Ok, so Kath & I have just recieved a phone call from the place in question advising us that "No, we certainly can not feed the boys in there", that rather we can feed in a closed room off to the side where the creche is!

What are our rights? Can anyone advise me of the legislation or anything in writting?

I so don't know what to do!?! I am in 2 minds! On one hand I wnat to continue going there but on the other hand I am feeling very uncomfortable and certainly discriminated against!!!

Argghhhh, I can't believe it!!!

Mel
DH - Tim
DS - Ayden born 06.04.05
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Check out the Australian Breastfeeding Associations site. Here is some info on your rights...
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/out.html

In addition, this is what it says about ACT rights:



This message was edited by ChocolateFairy on Tuesday, 19 July 2005 @ 5:37 PM

I have been in contact with the ABA, Human Rights etc. ACT and given the contacts, references etc. I /we are seriously considering taking this further and will do all the research tonight.

One of the amazing quotes of the phone conversation I had with them this evening was... 'Let's just take breastfeeding out of this for a minute...' AS IF!!!!

Kath

Let me know if i can do anything to help...

Well they could argue that boys/men are not allowed in the facility LOL
I say take it to the media.... big news stuff like the front of the Chronicle LOL
On a serious note I hope you guys can get this resolved quickly and painlessly.

Carol 34 DH Milton 41
DD Taylor 6/9/93
DS Ethan 30/6/02
DD Brielle 31/12/04 Mosaic Down Syndrome <ahref="http://www.snugglepie.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.snugglepie.com/ezb/122702.png"></a>

My understanding is that they have contravened the anti-discrimination laws and I would definitely take action. Good luck with it. Can you pm me where this happened? I am pretty sure I know but would like to be 100% certain so I can avoid going there since I am still a BF mother!

Veronica

i'm assuming it's a health facility?

I must have missed something, who is saying you can't feed your baby in their facility? Is this a gym, childcare centre, restaurant, what sort of place is this? Give me a couple of months (baby due Sept) and I'll deliberately go there and breastfeed just to educate them!

I looked into the rules about public breastfeeding last year before going back to work. My workplace at the time was not willing to provide a place for me to use a pump (even though our certified agreement says we're supposed to have a nursing mothers room) so I had threatened to pump in the lunch room (with my clear plastic pump - in front of a bunch of middle-aged men). I wanted to make sure I couldn't be sacked for sexually harassing my work colleagues if I did this. End of story is that it is legal to breastfeed your baby anywhere you want, provided it's safe (eg not in a moving vehicle with baby on your lap). But I found nothing specific on using a pump.

I have an ABA pamphlet called 'Breastfeeding - your rights' so I searched for it just now and this is what it says...

"Your right to breastfeed your baby in public is protected by the ACT's Discrimination Act 1991. The act makes it unlawful to treat a woman unfavourably on the basis that she is breastfeeding a child.

You are protected against unfavourable treatment in public places such as:
- places where you are receiving goods and services or facilities such as shops, offices, restaurants and schools.
- your place of employment
- clubs, and
- accomodation services.

There may be some exceptions in some instances to the above and you should seek advice from the Human Rights Office if you have concerns."

It also goes on to discuss the continuation of discriminatory behaviour. The pamphlet states that you can make a complaint to the ACT Human Rights office. These complaints must be made in writing on a form. They investigate the complaint and a concilliation conference is arranged. A solution is determined and could involve an apology or policy written to ensure it does not happen again. Sometimes compensation is given.

To contact the Human Rights Office the details are:

GPO Box 158 Canberra
or
4th floor, 4 Mort St, Canberra
telephone 62070576
email human.rights@act.gov.au
website www.hro.act.gov.au

Good luck (PS- I am PM'ing you so I can find out where this happened! Maybe I'll take along my little pamphlet and whip it out of my handbag while breastfeeding my ds!)

Oh Mel what a dreadful thing to happen. I really hope this gets sorted soon and that the place in question (which I'm sure I know but I won't mention) back peddles very fast and apologises for this blatant example of discrimination. Don't let them get away with this (I know you won't).

I'm sure if all us mums here wrote and complained to them they would change their tune quick smart. Hey, I'm in a bit of a writing mood ....... Let me know if you want some written public support behind you and I'll get the fingers a-typing.

As my Dad would say ... GIVE THEM HELL!!!

Cheers,
Helen.
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i say fins all the BF mums out there and get them to all come along and sit at the front door and feed show them what it is about and wait till the people in Q are hungry and tell them that you are offended that they can eat but yet you have to hise your hungry babies

LETS HOLD A PROTEST!!!!!

sharon

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I'm also happy to help in any way when I get to Canberra in a week and a bit. I sent you a PM Mel, as the link between this place and DD's swimming lessons is a concern to me. If the owners are the same mob they can expect a letter from me ASAP demanding to justify their blatant discrimination against BFing mothers.

Good luck with your course of action, sounds like you are already making an impact in the public arena in Canberra!

Maybe I can convince my big baby to take up breastfeeding again just so I can go and protest... I know I've got the milk, but my new baby's not due for another 8 weeks.

Hi Mel and Kath,

I just found out what happened and I think it's shocking.

I used to work in a similar facility and yes there is the whole no children allowed in the gym area, for insurance purposes but give me a break! For one - your in a female enviroment and no where near any eqipment! Secondly your babies are so small - it's not like they can fall of a treadmill!!!! (Although once I had to ask a grandmother to make her g'son sit at the desk because she had him walking on the treadmill with her- between her legs- but this is very,very different.)

I totally support you both and I was in there tonight and was going to say something but didn't know all the facts since it was a friend who told me.

The only thing Im worried about is that they'll use the no children rule as their excuse even though the reason they gave you was different(i.e they smell) and made you feel uncomfortable for feeding.

I hope that you ladies both give them what for and that they hang there head in shame.

Lisa

Hey Lisa,

Sad hey And to think just the other day we were both telling you how great it was that we could feed them in there and then come back to work out, even encouraging you to join us You are spot on with their arguement. That is the exact stance they are taking.

Kath & I were able to source some info which stated that the breastfeeding infant should be viewed as a biological extension of the mother, that they are one unit and should always be supported this way. We ahve given this info and other relevant stuff to the club and we will see what they say. I guess the sad thing is that even if they agree we are right, it may take a while before my faith in them is resumed!

On another note, are you coming to the catch up at Myer tommorrow? I really want to meet your beatifull girl

Mel
DH - Tim
DS - Ayden born 06.04.05
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