New law to be introduced to protect Northern Ireland mothers who breastfeed in public

The legislation will contribute to increasing public tolerance and acceptability of the practice, as part of a range of activities to improve the numbers doing it, Health Minister Michelle O’Neill said.

Northern Ireland has the lowest rates for breastfeeding in the UK.

Ms O’Neill said: “I have listened to mothers and am convinced that specific legislation is a pro-active and necessary approach to ensure that the rights of mothers and their children are fully protected.

“It will ensure that breast and bottle-feeding mothers are given equal access to feed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.”

A study in 2010 showed the breastfeeding initiation rate in Northern Ireland is 64%, which is similar to the rate five years earlier.

Mothers in Northern Ireland who choose to breastfeed, do so for a shorter period than breastfeeding mothers in Great Britain, evidence published by the Health Department showed.

Ms O’Neill added: “The reasons why women choose not to breastfeed, or stop breastfeeding, are varied and complex. We need to provide support to mothers and address the negative influences.”