Breastfeeding In Public: Activism -Protests, Nurse-ins, Breastfests and Photo Shoots

breastfeeding in public breastfeedingadvocacy series: breastfeeding in public

12 Sept

Breastfeeding in Public is protected by Federal and State Laws in Australia. Yet public perception is mixed when it comes to the rights of breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Reactive and Proactive measures have been taken both informally and as part of community eductation and support for women who breastfeed their babies anywhere, anytime.

Here are some significant events from the past few decades in Australia:

Protests & Nurse-Ins:

In nearly every case of Breastfeeding In Public being challenged, the media have become engaged and mothers have come together in support of the victims of discrimination. These provide great photo opportunities for print and video media and continue the debate.

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Breastfests & Big Latch-Ons:

In the early 2000s, organised events gathering breastfeeding women together in one place began to appear. Known by various names, they continue today under the umbrella of Global Big Latch On events, though the impact of the pandemic has reduced activity in recent years.

2004: Melbourne, Victoria

Photo Shoots:

The Australian Breastfeeding Project was initiated by photographer and breastfeeding mother, Sarah Murnane, who captured this gathering of her friends in 2015

That photo became the catalyst for the project, an ongoing photographic series that aims to "create awareness of the beauty of breastfeeding, generate acceptance that prolonged breastfeeding has several health benefits and take action to eradicate the negative stigma associated with breastfeeding in public".