Hello All
Thought you might be interested in this media release which will be sent
out on Monday. I am already doing 2 radio interviews on Monday (5UV at
about 7.10am and 5AA at 11.30am for those in SA). Would love to hear if
anyone else has been working in this area.
Regards Ellen McIntyre, IBCLC, Mt Barker, South Australia


Monday, July 6, 1998


Community says 'no' to breastfeeding in public: survey


Breastfeeding in public is still considered an unacceptable practice,
according
to a University of Adelaide survey.

The survey -- of more than 3400 people in Adelaide's northern suburbs --
shows
that 83% of the community believes breastfeeding is not acceptable in
public.

The survey also shows that mothers feel extremely uncomfortable
breastfeeding in
public, particularly on public transport, in shopping malls and in public
eating
places.

The research, funded by the SA Health Commission, was conducted by PhD
student
Ms Ellen McIntyre from the University of Adelaide's Department of Public
Health.
Her work is aimed at understanding public attitudes towards breastfeeding
and
improving the level of tolerance in the community.

Ms McIntyre recently held a public consultation in Adelaide's northern
suburbs
to discuss her results.

Comprising representatives from the retail industry, local council, health
providers, the Passenger Transport Board, the Equal Opportunity Commission
and
consumers, the group made several recommendations aimed at making
breastfeeding
outside the home more acceptable and easier to do.

Recommendations included:

¨   that mothers be provided with suggestions on how to breastfeed in
public
¨   signs to designate "baby friendly" places, so that mothers know where
they
are welcome
¨   more facilities for breastfeeding in public buildings frequented by
mothers

"While the majority of the community believes that breastfeeding in public
is
not acceptable, they also agree that there is not always a place to
breastfeed
outside the home," says Ms McIntyre, who points out that breastfeeding in
public
is allowed under the Equal Opportunity Act.

"It's hoped that with more community discussion about these issues people
might
realise what the rights of breastfeeding mothers are, and also start to
develop
an acceptance of the practice."


MEDIA CONTACT:

Ms Ellen McIntyre, Department of Public Health:  (08) 8391 0527