The department chain, one of the biggest in Taiwan, was the first to respond to the call for public breast-feeding by welcoming mothers to let babies suckle in its premises.

The Taiwan Breast-Feeding Association (TBFA) made the call at a press conference at one of the four Shinkong Mitsukoshi department stores.

"Why can't babies be breast-fed where adults eat and drink?" asked Kao Yi-ling, TBFA treasurer.

She said a Taipei librarian forced a mother to go to the toilet to breast-feed her baby three years ago. "That should not be repeated," she warned.

Kao said the Taipei city council is deliberating on a bill to allow public breast-feeding. "We hope," she added, "it will be passed shortly to protect the basic rights of mothers."

The TBFA treasurer also urged the management of all public places to allow breast-feeding in the open. "They should follow in the footsteps of Shinkong Mitsukoshi," she said.

Notices allowing breast-feeding are displayed prominently on every floor of Shinkong Mitsubishi department stores.

Mothers visiting Shinkong Mitsubishi outlets with their babies do not have to go to restrooms to breast-feed.