Restaurants back breastfeeding plan
The Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children wrote to 476 members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland inviting them to take part in their Babies Who Lunch campaign.
So far, 105 restaurants and cafes have agreed to support the initiative by having a public customer policy of welcoming breastfeeding mothers and facilitating them to feed their babies. The unit’s national breastfeeding co-ordinator, Maureen Fallon, said they hoped that more restaurants and cafés would come forward and support the initiative to make breastfeeding easier.
“The aim of the campaign is to increase the level of breastfeeding here, which at 40% is still the lowest in Europe,” said Ms Fallon.
Speaking at the launch of National Breastfeeding Week, Ms Fallon said it was crucial that mothers felt comfortable to breastfeed whenever and wherever the need arises.
As part of the campaign, a leaflet entitled, Breastfeeding: Out and About, will be available from health boards and hospitals.
The leaflet encourages women to feel confident and supported in their decision to breastfeed.
It also outlines women’s right to freedom from discrimination and harassment when breastfeeding in public areas.
“It is important that women understand that they don’t have to ask permission to breastfeed; that they can do so whenever and wherever their baby wants to or needs to,” she said.
Soon to be implemented regulations will also facilitate breastfeeding at work.
New laws under the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 will provide for one hour’s breastfeeding at work per day and adequate facilities.
Equality Authority chief executive Niall Crowley said women were beginning to realise that breastfeeding was an equality issue.
Breastfeeding mothers are protected under the Equal Status Act and the authority has dealt with a small number of cases that were happily resolved without having to be heard by the Equality Tribunal.
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