This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-26587639
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Swansea mothers in breastfeeding protest over 'tramp' abuse | Swansea mothers in breastfeeding protest over 'tramp' abuse |
(about 5 hours later) | |
More than 100 people have supported a breastfeeding protest in Swansea after a Staffordshire mother was labelled a "tramp" for feeding her baby in public. | |
Emily Slough launched a campaign after finding a photograph on Facebook of her feeding her daughter in Rugeley. | Emily Slough launched a campaign after finding a photograph on Facebook of her feeding her daughter in Rugeley. |
In a show of support, Swansea mother Jade Richards organised a breastfeeding protest in Castle Square on Saturday at midday. | |
Ms Slough staged her own event in Rugeley. | |
Ms Slough, 27, said she had "discreetly" stopped to feed her eight-month-old daughter Matilda during a shopping trip on 7 March. | Ms Slough, 27, said she had "discreetly" stopped to feed her eight-month-old daughter Matilda during a shopping trip on 7 March. |
Her campaign has attracted thousands of "likes" on Facebook and more than 1,000 people are expected to attend her mass breastfeeding protest. | Her campaign has attracted thousands of "likes" on Facebook and more than 1,000 people are expected to attend her mass breastfeeding protest. |
Swansea mother Ms Richards, who is originally from Staffordshire, said she was inspired to launch her own event after hearing about Ms Slough's story. | Swansea mother Ms Richards, who is originally from Staffordshire, said she was inspired to launch her own event after hearing about Ms Slough's story. |
"We had about 120 people join us to support Emily," said Ms Richards. | |
"Mothers, fathers and families came along. It was a great turn out and great weather. | |
"We handed out flyers explaining that we were here today in support of Emily and the flyers also contained information about feeding babies and why public feeding is necessary. | |
"There were details about the Equality Act which says people can't discriminate against women breastfeeding. | |
"During the event, one lady came up to me and said it was the first time she had breastfed in public without covering her baby's head with a blanket to conceal what she was doing." | |
Ms Richards said it was hard to explain why Ms Slough had received such a harsh reaction while breastfeeding in public. | |
"People are not used to seeing mothers breastfeeding in public," she added. | "People are not used to seeing mothers breastfeeding in public," she added. |
"Mothers are normally discreet when they're feeding, I'm not saying they should be, but when a mother is spotted they sometimes receive odd reactions." | "Mothers are normally discreet when they're feeding, I'm not saying they should be, but when a mother is spotted they sometimes receive odd reactions." |
She said people were used to seeing breasts as sexual objects and were "freaked out" when they saw them being used for what they were designed for. | She said people were used to seeing breasts as sexual objects and were "freaked out" when they saw them being used for what they were designed for. |
"I think the breastfeeding protest in Swansea will serve as a confidence boost for mothers and it'll give them a chance to meet like-minded people," Ms Richards said. | "I think the breastfeeding protest in Swansea will serve as a confidence boost for mothers and it'll give them a chance to meet like-minded people," Ms Richards said. |
"Perhaps this could become an annual event and then breastfeeding wouldn't be seen by some as a problem and would help normalise it." | "Perhaps this could become an annual event and then breastfeeding wouldn't be seen by some as a problem and would help normalise it." |
In Staffordshire, up to 1,000 people turned up to the protest organised in Rugeley town centre on Saturday. | |
Similar events were also taking place in Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Stirling and York. | |
Previous version
1
Next version