Finally, MPs are allowed to breastfeed in parliament.

The Australian Parliament became just that little bit more family friendly.

Yesterday, a ban on breastfeeding in parliament was lifted.

MPs have long been bringing their babies with them for sitting weeks, setting up impromptu nurseries in their parliamentary offices. But they have been barred from bringing their babies into the chamber if their parliamentary duties conflict with their feeding schedule.

Under the old rules, babies were considered “strangers” and were not allowed on the Government or Opposition benches.

The long-standing word around has been that mothers can get a proxy vote when they are feeding and unable to attend for a vote.

But a “baby boom” among female MPs in the last 12 months has prompted the Government to finally allow the tiny strangers into the chamber.

“I am pleased to say on behalf of the government that the House of Representatives will now be the most family-friendly chamber of any parliament in Australia,” Leader of the House, Christopher Pyne, announced in the parliament.

“No member, male or female, will ever be prevented from participating fully in the operation of the parliament, by reason of having the care of a baby.

“This has come about because it has been something of a family-friendly season in the House of Representatives in the last 12 months,” Mr Pyne said.

“I congratulate the members for Adelaide, Charlton, Higgins, Kingston, Kingsford Smith, Melbourne and Rankin, all of whom welcomed children to their families. The member for Kingsford Smith has had the particular blessing of adding twin girls to his family.”

It had been a far cry since 2009, when South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was forced to leave the chamber after bringing her daughter in to feed during a division.

The change was supported by all MPs, and will no doubt make the lives of all those new mothers just a little bit easier.