Should it be illegal to stop women breastfeeding in public?

Question

I think so - just as it is in scotland!
I recently petitioned my MP asking him to support a Manifesto being put to parliament in which it would make it easier for women to breastfeed in public and once they returned to work. This is really important as many women stop breastfeeding much earlier than they would like as they feel they are unsupported. Many women are being asked to feed their babies in toilets rather than in public and this has to stop.
My MP refused to put his name to the manifesto. He believes a voluntary code would work better – unfortunately this has been the case for some time already and it just isn’t working. I am taking this matter further in the hope of getting more support for this manifesto.
I need you to go to digg.com and register your support. All you have to do is go here: http://digg.com/political_opinion/MP_s_Attitude_to_Breastfeeding_Manifesto/ and press ‘Digg it’ under the number on the right. If you do not have an account then it takes just seconds!

I just want to justify as I think some people have not go the point - I am 'PRO BREASTFEEDING' and support a manifestio making it law that women cannot be asked to move if feeding in public!
I breastfed my own son for 11 months.

Answer 1

i really get wound up when people think its ok to use breasts to advertise motorbikes etc, but its not ok to see women feeding discretely in public!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

women who breastfeed - congratulations!!
for those who cant or dont want to, fab, its everyones choice!
for those who actively and loudly disapprove of it, get a life, get a grip, get lost if you must, but do NOT make a mother doing whats best and NATURAL and doing with her breasts what they are designed to do feel any guilt or shame, as there is none.

yes i will sign your petition, i will register on websites, i applaud your strength and behind you all the way!

Answer 2

Superstar you didn't read the question right or you are wrong - in Scotland it is against the law to prevent a woman from breastfeeding in public. I am 34 weeks pregnant and personally I will try breastfeeding even though I am not sure it is something I want to do.However I believe it is every womans right to feed her baby where and when she chooses. Personally if I am asked to feed my baby in a toilet I will be refusing: would you eat your dinner in a public toilet? It's unhygenic. I understand it can make people uncomfortable, even if it is the most natural thing in the world, so perhaps more cafes and restaurants should have a child friendly area for breastfeeding mothers that feels less like a toilet, as so many baby feeding rooms do. I personally support a change in the law.

Answer 3

I honestly don't think their should be a need for a law like this.
I have never known any one to get told not to feed their baby. in a public place. I honestly don't think any one really cares if you do or not to be honest unless you just whip it out and leave your self exposed.

Most women quit breastfeeding because they choose to. they may give excuses but in reality it is just their choice. they can pump if they are working. And I know several women who have their child on a feeding schedule that co-insides with their breaks. The setter brings them their babies and they feed them while taking their breaks. In the break room.

Do I think it is a necessary law? no not here where I live but if you are having a problem where ever you are then by all means. But remember that laws and bills are pricey on the government if there is truly not a need for the law it is a waste of the tax payers money. Don't go off trying to pass a law over a couple of incidences.

Answer 4

i understand that some ppl may feel uncomforta8le if a woman has a 8a8y 2 a 8are 8reast in pu8lic, 8ut i think its ridiculous that that woman may then 8e asked 2 leave, at the end of the day a 8a8y NEEDS food n a toilet is not a suita8le place 2 8e feeding any 8a8y due 2 a lack of immune system however i am in favour of the discreet shawls n 8utton tops that expose enough 4 the 8a8y, 8ut no8ody else sees a thing. If someone still has a pro8lem with these tops then i think there may 8e an underlying issue within themselves that needs solving. there is only one thing in the world more natural than feeding a 8a8y from a 8reast n thats making them!!

Answer 5

Absolutely! Breastfeeding is completely natural. If people don't like it, they don't have to look. I understand that some people can't help the way they feel; they're simply a product of a narrow-minded upbringing. But shame on them!

This sort of public reaction to breastfeeding makes me so terribly angry. Breastfed children are proven to be given an advantage in many aspects of life and health. Perhaps if all children were breastfed, no one would propose such stupid notion. It would make much more sense to make it illegal to feed a child under the age of 10 McDonalds.

If your Member of Parliament were foolish enough to take this advice under consideration, I hope the mothers in your city all converge on his front lawn for a mass breastfeeding frenzy.

Answer 6

The way I see it, if the cavemen were as uptight about breast feeding as most people today they wouldnt be here! Its a natural act, the reason breasts even exsist. And it isn't right that we have to do it in the restrooms, I wouldnt eat in there and I know all the people complaining about it wouldnt want to eat in there either! I have only seen a couple places that even have a little room set up for breastfeeding! If people are going to be so up tight about it,there should be a room with some rocking chairs and stuff in it in every large business like malls and such. If there were more business that tried to help us out it probably wouldn't be an issue. I'd much rather sit on a comfy rocking chair and feed my baby in peace than on some other hard chair with people staring at me.

Answer 7

No, obviously if a baby needs feeding, it should be fed. I certainly don't see many women willing to whip them out though; naturally people will look if there are breasts out. If a woman can deal with that, fine. There will be places where a bottle is more appropiate - and also, a lot of women who stop breastfeeding earlier on want to because it is getting tough and uncomfortable. They will stop even if they can feed their babies in public - it won't necessarily increase the length of time mother's feed their babies.

Answer 8

Absolutely! My wife and I were asked to leave a cafe when she breastfed our firstborn - on the grounds that "Others might Object" even though we were the only persons in the cafe at the time.
I would have liked to say we put up more of a fight but we did not, although we did protest, but the manager threatened to call the police - and well when you have an infant with you it's just not the time nor the place to start a ruck.
I will of course be pressing 'Digg it' and wish you all the best with your efforts regarding this issue...
good luck.

Answer 9

I didn't know that about Scotland (and I grew up there)! Thank you for educating me. :-)

I agree that women should be able to breastfeed in public. As usual, it is insecure men and their fear of women who are imposing laws limiting the latter's rights. Because for most of these cretinous males, a breast is something to be ogled, or something that appears in the magazines that they hide under their bed in plain brown envelopes, they automatically assume that it's 'dirty'.

I've seen a few women breastfeeding here in Paris, and whilst the initial reaction is 'phwooar!' (especially if she's pretty), I very quickly turn away. It's no more my business what she does, than if she were using a bottle.

Good luck with your petition (I clicked, but couldn't see the 'digg it' link) !

Answer 10

Breast feeding is the most natural thing in the world to do. Why do people have a problem with it if it is carried out in a discreet way. As previously mentioned there are items of clothing that can be used to cover the baby up during the feeding.
I think the problem in this country is that a very vocal minority are able to change the general common sense rules that we have always had. I don't want to name names however the same vocal minority would be happy with woman covered from head to toe in clothes.

Answer 11

MOST DEFINATLY! for those who protest: in this case they should make a law to ban adults from eatting in public! i'm more repulsed watching someone slurp and dig all in their food, stuffing their face and body more than their body can handle than i am to see a mother brestfeed. nobody stops a cat from breastfeeding her litter, in fact most people coo at it and pass around pictures of it online... same with most animals... however, when it is a member of our own species, we are repulsed at this act taking place in public... at the lest, if an agency has issues with mothers breastfeeding out in the open, they should be required by law to have a lactation room.

however, it really is a shame that our society can not handle a mother feeding her child. this is the most natural thing a woman can do. what next? banning women from menstrating in public? we can't leave our homes if we're on our period? sheesh, talk about women's rights and liberation!