Senator Makes History By Breastfeeding Baby In Parliament

A 2-month-old baby has made history in Australia – by becoming the first baby to be breastfed in Parliament.

The baby girl, named Alia Joy, is the daughter of Queensland Senator Larissa Waters.

Waters returned from maternity leave last Tuesday, with her second daughter in tow and when Alia Joy was hungry, she fed her.

So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal Parliament!,” Waters tweeted. “We need more #women & parents in Parli.”

Australian Parliament changed rules last year which now allows female lawmakers to nurse their infants in the chamber. Prior to that change, children were banned from the chamber and breastfeeding mothers were given a proxy vote.

Waters, who was influential in that rule change, said last year, “If we want more young women in Parliament, we must make the rules more family friendly to allow new mothers and new fathers to balance their parliamentary and parental duties.”