Group presents petition to Health Minister calling for new legislation to protect mothers while breastfeeding in public

Members of a breastfeeding support group have presented Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill with a petition calling for new legislation to be introduced to protect mothers while breast-feeding in public. Maghera woman, Cathy O’Neill launched the online petition three months ago which has received over 2,700 signatures. If introduced, the legislation would make it an offence to prevent a child from being fed milk anywhere the child and mother are legally allowed to be. Cathy along with members of the Mid Ulster Breastfeeding Group, shared with the Minister their challenges of breastfeeding in public. Addressing, the Sinn Féin Minister, the mum-of-threel said: “We need legislation that protects mums and babies from being isolated, harassed or from being asked to move or to cover up. “We are asking Stormont to introduce this legislation which would offer protection so that breastfeeding mothers can feed their babies when and wherever they need.”. Founder member, Carol Smyth, a lactation consultant, highlighted the health benefits of breastfeeding and the impact on Health and social Care spending. She said: “Breastfeeding reduces incidence of diseases that are responsible for a significant bulk of NHS budget. Small reduction through breastfeeding, for example even two percent, would have a considerable economic impact on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, ovarian cancer, asthma, leukaemia, coeliac disease and neonatal sepsis. “Small increases in breastfeeding could make major changes to NHS spending. Following the meeting, the Minister pledged to work with the Stormont Assembly. Photo shows Health Minister Michelle O;Neill with members of the Mid Ulster Breast Feeding Group.