Breast Feeding At A Private Venue

[Balfron]

I understand most of the breast feeding legislation (Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005) but Subject to section 1 subsection (2), it is an offence deliberately to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child from feeding milk to that child in a public place or on licensed premises.

However for me the definition of Public Place and Licensed premises, does not cover a private function such as a wedding. So my question is - is it still against the law to ask an individual to to stop breast feeding in public sight at a private event. I.E the top table of a wedding

Is their any case law on this ?

[sherrardk]

Sorry, do/did you want to stop a mother feeding her baby? Realise this is not a legal answer.

[ummmm]

Private function that is being held in a 'licensed premises'

[Canary42]

"The top table" implies a public place rather than a private house, so yes,

[Buenchico]

It's not against the law to ASK someone to cease breast feeding ANYWHERE in Scotland, even in a public place or on licensed premises. It's only against the law to REQUIRE them to do so (or to otherwise prevent them).

Elsewhere those who are responsible for running the premises are free to make their own rules (as private individuals are in their own homes) but, obviously, any action to physically enforce such rules risks a charge of assault.

[Buenchico]

If the law refers to 'licensed premises', and does not specify any exceptions, then clearly it applies to private functions held on those premises.

A rough analogy is that which bars smoking in pubs as they are 'public enclosed spaces'. The law still applies to the landlord when he's locked the pub up. (i.e. a temporary change in the status of the premises, from 'public' to 'private' doesn't revoke the law. Similarly the law applies to licensed premises irrespective of what's actually happening in them at the time).

[Jeza]

Call me old fashioned. I think, although babies need feeding I do not want to see it happening. There are enough mother and baby rooms about. Before you say it is natural.... so is using the toilet, but we don't want to see other people do it.

[ummmm]

That has absolutely nothing to do with the question though.

[EcclesCake]

Is this question coming from the perspective of the venues management or a guest at the private function?

[Canary42]

I fail to see what can possibly be offensive about a baby breast-feeding - a far more pleasant sight than yobbos scoffing Big Macs for example.

[sherrardk]

Jeza, not to do with the question, but it can be done discretely.

[sherrardk]

Actually, the mother and baby room is usually the bog.

[Balfron]

It come from the view of that i am being blackmailed in the fact that this individual is on a mission to prove breast feeding its a natural thing. which i actually agree with! however i do not want her breast feeding at the top table during the speeches and when i stated this to her, this individual started going on about its illegal to ask her not to.

[ummmm]

Is this your wedding?

If so, seat her somewhere else

[Jeza]

Love your term of phrase sherr,

[Balfron]

Also thank you buenchico, but if that is the case how are people allowed to smoke in gentlemen smoking clubs. They are licensed premises not open to the public during certain hours. Can you please clarify?

[Balfron]

Yes its my wedding but i am the man and i am trying to keep everyone happy but i dont like being blackmailed and almost threaten by people saying it is illegal to get their way as i will just stop them from coming.

[woofgang]

Simples, don't invite her.

[craft1948]

I like child-free weddings..............

[ummmm]

Even cute little babies??

Why is she at the top table?

[craft1948]

Especially 'cute' little babies ummmm..........