You may have seen the news: Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has welcomed progress on legislation aimed at protecting the right to breastfeed (or express milk) in public across Northern Ireland. sinnfein.ie
As founder of The Nourish Consultancy, I believe this is a pivotal step – not just for parents, but for how our workplaces and public spaces recognise and support infant feeding as a normal, everyday part of life.
“If enacted, this legislation will give mothers greater confidence and ensure they are not subjected to stigma, obstruction or discrimination when feeding their children.
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon
What the proposed legislation would do
- Make it unlawful to prevent or discourage someone from breastfeeding or expressing milk in a public space, including licensed premises and businesses.
- Place a clear legal obligation on service-providers and businesses to ensure their premises are “breastfeeding-friendly,” helping to normalise feeding in public.
- Offer better protection from stigma, discrimination or harassment for people feeding their babies outside the home.
Why this matters – especially now
- Northern Ireland currently has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Western Europe.
- Normalising breastfeeding in public – legally and socially – can help shift culture, reduce anxiety for parents, and encourage more people to continue feeding their babies as they choose.
- For employers, public-space legislation complements workplace breastfeeding support. As we champion through The Nourish Consultancy, supportive policies and practical facilities at work are vital – but public acceptance matters just as much.
What this means for The Nourish Consultancy & Businesses
If the legislation passes, it strengthens the case for employers to proactively embed breastfeeding-friendly practices in their workplaces:
- clearer, more inclusive staff policies,
- appropriate facilities for expressing/storing milk,
- supportive culture and communication.
It also sends a powerful message: breastfeeding is a public health and family issue, deserving normalisation and respect – inside and outside of workplaces.
What we can all do to support this change
- If you’re an employer or manager: start thinking about how you support staff who breastfeed or express – this legislation could prompt a review.
- If you’re a parent or employee: use this moment to open conversation with your employer about what support you need.
- If you care about equality, health and family wellbeing: back efforts to make breastfeeding in public safe, accepted, and protected – and encourage others to do the same.
If your organisation is ready to take meaningful steps to improve breastfeeding and infant-feeding support – through policy development, training, or practical workplace provisions – The Nourish Consultancy can help.
Get in touch today to explore how we can support your team and create a more inclusive, family-friendly workplace.