Breastfeeding Activism: Information and Resources

The International Breastfeeding Symbol

Suggestions, Guidelines and Resources for Activism

What is the purpose of the International Breastfeeding Symbol?

• To increase public awareness of breastfeeding
• To designate breastfeeding and family friendly facilities in public.
• To provide an alternative to the use of the image of a baby bottle

Where can the symbol be used?

• In large public places where people stay for extended periods of time. In airports, malls, amusement parks, conferences, convention halls, or expos, for example, to designate a breastfeeding friendly room.
• In professional offices, retail stores or restaurants to designate the establishment as breastfeeding friendly. 
• In businesses, to designate a lactation room.

Does the existence of the symbol mean that breastfeeding should be hidden?

No, of course, breastfeeding should not be hidden. Breastfeeding does not require a special place and is appropriate—as the Canadian slogan says—"anytime, anywhere." The purpose of the symbol is not to segregate breastfeeding, but to help integrate it into society by better accommodating it in public.

For example, sometimes there are no chairs in public, sometimes nowhere to change the baby, or for the mother separated from her baby, nowhere to plug in an electric breast pump. Mothers welcome quiet, private places in public where they can collect themselves and their children. The symbol could designate these kinds of places.

If the symbol is used to designate a family or breastfeeding friendly room in a public setting, what should that room have?

• Privacy
• A comfortable chair
• An electric plug for a breast pump
• A changing table

How was the International Breastfeeding Symbol created?
It was created as the result of a contest held by Mothering magazine and mothering.com in 2006. More than 500 entries were received from both the design and breastfeeding communities.

How was the final design chosen?

The final design was selected based on the following criteria:

• Public voting on mothering.com
• Votes from breastfeeding organizations
• Ease of reproduction

Who designed the International Breastfeeding Symbol?

Matt Daigle of Sioux Falls, South Dakota designed the winning symbol. Matt is a stay-at-home dad, freelance graphic designer, and cartoonist. Matt and his wife, Kay, are the parents of Hayden. 

Who can use the International Breastfeeding Symbol?

Anyone can use the symbol. It is available copyright free. Matt has signed it over to the Public Domain.

How can I get a copy of the symbol?

• Download a PDF of the International Breastfeeding Symbol.
• Order from the Mothering Shop.