I'm not sure how many of you are aware that there is soon to be a change in the law stating that women can breastfeed in public without fear of being asked to stop UNLESS the child is over 6 months old.
Health official guidelines state that you should only feed your child breast milk up until 6 months, after which you should start introducing solids. Milk however still plays a valuable part in a baby’s diet up until a year of age. Unless a mother wants to switch to formula milk a baby is usually breastfed until 1 year when you can make the switch to cows milk. This new ruling however means they will not be able to do this in public!
The lady heading the petition is requesting that the bill be kept in line with Scotland and the WHO guidelines (where it is legal and recommended to breast feed a baby in public up until 2 years of age!)
A quote from her:
Quote:
At any time beyond that, a woman breastfeeding in public can be charged with INDECENCY. Yes, you read that right. In a culture of page three girls and pornographic magazines visible in shops where children can see women’s breasts being exploited for sexual gratification and lust, women who meet their child’s biological needs in public will be considered criminals.
The government apparently reckons it wants women to feel confident about breastfeeding. What rubbish!
What Starched Fart in parliament came up with this madness? This is a blatant attack on a baby’s rights. This is politically-sanctioned CHILD ABUSE. Mothers, speak up about this! Don’t be bullied into closet breastfeeding and buying into the attitude that breastfeeding is still a cultural embarrassment.
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Whatever your views on breastfeeding, please please sign the petition to give those who choose to breastfeed the right to breastfeed their child in public whatever their age!
Government Breastfeeding Petition
Personally I wouldn't breastfeed until the age of two, but 6 months is an appallingly low limit. There would be uproar if they decided you couldn't formula feed your child in public after 6 months, so why in the age of child obesity and illness, is the healthier option going to be made illegal?
(After you sign the petition make sure you click the link in the email they send you or your vote won't count!)