Hong Kong restaurants say 'yes' to breastfeeding mothers: new measures adopted to give privacy, gain acceptance
More than 60 restaurants join ‘Say Yes to Breastfeeding’ campaign across city
First-time mother Yvonne Lam Ho-yi didn’t expect she would have to hide in order to breastfeed her newborn son in public.
But cradling her wailing baby and with no place to go in a crowded mall, her only option was to duck back into her car, away from others’ prying gaze.
“Breastfeeding in public in Hong Kong attracts weird looks from passers-by, and I feel embarrassed, like I’m doing something wrong,” said Lam. “Chinese people are a bit conservative.”
INTERACTIVE: Hong Kong breastfeeding map - the public places where you can nurse your child
Now more than 60 restaurants across the city pledged a change so that breastfeeding mothers could feel welcome.
The restaurants, affixing “Breastfeeding Friendly Premises” stickers to their front doors, trained staff to help breastfeeding mothers like Lam.
Some businesses set aside tables or rooms with greater privacy and to give breastfeeding mothers priority service.
