Breastfeeding banned at breastfeeding summit

Mothers were to have been banned from breastfeeding at a summit on nursing babies. The snub was discovered after the government event was announced to promote the use of breast milk. Delegates who asked to bring babies to next month’s conference at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium were told by officials the venue “is not designed to accommodate breastfeeding”.

Dr Lesley Taylor, who runs Normalising Public Breastfeeding, said: “A few asked if they could bring a nursing child or requested an aisle seat in case they needed a quick getaway with their baby. But they were told the summit could not ‘accommodate’ breastfeeding. The advert for the event said the government is trying to break down the barriers to breastfeeding.



“They should be setting an example and being the change they hope to see.” Labour MSP Elaine Smith added: “It’s astonishing that breastfeeding mothers were not welcome at a conference on the very issue.” Women who emailed officials to check children were welcome received replies saying: “we ask babies and infants are not brought along.”

Bosses have now backed down following after a flurry of complaints, but claimed they did not expect mothers to bring children. A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have arranged for an extension to the baby changing facilities and a quiet area to ensure all who wish to attend can.”