A Sydney mother has spoken out about her distressing experience at Blacktown Leisure Centre after being instructed to stop breastfeeding her infant son in the public café area.
The incident occurred when the young mother was quietly feeding her baby while her older child participated in swimming lessons. According to her account, a staff member approached and informed her that breastfeeding was "not permitted" in the public area, suggesting she should use a change room instead.
Public Outcry and Swift Response
The mother's subsequent social media post detailing the encounter sparked immediate community outrage and drew attention to ongoing issues surrounding public breastfeeding acceptance.
Blacktown City Council has since launched an investigation into the matter, with a spokesperson confirming they do not support the staff member's actions and are reviewing their procedures.
Legal Protections for Breastfeeding Mothers
Under Australian law, mothers have clear legal rights to breastfeed in public places without discrimination. The incident has raised questions about whether leisure centre staff receive adequate training regarding these protections.
Several parenting advocacy groups have condemned the incident, calling for better education and awareness about breastfeeding rights in public facilities.
Council's Damage Control
In response to the growing controversy, council officials have:
- Apologised directly to the affected mother
- Initiated immediate staff retraining programmes
- Committed to reviewing all customer service protocols
- Promised to implement clearer signage supporting breastfeeding rights
The leisure centre management has assured the public that such incidents will not be repeated and that they fully support mothers' rights to breastfeed anywhere on their premises.
