Sensitive Midwifery - Issue 44 - October 2019

How society can be more breastfeeding-friendly Breastfeeding-friendly places are inviting on both physical and socio-emotional levels. As Australian breastfeeding researchers put it, ‘Changes are needed on the ground, and in hearts and minds.’ In the physical dimension, a comfortable, safe and relatively quiet place for a nursing mother to sit may be all that is needed. In many communal buildings, the ‘problem’ of public breastfeeding is solved by feeding rooms. While this may be helpful to some women in certain circumstances (e.g. one needing to feed while containing older siblings), these separate rooms may seem to perpetuate the removal, rather than support the integration, of breastfeeding in shared spaces. These cubicles are not always nearby or comfortable, and sometimes also contain smelly nappy changing stations. Matters of ‘hearts and minds’ may be the trickier challenge as attitudes and beliefs are not easily changed. More research may be needed to uncover why certain individuals or cultures are antagonistic towards public breastfeeding and what it may take to change their thinking. This information could be used to launch appropriate campaigns. The popular South African chain restaurant Spur has recently set an example of how businesses can support their breastfeeding customers by traing their sta ff on breastfeeding support, and putting up signs to say that breastfeeding is welcome, explaining to the public why this is important. If more establishments could follow suit, it would certainly make a di ff erence in shaping public opinion. Lastly, nursing women are needed to pioneer a movement of unashamed breastfeeding in public. Researchers confirm this: ‘Many women find it reassuring to see other women breastfeed in a place, o ff ering them evidence that they can too.’ Contact Sensitive Midwifery for references if required Breast assurance 54 eSensitive Midwifery Magazine Issue 44