| I'm always being told that the Hong Kong culture is one of not breastfeeding in public. But I'd like to remind you all that the customs in a culture are transient and are always changing. 50 years ago it was common to see babies being breastfeed in public in Hong Kong. My mother-in-law was a hawker selling fruit in Happy Valley and she breastfeed all six of her babies while selling fruit. It was the normal practice then.
And although breastfeeding in public is uncommon in today's society I urge everyone who feels comfortable (with or without a cover) to breastfeed in public. It is only by doing so that we will change the customs back to being more breastfeeding friendly.
When I was shy about breastfeeding in public one thought that urged me on was the thought of changing the society so that my daughter would find breastfeeding in public comfortable - I think it is important to see this as a long term goal - because attitudes are unlike to change quickly but if we work together they will change.
SARAH |