On the 22nd February, 2022 people all over the world will be meeting up to celebrate the first-ever World Breastfeeding in Public Day in a show of solidarity and support.
What is the aim of World Breastfeeding in Public Day?
The aim of the day, which was set up by Destiny Smith, is to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to give Mother’s the confidence to breastfeed their babies in public places.
Speaking about World Breastfeeding in Public Day Danielle Facey from The Breastfeeding Mentor explains: “The whole point of this day is to normalise breastfeeding so that mums feel empowered to nurse anywhere, for as long as they and their child so choose. Breastfeeding never stops being beneficial and so support for it should not have an expiry date either.”
“The whole point of this day is to normalise breastfeeding so that mums feel empowered to nurse anywhere, for as long as they and their child so choose.”
Danielle Facey, The Breastfeeding Mentor
Why is World Breastfeeding in Public Day needed?
Breastfeeding in public continues to be a challenge and a cause for concern for many breastfeeding mothers around the world. For many, there is the pressure to be discreet when feeding, to go somewhere private to feed, or to give baby a bottle of milk instead. There’s is also worry around other people’s perceptions and negative comments.
The lack of support for breastfeeding in public can lead to mothers giving up breastfeeding before they want to. By encouraging and promoting people to breastfeed when out and about, the hope is to normalise breastfeeding in public and in turn increase breastfeeding rates around the world.
How can I get involved with World Breastfeeding in Public Day?
Meet-ups are being organized all over the world via a Facebook group set-up by Danielle Facey from The Breastfeeding Mentor. Danielle is encouraging people from around the world to organise events in their hometown by adding them to the Facebook group ‘World Breastfeeding in Public Day‘.
Amy Doran from The Milk Drop, a support group of breastfeeding mums, has been one of the first people to add a meetup event in the UK.
Amy says: “We saw it was the first-ever World Breastfeeding in Public Day and we jumped on it and wanted to celebrate. We thought it was a great excuse to get Mums together and maybe help build confidence in those who are feeling self-conscious about feeding in public. We are looking to get as many people involved as possible! We have organised a meet-up at 10:30am, in Kingsley’s & Co., Liverpool.”
We saw it was the first ever World Breastfeeding in Public Day and we jumped on it and wanted to celebrate…We are looking to get as many people involved as possible!
Amy Doran, The Milk Drop
World Breastfeeding in Public Day
Find meet-ups in your area of organise your own event