Breastfeeding in Public

From LoveToKnow Baby

Breastfeeding a baby in public continues to be a very controversial issue. At any given time, you might pick up your local newspaper and read a letter to the editor regarding this issue. Some people call breastfeeding in public indecent exposure, while others argue that this it is a mother's right to feed her baby. Wherever you might stand on the issue, there are some points that you might want to keep in mind if you are planning to breastfeed your baby.

The Right to Breastfeed in Public

UNICEF is just one of several organizations that continue to lobby for legislation that will support the rights of mothers to breastfeed their children in public. Women continue to be denied that right in public areas such as amusement parks, shopping malls, restaurants, etc. Many women do not realize, however, that it is legal to breastfeed their babies in public areas, and if they are denied that right, they can file a civil rights suit. While some states actually have strong legislative wording which protects a woman's right to nurse her baby, other states simply leave out breastfeeding in public when listing the crimes that fall under indecent exposure or obscenity. There have been several successful lawsuits filed against businesses which tried to infringe upon a mother's attempts to nurse her baby.

Breastfeeding Arguments

For those women who want to breastfeed their babies, there are plenty of arguments to lend support. Although formulas today have come a long way from the formulas of the past, and there are many different, nutritional formulas on the market, breast milk is still the best nutritionally food for baby. A baby will receive antibodies through her mom's milk, and breastfeeding your baby will lower her chances of contracting meningitis, diabetes, allergies, respiratory illnesses, obesity, and childhood cancers, such as leukemia. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their infants until they reach at least one year old.

Breastfeeding is also healthy for moms. Breastfeeding your baby will shrink your uterus back to its original size in a shorter amount of time than if you didn't breastfeed. Because breastfeeding requires more calories, nursing mothers can eat more healthy foods and often still lose the baby weight quicker than those moms who don't breastfeed. Breastfeeding can also reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, these are just some of the many benefits that breastfeeding provides nursing mothers.

While the above arguments make a great case for breastfeeding, the most compelling argument for breastfeeding in public is very simple...when your baby is hungry, you need to feed him! His right to eat should come before anyone else's protests and discomfort!

Breastfeeding at Ease

Ok, so now you know that you have a right to breastfeed in public, and nobody had better mess with that, right? Still, if you aren't comfortable feeding your baby, it can make for an unpleasant experience for you both. If you are nervous, your milk may not flow easily, which may increase the howls of hunger from your child, making you all the more nervous...You see what I mean? Talk about a vicious cycle! So, how can you breastfeed in public while still feeling comfortable, creating another bonding moment for you and your child?

If you are someone who doesn't give a hoot about what anyone else thinks, then you may not need to keep reading. But, if you worry about what other people are thinking, but you still want to breastfeed in public, then there are ways to have the best of both worlds.

Many larger department stores now offer lounge areas with comfortable couches and chairs for nursing mothers to enjoy while breastfeeding their babies.
Try to find a comfortable place to sit that isn't in the middle of the main route of traffic, such as a bench in one of the smaller areas of the mall, a seat under the shade of a tree at a park, etc... However, don't feel you have to go into the bathroom and sit on the commode to be discreet! That just isn't necessary!
Easy access clothing can make a world of difference if you are a nursing mother. There are many tops, shirts, and dresses designed with nursing moms in mind. Check out Babystyle and Motherwear for some great clothing styles for nursing mothers.
Unless your baby is very active or hates to be covered up, you can always drape a blanket or shawl over him while he nurses. Most people will think he is just sleeping!
If you have a baby sling to carry your baby in, it can also be great for discreet breastfeeding. Keep your baby in the sling, pull your shirt up just enough for your breast to be exposed to baby's mouth, and nurse away! Some slings actually have excess material to cover baby!

Finally, if you need a little more moral support, seek out other breastfeeding moms and ask them how they deal with breastfeeding in public, and as always, search out your local La Leche League for answers to all your breastfeeding questions.