Cllr Ruth Buckley

Green Councillor for Goldsmid, Ruth Buckley has met with Claire Jones-Hughes, organiser of the recent breastfeeding ‘flash-mob’ to discuss ways the Council can prevent prejudice directed towards feeding mothers in public.
 
Ms Jones-Hughes was moved to organise the event after being confronted while breastfeeding by a stranger in a Brighton café, who told her to ‘cover up’. The event attracted massive publicity within the city and throughout the UK, thanks in part to the city holding higher than average take-up rates of breastfeeding during a child's first six weeks.
 
Councillor Buckley commented:
"We are proud of breastfeeding take-up rates in Brighton & Hove, boosted by the ‘Breast is best’ campaign. However it’s unacceptable that any nursing mother should be subjected to such aggressive behaviour at such a sensitive time in their life. Brighton & Hove is known as a tolerant, inclusive community and we should continue working to challenge all forms of narrow-mindedness."
 
Brighton and Hove has two dedicated Breastfeeding advisors and around 30 peer support workers who volunteer their time on the maternity wards of the Royal Sussex.
 
Councillor Buckley concluded:
"Mothers should always be given the support and advice to choose whatever is best for them and their baby. Whether they choose to breast or bottle feed, there’s plenty of help out there for new parents from advisors, support workers and nurses."