www.abc.net.au Open in urlscan Pro
104.116.108.120  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form aria-label="Search Keywords" class="AutoCompleteSearchBoxNext_autoCompleteForm___dBEd" action="" novalidate="" role="search">
  <div class="AutoCompleteSearchBoxNext_autoCompleteInput__OTTch"><label class="ScreenReaderOnly_srOnly__bnJwm" data-component="ScreenReaderOnly" for="abc-search-input" id="abc-search-label">Search the ABC</label><input
      class="AutoCompleteSearchBoxNext_autoCompleteInputElement__Vqz5l" aria-autocomplete="both" aria-labelledby="abc-search-label" id="abc-search-input" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off" enterkeyhint="search"
      spellcheck="false" placeholder="Search…" maxlength="512" type="search" aria-describedby="searchHint" value=""><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="1em" height="1em" data-component="Search"
      class="icon_icon__9kCSO AutoCompleteSearchBoxNext_inputSearchIcon__YjWGv icon_size24__GkyQ9" aria-hidden="true" data-testid="input-search-icon">
      <path stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" d="m21 21-6.904-6.904m0 0a6.5 6.5 0 1 0-9.192-9.192 6.5 6.5 0 0 0 9.192 9.192Z"></path>
    </svg></div><span class="ScreenReaderOnly_srOnly__bnJwm" data-component="ScreenReaderOnly" id="searchHint">Start typing for suggestions, press enter to search, or choose from a list of options below.</span>
</form>

<form class="SubscribeForm_form__oJHOQ SubscribeForm_marginForLabel__3CEe2" novalidate="" data-component="SubscribeForm">
  <div class="SubscribeForm_input__94dT1" data-component="TextInput"><label for="subscribe-form-email-address" class="TextInput_label__0JU9o">Email address</label>
    <div class="TextInput_relative__aJzPt"><input id="subscribe-form-email-address" class="TextInput_inputField__o6Tdo" type="email" name="subscribe-form-email-address" placeholder="Enter your email address" required="" value=""></div>
  </div>
  <div class="SubscribeForm_buttonWrapper__yXCdD"><button class="Button_btn___qFSk SubscribeForm_button__Pk8Q7 Button_filled__Z0XIL Button_uppercase__u_om3" data-component="Button" type="submit">Subscribe</button></div>
</form>

Text Content

THIS SITE USES COOKIES

The ABC uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more about how we use
cookies

Accept all cookiesABC required cookies only
Skip to main content
ABC News Homepage
SydneyChange location

21°CCelciusMax

Min of 15°Celcius


Search
Search the ABC
Start typing for suggestions, press enter to search, or choose from a list of
options below.

Cancel
Log InLog In
More from ABC
 * Just In
 * Watch Live
 * Politics
 * World
 * Business
 * Analysis
 * Sport
 * Science
 * Health
 * Entertainment
 * Lifestyle
 * Fact Check
 * Other

News HomeABC News Homepage

Mums share experiences of taking breastfed babies to live gigs after Arj Barker
incident

Share


MUMS SHARE EXPERIENCES OF TAKING BREASTFED BABIES TO LIVE GIGS AFTER ARJ BARKER
INCIDENT

ABC Lifestyle
/
By Kellie Scott
Posted Tue 23 Apr 2024 at 1:27pmTuesday 23 Apr 2024 at 1:27pmTue 23 Apr 2024 at
1:27pm

Some women say they have had no problem taking their baby to live gigs.(Adobe
Stock)
abc.net.au/news/mothers-share-experiences-taking-breastfed-babies-to-live-gigs/103757952
Copy linkLink copied
ShareShare article


There is heated debate online about whether Arj Barker did the right thing by
asking a breastfeeding mother to leave his show over the weekend.

Barker has since said he had nothing against breastfeeding, rather that it was
about the baby making noise.

The mother, Trish Faranda, said the baby was just "gurgling" during the show,
and that she felt "humiliated" when asked to leave.

Breastfeeding advocates have responded, making the point that breastfed babies
often need to be with their mother.

"If a baby has been exclusively breastfed at the breast, other options such as
expressing may not be either a suitable option or a mother's choice," says Emily
Carrolan, manager of Breastfeeding Friendly Australia, an Australian
Breastfeeding Association initiative.

We spoke to mothers to hear about their experiences of taking their breastfed
babies to live gigs such as the theatre and concerts, including one who welcomes
babies at shows of her own.


'IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD TO SEE BABIES AT MY SHOWS'

Melody Moko, 34, Gold Coast

Melody has taken her breastfeed babies to live acts, and performed with babies
in the audience.(Supplied)


I have been the breastfeeding mother at a gig, and [when performing as a
musician] I've definitely had people in the audience breastfeed.

I have breastfed backstage. I have seen other musicians breastfeed on stage.

I've actually found the response from the public to Arj Barker's show quite
shocking. That a mother, who needs to have her breastfeeding baby with her, is
entitled.

I don't understand why people think she should be limiting herself because she's
a mother.

It's important she finds some time and space that makes her feel like herself
again.

It makes me feel good to see women with their babies at my shows. That's why
this has been so shocking to me.

I thought we had moved past this being an issue.

I find children, in general, less disruptive than a drunk patron, for example.


WHAT BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS REALLY LIKE

While research shows women can be nervous about breastfeeding in public,
negative reactions are rare.


Read more


'I'M GLAD I TOOK HER'

Amber, 34, Perth (member of Breastfeeding Advocacy Australia's Facebook group)

I went to a musical with my breastfed baby.

I checked with the theatre beforehand and was told babies in arms was fine. No
ticket needed.

The lady next to me only realised I had her when we went to leave.

And yes, she was awake for a good chunk.

One slight grizzle then onto boob and fine again.

I think one of the ushers noticed too and was only helpful about it all.

I'm glad I took her as I would have never left the house otherwise!

I think people are mostly so uneducated about breastfeeding and the reality is
that they don't understand what comments like "stay home to feed" or "leave baby
with someone else", actually mean for mums.


'WE GOT SO MUCH LOVE FROM THE PEOPLE SITTING CLOSE'

Mandy, 38, Brisbane

I took my mum and three-month-old baby to the Pink concert at the Gold Coast for
[Mum's] birthday.

I managed to snag tickets at the last minute, and as my baby wouldn't take a
bottle, I had no other option but to bring him along with noise-cancelling ear
muffs.

I was incredibly nervous about bringing him in case he was disruptive to the
people around us, and was fully prepared to take him out if he got upset.

My experience was the exact opposite — we got so much love from all the people
sitting close to us, and my baby was an absolute angel who breastfed, then slept
through the whole concert.

It was a joyful experience made even better by having him there.


'DISAPPOINTING, BUT FAIR ENOUGH'

Cate Grant, 53, Tasmania

I breastfed my five kids anywhere and everywhere … while doing the supermarket
shopping, in restaurants, cafes, public transport — all over.

I took them to festivals and concerts.

The only time I was asked to leave a venue was when one of my children was six
weeks old and we took them to a gig at the casino.

It was classified as an over-18s event (I didn't realise).

But he was asleep on me, had earphones, and I would have fed him back to sleep
if he had woken, or left if he had shown signs of being discontent.

Other people in the audience were upset on my behalf, saying he was not
disturbing them at all.

Point was, it was a licensed venue and bub was under 18, so we were asked to
leave by a security guard.

Disappointing, but fair enough.


ABC EVERYDAY IN YOUR INBOX

Get our newsletter for the best of ABC Everyday each week

Your information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection
Statement.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of
Service apply.


Email address

Subscribe
Posted 23 Apr 202423 Apr 2024Tue 23 Apr 2024 at 1:27pm
Share
 * Copy link
 * Facebook
 * X (formerly Twitter)
 * 


RELATED STORIES


 * 'WE CAN'T OUTSOURCE IT': THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING LOVED ONES WHO
   BREASTFEED
   
   


 * COMEDY FIGURE SAYS IT SHOULD BE 'A GIVEN' THAT BABIES AREN'T BROUGHT TO GIGS,
   AFTER SHOW EJECTION SPARKS DEBATE
   
   


 * GRETA WAS DETERMINED TO BREASTFEED, BUT WHEN SHE TOOK HER BABY BACK TO HER
   REMOTE HOME, EVERYTHING FELL APART
   
   


 * 'IT'S NOT A SIMPLE ACT FOR ME': YOUR STORIES OF BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC
   
   


 * I BREASTFEED MY TODDLER WHEREVER AND WHENEVER HE NEEDS BECAUSE IT'S A
   BEAUTIFUL SUPERPOWER
   
   

More on:
 * Breastfeeding
 * Brisbane
 * Family
 * Parenting Babies and Toddlers
 * Perth
 * TAS
 * Women


TOP STORIES


 * 'I HAVE NO WORDS': PARENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AFTER PERTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS
   SHOT DEAD BY POLICE


 * AUSTRALIAN BROTHERS CONFIRMED DEAD IN MEXICO AS POLICE INVESTIGATE WHETHER
   THEY WERE KILLED DURING ROBBERY


 * PUTIN TOLD KILLERS AND CANNIBALS TO 'ATONE FOR THEIR CRIME ON THE
   BATTLEFIELD'. IT DIDN'T END WELL


 * HOMELESS FAMILY SAYS FARMER EXPLOITED THEM FOR LABOUR AFTER 4,000KM
   CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY


 * 'EGREGIOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE': QANTAS AGREES TO $120 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR
   SELLING TICKETS ON CANCELLED FLIGHTS


 * BODY FOUND IN MAJOR SEARCH FOR PASSENGER MISSING FROM CRUISE SHIP NEAR SYDNEY


 * KOALA 'ON A MISSION' SURPRISES ATHLETES IN IRONMAN AUSTRALIA TRIATHLON


 * 'SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED': MELBOURNE PRIVATE SCHOOL SAYS IT'S CONTACTED POLICE
   OVER RANKING OF FEMALE STUDENTS

 * perspective
   
   
   I ASKED MY COWORKER TO BE MY SPERM DONOR. THEN WE FELL IN LOVE


 * ANCHOVY FEAST DRAWS SCORES OF SEA LIONS TO FAMOUS SAN FRANCISCO PIER


 * A-LEAGUE STAR WINGER FACES COURT OVER ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT


 * AUSTRALIAN HOMES HAVE BEEN 'A VERY ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR DIRTY MONEY',
   BUT THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE


 * MEET THE WOMAN TAKING ON AI, ITS 'FAKE' MODELS AND ALARMING BEAUTY STANDARDS


 * HUMAN REMAINS FOUND NEAR POINT HUT CROSSING LIKELY THOSE OF MISSING CANBERRA
   MAN TIM LYONS, POLICE SAY

 * 
   Analysis by Adele Ferguson
   
   
   REAL AUSTRALIANS UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF WHISTLEBLOWERS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO
   THE CRUNCH, OUR LEADERS ARE SLOW ON REFORM


POPULAR NOW

Don't miss news that matters to you. Log in to ABC today to get a more
personalised experience tailored to your preferences.

GET STARTED
1.


AUSTRALIAN BROTHERS CONFIRMED DEAD IN MEXICO AS POLICE INVESTIGATE WHETHER THEY
WERE KILLED DURING ROBBERY


2.


PUTIN TOLD KILLERS AND CANNIBALS TO 'ATONE FOR THEIR CRIME ON THE BATTLEFIELD'.
IT DIDN'T END WELL


3.


HOMELESS FAMILY SAYS FARMER EXPLOITED THEM FOR LABOUR AFTER 4,000KM
CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY


4.


'SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED': MELBOURNE PRIVATE SCHOOL SAYS IT'S CONTACTED POLICE OVER
RANKING OF FEMALE STUDENTS


5.


BODY FOUND IN MAJOR SEARCH FOR PASSENGER MISSING FROM CRUISE SHIP NEAR SYDNEY


6.


'I HAVE NO WORDS': PARENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AFTER PERTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS SHOT
DEAD BY POLICE




TOP STORIES


 1. 'I HAVE NO WORDS': PARENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AFTER PERTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS
    SHOT DEAD BY POLICE
    
    


 2. AUSTRALIAN BROTHERS CONFIRMED DEAD IN MEXICO AS POLICE INVESTIGATE WHETHER
    THEY WERE KILLED DURING ROBBERY


 3. PUTIN TOLD KILLERS AND CANNIBALS TO 'ATONE FOR THEIR CRIME ON THE
    BATTLEFIELD'. IT DIDN'T END WELL


 4. HOMELESS FAMILY SAYS FARMER EXPLOITED THEM FOR LABOUR AFTER 4,000KM
    CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY


 5. 'EGREGIOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE': QANTAS AGREES TO $120 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR
    SELLING TICKETS ON CANCELLED FLIGHTS


JUST IN


 * ANCHOVY FEAST DRAWS SCORES OF SEA LIONS TO FAMOUS SAN FRANCISCO PIER
   
   12m ago12 minutes agoMon 6 May 2024 at 12:16pm


 * 'I HAVE NO WORDS': PARENTS EXPRESS SHOCK AFTER PERTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS
   SHOT DEAD BY POLICE
   
   54m ago54 minutes agoMon 6 May 2024 at 11:34am


 * A-LEAGUE STAR WINGER FACES COURT OVER ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT
   
   1h ago1 hours agoMon 6 May 2024 at 11:12am


 * HUMAN REMAINS FOUND NEAR POINT HUT CROSSING LIKELY THOSE OF MISSING CANBERRA
   MAN TIM LYONS, POLICE SAY
   
   1h ago1 hours agoMon 6 May 2024 at 10:58am

More Just In
Back to top


FOOTER

ABC News homepage
More From ABC NEWS

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First
Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and
work.


SECTIONS

 * ABC NEWS
 * Just In
 * Watch Live
 * Politics
 * World
 * Business
 * Analysis
 * Sport
 * Science
 * Health
 * Entertainment
 * Lifestyle
 * Fact Check
 * Other


NEWS IN LANGUAGE

 * 中文
 * Berita Bahasa Indonesia
 * Tok Pisin


CONNECT WITH ABC NEWS

 * Facebook
 * Instagram
 * YouTube
 * Apple News
 * X (formerly Twitter)


MORE FROM ABC NEWS

 * Contact ABC NEWS

This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN,
Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be
reproduced.

AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT
(Greenwich Mean Time)

 * Editorial Policies
 * Accessibility
 * Help
 * Contact Us
 * About the ABC
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use
 * © 2024 ABC

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


MORE FROM ABC

Close menuABC
iviewListen
 * ABC Home
 * News
 * Local
 * listen
 * iview
 * Everyday
 * More


EDITORIAL POLICIES

Read our editorial guiding principles
 * Accessibility
 * Help
 * Contact Us
 * About the ABC
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Use
 * © 2024 ABC

 * 
 * 
 * 
 *