Female MPs could soon be allowed to breastfeed their babies in federal parliament's lower house chamber.
But it's unlikely any nursing mums will take up the offer if rules are changed any time soon.
A key committee has given its tick of approval to allowing babies in the chamber and urged parliamentary rules be changed to let parents nurse their babies, including bottle feeding.
Mums are already allowed to breastfeed in the Senate, so a change would align rules in both chambers.
Procedures committee chairman Liberal MP Andrew Southcott said there may be concerns that allowing "little visitors" could disrupt proceedings.
"But the committee is confident that any disruption would be minimal," he told parliament on Wednesday.
Debate over breastfeeding was sparked after Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer was told to express more breast milk earlier this year so she didn't miss votes in parliament.
Ms O'Dwyer has already indicated she would not breastfeed in the chamber.
"It's a very personal thing," she told the ABC last month.
"I think every mother would say to you that there are some things you feel comfortable doing and some things you don't."
It is understood Labor frontbencher Amanda Rishworth would also decline, but is encouraging others to take up the offer to breastfeed.
"Giving female MPs the option to breastfeed in the chamber sends a strong message that the parliament is supporting MPs to balance work and family," Ms Rishworth said in a statement to AAP.
ACT Liberal Guila Jones, who made history in August by breastfeeding her son Maximus in the legislative assembly during question time, said in a submission to the committee that there were smiles all round when her baby cried a little while she was breastfeeding during question time.
"I find it astounding that in the modern era, both groups of women, be they in the House of Representatives or in the ACT Legislative Assembly, are being told what they may and may not do with a breastfed baby," she wrote.
