Breastfeeding in the News: Stories We're Talking About This Week

Friday, 2 October 2026

Welcome to our first edition of Breastfeeding in the News. A weekly roundup of stories we're reading, conversations we're following and developments that matter to breastfeeding mums and families.

There is so much happening around breastfeeding, from the way mums experience feeding in public to changes in healthcare and access to breastmilk. Each Friday, we'll be bringing a few of those stories together in one place, with a little OMM perspective along the way.

This week, we're looking at a story about breastfeeding in public and the impact of being filmed without consent, as well as some positive news about expanded access to donated breastmilk for premature and medically vulnerable babies.

A mum says being filmed while breastfeeding changed how she feeds in public

A recent Mamamia story has sparked conversation about something many breastfeeding mums may already worry about: being watched, judged or recorded while feeding their baby in public.

Jess King was breastfeeding her six-month-old son in a Melbourne park when she became concerned that a stranger was filming her. The experience left her feeling exposed and, according to her account, has since made her much less comfortable breastfeeding in public.

For a mum who previously didn't think twice about feeding her baby wherever they happened to be, that can have a real impact.

Read the full story on Mamamia →

Breastfeeding in public shouldn't feel like something you need to hide

There is an important distinction between having the right to breastfeed in public and feeling comfortable enough to actually do it.

A mum might choose to cover up. She might prefer discreet feeding access. Or she might simply feed her baby exactly as she is, without covering at all.

All of those choices are valid.

At OMM, we love creating clothing that can make breastfeeding a little easier and more comfortable when you're out and about, but our goal isn't to tell mums how they should feed.

The choice should belong to the mum.

Donated breastmilk program expands across NSW

On a much more positive note, there has also been some important news around access to donated human milk in NSW.

The NSW Government has announced that the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donated pasteurised human milk program is expanding to an additional 28 public hospitals, bringing the total number of eligible public hospitals in NSW to 37.

The program provides donated milk to eligible premature and medically vulnerable babies, including babies receiving care in Special Care Units.

For families navigating the uncertainty of having a premature or medically unwell baby, access to donor milk can be an incredibly important source of support.

Read the full story on the NSW Government website →

Behind the announcement is a very personal story

The NSW Government's story also shares the experience of Hannah Top, whose premature twin daughters were born at Westmead.

Hannah's daughter Harriet sadly died after three days, while her other daughter Matilda spent more than two months in NICU. During those early days, her babies received donated breastmilk.

Now, Hannah is donating her own milk to help other families going through similar circumstances.

It's a beautiful example of mums supporting other mums through some of the most difficult moments imaginable.

There isn't one breastfeeding story

These two stories couldn't be more different.

One is about a mum who felt uncomfortable breastfeeding in public after believing she was being filmed. The other is about a mum who received donated breastmilk for her premature baby and is now giving back to other families.

But together, they highlight something we think is really important:

There isn't one breastfeeding experience.

Breastfeeding can happen on a park bench, in a NICU, at home, at work or somewhere in between.

It can involve your own milk, donated milk, pumping, bottles, supplements or a combination of different things.

Sometimes breastfeeding goes exactly how you imagined it would. Sometimes it looks completely different.

And sometimes the most important thing a breastfeeding mum needs isn't another opinion, it's support.

That's something we'll continue to talk about here at OMM.

More breastfeeding news next Friday

This is the first edition of our new Breastfeeding in the News series.

Every Friday, we'll be sharing a handful of breastfeeding-related stories from Australia and around the world, from new research and healthcare developments to breastfeeding rights, real mum stories, workplace issues and positive changes that deserve to be celebrated.

If you've come across a breastfeeding story you think we should feature, send it our way.

See you next Friday for more breastfeeding news. 

Sources: Mamamia and NSW Government. Please visit the original articles above for the full stories and reporting.