Breastfeeding in Public
By: Keith
I was inspired to write about public breastfeeding after visiting ecochildslplay.com and reading what basically amounts to a big middle finger to all those offended by it. Well, I’m glad to say I agree with that sentiment. I’ve heard of mothers who have been humiliated (Chick-fil-A controversy) in public by ill informed and, dare I say, stupid individuals. Each time I hear a story like this I think, well, what the hell is the kid supposed to eat. Last time I checked babies drink breast-milk. The manager at the Chick-fil-A that told this woman to “cover-up” probably wouldn’t like to eat with a bag over her head; I’m puzzled why a baby should have to eat with a towel over his head. I want to know what the law says about all this. There are, indeed, some offensive things in life. Breastfeeding is not one of those things.
The Law
I suspected the law in every state would be on the side of breastfeeders, and I was right. La Leche League has a state by state clickable database pertaining to breastfeeding. I didn’t click through every state, but I did check roughly 10 of them. Each said the same thing, and I quote,
“Breastfeeding a child does not constitute an act of indecent exposure and to restrict or limit the right of a mother to breastfeed her child is discriminatory.”
– New Hampshire
(1) The Montana legislature finds that breastfeeding a baby is an important and basic act of nurturing that must be protected in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A mother has a right to breastfeed the mother’s child in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present, irrespective of whether or not the mother’s breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.
(2) A unit of local government may not prohibit breastfeeding in public by local ordinance.
(3) The act of breastfeeding may not be considered
(a) a nuisance as provided in Title 27, chapter 30;
(b) indecent exposure as provided for in 455504;
(c) sexual conduct as defined in 455620(1)(f); or
(d) obscenity as provided for in 458201.
– Montana
All the states I clicked on say some variation of the above. Montana, interestingly enough, seems to have the most comprehensive statute. Nevertheless, New Hampshire’s law will suffice for any thinking person. Breastfeeding is legal; it’s also preferable. It might be interesting to point out that Lady Justice is often portrayed partially disrobed. That doesn’t seem indecent.
Healthy
“For most women, breastfeeding is biologically possible. Both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Breast milk is easy to digest and contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections. Also, research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.” —Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH Acting US Surgeon General 04/25/2008
Case closed. It’s healthy. I really doubt anybody would argue this point anyway. Not only is it healthy, it’s free. I’ve seen the cost of formula, and it’s prohibitive. The only reason not to breast feed is if there is some biological reason not to. Again, regarding the law, most states have laws on the books compelling employers to provide the time and space for mothers to breastfeed or pump. The reasons and stigma against breastfeeding are disappearing; the law is clearly on the side of mothers.
Religion
Another interesting take on public breastfeeding can be found here by a Christian lady extolling her fellow Christians to cease their backwards views on indecency. She quotes a pastor who said this:
“If we could all run around naked and no one would lust, then no problem. Thats how it would have been in the garden. But thats not the case, when man fell, we knew good and evil and do either one. As being naked is not a sin, the effects of that is. Just like certain clothes, the clothing is not the sin, it is the intent behind them, and the reaction to them.”
“Yes, in breastfeeding in public the intent is good, but the reaction may not be so. Just as you can sit in your own place without any clothes all you want alone and not sin, once you step out the door, whatever your intentions, it is a sin.”
There you have it, folks. Some fundamental Christians have a problem with public breastfeeding. I don’t buy into their hoo-ha anyway, but it’s sad that what I read here is not dissimilar to what I would expect to read in a Taliban educational pamphlet (if there were such things).
Naked Fat Guys
Everybody has a god given right to be disgusting if that’s what they want. Public nudity? Fine with me. If our society doesn’t have a problem with topless fat guys walking around the city then why on earth would we have issues with women who are doing what is natural and babies doing what babies do? That’s not indecent! My stuffing a Big-Mac into my mouth is way more indecent than a baby breastfeeding. Let’s take this argument even one step further. Laws that permit men to be topless but not women are discriminatory (yeah, I said it — and not just because I think it’d be freakin’ awesome!) Of course, judging by the way most people take care of themselves… .
I thought for a while before I wrote this article. Do I have a right to chime into this argument since I am a guy? Hell yes I have a right! I’m a husband and a father. I have a responsibility to stand up for what is right regardless if it does not pertain directly to me. The opponents of public breastfeeding are discriminatory, and I have a responsibility to publicize their stupidity. Breastfeeding is eating but for babies. Requiring mothers to go someplace else or cover up while feeding their babies seems to me to be a violation of civil liberties. It’s the same as telling me I can’t eat or sit in a public place because someone else doesn’t like the way I look. That might be true, they might not like the way I look. 
They should go someplace else if they are offended. Breastfeeding mothers should feel no compunction about their roles as breastfeeding mothers. They and their husbands should stand up against the bullies who would impose their twisted values on them. Breastfeeding has been shown to be healthier than bottle feeding for both the mother and the baby. It has been given legal backing as well. And, let’s also recognize the double standard imposed on women by some people who apparently prefer looking at big jiggly fat guys than breastfeeding mothers. Now, that’s offensive!
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As a major lactivist who had an adoptive child who almost died from formula intolerance… I have 4 letters for you brother Keith: A M E N !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for linking to the Eco Child’s Play post. I’m also glad you went the “fat topless guy” argument, so I didn’t have to!
I think discretion is good. Women should cover themselves *if that works for them and their babies*. But really, as I said before, it’s less about a woman’s right to breastfeed anywhere (though it is) than it is about that child’s right to EAT.
I joked on a REALLY anti-public-breastfeeding (very shrill) post, “I breastfeed at Mardi Gras because there, I’m multi-tasking. GGW has called me, but I’m not sure now much they’re into me squirting the breastmilk.”
No woman breastfeeds in public to be an exhibitionist. At all. Ever.
We do it to feed our children, plain and simple.
I don’t see anyone peering over the shoulder of a formula-feeder while said formula is mixed, and not doing that properly can do more damage than if you have to see a hint of my skin while my kid eats!
Thanks for this blog, and for your comment at my post. Beautiful!
I’m glad you went there, dude.
I’m 5 4″, 125 lbs. 34B boobs. See?
http://twitpic.com/9syh1
My man is 6 2″, 300 lbs, has a huge hairy chest. See?
http://twitpic.com/ajd8l
Personally I think his chest is way more obscene and sexy than mine, don’t you?? But he can walk around in public like that legally and I’m breaking the law if I do???
PS: I breastfed for one year, huge breastfeeding advocate!
Hmmmm. I have mixed feelings here. (Not about the BF public indecency aspect-that’s just stupid). Remind me to tell you a story some time when you have the chance. Hint! It involves the NICU, Jon, me, our special needs daughter and one of the bitchiest lactation consultants on on the planet. If I hadn’t stopped him, I think Jon would have gone to jail.
That Jesus covering his face is hysterically funny and too true. People need to get over their issues with public breastfeeding. Most women aren’t trying to call attention to themselves, they’re only trying to meet their child’s needs.
But to be honest, it did totally bug me when a lady we went to church with breastfed her 4 yo during mass. They’d sit in the front row and he’d say, “I want milk!” Then he’d stand on the pew and nurse while she stood and sang hymns. I think if people want to nurse an older child that isn’t really my business, but I wouldn’t give any 4yo milk in the middle of church. It can wait at that age.
My wife linked me to this article. Great read. Absolutely agree. My wife has breast fed our 3 children, and I fully support her doing it in public. I’ve seen the occasional semi disgusted look. I just glare piercingly at these people. I’m 6’8″ and built like the proverbial brick you know what… Anyone harasses my wife for breast feeding, they’ll be dealing with me. And like wizards I am subtle and quick to anger:)
Once again, great read.
I am ROFL laughing at that picture of Jesus. As a liberal Christian that thought crosses my mind on a daily basis.
What a great, proactive article on breastfeeding. My daughter and I are about to celebrate 2 years of breastfeeding and it doesn’t look as though it will end anytime soon. I have nursed her in public, sometimes covered, sometimes not. But, I have always felt confident enough and prepared for any ridicule we may get. Luckily, we have never received any. Great topic, thanks again.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Boys Will Be Boys =-.
Michelle, I’m so glad when I hear people say they are prepared for ridicule when it comes to a firmly held belief. Breastfeeding, I’m convinced, is one of the best things mothers can do for their kids (if not THE best). I like that society is starting to realize that and afford mothers the respect they deserve. Thanks for the comment, Michelle! BTW My wife breastfed our two boys well beyond the two year mark. Good for you
Being a mother of three who breast fed, I love this blog. I am a waitress and occasionally there is a woman breast feading her child where I work. Recently a coworking commented on it as being obsene and my comment to her was, ” So, she should sit on a public toilet crawling with germs in private to feed her baby?”. It is sad that we live in a society where people are so ignorant. Thank you so much for posting this.
Angela, thanks for reading the article. Your response is what i think i would have liked to say to that person as well. What’s a mom supposed to do? Stay home all day or feed the baby in a restroom? Hardly. Nice response. Thanks again for stopping in!
Bravo! It is so nice to see a man’s point of view on this topic. Your wife is extremely lucky to have such a supportive husband. Between my 2 children, I have breastfed for about 36 months total. My 16 month old boy is still going strong. I hear criticism all the time and crude comments. Especially from men. I have the most amazing, supportive husband and don’t think I could have even breastfed for 2 months without his help and support. I wish more men would educate themselves on this topic so that the sexual aspect of “boobs” can be ignored while women create the most nutritious substance possible from their body. Thank you thank you thank you!!
How refreshing it is to read such comments! I support a mothers right to BF however she chooses. Sadly, its a catch 22 situation for mothers because *some* people dont want to see it happen, yet, there is a lack of private areas provided for moms and that is why MATURITY AND ACCEPTANCE BY ONLOOKERS IS CRUCIAL. I nursed my 3 children everywhere.
There are worse things being done in public places than seeing a natural thing like breast feeding. I say pop the boob out there and feed the baby.
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Wellbutrin- My desire to be thin =-.
Rose: Totally true. I can think of a bunch of offensive things people do that doesn’t get the same scrutiny as breastfeeding. Some people are just silly, aren’t they.
Pues no es la única a la que no entienden.
Ya estaba indignada porque una compañera de mi trabajo le dijo a otra:
¡A ver cuándo le deja de dar el pecho a su hija! porque ¡Esto (señalando mi sacaleches que dejo escurrir en la mesa) es una vergüenza!
Me saco una toma de leche para mi hija y enjuago el sacaleches y lo enjuago, lo dejo escurrir en una mesa.
Le comento a un compañero lo que me ha dicho y va y me dice que es como dejar los calzoncillos a secar aunque estén limpios.
POR FAVOOOR !!!! ¿Es que todos los trogloditas trabajan en este departamento?
¡Mi sacaleches no es como unos calzoncillos! ¿Es que nunca bebió leche de su madre? ¿De dónde cree que sale la leche de la vaca?
Por Dios, es que no me lo puedo ni creer.
Hola Juana, estoy de acuerdo contigo, un sacaleches no es lo mismo que la ropa interior. De hecho, no es diferente que la misma botella con la que alimentas a un bebé. Es simplemente otro utensilio. Qué lástima que tus compañeros de trabajo tengan la mente tan cerrada y sean tan irrespetuosos. Pero muy bien por ti que aún cuando tienes que trabajar encuentras en tiempo para sacarte la leche para tu bebé y no te detienes a pesar de las dificultades que te dan en el trabajo. Tienes mis respetos por eso. Gracias por tu visita y comentario.
I find this post interesting especially from a man’s perspective.
I have been breastfeeding my baby boy for 2 years and 10 months now. I am a big breastfeeding advocate and I breastfeed whenever my kid asks for it whether we are at home or at a public restaurant or wherever. I sometimes cover a bit with a cloth if need be but my boy keeps getting irritated by a towel or a cloth in his face while he breastfeeds so we just leave it as is- what do they care anyways, if my kid wants to eat then he can eat. If they find it obscene then don’t look , don’t stare, just go about with what they are doing.
I couldn’t agree more! One thing to remember is that many states protect mothers from prosecution for indecency if they’re nursing in public, but DO NOT protect them from being kicked off private property for nursing. So if you’re nursing in Target and they tell you to stop, you can inform them that breastfeeding in public isn’t illegal. But if they tell you you need to stop or leave, in most states you have to comply. Some states actually prohibit businesses from kicking out nursing babies, but not enough!
As for topless discrimination, well, the Raelians may be a messed up alien cult, but they got that one right: http://gotopless.org/