Most comfortable with public breastfeeding

A new survey has revealed that most New Zealanders are comfortable with breastfeeding in public, but a level of discomfort still remains for some.

Results from the recent Breastmates breastfeeding survey, conducted by the Nielsen Company, showed that most New Zealanders felt comfortable with women breastfeeding in public with 61 percent disagreeing with the statement "I feel uncomfortable when women breastfeed in public".

A level of discomfort still exists for some, with 19 percent saying they felt uncomfortable when women breastfeed in public.

Levels of discomfort became more pronounced when linked with breastfeeding in certain situations, with 25 percent saying women should be encouraged to breastfeed in the restroom rather than at their table when at a restaurant and 23 percent saying that infants over the age of 12 months should never be breastfed in public.

Founder of the online maternity shop Breastmates, Frances McInnes, said the survey showed that New Zealanders' attitudes toward breastfeeding in public were changing.

"It's great to see that," said Ms McInnes.

Seven hundred New Zealanders aged 15 years and over took part in the web-based survey.

- NZPA