I have known several women who have done this, and you never saw an exposed breast.
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
I actually think that this is a step in the right direction. There are some stores and malls in the USA which have private feeding areas for moms, larger corporations have the same thing so that mothers who work can have a private place to pump. This allows much greater freedom for new moms to get out and about with their babies. And moms who have to work don't have to close themselves in a bathroom stall to pump. There are lots of clothing and cover options that are lovely and provide total privacy for mom and baby. Its not like you'll be seeing naked breasts everywhere you go....most times, you wont even be able to tell that a mother is breastfeeding. Sure, there will be those "mother-earth-and-proud-of-my-milk-ducts" types who show the world their amazing feat but once it becomes more accepted and there are little private corners for them etc, they wont have an excuse to exhibit kwim?
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
If it is all going to be discrete then why did UK need a legislation about it ? Is the sight of a mother feeding a baby offensive for the English ? Why is it different than people having their lunches and dinners out in the public in restaurants, roadside , footpath etc.
I knew English were loonies , this is one of many proofs.
If it is all going to be discrete then why did UK need a legislation about it ? Is the sight of a mother feeding a baby offensive for the English ? Why is it different than people having their lunches and dinners out in the public in restaurants, roadside , footpath etc. I knew English were loonies , this is one of many proofs.
Because...unfortunately people don't see it as just a means of feeding. In the society it's completely okay for women to flash their breasts in tight clothes etc to be "sexY' but heaven forbid a woman uses them to feed a child..all hell breaks loose. I do think it's a verry private thing and i don't get why someone would just break out and start feeding right at the table...but they do deserve private spaces and shouldn't be aasked to leave premises. i've seen it happening gin pakistan and here, and nobody ever flashes a breast or any skin, women are generally very private about it, even if they do it in public.
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
Mirch, I think that IS the point. Too many people, at least here in the US, get bent out of shape if a woman is breastfeeding in public even though she is completely covered. I think this is a good thing. In Pakistan/India, you see women breastfeeding everywhere with their dupattas covering them. I think this has been a long time coming and I for one think this is great.
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
HAHAHA, that's funny, Sara said the same thing I said.
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
anyone remember the scene from 'me myself and irene'?
In Scotland, however, it has been a criminal offence since 2005 to ban breastfeeding in cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops or public transport.
IM OKIE WITH ALL THE OTHER PLACES EXCEPT PUBS,IF THE MOTHER IS CARRYING HER BABY TO THE PUB SHES THE ONE WHO SHULD BE FINED
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
only for babies? :(
Re: Breastfeeding in public will be a woman's right
If a mother is feeding her baby discreetly, no one will have a problem. She can be in a separate room, or out in the open with appropriate clothing, its fine. In fact, gawkers should be punished somehow. No one disputes the great benefits of breastfeeding. It should be encouraged (no pun).
Problem is women who actually go out of their way to flaunt their wares while feeding their babies. This creates an uncomfortable environment for others around them. I have seen situations where a lady is feeding her baby from one breast while the other is hanging out completely exposed. US is definitely more puritan compared to parts of Europe in such cases. I am sure there are places where it is perfectly acceptable for women to expose their breasts, but in the middle of a shopping mall is probably not it.
So its basically a two-way street. Respect begets respect. Women should also respect the fact that not everyone going around in a mall is interested in seeing exposed breasts, so if they can kindly be a bit more discreet about this thing, its probably a good thing. Breast feeding is not bad, just keep the other breast covered. You don't have to flaunt it to make a point.