Just this week an infant has made history in Australia. Alia Joy Waters, who was born earlier this year to Senator Larissa Waters, was the first baby to breastfed in Parliament. Her mom returned to work to vote, and fed her when she became hungry. Senator Waters later commented on the event on Twitter by saying: “So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more #women & parents in Parli.”
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
While this was the first time a baby was breastfed in Australian Parliament, it was not the first time globally. According to the Telegraph:
The milestone comes after Senator Waters instigated changes to Senate rules last year. The guidelines already already allowed breastfeeding in the chamber.
Thanks to her new mums and dads will now be allowed to briefly care for their infants on the floor of parliament.
The Australian House of Representatives has also made similar changes.
Last year, an Icelandic MP made headlines after breastfeeding her baby while speaking at the national parliament.
Changes are slowly occurring throughout the world to not only acknowledge that women are capable of both working and being mothers, but encouraging them to do both at the same time. Now that Senator Waters has taken the step to feed her daughter at work, perhaps more women will follow suit.
Australian politician Katy Gallagher had this to say on the topic:
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
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