Much more must be done to help breastfeeding mothers
The case of the taxi driver who posted a picture of a mother feeding her child in his cab has highlighted the lack of awareness and support for breastfeeding
Criticisms and sanctions aside, there are broader issues to address. The incident is not the first of its kind. Two years ago, a photo of a woman breastfeeding a baby on a public bus went viral, prompting a debate on public decency and privacy. Early this year, a woman breastfeeding her baby while waiting for a consultation at a hospital was asked by a nurse to go to a room on another floor, just because other patients were upset by what she was doing. These are just examples of a lack of awareness and respect for breastfeeding mothers.
Admittedly, some people are still not used to the sight of women breastfeeding infants in public, even though many already do so in a discreet manner. A recent survey showed that more than 80 per cent of mothers had done so in restaurants, shopping malls or public parks, but as many as 40 per cent said they have had unpleasant experiences.
Adding to the problem is a serious lack of supporting facilities. Unlike the provision of barrier-free facilities for the physically disabled, new buildings are not mandated by law to provide premises for breastfeeding. There has also been a report about a mother being forced to travel around the city in a taxi because she had nowhere to breastfeed her baby outdoors.