MP in plea over breastfeeding at football grounds
MUMS should feel free and be welcome to breastfeed babies at football matches in Scotland, according to a Glasgow MP.
Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, wants every club in Scotland to ensure their stadium is breastfeeding friendly.
The MP has written to chairmen of all 42 senior clubs in he SPFL asking them to publicly declare their ground breastfeeding friendly.
She said her campaign was sparked by the decision of Ayr United, which recently declared its Somerset Park stadium a breastfeeding friendly ground.
She said already more than half the clubs have responded and taken up her offer to declare their grounds breastfeeding friendly.
She said: “The 2005 Breastfeeding Act specifically makes it an offence to stop a mother or child from breastfeeding in public and that is a hugely welcome protection.
“What gives further reassurance to breastfeeding mums is for as many places as possible to be pro-active and declare themselves “breastfeeding friendly”.
Ms Thewliss who has taken her own son, Alexander, to football matches when he was a baby, said clubs can help ensure breastfeeding is seen as the norm.
She added: “Football crowds have changed a lot over the years and stadiums are becoming a much more family-friendly environment. The vast majority of clubs understand the need to build future generations of fans.
“I’ve been going to Fir Park with my family and supporting Motherwell for over 20 years.
“Once I became a mum, I took the decision to take my son to the Europa League game against Aalesund when he was a month old. I was a bit nervous about doing so, but was very much supported by my family and neighbouring fans. “I’ve had a positive experience at Scotland games too, and I would encourage all clubs to play their part.”
Many top league clubs responded to the MP.
A Celtic spokesman said “I can confirm Celtic Park is a breastfeeding friendly ground.”
A statement from Rangers said: “Ibrox has been declared breastfeeding friendly by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
Aberdeen said: “We have no difficulty in accommodating the needs of those individuals wishing to breastfeed at our stadium.”
Ms Thewliss said:“By making a positive declaration that stadiums are breastfeeding friendly, this will go some way to letting people know that breastfeeding is normal and need not be a taboo issue.
“With the exception of one or two clubs, the initial response from the majority of Scottish football clubs has been absolutely fantastic.”
Breastfeeding in public has been a legally protected right in Scotland since the Breastfeeding Act was introduced by Labour MSP Elaine Smith and passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2005.