This Australian senator breastfed her baby in parliament, made history
Despite the fact that it’s the 21st century, a whole lot of people still have hangups about women who breastfeed in public and professional spaces. Little Alia Joy Waters recently made history by becoming the first baby to be breastfed in Australian parliament — and let’s hope other employers pay attention. Senator Larissa Waters returned to work on Tuesday for a vote, and she brought Alia with her.
When her daughter got hungry, Waters breastfed her in the Senate chamber — then she shared the historic moment on Twitter and expressed that we need more women and parents in parliament.
Once breastfeeding at work is no longer considered taboo, perhaps a more diverse parliament will become a reality.
So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more #women & parents in Parli #auspol pic.twitter.com/w34nxWxG0y
— Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) May 9, 2017
"Women have been [breastfeeding] in parliaments around the world...It is great to see it is able to occur now in the Senate," fellow politician Katy Gallagher told Sky News. "Women are going to continue to have babies, and if they want to do their job and be at work and look after their baby...the reality is we are going to have to accommodate that."
Senator @larissawaters' daughter has graced the Senate becoming the first baby to be breastfed in the chamber. MORE: https://t.co/DfkqkKfDuv pic.twitter.com/DpMDCpMMAK
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) May 9, 2017
The Senate guidelines allow breastfeeding in chamber, thanks to efforts spearheaded by Waters last year. The Australian House of Representatives followed suit and implemented similar “family-friendly” rules that allow children to accompany their parents into the chamber.
9th of May 1901 Australia's first parliament opens.
9th of May 2017 @larissawaters becomes the first MP to breastfeed in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/0ZaGwWSPHk— Charles Croucher (@ccroucher9) May 9, 2017
Props to Waters for bringing about this long-needed change — and for making history along with little Alia.
