An Irish breastfeeding support group has slammed RTÉ and the Today show for posting a poll asking viewers to answer the question: “Breastfeeding in Public. Yes or No?”.
Friends of Breastfeeding have described the programme’s approach to the issue as ‘shocking’ and ‘discriminatory’, given that the right to breastfeed in public is protected by law in Ireland. The group also said the poll, which has since been deleted from the Today show’s Facebook page, “gives the public the impression that it is perfectly ok to think that a “No” response is in any way acceptable.”
Addressing the poll question in a letter to RTÉ, Friends of Breastfeeding said:
“As you are surely aware, the law has already answered this question: breastfed babies are of course as entitled to eat in public as anyone else, and preventing mothers from doing so, or making them feel unwelcome is an offence in Ireland. Suggesting otherwise is nothing short of discriminatory and we were absolutely shocked to see this poll on your page. Even asking such a question implies that there might be something wrong with a baby eating in the company of others, and encourages hateful comments towards breastfeeding mothers. I am sure we all agree that it is ridiculous to think that nursing babies ought to be kept out of sight, let alone to have that opinion shared for all to see on social media.
Would you run a poll to ask if it was okay to bottle-feed in public, if women should be able to vote, if same-sex couples should be allowed hold hands in public? Why would you even question the right babies and children have to eat when out and about, without having to be hidden from view?
Being the mother of a young child can be a very lonely and challenging time, and the last thing a mother needs is for their right to go out and about with their child to be questioned on Ireland’s national television station. Statistics show that a common reason for a mother choosing not to breastfeed or stopping breastfeeding in Ireland is due to embarrassment or social stigma. We believe that the media and their portrayal of “breastfeeding in public” is an issue and has a huge part to play in this.
This type of discussion is counter-productive; it provokes unnecessary disputes and causes distress for the sole purpose of entertainment. We are disappointed that this was allowed to happen.”
To read the letter in full, click here.
What do you think of The Today Show’s breastfeeding poll? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
