ALMOST half of Scottish mothers are put off breast feeding in public because they fear the disapproval of people around them, a new study has revealed.
Researchers across Europe, including academics from the University of Glasgow, found that although most mother north of the Border agree that women should breastfeed in places such as cafes and restaurants, only 57 per cent had done so.
The figure is among the lowest out of the nations that took part in the study, which was conducted in Spain, Italy and Sweden as well as Scotland.
Researchers spoke to 389 mothers recruited from hospital maternity units in Glasgow, Stockholm, Granada and Reggio-Emilia and asked them to complete detailed questionnaires on their attitudes to breastfeeding and how they did it.
They found that although the women believe they have a right to breastfeed in public, the mothers' perception that society generally disapproves of breastfeeding in public may have influenced their behaviour.
Professor Christine Edwards, Professor of Nutritional Physiology at the University of Glasgow and the report's co-author said: "Scottish breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in Europe . Women will continue to breastfeed for longer if they feel comfortable doing so, and this is more likely to be achieved if there is a cultural change in Scotland in favour of breastfeeding."
Breastfeeding is associated with a wide-range of benefits both for the mother and baby, and is advocated by both the World Health Organisation and the Scottish Government
Research has suggested that new mothers who successfully breastfeed their babies are less likely to get postnatal depression, and the NHS recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a baby's life.
Thereafter, mothers are encouraged to continue feeding breast milk alongside solid food for another six months at least.
Felicity Lambert, spokeswoman for the Breastfeeding Network, said that it was important for women to feel comfortable wherever they chose to breastfeed.
She said: "Thousands of babies are being breastfed every day and we know that the vast majority of comments women receive when they breastfeed in public are positive.
"It's very rare that mums receive negative comments, but when that happens it does get a lot of publicity and that can put mums off.
"We support any mums who breastfeed and would urge them to contact us if they have any concerns over doing it in public. Breastfeeding is totally natural and there should be no negative feelings attached to it."
She added that the network also works with organisations such as businesses and local authorities to help them become more breast-feeding friendly.
The most recent statistics show that around 40 per cent of new mothers in Scotland breastfeed, including those who 'top-up' regular feeds with bottled of formula.
The issue of breastfeeding has proven controversial in recent months, with UKIP leader Nigel Farage facing a storm of protest after he said that women should "perhaps sit in the corner" when they breastfeed in public.
In Scotland, new laws were brought in in 2005 to make it an offence to stop nursing mothers from feeding their babies in places like bars, buses and shopping centres. Businesses who break the law risk a fine of up to £2,500.
In 2013/14, 48.4 percent of Scottish babies were breastfed by the time of the first visit of a health visitor, falling to 37.9 per cent at the six to eight week review.
However, the rate varies across Scotland, with just while 17.3 per cent of mums saying they breastfed in the NHS Lanarkshire health board area, compared to to 46.4 per cent in NHS Orkney.
Mothers social circumstances are also a factor, with 60 per cent of women in the most affluent sectors of society breastfeeding compared to just 20 per cent of the least well off.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Scotland has world leading legislation to protect breastfeeding women from discrimination. We must continue to challenge prejudices on breastfeeding, and it is vital that mothers are supported to feel comfortable feeding baby wherever required."
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