Unicef: Hong Kong mothers need more support with breastfeeding
Group calls for tighter regulations to ensure public buildings provide nursing rooms
Hong Kong is lagging behind when it comes to providing family-friendly facilities and the government should introduce stronger building guidelines to do more for breastfeeding mothers, say concern groups.
A Unicef Hong Kong survey found that 40 per cent of mothers in the city have had an unpleasant experience while breastfeeding in a public place, with as many as 90 per cent saying they’ve been stared at and 30 per cent saying they have been asked to feed their children elsewhere – such as in a toilet.
The group interviewed 3,545 mothers online between April 22 and 26, and 83 per cent of them said they had breastfed their children in public places, including shopping malls, restaurants and parks.
But 77 per cent of those who had not breastfed in public said they wanted to but were worried about the reaction of the public or embarrassing their friends and family.
Unicef called for wider support of breastfeeding friendly policies in shopping malls, after 95 per cent of mothers said they would be more willing to feed their children publicly if measures were in place.
As well as having nursing rooms available, mothers should be free to choose where they breastfeed, the group said.