Bill Would Guarantee Right to Breastfeed in Public
It's a question most nursing moms have to face sooner or later -- whether or not to breast-feed in public. In Boston, advocates are pushing the Legislature's Judiciary Committee to support legal protections for mothers nursing infants in public areas.
4 comments:
We already have that right in Illinois! I know I've seen a list of states that have laws to protect breastfeeding moms. I just cannot remember where. ??? I believe NY had laws to protect.... although they probably don't need them there. The area we lived in was very pro breastfeeding. The hospital I delivered Libby in was working towards becoming a "breast friendly" hospital.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm
Here's the link to legislature related to bf'ing rights.
Here's a summary of breastfeeding legislation by state:
http://www.llli.org/Law/LawBills.html
Here in Virginia, one cannot be charged with indecent exposure, and mothers are protected on public property. However, just last week, a mother was asked to cover up, move, or leave a Chick-Fil-A for nursing her 6 month old. Unfortunately, there is no protection in a private establishment.
US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY) has sponsored a bill each year since 1999 entitled "New Mothers' Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Act." It has been shot down each year.
The only way we can change is to be proactive, so please send messages to your Congresspeople and Senators!
Wow Cherie! That's sad!
When I first moved here (IL) I joined a playgroup that was full of bf'ing moms. We would go places and it was no biggie for them to nurse... now I don't even notice it anymore. When we were in NY, it was a given. You breasfeed. No one mentioned formula... we had major latch issues for months and Libby had a severe case of jaundice and hypothermia (94.8 rectal temp) at 4days and not one peep about formula. I was told to pump every 2 hours around the clock and offer whatever I got. Everyone just did it and made it sound like it was supposed to be so easy and natural and normal. It was just a given, you breastfeed. that was more stressful given the latch issue than vice versa. I cannot imagine anyone getting grief for bf'ing. I guess I've been lucky to not experience that so far.
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