Breastfeeding in public: 2 in 3 mums have had negative experiences

“I was told to go feed in a bathroom, told to cover up.”

While Australian Law protects a mother’s right to breastfeed in public, the barriers that mums face continue to be ever-present. 

Kin Fertility surveyed 332 Australian mums who have breastfed in the last three years. According to survey results, 2 in 3 of these women had a negative experience while breastfeeding in public.

The mums said they encountered judgement, uncomfortable stares, and comments that left them feeling that the very natural thing that they were doing was wrong.

“People looked at me weird and made me feel ashamed of myself,” said one mum.

Another mum added: “I was told to go feed in a bathroom, told to cover up.”

The research emphasised the need for more supportive and welcoming environments for mums to breastfeed. 94% of women said if there were dedicated public spaces to breastfeed or pump at any time, free of judgement, they would use them.

Kin Fertility is addressing these challenges by creating dedicated safe spaces to breastfeed or pump without the social stigma attached and is calling on businesses to become a BFF, BreastFeeding Friendly, space.

Businesses that register at Kin Fertility will demonstrate their support for mums breastfeeding or pumping in public, through a decal sticker to signify a dedicated safe space and online badges to pledge as a BFF business.

Emily Witte, owner of RESOIR hair salon in the Sydney suburb, Mona Vale proudly displays her BFF decal to support the movement.

“I suffered bad in the first six weeks and struggled to breastfeed in public places for many reasons so I know how mums feel. The amount of side streets, change rooms, and car seats I have had to breastfeed in. But 10 months on and I’m still breastfeeding and doing so anywhere and everywhere. I’m happy to be a safe space for women if they need a place to breastfeed, pump, or whatever!”

The survey also revealed the majority of women want breastfeeding to be seen as the natural thing that it is, not as something to be sexualised or shamed for and that every mum has a right to breastfeed wherever and whenever her baby needs to be fed.

“Make it more known that it’s a protected right and not sexualised,” said one mum.

PureProfile and Kin Fertility 2023. This study consisted of an online survey conducted between June 26 2023 – July 3 2023. Commissioned by Kin Fertility and undertaken by PureProfile and Kin Fertility. The sample comprised 332 Australian women aged 18 – 44 years who have breastfed in the past 3 years.