Breastfeeding mothers
ANYONE preventing a mother breastfeeding in a public place will face a fine of up to £2500 under plans backed by MSPs yesterday.
The Scottish Parliament's health committee gave its support for the general principles of the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bill after taking evidence from health experts.
Only David Davidson, Tory health spokesman, objected to the idea of non-compliance becoming a criminal offence.
The bill, introduced by Elaine Smith, the Labour MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, would see offices, bars, cafes and shopping centres fined if they tried to stop a child under two being fed bottled or breast milk. The aim is to help end negative reactions to feeding in public. The bill also imposes a duty on ministers to encourage mothers to breastfeed.
Christine Grahame, the SNP convener of the committee, said: "The primary aim of the bill is to bring about a cultural change in attitude to feeding babies in public and hopefully, as a consequence, increase the number of young women who choose to breastfeed."