Ipoh mothers welcome more breastfeeding facilities

Mothers in Ipoh welcomed the Perak government’s initiative to have more breastfeeding-friendly facilities in the city.

Businesswoman Nadjwa Fatheeha Marlan, 36, said the facilities would make it easier for her to feed her eight-month-old baby.

“While there are mothers who are comfortable breastfeeding their children in public, I still prefer to do it in a proper room. Some shopping centres in Ipoh have a special designated room for us.

“The room has a comfortable chair, complete with a hot and cold water dispenser in case we need to make milk, and it also has an area for changing baby diapers.

“It would be great if the state could create the same facilities at recreational sites too,” she told StarMetro.

Nadjwa said she would sometimes feed her baby in the car.

“When we are at a recreational site, I would go to my car and nurse my baby there.

“It would be easier for nursing mothers if we could have a designated room at such sites to breastfeed our babies.

“The room doesn’t need to be air-conditioned, just be clean and comfortable,” she added.

On Aug 27, Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said the state government would consider the need for facilities for breastfeeding mothers in recreational areas and transportation hubs, in the upcoming state budget preparation.

Meanwhile, another mother who wished to be known only as Emma applauded the initiative taken by the Perak government.

“While I don’t mind breastfeeding my babies in public, I do understand why some mothers don’t feel comfortable doing so.

“In Ipoh, I think Polo Ground will be an ideal place to start with because there is an unused hut near the public toilet. I hardly see anyone using it.

“If they can place a curtain or some sort of portable wall around it, it would be great,” she said.

She added that although breastfeeding in public should be normalised, mothers should also be allowed to feed their babies in a place where they felt comfortable.