Controversy about breastfeeding in public is at a fever pitch. The issue rocked the media in the last months of 2011, and with the new year upon us, it's time America makes this its New Year's resolution: Stop condemning women for breastfeeding in public.
I probably don't have to remind you about the recent story that hit the airwaves and social media circles about Kasey Kahne, a NASCAR driver, who tweeted his disgust at a woman breastfeeding her child in a grocery store. This came on the heels of other moms, like Natalie Hegedus and Simone dos Santos, who were reprimanded for discreetly breastfeeding in public.
All this controversy begs the question: What's the big deal about a woman feeding her child in the most natural and healthy way possible, in public or anywhere else?
Studies continue to show the benefits of breastfeeding for moms and babies, and those benefits don't just end when breastfeeding ends. They are protective benefits that continue as babies grow into toddlers, adolescents, and adults. More moms are becoming interested in breastfeeding to give their children the best start in life. But, at the same time, they're expected to feed their children behind closed doors, under blankets, or in bathroom stalls. How are moms supposed to adhere to these near-impossible standards society has set for them? And more importantly, why should they?
Maybe this is a result of a general lack of knowledge about breastfeeding. Every state has different laws about breastfeeding in public. However, in many states, moms can feed their children whenever and wherever they need to. In Michigan (where Natalie was reprimanded) and Washington, D.C. (where Simone was harassed), women who are breastfeeding are exempt from public indecency laws. And in Washington, D.C., women can breastfeed in any public or private location. But, as these two examples show us, it is not enough just to have these laws in place; they must be understood and implemented correctly.
It's also important to know that there are laws protecting working moms. Federal laws have been enhanced to protect the rights of breastfeeding moms, such as President Obama's health care bill, which was approved as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010. It mandates that employers with 50 or more employees provide accommodations that allow a mom to breastfeed or pump in a private area other than a bathroom. So our country is definitely moving in the right direction. There are some segments, however, that have to catch up with their understanding and acceptance.
Being aware of these laws and not only accepting, but supporting, a mom's decision and right to breastfeed needs to be the next step. Breastfeeding is natural, healthy, and benefits us as a society. Its benefits can help improve babies' development and growth, and create a loving bond between moms and babies. It is, without a doubt, one of the most selfless acts a mother can do for her child, and it needs to become something for which we applaud women, not condemn them.
So aside from pledging to lose weight, or reorganize your closets, resolve to do this: Stop condemning moms for breastfeeding their children in public. Instead, let's celebrate the gift of happiness and healthiness that moms are able to give to their children every day through breastfeeding.
Follow Gina Ciagne, CLC on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GinaAtLansinoh
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My philosophy is if you would boffended by me feeding my child fruit or a bottle in the same situation you shouldn't be bothered by me discreetly breastfeeding.
As for dougalcandy's response I agree we shouldn't judge each others parenting but I've never seen someone offering their child a bottle at a store, restaurant, or park been told that they shouldn't be doing it. So there are some differences.
I'm grateful that formula exists as an alternative to those who cannot or choose not to.
I am also grateful that my body was able to provide custom made food for my baby.
The "big deal" with this issue is that, like it or not, there are some situations where breastfeeding in public causes awkward situations. A colleague of mine went out to lunch with her five year old and saw a woman breastfeeding without a cover. When she inquired, my colleague explained that this was a healthy and natural way to feed babies. Her five year old then proceeded to lift up her shirt and "nurse" her baby doll.
For whatever reason: religious, personal, whatever, we should be able to talk civilly to each other. If other options are available that do not compromise our child in any way (like well equipped nursing rooms, NOT public bathrooms), then why not take advantage of them? And if no other options are available, we should be able to say calmly and politely "I'm sorry if this offends you, but I need to feed my child and there are no other options available to me here. Perhaps you could help me petition for a nursing room?"
Yay! It's great to hear that breastfeeding in public is being broken down as a taboo to the next generation. The more that NIP is exposed to everyone, the less of an "unsightly" action it will become. What her daughter was doing is mimicking normal natural behavior that shouldn't be considered wrong or sexual. And good on her for telling her daughter the truth about the situation, rather than distracting or ignoring the question.
She had to oversimplify her explanations in a way that eventually made it sound like breastfeeding in public was wrong, which is NOT the message she wanted to get across.