Babies' health at risk as 'mothers are forced to stop breastfeeding in public'
Monday June 25 2007
A CULTURE of fear and embarrassment - and complaints from members of the public - is forcing Irish mothers to stop breastfeeding in public.
And this is leading to poor health among toddlers and newborns, warns one of Ireland's leading breastfeeding experts.
Under the Equal Status Act 2000, new mothers are allowed to breastfeed in public. Mothers are also permitted to breastfeed in pubs without discrimination under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. However, breastfeeding is "invisible in Irish society", said Maureen Fallon, co-ordinator of breastfeeding programmes at the Department of Health's health promotion unit.
"If it increased, there would be less of a shock factor and fewer complaints," she said. "We know, from refugees, that there is a much greater breastfeeding culture where they come from. I think many Irish women are fearful of adverse comments and are embarrassed that they may be asked to leave a place."
Jan Cromie, of breastfeeding-information association La Leche League of Ireland, said complaints in restaurants from customers and even staff had contributed to fewer women breastfeeding.
"We have been contacted by women who have been accosted in cafes by members of the public or even staff.
"We are writing to one restaurant at the moment who asked women to stop breastfeeding. When a baby is three weeks old, it needs to be fed 10 to 12 times a day and can't be told to wait."
Intolerance is preventing many mothers from using a method of feeding that has been proved to prevent obesity, heighten intelligence and prevent heart disease in later life, said Ms Fallon. "Because many children are bottle-fed, the level of health among our youngsters isn't as good as it should be."
However, president of the Irish Restaurant Association, Gina Murphy, said most restaurant customers accepted breastfeeding and all restaurants made it a priority to be as welcoming as possible.
"Our policy is that everyone has to eat. I find it hard to believe that people still have a prejudice. Anybody who has an issue with it will be spoken to by management.
"For restaurants management it is illegal to stop someone breastfeeding, so everyone would have to comply."
- Patricia McDonagh
