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Some people look at a mother breastfeeding her baby in public and think that it’s just a loving picture of what is natural. Others think just the opposite. In fact, some feel that it is offensive.
There has been much to-do about this subject. Most mothers know that it is their legal right to breastfeed their babies anywhere in the U.S. In 1999, President Clinton approved and signed the Right to Breastfeed Act. However, many public areas remain squeamish about this issue. This is especially true if their customers complain. Representative Carolyn Maloney stated that many nursing mothers have been asked to nurse their child in a more private area, been harassed, told to leave or even intimidated off federal grounds, as reported by Breastfeeding.com.
What can be done to improve this situation? One thing is education, and the other, ironically is to help create more breastfeeding moms. AskAboutPregnancy.com stated that scientifically, babies are born to breastfeed. There are so many benefits – long-term and immediate – to the baby and mother. In general, the public may not know this fact. And in fairness, many mothers do not either. However, there are different organizations trying to be proactive in keeping new moms informed in regard to this option. Some may choose not to breastfeed even after being educated, but the point is that now they know.
Lastly, the more numbers of mothers who breastfeed publicly, the more the public gets used to it. Then it will not be so shocking but will be seen as a normal part of life. What’s interesting is that in some instances when a nursing mother’s rights have been violated, nurse-ins have been staged. Meaning a group of nursing mothers sit and quietly nurse their babies where the offense took place. That’s certainly one way to speak out. Another way is to contact local representatives and see what protective laws are in place in your area. While public breastfeeding is legal, it is good to know if protective laws exist for you if needed.
Resource: Breastfeeding.com, AskAboutPregnancy.com
Dita Faulkner is a writer living in Tennessee. It has been a blessing that none of her friends and family have been affected by the floods or tornadoes as of yet, but prayers go out for those who lost loved ones or property during this time.
Add a Comment12 Comments
I nursed both of my children to 10 months of age when they could go to regular milk. I always used an open weave shawl and didn't disturb anyone.
May 11, 2011 - 12:06pmThis Comment
I breast fed my son for 3 years and 10 months, after which time he suddenly exclaimed
"Yuck, I don't like booby coffee anymore!", and he naturally self-weaned.
I breast fed him in public until he was two years old, and after that time I would explain to him that we would go to a private room to do it. I remember once feeding him on a bench when he was around that age and it started pouring with rain so another mother came over to me with an umbrella and held it over us while I fed him.
I also fed my daughter till 3 years and 7 months and when she was 15 months I breast fed her on the business class of a train, surrounded by men in suits, reading the financial times. I was the only woman there. None of them minded, in fact they were grinning at me.
It's the most natural thing in the world and pretty sad when people can't even bear to see a baby or toddler being fed species appropriate milk.
May 11, 2011 - 12:41pmThis Comment