Council to change breast-feeding guidelines
LEISURE centre staff will be given new guidelines after a mother complained she was asked to leave a pool while breast-feeding her son.
The Post reported how Laura Whotton, 26, from Carrington, was told she could not feed the boy at the poolside in the John Carroll Leisure Centre in Radford because it was a public area.
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FOOD FIGHT: Laura Whotton and son; 'I wasn't doing anything wrong and couldn't see any signs saying no food' C130509DM2-5
A city council spokeswoman later told the Post that breast-feeding breached its strict rule of no food and drink by the poolside.
But now David Trimble, the council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and customers, has said: "I think we need to change this.
"We shouldn't be treating mothers the same as someone who's eating and drinking.
"So we will offer her an apology and change the instructions to staff and make sure they have clear instructions.
"Obviously the policy is a bit ambiguous.
"We need to issue new guidelines and make it clear that someone breast-feeding shouldn't be treated the same as someone who is eating and drinking."
The council's portfolio-holder for environment and climate change, Councillor Katrina Bull, contacted Coun Trimble about the incident after the article was published.
Speaking to the Post, Coun Bull said: "It's unfortunate and regrettable that it's happened.
"She will be getting a full apology and it will be made clear to staff and users that of course mums can breast-feed at the poolside."
Mum Laura said she would welcome an apology, and added that the council should make its policies on breast-feeding clearer for mums.
"When it happened it made me feel angry," she said.
"I wasn't doing anything wrong and I couldn't see any signs saying no food or drink.
"It could put people off going swimming and has made me not want to go to the John Carroll Leisure Centre again. But an apology would be fine."
tanya.holden@nottinghameveingpost.co.uk
15 Comments
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by Graeme, Newcastle
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 7:29AM
“Laura you say that it is legal, and earlier this year a minister sent letters to newspapers saying it was.
The problem is, could that be just deemed a legal opinion rather than statement of law?
The only way to know for sure is either by a court case or by definite legislation, such as promised by the equality bill.
The preferred solution would be to have the specific law they have in Scotland. If this had happened north of the border, the pool attendant would have been open to prosecution.
However this is England, and from how I see it, legally is there stil a chance that someone breastfeeding in public could be charged with a public order offence or as some earlier reports suggested indecency. The minister said no, but can she say that?
As we return to the minister's letter, she said a woman could not be so charged with the offence of indecency, (No mention of public order please note), one again has to ask how much weight in law does this letter carry. It was not even a press release!! The minister referred to the 1975 Sex discrimination act, but that was civil law, not criminal law. Does that really offer legal protection here in England.
I am not a legal expert so maybe there are people on this board with a better knowledge of the law that can offer further clarrification?
Again for the record, I believe we should have the same legislation as in Scotland.”
by Elaine, Beeston
Monday, May 18 2009, 12:50PM
“Well done Laura. So glad you got them to see sense. Your litle boy is adorable btw.”
by FW, Nottingham
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:52AM
“
Anyone reading it would think some Nottingham residents are complete barm pots!
Only some? Well, that's progress!”
by stacey, Notts
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:21AM
“Observer,
+1
i agree :)”
by observer, nottingham
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:03AM
“It's only in this intolerant society that folk have a problem with breast feeding. Stacey and M are the only ones who have made sensible comments. Thank goodness not all of this rubbish will ever get to the actual newspaper. Anyone reading it would think some Nottingham residents are complete barm pots!”
by M, Nottm
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:46AM
“Well done Laura. Carry on the good work and by the way, your baby is absolutely beautiful.”
by stacey, Notts
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:14AM
“Andrew,
If you do some work then you wont get bored :D”
by Andrew, Bestwood Lodge
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:07AM
“A message to all, Tawny owls are breeding in bestwood Lodge! happy days.”
by Andrew, Bestwood Lodge
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:05AM
“Stacey,
I suppose you are correct, I am at work and bored off my head, so I tried to brighten up my day with a little fun.xxxx.
laura,
Well done.xxxx.”
by stacey, Notts
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:00AM
“Andrew,
Having a dump at the poolside is totally different to *naturally* breast feeding your baby!
DUH!
If you think having a dump in public is normal then i think you may need sectioning LOL :D”