There are many things that communities can do to support breastfeeding

Baby Care Rooms –The Australian Breastfeeding Association has launched a national campaign to award the Baby Care Room symbol to premises which provide facilities to enable mothers to feed and change their babies and toddlers when they are away from home. Look for this symbol.

Baby Friendly Health Initiative – Baby Friendly accredited hospitals and services have undertaken a commitment to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. A 'Baby Friendly' health service is one where mothers' informed choice of feeding is supported, respected and encouraged. All of the major maternity services in Tasmania are accredited.

“Breastfeeding Welcome Here” businesses and services - This is another initiative of the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Look for this sticker to show breastfeeding friendly venues. These businesses will demonstrate:

To find out which businesses are participating look for the sticker or visit: www.breastfeeding.asn.au/advocacy/welcome.html

Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplaces

The Australian Breastfeeding Association also accredits workplaces which demonstrate attitudes and practices that support breastfeeding mothers returning to work. Find out more at: www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/mfwp.html

If your workplace is not an accredited one then ask them to go to this website to get some more information about the benefits and how they can become a Breastfeeding-friendly workplace.

Are you being discriminated against?

Breastfeeding in any public space in Tasmania is allowed by law. Anti-discrimination legislation in Tasmania specifically states that a mother breastfeeding in public cannot be discriminated against.

If you are breastfeeding your baby in public and are asked to stop breastfeeding or leave an area or refused service you are being discriminated against.

If you believe you are being discriminated against, it may be enough to point this out to the person or service, and certainly there is always the option to tell your friends, family and the media. Another avenue available to you would be your state’s anti-discrimination body who will investigate your complaint. In Tasmania, this is the office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner: (www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/)