Madam, - Dr Sarah Doyle (October 4th) urges shopping centres and stores to provide more facilities for breastfeeding, which is commendable. However, she also says that breastfeeding is not considered culturally acceptable in Ireland. On what is this opinion based?
A survey in a number of South County Dublin shopping centres found that 84 per cent of the people questioned had "no problem" with a woman breastfeeding near them in a shopping centre.
In a group of office workers surveyed, 87 per cent thought it was acceptable to breastfeed in a public area. Both surveys included men and women aged 18 to over 55.
In a Mid-Western Health Board area survey, 79 per cent of breastfeeding mothers felt comfortable breastfeeding in some/many places outside their home and fewer than 1 per cent of mothers ceased breastfeeding because of embarrassment. Perhaps breastfeeding in public areas is not as culturally unacceptable as mothers might believe or as might be suggested to them.
In addition, breastfeeding is often so discreet that someone nearby would not notice; the current TV ad for breastfeeding shows how discreet it can be. Dr Doyle quotes 36 per cent as the breastfeeding rate. More up-to-date figures (2002) indicate the rate continues to rise and is over 43 per cent, with many hospitals having the majority of their mothers and babies breastfeeding on discharge.
Breastfeeding is accepted in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
GENEVIEVE BECKER, IBCLC Breastfeeding Researcher, Kylemore Park, Galway.