Did you see the Sun Times last week? The picture on the front page, of all places, showed two moms nursing their babies in public.
According to the article, Lauren Trost was nursing her 7 month old son, Hank, outside in a public plaza in Lincoln Square. Another mom walking by with her two young children noticed that Lauren was doing this outside in public and threatened to call the police. She told others gathered in the plaza that it was indecent and illegal.
So, guess what Lauren did? Not only did she continue to nurse her baby, she also rallied other breast feeding moms and their nursing infants to join in on a breast feeding protest, again, outside in public.
What a nervy, gutsy, and inconsiderate thing to do.
Oh, no, I'm not referring to Lauren, the so-called brazen breastfeeder. I'm referring to the other woman.
So, what happened when the police arrived at the breastfeeding rally? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And you know why? Because there were no police. The law says there is absolutely nothing indecent or illegal about breastfeeding a baby in public.
That's right. Since 1995 in Illinois, the law states that "breastfeeding of infants is not an act of public indecency." Twenty-eight other states have the same law.
And, since August 16, 2004, the Illinois "Right to Breastfeed Act" states that a mom can nurse in any public or private place without fear of being asked to leave. Specifically, it reads in Section 10 of Illinois Public Act 093-0942:
"A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding."
And Section 15 reads that "A woman who has been denied the right to breastfeed by the owner or manager of a public or private location, other than a private residence or place of worship, may bring an action to enjoin future denials of the right to breastfeed."
Forty-three other states have a similar law.
So, what's the problem here? Our cultural conditioning is crap. There are no cries of public indecency when it comes to the skimpy bikinis on our beaches. I've never heard of anyone asking a Hooters waitress if she had a blanket so she could cover up. There are no protests about the covers of Maxim or the long-anticipated annual Sports Illustrated "Swimsuit Issue". No lawsuits have been brought against the producers of "Baywatch" for the attire of their cast.
Take a look at the photo of the two moms nursing in the Sun Times article. Can you see their
breasts? Not at all. You see more exposed breast in the photographs displayed in a Victoria's Secret store window. See, look below. Heck, you can see more exposed breast just walking down the street.
So, again, what's the problem here? We know that breastfeeding is best for an infant but some just don't get it. The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years.
And how is it that breastfeeding is best?
Quite simply, it's how a mother's body is designed. Breasts are physiologically designed to feed a baby and the milk they produce is full of nutrients and antibodies that can't be replicated in a formula, despite commercial attempts and clever marketing names (i.e., Similac...similar lactation...). But you just can't top a system designed by God.
Studies show that breastfeeding confers a certain amount of protection to the baby. Infants who aren't breastfed are more likely to develop asthma, eczema, allergies, ear infections, respiratory illnesses including pneumonia, SIDS (crib death), gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, diabetes, and obesity.
Studies also show that not only does the baby experience positive health effects, the nursing mom benefits as well. Quicker postpartum weight loss is a plus and moms who don't nurse are at increased risk of postpartum depression, diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding is economical (free actually) and convenient. Breast-milk doesn't need to be mixed and warmed up in the middle of the night.
While I encourage moms to breastfeed, I am supportive of their decision whether it is to nurse or formula feed. Please be clear on my message here. This article isn't about moms who choose to formula feed. To reiterate, I am supportive of whatever works best for the mom and her baby. This article is about those who harass moms who are breastfeeding.
Why would a mom choose to formula feed with all the proven benefits to breastfeeding? Some are embarrassed and uncomfortable with the whole concept of the breast being for more than just sexy lingerie. Heaven forbid it's used for feeding a baby. It's just not "natural". Goes back to the whole cultural conditioning concept and that's a real shame. I don't quite understand what's not natural about it. Ever heard of a mom getting harassed for feeding her children 2% milk? Do people really think that drinking pumped breastmilk from a lactating cow is "natural"?
Others don't breastfeed because they need to return to work or school and are concerned about the logistics of pumping. (Oh, and by the way, employers are required by law in Illinois and twenty-three other states to provide nursing moms adequate time and space, other than a toilet stall, to pump or nurse.) Others don't nurse because they mistakenly think that formula is just as good as breastmilk. Some women really do want to breastfeed but for a number of reasons are simply unable to do so. Others have no social support to breastfeed or are actively discouraged from doing so.
And perhaps some don't breastfeed because they don't want to be harassed like Lauren Trost was. Isn't there someone better to harass? Perhaps a litterbug? Or someone smoking in front of a public entrance? Maybe a double-parker? How about a no-seat-belt-wearer? With a little ingenuity, I bet you could find someone who's actually breaking a law.
Lay off the nursing moms.
2 Comments
northernstardoula said:
Great comments! I breastfed all 5 of my kids, wherever I happened to be when they happened to be hungry. Bathrooms are disgusting and "nursing mother rooms" are fine for the especially bashful moms who aren't comfortable in mixed company (yet) or for a fussy nurser, but when you tell a woman she should breastfeed for at least 6 months, you better be prepared to see her actually doing it! Who would want to do it if it meant living in a social cave? The more often it is seen, the more our society's collective anxiety level about it will come down. Every time it is done behind closed doors, it reinforces that it "shouldn't" be done openly. I hope that when my own daughters are grown and out in the world breastfeeding their own babies, my choice to do it publicly will have helped bring that level down a notch or two.
Dr. Brenda said:
Well said!
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