What are my rights as a breastfeeding mom?

Your right to breastfeed anywhere, anytime is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

According the Ontario Human Rights Commission (2012), “You have rights as a breastfeeding mother, including the right to breastfeed a child in a public area. No one should prevent you from breastfeeding your child simply because you are in a public area. They should not ask you to ‘cover up,’ disturb you, or ask you to move to another area that is more ‘discreet.’”

You also cannot be discriminated at your workplace or union because you are breastfeeding. For more information about your rights, refer to the Ontario Human Rights Commission website.

For more information, please call the Healthy Families Hotline at 519-258-2146, ext. 1350.