Breastfeeding in public
A lot of new moms who choose to breastfeed eventually come up against the issue of nursing in public.
It’s your legal right to breastfeed your baby in public and 39 states have passed laws explicitly stating that fact. However, although breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world, some people just don’t like seeing it happen. This can ultimately result in moms leaving long delays between feeds, meaning they‘re at higher risk of blocked milk ducts and mastitis, and stopping breastfeeding altogether. Follow these tips to ensure that you’re able to feed your baby whenever and wherever you want to…
Focus on the benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for you and your baby. Moms who breastfeed are at lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop asthma,food allergies and other illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting. New studies have even suggested that breastfeeding can actually improve IQ! So remember, if you’re asked to cover up or to move while breastfeeding in public, stand your ground – you're not doing anything wrong.
Breastfeed openly
The more women do so, the easier it’ll be for all breastfeeding moms. A newborn baby isn’t like a toddler or older child that you can put off feeding for half an hour or so. If they’re hungry they need to be fed straightaway – and the loud crying that will result from leaving your baby to hang on until you can find a restroom will be far more offensive than a five-second flash of some bare skin while you latch him on. In fact if you think about it you’re probably revealing a good bit less skin than the average midriff-baring teenager.
Opt to breastfeed discreetly
We know you shouldn’t have to, but if it means you can feed your baby without being harassed it might be the best option – after all, feeling stressed isn’t going to help your milk flow and your baby may sense your tension. Sit with your back to everyone else and drape a muslin or specially-designed cape over you to conceal what you’re doing. But keep in mind that there is now law requiring you to nurse discreetly – and in any case, your baby will pretty much conceal your breast once he’s latched on. If you’re at a store or the mall, you can also ask if there is somewhere private you can sit to feed your baby.
Know your rights
If anyone asks you to stop breastfeeding or to go elsewhere to do it, politely inform them that breastfeeding is legal (and definitely not ‘indecent exposure’), normal and the best form of nutrition for your baby. If anyone asks you to go to the restroom to breastfeed, calmly ask them if they would feel happy eating their lunch in the public toilets – that’s often enough to stop some people in their tracks!
Thirty-nine states have laws allowing moms to breastfeed in any public or private location and 20 states have laws that expressly exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws. Find out where your state stand by visiting the National Conference of State legislatures (http://www.ncsl.org/). You can report instances where you’ve been asked to stop breastfeeding in public to FirstRight (http://www.firstright.org/) and the National Alliance of Breastfeeding Advocacy (http://www.naba-breastfeeding-org/).
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.