Rachel Kiser
Blogger | Mom of Two
Earlier this month, Australian senator Larissa Waters did something that is both completely natural and also record-setting: she nursed her 10-week-old daughter on the floor of Parliament. Alia Joy is the first baby to be breastfed in the building after laws were changed last year to allow children on the floor.
Waters, who returned back to work after ten weeks of maternity leave, brought her newest addition with her as she did what she does so well. As the co-deputy leader of Australia’s Green Party, she was a major force in amending the rules for parents of children in Parliament. Larissa posts on her Facebook page, “I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal parliament! And we need more family-friendly and flexible workplaces, and affordable childcare, for everyone.”
Larissa Waters
The topic of breastfeeding in public is a hot-button issue in many places all over the world. It’s mind-boggling how something so essential to the well-being of our next generation can even be perceived as offensive, but in many places, it still is. This victory in Australia comes in light of a lot of controversy in recent years, as well. In 2009, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young requested a few minutes with her two-year-old before she was flown back to Adelaide and away from her mother. When the little one was invited into the chamber, the President, John Hogg, denied her entry, saying that Parliament was a place for serious business. The two-year-old began to cry and was taken out of of the building as the doors were locked.
There are a half-dozen instances in the past few years of politicians babywearing or nursing in their place of work, but somehow still, there are laws in place that prevent this from happening. Even though our own country now has mandatory pumping breaks worked into mothers’ schedules, the laws that make it easy to care for our babies are too few. Perhaps, as more mothers like Waters come forward and prove that they are worthy of not only their official positions but their place as caretaker to their children, we’ll see lasting, positive change.
About Rachel Kiser
Rachel is a wife and mother living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s a fan of good coffee, wearer of gray t-shirts, and is constantly starting books she will never finish. Her family is her joy, and she loves to engage with other moms and dads on matters of parenting. Her blog posts have also been featured on the Today Show Parenting Blog and Scary Mommy.
View all posts by Rachel Kiser here.
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7 Comments on “Australian Lawmaker Makes History and Nurses Baby on Parliament Floor”
Good for her. I think the whole argument is stupid; its food!
While I see the benefit for the mother and child, I would be concerned that the baby/child would disrupt the important government/business matters taking place. It is good to hear about making breastfeeding acceptable in the workplace though.
Kudos !
So inspiring! Just a part of life and being able to care for your baby doesn’t stop if you’re a politician. So glad she is able to care for her baby without disruption in such an important venue.
Good for her. If your job allows you to do that – go for it. They are that little such a short time.
Fascinating article. I agree with this mother as long as there is little or no disruption from the baby and the breastfeeding is decent by being out of view.
This is wonderful it’s time people start thinking differently about breast feeding,it’s a part of life !