December 17, 2024
On Thursday 22 February mothers celebrated World Breastfeeding In Public Day 2024, and showed the world it was their right to breastfeed anywhere and everywhere.
This was the third year of World Breastfeeding In Public Day. It was first set up by Destiny Smith to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to give mothers the confidence to breastfeed their babies in public places.
The theme that came out of this year’s World Breastfeeding In Public Day 2024 was very much that you can breastfeed anywhere and everywhere. From a busy restaurant to a park bench, women should feel empowered to feed wherever and whenever their baby needs it. They shouldn’t feel as though they need to hide away or be very discreet when they need to feed their baby. Afterall, they are simply nourishing their child in an act that is as old as time.
From soft play to the supermarket, women should feel empowered to feed wherever and whenever their baby needs it.
Amneet Graham, Founder of Willow’s Rainbow Box, took to social media to share a photo of her breastfeeding her baby, saying “I’m just feeding my baby so I should be able to do that anywhere right?!”
Today is #worldbreastfeedinginpublicday2024 something I found SO difficult to do before and now it feels so normal. I’m just feeding my baby so I should be able to do that anywhere right?! Nevertheless it is hard at first for sure. Here’s me and Hollie ❤️🤱 pic.twitter.com/DoXfcZbfzl
— Amneet Graham (@GrahamAmneet) February 22, 2024
During World Breastfeeding In Public Day many mothers acknowledged how nerve-wracking it was to breastfeed outside of the home for the first time. But with time and practice they felt more comfortable and at ease with feeding anywhere. It gave them a freedom and flexibility as new mothers – knowing that their milk was on tap and could satisfy their babies at any time.
Mama of three and Motherhood Influencer Alexis Kristiana shared her common sense approach to breastfeeding in public. She said: “With anything in life, it takes a while to build confidence with something, and breastfeeding in public for the first time is definitely one of them.”
As with previous World Breastfeeding In Public Days, there were plenty of meetups and social gatherings happening around the world. Once again Danielle Facey from The Breastfeeding Mentor hosted the flagship UK event – which was in association with Pippeta. Thirty mothers and their babies gathered together at Medicine Bakery in The Mailbox in Birmingham City Centre – Danielle’s hometown. The gathering was a powerful act of empowerment and beauty: breastfeeding in public.
Speaking at the special breastfeeding brunch, Danielle said: “Today touched my heart in a way that I could never have anticipated. There is so much power & wonder in motherhood and when we come together, WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.”
Many experienced breastfeeding mothers took to social media to share their top tips for breastfeeding in public with confidence. From practical tips like making sure you are wearing comfortable clothes to equipping yourself with a one-line response should anyone object to you breastfeeding.
Many experienced breastfeeding mothers took to social media to share their top tips for breastfeeding in public with confidence.
Mama of one Maria Mooney who runs the Instagram account Where’s Breast To Go? shared a really helpful top tip for new mothers. She recommended to “practice in the mirror before you go out, you’ll realise people see a lot less than you think”.
World Breastfeeding In Public Day serves as a reminder that breastfeeding is protected by law. No woman should be prevented from breastfeeding their child.
“We have a legal right to breastfeed, wherever and whenever our little ones need feeding. I’ve thankfully never had any remarks, a few stares, but that’s on them, not me.” says breastfeeding peer supporter Megan Conran-Turner
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