Breastfeeding Scotland Bill

Lynn Henderson

Lynn Henderson asks Elaine Smith MSP about progress of the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bill.

Why a Breastfeeding private members bill?

Some years ago I discovered that Coatbridge, in my constituency, had the lowest rate of breastfeeding in Scotland - 11% at six weeks compared to a national average of 40% with a then Government target of 50% by 2005. Since many women cite embarrassment as a reason for not breastfeeding, or for stopping, I decided to pursue a practical way to support and empower breastfeeding mothers and babies, whilst at the same time raising awareness and helping to change attitudes. Breastfeeding should no longer viewed as something out-with the norm, practised only by celebrity mothers and middle-class families.

Tell us more about the negative experiences that breastfeeding mothers encounter?

There is a problem in our society whereby bottle-feeding is seen as normal and breastfeeding mothers can be treated in a fashion akin to other forms of segregation; being asked to leave premises or being excluded from everyday life by the expectation that they will feed their children at home, in rooms set aside or in toilets. It is illegal, and most decent minded people would agree it would be immoral, to ask someone to leave a public place, for example, because of their race, and yet as a society we continue to allow the segregation of mothers and babies for the "heinous crime" of feeding their babies in the most natural and nurturing way!

The woman put off a bus in Edinburgh for breastfeeding is a clear illustration of the problem but there are more prevalent insidious attitudes and actions that must also be challenged. These include the attitude that a public place is somehow breastfeeding friendly because it provides a nursing room. For many mothers such enforced segregation is unacceptable, discouraging and can make them feel that they are doing something wrong. Discouraging looks and negative remarks are also common and can affect the ability to feed. Given the unequivocal evidence that "breast is best" and Government support for encouraging breastfeeding, I feel that this anomalous situation should be addressed via legislation.

Is it fair to say that you have had mixed support and opposition from your colleagues thus far?

The proposal has attracted enough cross-party signatures to proceed, although none of the Tories have pledged support and some Labour members remain unconvinced. (Supportive lobbying from Citizen readers would be appreciated)

A steering group comprising health representatives, Trade Unions, Local Authority licensing officials, poverty campaigners and others has helped shape the Bill and the results of a consultation exercise showed wide support for the principles. The Scottish Executive is committed to supporting and promoting breastfeeding and Ministers were sympathetic to the principle when informally consulted. However, caution is required when changing legislation and they would wish to scrutinise the bill in detail before giving any commitment to supporting it. One major hurdle was the terms of the Scotland Act: whether the bill could be deemed legislatively competent for the Scottish Parliament. The bill has been redrafted to include all feeding of milk thus putting the emphasis on the child's rights and child health and making the bill non- gender specific. Mike Dailly of the Govan Law Centre is responsible for drafting and without the Centre's support the bill would not have progressed. Legislative competence has now been granted.

What would you say to those who have suggested that your Bill is merely a matter of child health and well being rather than a socialist issue?

It is, of course, a matter of child health and well being since there can be no doubt, and there is plenty of evidence, that breastfeeding is the best way to feed our children. Although the bill now includes bottle-feeding, it provides for a change in the law to ensure that breastfeeding is protected, supported and encouraged thus empowering breastfeeding mothers and babies and promoting a culture of confidence.

But look at the issue in terms of social inclusion. Health benefits of breastfeeding confer advantages way beyond infancy and have a positive influence on mothers' health - the particular importance in poor and deprived communities becomes obvious. An estimated 30% of Scottish children live in poverty, with all the associated health inequalities. The importance of encouraging breastfeeding as an integral part of a wider strategy to tackle the effects of poverty, bad diet and social exclusion must be recognised, not only by government but also by wider Scottish society. There is a correlation between areas of higher deprivation and low rates of breastfeeding. Glasgow postcode variance from 9% in more deprived areas to 75% in more affluent areas. The lowest breastfeeding rates have also been shown to correlate with younger mothers, lower socio-economic status and early withdrawal from formal education.

Have you linked the issue to profiteering for multinational companies providing milk substitutes?

I agree that aggressive marketing techniques to promote milk substitutes can be blamed, in part, for the decline in breastfeeding. Milk substitutes used in third world countries has resulted in the death of babies, due to poor instruction on the hygiene, the lack of clean water supplies and the watering down of expensive powdered milk to make it go further by families who can ill-afford such products.

In "The Politics of Breastfeeding" Gabrielle Palmer points out that during the late 19th & early 20th centuries the mechanisation of the dairy industry resulted in large whey surpluses. Any capitalist with business instinct will look to ways of profiting from selling a surplus product and in this case it was marketed as baby milk. Palmer says "the development of baby milk has been a marketing success story, not least in the skill with which the competing product has been destroyed." The question must be asked as to why multinationals profit so much from breast milk substitutes, which they constantly strive to make as like mothers milk as possible, whilst the manufacturers of the real thing, women, are amongst the worlds poorest, powerless and most oppressed.
What do you hope to achieve if the Bill is enacted?

Firstly, a strong message that Scottish society supports breastfeeding mothers and recognises the right for all children to be fed when hungry in places where they are otherwise permitted to be. Also to help change social and cultural attitudes to accept and encourage breastfeeding as the norm.

I must stress, though, that this is about choice. My Bill recognises the right to feed a child by breastfeeding and/or bottled milk in certain public places. However, it makes express provision for the support and encouragement of breastfeeding to improving take-up and duration rates. Any improvement would have a direct positive impact on a child's future health. It is as simple and as important as that.

Choice needs to be informed and, at present, I'm not convinced that new mothers do make a conscious and deliberate choice to feed their children a second rate substitute instead of that which is free, nutritious and of immense health benefits. I believe that in the majority of cases issues such as cultural attitudes, the sexualisation of women's breasts, the normalisation of bottle-feeding by the media and society, the need to return to work and the lack of role models influence this "choice". Substitute milk has become the common default option although there is a need for formula for the minority of mothers who have medical problems.

How do you answer those who accuse you of political correctness?

This is not about the "Nanny State", nor politically correct politicking. The Bill does not tell anyone what they should be doing; it only provides recognition and support for choices made: whether that choice is bottle-feeding or breastfeeding. The overarching aim is to improve take up and duration rates for breastfeeding, improve child health, nutrition and promote social inclusion through simple legislative change. It in no way negates any other Scottish Executive policy issue and indeed compliments them.

Breastfeeding is a free universal benefit for our children and one that is likely to be of most benefit to those in poverty and deprivation. Support and encouragement for breastfeeding is entirely in line with the pursuance of a socially just, 21st century socialist Scotland where equality of opportunity is a reality for all of our citizens.