July 20th, 2008

Breastfeeding in Public- The Laws Made Clear

Press Release from The Art of Change - Confusion lifted over breastfeeding

20th July 2008 01:00

UK mothers who breastfeed their children, are celebrating after the government clarified today that mothers are, and always have been, free to breastfeed in public places. Breastfeeding mothers are also protected in law under the provision of goods, services and facilities section of the Sexual Discrimination Act when breastfeeding, whatever the age of the baby, in places such as cafes, restaurants, libraries, surgeries etc.

When Harriet Harman announced plans for the new Equality Bill three weeks ago, she could not have known that people around the country - and around the world -  would respond so strongly to her proposal to include the word ‘breastfeeding’ in the definition of maternity.

Under the new proposals, the government was stating that a mother, breastfeeding a child of six months or less, would now be more rigorously protected by law from discrimination. It was this six month cut off point that started panic amongst breastfeeding mothers who, in accord with WHO and Government Health guidelines, seek to breastfeed well beyond six months. They were concerned that they could now be discriminated against, for feeding a child older than six months when in public.

As Barbara Follett, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, stated: “The law is not as clear as it could be. People are unsure of their rights and their responsibilities in this area. Some people also think that women can be charged with indecency for breastfeeding in a public place. This is utter nonsense and completely wrong”.

Barry Durdant-Hollamby, a communications specialist for The Art of Change, became concerned that mixed messages were being given out to the public, when he was alerted to a newspaper story suggesting that it was an offence to breastfeed in public. ‘I found it hard to believe that there could be a law suggesting that breastfeeding in public was an offence. And yet there was this story suggesting it was. And then I thought of all the young, vulnerable mothers - and of all the service providers such as the managers of food chains -  reading that same article and acting according to what they had read in the article. I had to get to the bottom of it. It has been a challenge, but I feel we can spread some positive light on all this now.’ 

As a result of Durdant-Hollamby’s investigations, the Government Equalities Office has confirmed that:

1)       There is not, and never has been, any law that prohibits a woman from breastfeeding a child of any age in public, for example in a cafe.

2)       The 1975 Sexual Discrimination Act created legal protection for a woman under the provision of goods, facilities and services section. This protection covered a woman breastfeeding a child, of any age, by implication, and meant that she could not be discriminated against for breastfeeding in places such as restaurants, cafes, surgeries, libraries etc.

3)       The 2008 amendment to the SDA brought in more specific cover under the wording of ‘maternity’ - this also brought in the first mention of a six-month period, as it is tied to broader maternity rights covering 6 months before and after birth - whereby a mother could also challenge the owner under the grounds of maternity

4)       The Equality Bill seeks to make it even more explicit that this maternity protection includes breastfeeding, by including the word breastfeeding in the statute.

So, for example, if a mother who is breastfeeding a 27 week old baby on a bus or in a café is asked to leave or to stop breastfeeding, she can take legal action on the grounds of sexual discrimination. If that same mother was feeding a child under 26 weeks, she could take action under the grounds of maternity or sexual discrimination.

Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking Coordinator at Baby Milk Action, said: “We, and our colleagues in the Baby Feeding Law Group, are pleased to see the Government making it clear that women are free to breastfeed in public and stating that these women are already protected under the Sexual Discrimination Act. During the consultation phase for the Single Equality Bill, we have also asked for there to be no age limit specified on the additional protection (provided under ‘maternity’) for breastfeeding in public. In many countries I visit, mothers do not give a thought to breastfeeding wherever they may be, which is quick and convenient and nobody sees it at odd.”

Only this week, the need for clarity was demonstrated when the junior manager of a McDonald’s asked a breastfeeding woman to leave the premises. Fortunately Head Office understood the law and offered an apology to the woman involved. It is this type of confusion that Durdant-Hollamby was determined to lift.

Deputy Minister for Women Barbara Follett concluded:  “Mothers have to be confident that they can breastfeed their infants in a café, restaurant or shop without the embarrassment of having the owner ask them to stop.  This type of discrimination has in fact been unlawful for more than thirty years, and the mother - with a baby of any age - could challenge the owner under the Sex Discrimination Act.”

Posted in General
By Laura

July 10th, 2008

New Breastfeeding Chair Designed By Leicester Student

STUDENT DESIGNS NURSING MUM’S CHAIR TO BOOST BREASTFEEDING

Leicestershire student Nicola Hart has designed a fabulous breastfeeding chair with privacy wings and arm support that could be used in cafes and other public places.

The design coincides with the news that mothers are finally to get the legal right to breastfeed in any public place when the recently announced Equality Bill becomes law.

Under current laws, women who breastfeed in places such as restaurants or bars can be charged under public order or indecency legislation but the new law will make it an offence to stop any woman from breastfeeding a baby up to the age of six months- although this age should of course be increased as health professionals recommend infants be breastfed to at least 1 year of age, so the new law should reflect this.

Nicola, 22, who gradutes from Leiceser De Montfort University next month will showcase her designs at the New Designers exhibition in London in two weeks time (10-13 July).

New Designers is the leading showcase for the freshest talent in the design world and has been hailed by the Prime Minister as one of the most important exhibitions in London. See http://www.newdesigners.com/.

Nicola said: “Although breastfeeding is encouraged by medical professionals, many women decide against it for a variety of reasons and one of the deciding factors is they believe they can’t breastfeed in public places, often due to poor facilities, lack of confidence and other people’s negative reactions.

“My chair is designed for the contract environment, especially cafes. It not only provides a good breastfeeding posture which is comfortable and supporting, it also takes into consideration other people’s attitudes in relation to breastfeeding in public and helps keep it discreet using privacy wings.

“The chair’s high back provides good back and neck support while providing an ergonomically sound posture. The low-cushioned armrests and wide seat provide plenty of room for mother and baby. An optional footrest allows shorter users to lift their feet to create the ideal flat lap, and the in-built table allows the user to eat or drink during the baby’s feed.”

Posted in General
By Laura

June 20th, 2008

Todays Top Tip :7

Breastfeeding and Deodorants

Most commercial deodorants are rife with chemicals and artificial fragrances, including parabens, which are potentially harmful. Think carefully about what you apply to your skin, especially when breastfeeding as your baby will be breathing the air very close to your armpits.

Opt for a ‘natural’ and organic deodorant instead, such as that from Green People, or a Crystal deodorant. However, having tried the spectrum of natural deodorants personally, for me there is a clear winner, however ‘quirky’ it might sound!…. Sprinking a little Bicarbonate of Soda onto the armpits really does work a treat! Applied every morning with a powder brush, it will keep you smelling fresh all day, without the chemicals! Once I tried this cheap and cheerful (and fairly obvious when you think about it!) option, I never looked back. Give it a try!

Posted in General
By Laura

May 12th, 2008

Charlotte Church and Why Breast is Best!

A big ‘Well Done’ to Charlotte for advocating and encouraging more young mothers to breastfeed their babies.

The 21 year old will join health experts at the Millenium Centre in Wales to give a speech encouraging young women to give their babies the best start in life by breastfeeding. This coincides with Breastfeeding Awareness Week (13-19th May) which will sees the biggest publicity drive yet!

Charlotte states ‘Feeding Ruby myself has been such a positve experience and I would definately recommend to other mums that they try it’ and I couldn’t agree more.  Health experts believe that young mothers are less likely to breastfeed because of social pressures, and a lack of understanding, and that is such a shame.

What kind of a society is this where mothers are frowned upon for giving their child the best form of nourishment? We need a cultural change, and with fabulous women like Charlotte doing what she can, lets hope we get it!

For more information on Breastfeeding and support visit:

www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk

www.laleche.org.uk

Posted in General
By Laura

April 29th, 2008

10 Easy Steps to Green Parenting

Green Parenting- 10 Easy Steps

We all want the best for our children, and look for ways to parent more ‘naturally’. But often the idea of green parenting seems daunting, time consuming and expensive- so we put off that move to ‘green’ for another day. But heres 10 easy steps to becoming a greener parent, and to reduce your families impact on the environment- without the hassle.

1) Eat as a family- Cooking a family meal uses less resources and produces less waste than snacking on junk food and frozen meals. Eat with your children, and feed babies variations of the family meal, skip the jarred foods. Buying locally produced and organic foods where possible to reduce food miles and to leave out those pesky pesticides. Check out Abel & Cole for fantastic organic family food boxes delivered straight to your door.

2) Go Cloth- This is a no-brainer, despite the flawed findings of the Environment Agencies study which claimed no real difference in environmental impact between reusable and disposable nappies. The sample used was painfully unrepresentative and the study is being re-done in the near future. With the exception of the Elimination Communication method, reusable nappies are clearly the greener choice for numerous reasons. For more info see here. Opt for washable wipes too for bonus points!

3) Share Clothes- Avoid spending a small fortune on baby clothes in preparation for a new arrival- you wont use half of them anyway! Buy organic cotton clothing where possible and save clothes for future children, saving both resources and your money! Swap and share clothes amongst friends with children, and donate any unwanted items to charity stops.

4) Breastfeed- Thats why we have boobs afterall, so lets use them! Breastmilk is healthier, readily available, pre-warmed, sanitary and free! And uses no external resources to produce.

5) Clean Green- Babies and children create more housework. Simple as. But commercial cleaning products not only pollute the air, and water systems, they are a hazard with small children around, expensive and unnecessary. Swtich out your cupboards and replace with white vinegar, lemon juice, baking powder, eco-friendly washing up liquid and eco-friendly washing powder. It really is all you will need!

6) Bathe Organic- Use natural and organic baby products, or none at all! A babies skin is 5 times thinner than that of an adults, so absorbs an awful lot! Think carefully about what you apply. Water and Olive Oil are actually all that is needed, and will protect the skin from the precious oil and moisture stripping effects of commercial cleansers. If you must buy products, be sure to avoid any that contain parabens and phthalates.

7) Share Toys- As with clothes, share toys amongst friends and buy wooden where possible. Plastic toys are petroleum based and the flexible kind contain phthalates- not good! Wood is a renewable resource, and kids always prefer the simpler toys! Ever noticed its always the box, rather than the thing inside that induces the greater fascination!? Make you own entertainment with your child by reusing things to craft and create - such as soft toys from unwanted clothing items, and jigsaws from an old piece of cardboard and a magazine- hours of fun!  

8 ) Wear your Baby- Carrying your baby in a soft sling or carrier is the greenest mode of transportation. Put long journeys on hold, your baby wont appreciate being carted here, there and everywhere, and a carried baby cries less- simple!

9) Painting- Paint nurseries and bedrooms with eco-friendly paint, such as zero or low-VOC paint. See Natural Deco for a range of natural paints, natural wood care and much more.

10)  Dont Over-Buy- Babies don’t need anywhere near as much stuff as advertising would have you believe! A sling can replace pushchairs, swings and bouncers; co-sleeping will elimate the need for a cot; a handful of body suits is probably all the clothing you will actually use in the early days; breastfeeding elimates the need for bottles and sterilisers- buy things if and when you need them and save resources and save yourself a lot of money!

Posted in General
By Laura