More than half of consumers uncomfortable with breastfeeding in a pub

The research, which was conducted by baby product business Lansinoh, canvassed 1,000 UK adults to measure public attitudes and opinions to breastfeeding.

More than half (51%) of respondents said they were uncomfortable with women breastfeeding in a pub.

This was followed by 48% who said they felt uncomfortable with breastfeeding in a restaurant and 40% in a café.

Transport was the next area consumers were uncomfortable with 39% saying on a bus, also 39% on the underground, 29% on a train and 22% on a plane.

Women more uncomfortable

Some 34% were uncomfortable with breastfeeding in a library, 28% in a cinema, 24% in a shopping centre, 20% at an airport, 17% at a park and 16% at the beach.

The survey also broke down the results into male and female responses where marginally more women (53%) felt uncomfortable with breastfeeding in a pub compared to 49% of men.

JD Wetherspoon has a very straightforward approach to feeding in its venues and spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Women customers are very welcome to breastfeed in our pubs.”

A spokesperson for Greene King said: “All of our pubs are breast-feeding friendly, we want our customers to feel welcome when they visit. Many of our customers are families with young children, and we want them to feel comfortable with us and enjoy time well spent.”

Equality Act 2010  

According to charity Maternity Action, the Equality Act 2010 says that it is discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.

The charity states: “Service providers include most organisations that deal directly with the public. Service providers must not discriminate, harass or victimise a woman because she is breastfeeding.

“Discrimination includes refusing to provide a service, providing a lower standard of service or providing a service on different terms.

“Therefore, a café owner cannot ask you to stop breastfeeding or refuse to serve you.”