Feel free to share this, probably adding details of your local picnic at the bottom.
I have now had the article checked by Elaine and Morgan and have made changes accordingly.
The weekend of 18th and 19th June 2011 will see Breastfeeding Picnics being held across England and Wales. "But all picnics are breastfeeding picnics!" a friend said to me when I told her. "Yes!" I replied, "But, alas, not with legal protection."
Feeding babies in public places currently relies on understanding and openmindedness as mothers have no real legal protection when it comes to feeding their babies whenever, wherever and with whatever is needed. The Equalities Act 2010 included welcome amendments stating that it is now unlawful to discriminate against breastfeeding mothers. Unfortunately, the fact that it is also possible to discriminate against, say, a mother and baby bottle feeding is overlooked; likewise, the consequences for the discriminator are not made explicit.
The Breastfeeding Act 2005 for Scotland goes much further, however. It states that anyone who prevents a mother or carer from feeding milk to a child is liable to a Level 4 fine (currently £2500). Scottish law protects not only breastfeeding families but also those who choose to give artificial formula milk or cow's milk to their babies and children.
In the same year as this act was passed in Scotland, David Kidney MP put forward a Breastfeeding Act for England and Wales. It was rejected. Because of this rejection, the Breastfeeding Picnics are being held as a demonstration to English and Welsh MPs that babies need to be fed when they are out and about with their mothers and that proper legal protection through a specific breastfeeding act is needed.
That's the background. However, In addition to the politics, there is a lot of fun to be had! These family-focused events are a lovely way of getting together with like-minded people. Bring your children, of course, but also your partners, parents and friends. Bring bats and balls, bring cake to share, bring your questions and thoughts and views. Come and celebrate a normal, natural, beautiful aspect of parenting. Those of you who have never breastfed are also very welcome - after all, the law we are lobbying for is one which will protect all babies, however they are fed.
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