Two years after Mid-Western Regional Council committed to investigating alternative sites for a parents’ room, mothers say Mudgee is still in need of improved facilities.
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In 2014 a group of parents called on council to find an alternative to the Town Hall Arcade parents’ room due to space restrictions.
Now a group of mothers are reiterating their call for a clean, safe and central location where they can feed their babies, but which all parents and carers can use for changing children and using the toilet.
“We need better facilities in town. Particularly if you are a mum from out of town,” Australian Breastfeeding Association – Mudgee Group leader Angela Middleton said.
“I don’t think it’s an ideal location. I don’t think there’s room in that location for what the facility needs.”
Other mums said the space was “adequate” but still felt like a public toilet with some preferring to use local parks, the library, and even shopping change rooms to feed their baby.
“A feeding space shouldn’t be shared with a toilet space, just like you wouldn’t have your coffee in the toilet,” Ms Middleton said.
“An ideal facility would have plenty of pram room, it would have a separate toilet area that also had pram room, it would have a change table area and hygienic facilities, and a separate feeding area for mums who’d like to feed their baby.”
The women said they’ve found the Mudgee community to be mostly supportive when breastfeeding in public and encouraged other mothers to feel comfortable to do so.
“We’d be hoping for a community where everything was in place for mums to feel welcome to feed and care for their babies,” Ms Middleton said.
“I think we do have a way to go to achieving that. I’d really encourage local businesses to consider joining the Breastfeeding Welcome Here program.”
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)’s Breastfeeding Welcome Here program was developed to improve community acceptability of breastfeeding in public through the promotion of breastfeeding friendly premises.
Venues can receive a sticker to display that they welcome breastfeeding on their premises.
“The smallest things can make such a difference in making you feel accepted while breastfeeding as opposed to just turning a blind eye and tolerating it,” one mum said.
“I’ve had the experience of someone coming up while I am feeding asking ‘Would you like a glass of water’ – which was amazing,” another added.
One mother said while she never felt unwelcome about breastfeeding it still felt as though it was something that “is tolerated rather than made to feel comfortable or made to feel accepted”.
“It’s just a gap in the understanding to make it welcome as opposed to tolerated,” she said.
The group encouraged others not to be afraid to offer hospitality to a woman feeding her baby.
“Be aware that if a breastfeeding woman is concerned about her modesty she will use a cloth or a towel. If not, it’s fine to talk to her,” Ms Middleton said.
“If she’s not uncomfortable you don’t need to be.”
The Mudgee Guardian has contacted council about its investigations into a potential new site or site upgrade.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association – Mudgee Group Public Page can be found on Facebook or contacted at: abamudgee@gmail.com
