Mother banned from breastfeeding her sick son in hospital

A mother of two has expressed her outrage, after being told she could not breastfeed her seven-month-old ill son in hospital. (Stock images used)

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Allison Smith, from Sydney, was at The Children's Hospital when she was told she could not feed her baby son Charlie in a public lunch area.

She was instead forced into a 'disgusting' storeroom area to feed her child.

Allison was asked to leave the communal area to breastfeed
Allison was asked to leave the communal area to breastfeed

According to Smith, a staff member approached her and told her she couldn't breastfeed in that area, and asked her to use the storeroom.

'They were just being bullies' she said, adding that she was 'distressed and embarrassed' by the ordeal.

Pro-breastfeeding group Lactivists Australia were appalled by Smith's treatment at the medical facility, today holding a peaceful protest at the hospital to raise awareness for breastfeeding discrimination.

'For some reason, some people have it in their minds that they have a right to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother' said Victoria Brookman from the group.

'A woman's right to breastfeed her child is protected under The Sex Discrimination Act (1984)' she added.

To make matters worse, Allison was feeding one of her two ill children, Charlie, who suffers from apnoea and seizures after having a stroke at just 24 hours old.

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