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In America, the right to breastfeed in public is protected by law, and all but three states have passed legislation stating that women who breastfeed are exempt from indecent exposure laws.
But despite these decrees, like any issue involving the right of women to do what they want with their bodies, public breastfeeding is still a highly contentious issue in our society.
Aside from the basic question of whether breastfeeding exposes a woman indecently, it seems that the (more tangible) crux of this issue lies in the lack of appropriate spaces for women to breastfeed in. For example, when a woman is out in public, it may be difficult or even impossible to find a comfortable place to nurse for a solid 30 to 45 minutes. Such circumstances would include waiting for the bus, spending time at a swimming pool, or riding on an airplane. And while some would argue that women should just "plan around" these unfortunate situations, not everyone is provided with the luxury of choice, whether it be because of time, money, or freedom constraints.
Another issue closely related to this is using a breast pump. Many working mothers find it difficult to secure a private, comfortable place to pump milk over their lunch hour. Sometimes, the only place to do this is in a bathroom or bathroom stall, but as most lunch breaks are no more than an hour, should a breastfeeding mother be forced to eat her lunch in such an environment? Or should she be made to choose between eating and pumping? For most women, it is not an option to simply go back home and pump.
The most creative solutions to these problems have revolved around contemporary nursing clothing. There are a number of companies, including Motherwear, My Nursingwear, and Expressiva, which make beautiful clothing specifically designed to enable discreet nursing. Products offered by these companies include dresses, blouses, and swimwear that allow women to breastfeed while also covering the majority of the breast.
Of course, many women opt for the simple solution of throwing a blanket over their shoulder to shield both breast and baby. A comfortable aid to this technique is an apparatus called My Brest Friend, which is a cushion worn around the waist to help to support the weight of baby. It also includes pockets for toys and burping rags.
It isn’t possible – or desirable – for women who breastfeed to be sentenced to shut-in status until their child begins eating solid food. Finding ways to be comfortable breastfeeding in public is of concern to many new mothers, and with current advancements in options and technology, we are getting closer to the solution every day.
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Shaina Gaul is a feminist and freelance writer living in Iowa. View more of her writing at http://www.couchSpud.net.
Add a Comment3 Comments
As a man, I personally like to see breastfeeding, as I like boobs and want women to feel accepted. What's the big deal?!
August 25, 2010 - 5:05pmThis Comment
Is this a post about public breastfeeding and/or workplace pumping or an advertisement for nursing clothing and a nursing pillow? Not a lot of accurate information here. :( Low income women nurse less, not more. Indecent exposure laws have not decreased harassment incidents and have no impact on the ability to pump in the workplace. There is no evidence that women wearing specialized clothing are harassed less. I'm afraid I don't get the point of this article.
December 18, 2009 - 7:29pmThis Comment
"Unfortunately, mothers (more specifically, low-income mothers who cannot afford formula and bottles) often bear the brunt of this debate."
This statement is ignorant. Breastfeeding is significantly more prevalent among higher socioeconomic classes. According to the U.S. Government's Healthy People 2010 report 78% of college educated women initiate breastfeeding while only 48% of those without a high school diploma do.
December 18, 2009 - 7:43amThis Comment