In a concerning incident, Felicity Ryan, a Geelong mother and personal trainer, shared her distressing experience of being unable to breastfeed her six-month-old son during a CPR training course. Despite requiring just 20 minutes for a feed on a day-long course, Ryan was instructed to step outside during a 10-minute break, as children were not allowed in the classroom. This directive left her feeling like an inconvenience for merely requesting to care for her child.
Ryan expressed her frustration, stating that attending to her breastfeeding needs while juggling career obligations should not produce societal pressure or stigma. When she mentioned that the time spent outside would impact her ability to participate fully, the organisers suggested that she either return another day or split the course over two days. Extremely disappointed, Ryan communicated her discontent with the course managers, who ultimately reacted by emphasizing potential disruptions to the class.
Her situation highlights a deeper societal issue regarding the support for breastfeeding mothers in professional environments. After this encounter, Ryan chose to withdraw from the course and opted for an alternative first aid program that welcomed her infant. She expressed her outrage at the ongoing stigma surrounding breastfeeding even in 2025, declaring it shameful for mothers to feel guilt or discomfort for tending to their babies.
Alicia Segal, co-founder of breastfeeding brand Bubka, voiced her indignation regarding Ryan’s treatment, stressing the need for society to better support breastfeeding parents. A recent survey from her company revealed that a significant proportion of Australian mothers feel insecure about breastfeeding in public.
Ricki-Lee, a postpartum doula, echoed these sentiments, recounting how many of her clients encounter similar discomfort when feeding their babies in public. She underlined the importance of fostering a supportive environment where mothers do not feel pressured to hide their breastfeeding activities, noting that such experiences can significantly undermine their confidence.
Reflecting on Ryan’s ordeal, she called for a cultural shift in how society perceives and treats breastfeeding, advocating for acceptance in various settings beyond just formal courses or business environments. Following the incident, Virgin Australia issued an apology for the mishandling of Ryan’s situation, acknowledging the lapse in expected care and customer service.
This incident has reignited discussions regarding the necessity for accommodating breastfeeding mothers, urging a collective effort to enhance public understanding and acceptance of breastfeeding as a normal part of motherhood.