Sinn Fein Foyle MLA Karen Mullan
SINN Féin MLA Karen Mullan has welcomed recommendations from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health that pupils should be taught about breastfeeding in personal, social and health education (PSHE) classes.
Speaking today, Ms Mullan said: “Teaching children and young people about the benefit of breastfeeding is an important step in normalising it as a natural and healthy thing to do.
“I welcome the RCPCH recommendation, which aims to tackle the social stigma that is attached to breastfeeding which is discouraging to mothers.
“The North has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the EU.
“It is important, particularly during World Breastfeeding Week, not only to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding but to promote actions that actively support mothers who want to breastfeed.
“Breastfeeding legislation which my colleague, former Health Minister Michelle O’Neill, tasked the health department to develop is needed to ensure mothers have the right to breastfeed their children with confidence and without interruption in a public place.”
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