What has happened about the campaign to stop people telling breastfeeding women off for doing it in public

[Lymond]

like the Scottish law?

I may have got details of the law wrong. I remember it being in the press, and signing a petition about it on the number 10 website. That was just as the MP's expenses scandal arose, and it wasn't mentioned anywhere after that.

I wrote to my (lib dem) MP about it (having been asked to stop breastfeeding in a cafe; I didn't stop, and said I'd sue them for sexual discrimination, though of course haven't) but never received a response from him

I thought the law had changed and e are allowed to bf wherever we like. Not sure though...

Don't think so... I think at the moment we could sue under sexual discrimination laws (as only women breastfeed) if we are removed from somewhere for breastfeeding. But that doesn't go as far as the Scottish law - I wonder if its part of the new equality laws?

it's part of the equality bill which hasn't been enacted yet. Unfortunately it's a controversial paper & may well not be - it needs tobe a single issue bill imho

I was told that it is illegal to ask any mother BF a child under the age of 6months to move/stop but they where trying to get this to 2yrs to match the WHO reccomendations for BF.

I haven't heard anything about how it's going getting it to 2yrs but I do still think it's illegal for under 6month babies.

illegal to stop a mum BF babies under 6months

Thanks Fibilou.

lifeas3plus1 - I think that is the Scottish law. In England & Wales its not illegal for someone to ask a breast feeding mother to stop, however, the woman could sue them under sexual discrimination laws, so it is wrong of them to do so. Realistically though, who s going to go to the hassle and expense of suing...

The Scottish law adds extra protection up to 2 years. People can be fined up to £2,000 for asking a BF woman to stop BF in public.

In England and Wales we're protected under two laws - sexual discrimination (all ages of child) and maternity rights (up to 6 months). It IS illegal for someone to ask a woman to stop breastfeeding under the sexual discrimination laws. However, the Scottish laws are just clearer on the penalties, age of baby, etc.

To state this once more, IF you are asked to stop you CAN (if you feel up to it) tell them that you are protected under the sexual discrimination act and you will sue if you continue to be hassled. The indecent exposure act may NOT be used against breastfeeding women - even if (as I did) you feed without a muslin/throw etc. I mean, I was discreet, I hardly waved my boobs in old men's faces, but I didn't feel that my baby should have to be fed under a blanket.

Thanks givescarrotsachance - that's the information I was looking for. As I said in my OP, I did refuse to stop bf in the cafe and quote the sex discrimination act, but wanted to check I had remembered the right thing!

Have you joined the facebook group "If breastfeeding offends you, put a blanket over your head!"