Creating a Culture of Support for Public Breastfeeding: A Study from Lund University

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A major multi-country study from Lund University reveals that the single most powerful driver of comfortable public breastfeeding is not just law, but culture: seeing other women breastfeed, receiving explicit social support, and having real access to public spaces. By unpacking the findings from more than 10,000 mothers in Sweden, Ireland, and Australia, this article explores how policy, urban design, and everyday attitudes can work together to create cities where breastfeeding is not hidden or judged, but welcomed as a normal, protected part of public life—for the benefit of both women and children.

International and national laws increasingly recognize a woman’s right to breastfeed wherever she and her child are legally allowed to be. Yet many mothers still describe feeling judged, stared at, or pressured to hide when breastfeeding outside the home. Drawing on a 2023 study from Lund University published in the International Breastfeeding Journal, this article explains why legal protection alone is not enough—and what it takes to build a genuine culture of support for public breastfeeding.


Mother breastfeeding infant while sitting on a park bench in a public space
A mother breastfeeding her baby in a public park, illustrating the importance of welcoming public spaces. Photo: Pexels / Luciana Hachmann.

Mission Overview: Why Public Breastfeeding Culture Matters

The Lund University-led project, in collaboration with researchers in Ireland and Australia, set out to understand not just whether women breastfeed in public, but what makes it easier or harder to do so. Over 10,000 women with breastfeeding experience responded to a detailed digital questionnaire about:

  • How comfortable they felt breastfeeding in various public settings (cafés, parks, transport, workplaces, etc.).
  • What factors most enabled or constrained breastfeeding outside the home.
  • How they perceived social norms, legal protections, and the design of public spaces.

The core finding is clear: public breastfeeding is not just an individual decision; it is a social and infrastructural issue. When society signals that breastfeeding is welcome everywhere children are allowed, mothers are better able to respond to their child’s needs, move freely, and maintain breastfeeding for longer.

“Breastfeeding improves the health of mothers and babies alike, and societies that protect it in all settings are investing in their future.” — Adapted from guidance by the World Health Organization.

While breastfeeding is a biological act, its protection and promotion are deeply embedded in legal and policy frameworks. The Lund University study highlights that the right to breastfeed in public is anchored in several international instruments:

  • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – obliges states to support optimal nutrition and health.
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) – requires equal access to public spaces and services.
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

Many countries—including Sweden, Ireland, and Australia—also have national or subnational laws that protect breastfeeding in public places, often by:

  1. Explicitly naming breastfeeding as a protected activity in anti-discrimination law.
  2. Defining interference with breastfeeding as a form of sex or family-status discrimination.
  3. Ensuring that where a woman has a right to be, she also has a right to breastfeed.

Despite this legal backing, the study shows that women still routinely experience discomfort, negative comments, or subtle pressure to relocate to private rooms or restrooms—spaces that may be less hygienic, less safe, or simply disconnected from social life.


Scientific Significance: Key Findings from the Lund University Study

One of the most important contributions of this research is its systematic ranking of what actually helps mothers breastfeed in public. Respondents were asked to order factors that made breastfeeding outside the home easier. The top-ranked factor was striking:

1. Seeing Other Women Breastfeed

The presence of visible role models in daily life was perceived as the single most powerful enabler. This visibility:

  • Normalizes breastfeeding as an everyday activity, not a special event.
  • Signals that “people like me” belong in these spaces with feeding infants.
  • Reduces anxiety around negative reactions or being “the only one.”

2. Explicit Social and Institutional Support

Participants emphasized the importance of clear, outward-facing support, such as:

  • Signage stating that breastfeeding is welcome.
  • Policies in cafés, libraries, and transport that reaffirm the right to breastfeed.
  • Staff training to respond supportively if other patrons complain.
“Our findings demonstrate that the social environment—how people look, react, and organize space—can either empower or constrain mothers far more than legal text alone.” — Paraphrased from researchers involved in the Lund University study.

3. Genuine Accessibility to Public Spaces

Access is not only about being allowed to enter a space, but also about being able to stay, sit, feed, and move safely. Women in the study reported that:

  • Lack of seating, crowded layouts, or unsafe environments reduced their willingness to breastfeed in public.
  • Strollers, slings, and other tools helped them stay mobile and find comfortable positions.
  • Public transport design could either enable breastfeeding (comfortable seating, armrests) or hinder it (narrow seats, lack of priority spaces).

“Breastfeeding Rooms” vs. Real Choice

A common response to concerns about breastfeeding in public is to install dedicated “nursing rooms” or “mother-and-baby rooms.” The study takes a nuanced view of these spaces:

When Private Rooms Help

  • Some mothers and infants genuinely prefer a calm, low-stimulation environment, especially in the early weeks.
  • Private rooms can be valuable in noisy malls, airports, or event venues as one option among many.

When Private Rooms Become a Problem

  • If they are used as justification to ask women to leave public seating areas.
  • If they are isolated, poorly maintained, or located in restrooms.
  • If they reinforce the idea that breastfeeding is something that must be hidden.

The researchers conclude that providing more breastfeeding rooms is not a universal solution. The best option is to allow breastfeeding wherever needed, with private rooms offered as a complementary choice—not the default or only “acceptable” space.

Mother breastfeeding in a quiet indoor room with natural light
A calm indoor space can be helpful for some mothers and babies, but it should complement, not replace, the right to breastfeed anywhere. Photo: Pexels / Luciana Hachmann.

Technology and Tools: Supporting Breastfeeding in Modern Public Life

While the core of breastfeeding is deeply human, modern tools and technologies can make feeding in public more comfortable and flexible, especially in demanding urban environments or workplaces.

Breast Pumps and Milk Storage

For mothers who need to express milk while traveling or at work, reliable pumps and safe storage solutions are key. High-quality electric breast pumps, such as the Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump , are widely used in the United States for their portability, quiet operation, and customizable suction settings.

  • Ensures continued breastfeeding when direct feeding is not always possible.
  • Reduces pressure to be physically present at every feed.
  • Supports shared caregiving while maintaining breastmilk feeding.

Wearable Pumps and Discreet Feeding

Newer wearable pumps and nursing-friendly clothing enable mothers to express or breastfeed more discreetly in public, should they prefer it. These tools do not replace the right to breastfeed openly; they simply expand options.

Baby Carriers and Slings

Ergonomic carriers allow some parents to breastfeed while walking or standing, which can be extremely helpful on public transport or in crowded environments. A well-designed carrier supports:

  • Proper positioning of the infant’s head and neck.
  • Even distribution of weight across the caregiver’s body.
  • Adjustability as the baby grows.

Products like the Ergobaby Adapt Cool Air Mesh Carrier are popular among U.S. parents for comfortable, ventilated support during longer outings.


Milestones in Building a Breastfeeding-Friendly Society

Creating a culture of support for public breastfeeding is a long-term process. The Lund University study points toward several milestones that policymakers, health systems, and communities can pursue.

Policy and Legal Milestones

  1. Explicit protection of breastfeeding in anti-discrimination laws and workplace regulations.
  2. Clear guidance for public institutions (libraries, transport, parks) stating that breastfeeding is permitted anywhere children can be.
  3. Robust complaint mechanisms for women who are harassed or asked to move while breastfeeding.

Health-System Milestones

  • Training for midwives, nurses, and physicians to counsel families about rights, options, and comfort strategies for public breastfeeding.
  • Integration of public-breastfeeding topics into prenatal and postnatal classes.
  • Collaboration with community groups to organize breastfeeding meetups in visible public spaces.

Community and Cultural Milestones

  • Public campaigns featuring diverse families breastfeeding in everyday settings.
  • Participation in events such as the World Breastfeeding Week.
  • Positive media representation in television, streaming, and social media.
Group of mothers breastfeeding together in a community setting
Community meetups and peer groups can normalize breastfeeding in public and provide powerful peer support. Photo: Pexels / Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas.

Challenges and Barriers: What Still Holds Women Back?

Despite legal protections and strong evidence of breastfeeding’s benefits, many mothers in the Lund University study reported persistent obstacles when feeding in public:

Social Stigma and Microaggressions

  • Disapproving looks, whispers, or direct comments.
  • Pressure to “cover up” or move to a restroom or private room.
  • Internalized shame or fear of “causing a scene.”

Inconsistent Knowledge of the Law

Staff and bystanders sometimes simply do not know that breastfeeding in public is protected and normal. This can lead to:

  • Incorrectly asking mothers to stop or leave.
  • Unclear responses from managers when conflicts arise.
  • Unequal treatment across different neighborhoods or venues.

Urban Design and Infrastructure Gaps

Many public spaces are still designed with limited consideration for caregivers and infants:

  • Insufficient seating or benches without backrests.
  • Lack of shade, shelter, or warm indoor spaces.
  • Long distances between family-friendly facilities (changing tables, restrooms, water access) and main public areas.
“It became clear that when a mother feels she must plan her entire day around avoiding public feeds, society—not the mother—is failing.” — Interpretation consistent with the Lund University findings.

Practical Strategies: How to Create a Culture of Support

Translating insights from the Lund University study into concrete action requires coordinated efforts across multiple levels—individual, community, institutional, and policy.

For Urban Planners and Designers

  • Integrate comfortable, well-placed seating in parks, transit hubs, and commercial areas.
  • Ensure good lighting, visibility, and safety in public spaces to reduce anxiety for caregivers.
  • Design family-friendly “third places” (libraries, community centers, plazas) where infants and children are expected and welcomed.

For Businesses and Public Venues

  1. Adopt a written breastfeeding-welcome policy and display it clearly at entrances.
  2. Train front-line staff to handle complaints by affirming the mother’s right to feed.
  3. Provide optional, comfortable nursing rooms without restricting breastfeeding to those areas.

For Health Professionals and Advocates

  • Discuss public breastfeeding strategies with families during prenatal and postnatal visits.
  • Partner with local governments to create educational campaigns and workshops.
  • Share resources such as WHO and UNICEF guidelines, and connect families to peer-support networks and online communities.

Evidence-Based Tips for Parents Navigating Public Breastfeeding

While responsibility ultimately lies with society to be more welcoming, practical tips can help parents feel more prepared and confident.

Planning and Comfort

  • Wear layered or nursing-friendly clothing to make latching easier and more comfortable in varied environments.
  • Carry a light scarf or muslin if you or your baby prefer some coverage (while remembering you have no obligation to cover).
  • Identify family-friendly spots in your neighborhood—parks, cafés, libraries—that you know are welcoming.

Knowing Your Rights

Many parents find it reassuring to:

  • Read their local breastfeeding laws from government or health-department websites.
  • Save a short summary or link on their phone in case questions arise.
  • Discuss their rights and comfort levels with partners and family members, so support is aligned.

Mental Well-Being

  • Recognize that feeling nervous at first is common; confidence often grows with time and practice.
  • Seek non-judgmental peer support, whether in local groups or online communities such as La Leche League.
  • If you experience persistent anxiety or low mood, reach out to a health professional to screen for perinatal mood disorders.

Conclusion: From Permission to True Belonging

The Lund University study sends a powerful message: it is not enough for public breastfeeding to be merely “allowed.” For mothers and children to thrive, breastfeeding must be normal, visible, and actively supported wherever families live, work, travel, and socialize.

Laws form an essential foundation, but the lived experience of breastfeeding in public is determined by social attitudes, urban design, institutional policies, and the everyday behavior of bystanders. When societies invest in all of these layers—rights, environments, and culture—they create conditions where women can follow their child’s needs without restriction or shame.

Creating a culture of support for public breastfeeding is, ultimately, an investment in population health, gender equality, and children’s rights. It is also a simple, human commitment: that feeding a baby is welcome, anywhere that babies are.

A genuinely supportive city lets caregivers move freely, meet their child’s needs, and fully participate in public life. Photo: Pexels / Helena Lopes.

Additional Resources and Further Reading

To explore this topic more deeply, you can consult the following resources, which offer complementary perspectives on rights, health, and practical support for breastfeeding in public:


References / Sources

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