County Mayor: ‘Cork mums should feel confident to feed their babies anywhere’

Breastfeeding has many proven benefits – from providing optimal nutrition for babies and protecting them against disease, to reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mums.

For many new mothers, however, embarking on a breastfeeding journey for the first time can be challenging and isolating as they get to grips with their new routine.

Opportunities to get out of the house, therefore, are vital, but breastfeeding in public can be a daunting process. Concerns that the baby might make a fuss, or people will stare, or there won’t be room for a buggy, can all be barriers for breastfeeding mums.

“I was uncomfortable at first, but then I saw it as a kind of rebellion!” says West Cork mum Ellie Hutton.

Whilst breastfeeding in public may feel like a rebellious act for some, it is protected in Irish legislation under the Equal Status Act. It prohibits discrimination against breastfeeding parents in public places and ensures a right to nurse in public without being asked to move, cover up, or leave the premises.

For Blarney-based new mum Kenah O’Driscoll, knowing her rights was important in boosting her confidence to nurse in public.

“I’ve done a lot of public breastfeeding over the past three months,” she says, “and what was absolutely essential to me feeling comfortable was my belief that it’s a legally protected right”.

The legal right to breastfeed in public is one thing, but knowing that businesses and other public spaces will go that extra step to actively welcome breastfeeding mums is another. That’s where the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ initiative comes in.

Launched as part of National Breastfeeding Week (which begins today), ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ is a new county-wide campaign led by Cork County Council in partnership with Healthy Ireland and the HSE which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding mums, babies and their families. The programme invites businesses and all public spaces across Cork to sign up and show their support for nursing mums.

Participating organisations will receive a resource pack with stickers and information leaflets to display at their premises and will be listed on the Cork County Council website as breastfeeding-friendly spaces.

In preparation for the campaign, Cork County Council undertook market research with breastfeeding mothers, to gauge their views on how they can be best supported to nurse in public places. Overall, research group participants did feel welcome to breastfeed in public locations across Cork, but recommended key features that would enhance their experience.

Suggestions included quiet areas for breastfeeding mums, space for buggies, gender-neutral baby changing facilities, and awareness around service to avoid disturbance or awkwardness.

“It can be a bit embarrassing when my daughter helps herself in public and I worry what people will think,” reflects Ellie Hutton. “But I don’t care enough to stop her!” Recounting a recent experience in a pub, she says: “Myself and a friend were having lunch and the poor fella serving didn’t know where to look as we were both breastfeeding our toddlers!”

While Ellie saw the funny side of the experience, removing stigma and decreasing awkward encounters such as this are key elements of the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ campaign.

West Cork-based HSE lactation specialist, Sheila Lucey, believes that visibility is the most important step towards tackling stigma.

“Breastfeeding becomes more attainable when mothers see their peers doing it,” she says.

“Witnessing a friend or a familiar face breastfeeding, and seeing her baby thriving, helps others realise it is possible for them too. This visibility helps break down stigma and perceived barriers.”

For new mums wishing to breastfeed in public but nervous about that first outing, Sheila recommends attending a support group initially, such as those run by the HSE or voluntary groups. These groups, she says, “can provide reassurance and encouragement”.

Mums Ellie Hutton and Kenah O’Driscoll are both members of Cuidiú Cork, which runs regular meetings and events for parents and babies across the county.

Meet-ups like these can bridge the gap for new mothers anxious about the transition from feeding at home to public places.

The ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ initiative will make this transition easier.

“Programmes that promote public breastfeeding make a significant difference”, Sheila Lucey considers. “They can immediately empower mothers, helping them achieve their breastfeeding goals and feel comfortable feeding their babies whenever and wherever they choose.

“This is a conscious, well-developed initiative, and I am confident it will continue to grow.”

‘Breastfeeding Friendly’ establishments will offer suitable environments for feeding a baby, comfortable seating for mums, space for buggies, and staff will be trained to be attuned to the needs of new parents, offering small gestures like providing a glass of water to nursing mums. It is hoped that supports offered will evolve as the scheme develops.

“The range of facilities will vary from place to place, and from town to town,” says Niall O’Callaghan, Healthy Ireland Co-ordinator at Cork County Council, who explains that the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ initiative can benefit not just parents, but businesses, too.

“These small gestures can go a long way in making a mum feel more welcome and [establishing the business] as a place she might want to go to again.”

Businesses are invited to register with the initiative from National Breastfeeding Week on, but Cork County Council is already rolling out the programme in its own buildings.

“We wanted to lead by example,” explains Niall. “So we’re able to launch [‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’] initially in libraries across the county and in our municipal district buildings. We have a number of buildings that are ready to go”.

Staff training has also been rolled out internally at the Council so that everyone is up to speed with the campaign.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, welcomes the initiative, saying: “Breastfeeding is a natural part of family life, and mothers should feel confident and supported to feed their babies anywhere. I am very pleased that Cork County Council is taking a leadership role in promoting this campaign, ensuring that businesses and public services across the county are equipped to provide a warm welcome to breastfeeding families”.

As Cork County Council buildings lead the way this National Breastfeeding Week in becoming ‘Breastfeeding Friendly’, parents across the county can keep an eye out in their own towns and villages to see which businesses will soon follow suit.

For more information or to register as a business for the ‘We’re Breastfeeding Friendly’ County Cork initiative, visit www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/community/healthy-ireland-community-health-and-wellbeing.

To find breastfeeding support in your local area, visit www.mychild.ietarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">, and learn about Cuidiú Cork meet-ups for parents and babies at www.cuidiucork.ie.