Controversy in the United Kingdom where a woman had to hide to breastfeed her baby in a public place, even though the law allows it. In France, the legislation is also on the side of breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding in a Public Place to Breastfeed Your Baby: Right or Offense? A bit of both, according to the story of a British mother. Louise Burns is having tea with her family in the living room of the very prestigious Claridge Hotel, in London, when her baby asks for her breast. “Very discreetly”, she complies and therefore feeds her child.
“Humiliated”
But breastfeeding is not to everyone’s liking. A waiter goes to Louise Burns’ table and asks her to hide the breast and child under a large white napkin, so as not to shock the neighbors. “My first reaction? Burst into tears, ”the 35-year-old mother told the Guardian, who posted the photos of the scene on Twitter. “I felt very humiliated”.
Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while #breastfeeding so not to cause offense @ClaridgesHotel today .. pic.twitter.com/Is8GWUaGag
– Lou Burns (@Andysrelation) December 1, 2014
… SO much more obvious with it than without! Such a shame I can never go back …. @ClaridgesHotel #breastfeeding pic.twitter.com/1DyNQUMYL4
– Lou Burns (@Andysrelation) December 1, 2014
His mishap made the rounds of media and social networks. Louise Burns receives support from mothers ulcerated by the hotel’s approach. Other voices, like that of Nigel Farage, leader of the Europhobic UKIP party, are launching a crusade against “breastfeeding women” in public spaces, urging them to “avoid being ostentatious” and “to stand aside” when they breastfeed. In short, the controversy is swelling.
“That’s what our breasts are for, idiots!” “
Yet in the UK the legislation is very clear. The New Equality Act of 2010 allows women to breastfeed outside the home, and prohibits anyone from objecting to a mother breastfeeding in public.
To remind them of these legal basics, and to reaffirm their right to breastfeed everywhere, British mothers have stood guard in front of the Claridge Hotel, baby with arms sucking greedily. “That’s what our breasts are for, idiots!” She replied to Nigel Farage and to all those who, like him, feel “embarrassed” at the sight of a breastfeeding mother.
Mothers stage protest outside Claridge’s hotel over breastfeeding controversy http://t.co/MupXCevxnO pic.twitter.com/sqOKtcu0ZL
– Evening Standard (@standardnews) December 6, 2014
“Home prisoner, with her baby”
Similar scenes took place in France. In the summer of 2013, in the Landes, a woman decided to file a complaint against the manager of a store who had asked her not to breastfeed her baby in public. “I call it stupidity. Breastfeeding is promoted everywhere, the WHO recommends it until the age of 2 years. But you should be at home, a prisoner at home, with your baby, ”she fumed. on the TF1 website.
However, again, the legislation is on the side of breastfeeding women, since in France, they have the right to breastfeed in public. On TF1, the Leche League, very committed to breastfeeding, recalls that “there has been no indecent assault in French law since 1994. Only ‘sexual exhibitions’ imposed in the sight of others are subject to a criminal sanction, which necessarily refers to acts of a sexual and not only immodest nature. Breastfeeding is obviously not of a sexual nature ”.
Breastfeeding at work
Besides, the law goes much further, and in particular on breastfeeding in the office. An employee can breastfeed her baby during working hours, for one year from birth. She then has a reduction of one hour of work per day (30 minutes in the middle of the morning and 30 in the middle of the afternoon, unpaid break time in the absence of a collective agreement). During this hour, she can breastfeed her baby in the facility, or express her milk.
The company is supposed to provide a room specially dedicated to breastfeeding, which meets certain standards. It must therefore be ventilated, suitably lit, maintained at a suitable temperature and in a constant state of cleanliness. It must measure at least 3m² per child within the limit of 12 cradles (provided by the employer). The room must also be provided with water and suitable seats for breastfeeding as well as means of heating food.
In other words, few companies, especially the smaller ones, respect this legal imperative. However, a company with at least 100 employees may be required to set up premises in its establishment (or near).
In theory, therefore, breastfeeding in public is a right. But in practice …
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