NHS Tayside make mothers aware of breastfeeding rights
Marlyn Glen has been informed by NHS Tayside that all breastfeeding workshops in NHS Tayside make mothers aware of their legal right to breastfeed in public.
Ms. Glen had written to NHS Tayside Chair, Peter Bates, asking what resources NHS Tayside were devoting to publicising the rights of mothers to breastfeed in public under the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland ) Act.
In reply, Mr. Bates said,
"Tayside Infant Feeding Strategy Group circulated "Welcome to breastfeed" posters to every health centre/surgery in Tayside following the introduction of the Act.
"This information is also included in the UNICEF Community Baby Friendly Initiative training programme for practice/health centre- based staff.
"Staff are made aware of the legislation enabling them to handle any situation which may arise due to the behaviour of visitors to the premises.
"The Directorate of Public Health library has copies of the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 produced by the Scottish Executive in May 2006 available to order and display throughout Tayside.
"In terms of informing breastfeeding women of their rights guaranteed under the Act, this is discussed at all breastfeeding workshops throughout NHS Tayside during pregnancy by midwives."
Welcoming the news from NHS Tayside, Ms. Glen said,
"As more and more mothers become aware of their right to breastfeed in public, the greater the prospects are for breastfeeding rates to increase.
"I am very pleased to see breastfeeding in public being regarded as a normal part of motherhood.
"Children get the best possible start to life through breastfeeding.
"Raising the rate of breastfeeding in areas where it is low can help narrow the health inequalities gap."