Politics may be a grown up business, but Fife Council is breaking down barriers leading to infants being breastfed during meetings.
The full council agreed to moves to help young parents, and in particular women, trying to juggle political responsibilities with those of looking after children.
The issue was raised by SNP councillor Fay Sinclair who is expecting her third child later this year and called for a more family friendly environment which would encourage more women to take an active part in frontline politics.
Pointing out only 29% of Fife councillors were women, she asked the council to extend its staff policies to elected members to “improve conditions for all”.
Agreeing with the sentiment, Labour councillor Linda Erskine expanded Ms Sinclair’s motion, adding that the council “pursue making breastfeeding the social norm and welcome any elected member who wishes to breastfeed her child in open council meetings”.
Ms Sinclair said that looking across the chamber, women were very much under represented.
And while it was “fantastic” women led three parties at Holyrood, there was still much work to be done in terms of gender equality.
The biggest reason women give for not putting themselves forward in the political arena was childcare responsibilities.
With no maternity leave for councillors, Ms Sinclair said she hoped to be able to bring her baby along with her so she can participate in council life.
“My two sons are regular fixtures, and I have breastfed them at branch meetings without anyone batting an eyelid,” she said.
Her motion was seconded by Councillor John Docherty who said mums should be able to breastfeed throughout council facilities, including the chamber.
Mrs Erskine, who breastfed at a time when there was no legislation to support mothers “to do what comes naturally”, felt society had not moved on very far on the issue.
“Fife Council wants to encourage inclusiveness,” adding if it is good enough for foreign parliaments to allow babies to be fed during meetings, “it is certainly good enough for Fife”.
One concern of Conservative councillor Dave Dempsey was an impact on being able to hear what was being said if a young child started crying.
Council leader David Ross said it was a strength if a council could be made up of different people from varying backgrounds, beliefs and views.
Ms Sinclair and Mrs Erskine combined their plans which gained the unanimous backing of the council.