Breastfeeding in public is a legally protected right in Canada
Breastfeeding in Public
Breastfeeding is natural, but it is also a learned, social behaviour. In order to truly support breastfeeding in our culture we all need to see breastfeeding as a part of daily life. It is beautiful to see mother and child interactions in public that are nurturing.
As a breastfeeding mother, when you make breastfeeding more visible in public spaces you are creating change for yourself and for others. Women learn about breastfeed by seeing other women breastfeeding. You are an important role model for others, particularly pregnant mothers, newcomers, young girls and teens.
Research shows that the duration of breastfeeding increases significantly for women who feel comfortable breastfeeding in public. As the duration of breastfeeding increases, research has also shown that the work load of the emergency department and strain on the health care system decreases. Breastfeeding can increase your sense of self-reliance. As a you feel comfortable with breastfeeding your child in public spaces, you are less likely to feel house-bound and isolated, which reduces your risk of postnatal depression and the need for medical attention.
Breastfeeding in all public spaces is protected under the Human Rights Commission of Saskatchewan and of Canada. Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters has created the Breastfeeding Protection Pledge to help businesses take an active role in protecting mothers’ rights to breastfeed.
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All people are entitled to a healthy and secure food supply. This begins at birth with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a human right as supported by the Provincial Human Rights Commission.
Breastfeeding is a child’s right: All children have the right to be breastfed in order to achieve and maintain optimal health.
Breastfeeding is a woman’s right: It is her right to be able to provide her child with optimal nutrition and it is her right to enjoy the physical and emotional benefits that can come to her through a breastfeeding relationship.
Federal and provincial human rights law bans discrimination against women. If someone tells you to stop breastfeeding at work or in a public place, such as a park, shopping mall or restaurant, that person may be discriminating against you. You have the right to feed your baby, wherever you are allowed to be.
Employers and people providing public services must accommodate nursing moms. This pamphlet, Pregnancy, Parenting and the Workplace is a guide for Saskatchewan employers and employees that protect women’s rights in the workplace.
Speak up about your right to breastfeed your baby anywhere anytime. By speaking up, you're not just helping yourself and your child. You are helping all mothers and children by making your community more breastfeeding-friendly.
If you are interested in more details about breastfeeding rights and how to advocate for yourself, see this document.
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Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters works hard to promote, protect and support breastfeeding and keep the conversation alive about women’s right to breastfeed in public.
Throughout the years we have hosted displays and mothers’ rest areas for many locations, such as the Fringe Festival, Farmer’s Market and others. We continue to provide this service at events to support the public image of breastfeeding.
In May 2015 we announced a new Breastfeeding Protection Pledge where local businesses sign up to ensure safe welcoming environments for breastfeeding mothers. The Passport to Breastfeeding: Protected Public Spaces for Mom and Child provides new moms with information and to promote our first business participants.
In 2012 Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters partnered with the City of Saskatoon to ensure that all City leisure centres have an official breastfeeding policy and are supportive of breastfeeding families.
We initiated the Saskatoon Mothers Centre which opened in October of 2012. A Mothers Centre is a place where mothers from all backgrounds can feel honoured and respected and have the opportunity to connect with and share their experiences with other mothers. Internationally, Mothers Centres are public places that build cohesion and where women can develop a sense of community, eliminating the feelings of isolation so common today.
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Every year Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters organizes the Saskatoon location for the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge. This challenge is an international event where mothers and children gather to compete for the most breastfeeding children in one spot at the same time. Although a winner is declared for the location with the most breastfeeding pairs, all breastfeeding mothers and children are champions.
The Challenge is held during World Breastfeeding Week every autumn as a fun way to celebrate and support breastfeeding. The event usually includes door prizes, snacks, presentations and demonstrations from local partners and of course the official “latch” time. We encourage friends, family and media to attend in order to promote a supportive community for breastfeeding. Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters has participated in the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge every year since 2002.
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Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters has hosted public events to celebrate International Women’s Day (Annually in March). Some of these events have included a mini Mother’s Centre demo to help explain the concept, a round table discussion with interested professionals to support a Mother’s Centre, a conversation café to discuss what mothers and babies want from their community and a conversation café about how breastfeeding builds leadership in women. Stay tuned for details about this year’s celebration!
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Learn More
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Protection Pledge
Saskatoon Breastfeeding Matters, Population and Public Health and businesses in Saskatoon are working together to ensure that breastfeeding women feel safe and welcome to breastfeed anywhere, any time, and in any way.
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What You Can Do
Find out how you can make a difference in the community.
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Attend Our Meetings
Meetings are always welcoming to any new members and we often have babies and children playing at our feet while we discuss issues.