Breastfeeding in South Australia

[Ozziegirly]

So, I was watching the news last night and it said there were to be changes to the Federal Sex Discrimination Laws to protect women's rights to breastfeed basically anywhere.

I actually didn't realise that we couldn't feed anywhere.

So, I was wondering, does anyone know what the current laws are on feeding so that if I am ever challenged, I can (in a friendly way)quote the law with regards to what I am allowed to do?

I am thinking specifically of if I was feeding, say, in a cafe and someone else complained - could they ask me to leave?

Great minds must think alike as I was looking into breastfeeding rights yesterday after an interesting article in my local newspaper.

As far as I can tell, Federal Law prevents discrimination against women BFing in public places and at work. Each state/territory also seems to have produced its own rules, with South Australia passing legislation that came into effect in Oct 2009. Link here -it also tells you how to complain if you are discriminated against.

If you choose to feed/express at work, you must be provided with appropriate facilities to do so, including a fridge for expressed milk.

Hope that makes sense

Ah cool, that's really helpful. I like to be able to quote the correct parts of the law!

I'm not expecting to have any problems, but I like to be prepared in advance, just in case.....

I looked it up as I think that if I am ever challenged by anybody having a law to quote at them will help me not to burst into tears and run away!!

The Australian Breastfeeding Association also have a scheme of accrediting breastfeeding friendly cafes and restaurants so that you can identify places that will actively support public BFing rather than just tolerate it because they have to.

I remember seeing lots of posters around the hospital where the jist was that it's illeagal to ask someone to stop breastfeeding so I haven't given it a second thought.

Looking into it anti discrimination laws were passed in NSW in 2007 making it illeagal to stop someone breastfeeding at work or in public. The recent stuff in the paper was the public sector making it 'easier' to breastfeed or express at work by having an extra 60 minutes worth of breaktime and access to a fridge!

I'm a bit flabberghasted, in my time in the UK public sector I wouldn't have given a second thought, everyone takes at least 6 months for maternity leave, then flexible working hours, working from home, on top of enough tea, coffee, bottled water, cooker, fridge and microwave for every ten people in the office. Meeting rooms a plenty for privacy, I mean each building where I worked had a faith room for private prayer, I guess we were spoiled and I never realised.

Rant over

I do agree - I think loads of things are wonderful about Australia, but also lots of things that I did take for granted in the UK are more "unusual" things here - like paid maternity leave for example!

I'm in Melb and have never had any problems breastfeeding anywhere.

I have found more often than not you get lovely "good on you" looks from other Mums and Nannas and Men pretend they haven't noticed.

I actually fed DS2 at the zoo this morning while watching the giraffes - they didn't mind at all but I was a bit chilly around my middle.

Side note... Did you know that mothercare has opened 2 stores here now? I went there yesterday and it was fab - the prices are a little on the expensive side though. You can order a catalogue online.

That's great to know esselle, thank you.

And NO, I didn't know that mothercare had opened here. I was just saying the other day they could do with one of those out here. No doubt it'll be 10 years before it makes it to Adelaide though....

I hope my message didn't seem to random but I recall you commenting on another thread the lack of baby/maternity shopping in Oz.

Yes, I did mention that, thank you for remembering.

My DH reckons if I don't want to go back to my normal job, I should open up a shop in Adelaide selling nice baby things at not crazily inflated prices and it would go down a storm.

There seems to be a missing set of shops for people who want quite nice things, but not either designer or full on organic/expensive.

Following from above - basically I mean M&S or mothercare!

Does anyone know the head of M&S? I wonder if we could persuade him to open a franchise.