Breastfeeding in public gets 83% negative view in university survey of northern Adelaide suburbs people in 1998

In its 2015 consulting with local mothers, Adelaide suburban City of Charles Sturt identified the importance of breastfeeding being seen to normalise it, the anxiety self-conscious mothers felt while breast feeding in public, and the perceived looks from passersby.

The survey-of more than 3,400 people in Adelaide's northern suburbs in 1998 showed that 83% of the community believed bottle feeding in public places was a more acceptable practice than breastfeeding.

Although public breastfeeding or "aasociation with a child" was legal at that time under the 1984 Equal Opportunity Act, a breast feeding mother could be asked to  be asked to leave a restaurant or other public place if other patrons complained. This was stopped with an update to the Act in 2006.

The Adelaide University survey in 1998 also showed that mothers felt extremely uncomfortable breastfeeding in public, particularly on public transport, in shopping malls and in public eating places. The research, funded by the South Australian government Health Commission, was conducted by philosophy doctorate student Ellen McIntyre from Adelaide's University’s public health department.

McIntyre held a public consultation in Adelaide's northern suburbs to discuss her results. Representatives from the retail industry, local council, health providers, the Passenger Transport Board, the Equal Opportunity Commission and consumers made recommendations aimed at making breastfeeding outside the home more acceptable and easier. They included:

• 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 spaces for breastfeeding in public buildings frequented by mothers

McIntyre felt that the majority of the community believed that breastfeeding in public was not as desirable as bottle feeding, They also agreed there was not always a place to breastfeed outside the home: “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.”  

During a 2015 round of consulting with local mothers, Adelaide suburban City of Charles Sturt also found that breast feeding in public was the most frequent sub theme. Mothers identified the importance of breastfeeding being seen to normalise it, the anxiety self-conscious mothers felt while breast feeding in public, and perceived looks from passersby. This report on breast feeding attitudes was compiled by Kristy Schirmer, principal consultant for Zockmelon, in partnership with Charles Sturt’s OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) staff members Camilla Leaver or Stephanie Leggett.