Obstacles to breastfeeding in public
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May 19, 2010 - ST Forum
Obstacles to breastfeeding in public
I AM an Australian living in Singapore. I have two boys, a four-year-old and a nine-month-old.
Singapore is a child-friendly country and I never thought breastfeeding in public would be an issue.
On the afternoon of May 8, my husband and I took both our boys to a children's indoor playground, Royce Gym, when halfway through, my younger one demanded milk. As usual, I found a quiet corner and started feeding him. Less than a minute later, an employee came over and told me I was not allowed to breastfeed there and insisted I go outside.
She directed me to a bench but I spotted a couch and walked towards it. Again I was told by the staff that I wasn't allowed to breastfeed my baby there, and again I was asked to leave.
I asked an employee if it was the company policy that breastfeeding was not allowed in the children's gym. Her answer was no, but that some fathers did not like it.
It's a shame to have this happen here in Singapore.
Jenny Goodwin (Mrs)
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well, just happen the place is not suitable.most major shopping centres have baby rooms and etc.
a storm in a tea cup la.
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Singapore is a modern country but with very conservative values. Minus all those students who make out in public libraries.
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Originally posted by ditzy:
Singapore is a modern country but with very conservative values. Minus all those students who make out in public libraries.
young minds are less conservative.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
young minds are less conservative.
Of coz fathers wouldn't like it... Either they dun like other guys to be looking at his wife tits, or they dun like being slap in the face by their wives becoz they accidently look at other women tits...
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Breastfeeding is considered obscene in singapore. I wonder why since we quite a westernized bunch.
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May 21, 2010 - ST Forum
Do more to encourage breastfeeding
I REFER to Monday's letter, "Penalised for trying to be a good mum and teacher", by Mr Lim Kim Siang.
I empathise with the work situation of the writer's daughter. I believe it is not unique as we have heard from many mothers through our counselling helpline about the lack of facilities for them to express their milk in order to continue to offer the best nutrition for their infants.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that an infant be breastfed exclusively for a minimum of six months and thereafter, to be offered complementary foods for two years and beyond. The benefits of breast milk for an infant are unparalleled and obviously many mothers want the best start for their children.
However, what Mr Lim's daughter went through is not an uncommon tale at the Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group. Many mothers share about having to express their milk in the toilet, server room or storeroom. Some employees feel the ire of their employers because of the time taken to do so. Yet, with the right support, a nursing mum needs only 20 minutes to pump her milk at work once or twice a day. Often the amount of overtime compensates for this time taken.
As Ms Ho Ching exhorted during her World Breastfeeding Week 2009 address, employers can do more to encourage a breastfeeding mother to remain productive. Breastfed infants have been shown to be less prone to diseases and infections, or recover more quickly, and mothers are less likely to take days off to take care of a sick child. The very provision of a small and equipped nursing room allows mums to express their milk quickly and get back to work. When a breastfeeding mother is content at work, she is able to contribute more positively and productively, and with less stress. Mothers should not be made to feel penalised because they want to offer the best for their infants for at least the first six months of their lives.
A few employers have set the right direction by providing "pink rooms", or nursing rooms, for their employees (for example, Temasek Group and the Health Promotion Board) and we believe these employers have seen the benefits and rewards of doing so. We hope that more employers will realise that breastfeeding mothers are equally capable of producing milk and good work.
Angeline Wee-Yew (Mrs)
President
Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group
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Originally posted by ditzy:
Singapore is a modern country but with very conservative values. Minus all those students who make out in public libraries.
the society is still conservative in general. The youngsters are more open. -
Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
Of coz fathers wouldn't like it... Either they dun like other guys to be looking at his wife tits, or they dun like being slap in the face by their wives becoz they accidently look at other women tits...
Nice one. -
Originally posted by -StarDust-:
the society is still conservative in general. The youngsters are more open.youngsters more "innoncent".
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i oso dun understand why cannot. to me breastfeeding is normal if we dun think dirty
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breastfeeding ok what. if u want to see, see. if not look away lor.
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I don't see what is wrong is breastfeeding, it's just part of the life cycle... sad to hear this.
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And then the same woman would complain that others stared at her.Get a life!