Montreal mothers now have more places to conveniently feed their babies, thanks to a popular program that helps moms find breastfeeding-friendly businesses.
The business group Nourri-Source created the "Route du lait" program about three years ago. It has since spread to shops and restaurants around the city.
The purpose is to help mothers easily find quiet, convenient places where they can breastfeed their children.
Participating businesses post Route du lait stickers in their windows and doors, to signal that mothers and babies are welcome. Moms can also find Route du lait businesses using a smartphone app that features an interactive map.
"I think it's fantastic," Lois Dion, a mother using the program told CTV Montreal.
"I can't tell you how many times this has happened while we're out," she said, as her daughter let out a small cry. "The baby needs to eat while she's hungry and it's fantastic that these vendors are helping."
Route du lait stickers are already plastered in the windows of dozens of stores in Montreal's Notre-Dame-du-Grace, Plateau, Verdun and Ahuntsic neighbourhoods, and the program is set to expand to Rosemont in the coming weeks.
A co-op grocery store, local florist and baby boutique are all among the diverse businesses participating in the program.
At Melons and Clementines -- one of the original Route du lait locations in Notre-Dame-du-Grace -- the store owner says breastfeeding mothers are free to pop in and out of the store, with no obligation to shop or buy anything.
"We'd love for (the mothers) to stay. But, you know, sometimes it's just a quiet spot to slip into and to feed and be on their way," Renee Bourdrea said.
The people behind the campaign say the program is necessary to combat stigma around breastfeeding.
"People are still feeling maybe shy … about breastfeeding," said Odile Rampy, a spokesperson for Nourri-Source Montreal. "I think there's a lot to do still."
For Dion and her daughter, Route du lait has helped them better get out and enjoy the city – without comprising their feeding schedule.
"Everybody was a baby once and people should undurstand that you've got to do what you've got to do," Dion said. "You can't stay locked at home all the time."
With files from CTV Montreal
