I'm moving to the states in a couple of months and I've read that breastfeeding in public is illegal in some states. I've done some research and all I've found are laws that say just the opposite. Has anybody encountered a problem while breastfeeding in public?
Thanks in advance!
2007-08-23 03:35:06 · 16 answers · asked by Pitusi 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It is not supposed to be illegal... but some states' laws are written in a manner which leaves some places a loop hole to sneak out of.
Like in Texas, private businesses can legally make you to leave because the law says "in public"... so a restaurant manager can tell you to get out, and they can call the police to remove you if needed.
But don't be afraid of it!! Just fight it, publicly if you have a problem... anytime a nursing mom has a problem, email is your friend... contact local breastfeeding groups, attachment parenting groups, keep in contact with them and if you ever have a problem, trust me they'll come out to support you!! Media are often called out to do stories, and companies are publicly humiliated and often change their own policies to accommodate nursing mothers/babies.
so technically it is legal, it's just not a really tightly sealed law in many states... but hopefully the legislation that is being proposed at the different states and federal level will change that soon.
2007-08-23 04:13:42 · answer #1 · answered by Tanya 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Breastfeeding is not illegal in any state. Some states do not yet have specific laws that protect breastfeeding, but that does not make it illegal in those states to breastfeed.
My state (South Carolina) just recently had a law protecting breastfeeding passed. I am currently expecting my third child, and I do not think that this new law will make my breastfeeding experience any different this time than it was the first two times because nothing has actually changed. I have always fed my children when/where they were hungry.
I hope this helps! And I hope you enjoy your new life in the United States!
2007-08-23 04:09:12 · answer #2 · answered by StayAtHomeMomOnTheGo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal. Some people don't like it. I breastfed and occasionally did it in public if I needed to. I never had any problem and I've never really known anyone who had problems. If you are discreet, most of the time people don't even realize you are breastfeeding. Just be discreet and you shouldn't have any problem. My attitude was always this: It's a free country I can breastfeed where ever I want and if they don't like it they don't have to watch.
I'm not saying that Tanya isn't correct about the Texas law, but if you are moving to Texas I just want to say that I live here and I have never personally known anyone who was asked to leave a place of business because they were breastfeeding. Not that it doesn't happen, but as far as I know it isn't common. I see people breastfeeding in restaurants and malls all the time and I've never seen or known anyone who was asked not to do it.
2007-08-23 03:53:15 · answer #3 · answered by kat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Breastfeeding in public is legal in all 50 states. Some have additional language that specifically protects breastfeeding mothers.
If you run into problems, contact La Leche League. They have legal counsel to help straightent hese things out.
Also, use common sense. There is no need to cover baby with a blanket (how in the world can you get a good latch if you can't see, and you can't gaze lovingly into baby's eyes...) but don't take your shirt off to nurse, either! If you are in public and you sense that people around you may be "offended," don't just whip it out in their faces. You can turn to the side to latch baby on, adjust your clothes to ensure decent coverage, and then turn back around.
Your baby has the right to eat anyplace the baby has a right to be. THAT is the law in the USA.
2007-08-23 03:48:53 · answer #4 · answered by Kellie W 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I haven't really encountered problems of the legal type, however many people find it offensive. I don't know why, it's perfectly natural. There was actually a story where a woman was kicked off an airplane for breastfeeding her child. That's ridculous. When I was nursing and out in public, I would always throw a blanket over my chest to cover it up. I wasn't very comfortable being exposed to strangers and it wouldn't offend anyone so it was a win-win.
2007-08-23 03:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by Diane 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal but you still have morons who will try and make you feel that you are doing something wrong. I never understood why in a society that focuses so much on our bodies that women flaunt their breasts for attention and there is nudity to be found everywhere, would be the same place that would condemn a mother for having her breast out to feed her baby. Most women use a blanket to cover themselves anyway so why does it make a difference?
On a personal note, when I was out one day with my first child he became very hungry and upset. I had brought along a bottle of breastmilk just in case but he wasn't having it! He was screaming so loud that everyone in the restaurant was staring at me. He just wanted the comfort of my breast. I figured which was worse-interrupting peoples meals or discreetly feeding my baby to calm him down? So, I covered him and myself with a blanket, you couldn't see a thing, and began to nurse him. Within about five minutes a rude old man walked up to me and told me how rude I was to breastfeed in a public place. He told me it was indecent and that I should take my baby and feed him in the restroom away from other people. Well, I am not one to take criticism from someone who obviously doesn't know what the are talking about. I calmly smiled at him and asked " Why don't you eat your dinner in the bathroom stall?" He looked at me with a disgusted look on his face so I asked " what you don't think it's clean enough? Well, if you wouldn't eat your dinner in a filthy public bathroom why should he?" He had nothing else he could say to that and he walked away. Don't let the ignorance of others keep you from doing what is best for your baby. It is not illegal to feed in public and is actually considered discrimination if they ask you to leave.
Welcome to the USA!!
2007-08-23 04:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by *~mama mari~* 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no the law is on the mother's side
i have never had a problem.....sometimes i see ppl looking but i really think it's out of curiosity instead of judgment
some ppl will give me a smile and ask to see cuz they know what i am doing and they want to see her face nuzzled into my breast......i simply say she's nursing if you don't mind.....they usually don't and think it's cute
though that doesn't mean some breastfeeding mommies haven't encountered problems from ppl who are "so offended"
i think as long you breastfeed with confidence and act like it's a normal thing and aren't looking for a problem then you shouldn't find any
good luck
2007-08-23 03:45:43 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope, it is absolutely NOT illegal. You can breastfeed wherever and whenever your baby needs to be fed. I have encountered the occasional dirty look, but those are just from unenlightened people. There are many laws protecting breastfeeding mothers, but no laws restricting them.
Welcome to the USA! We're glad to have you!
2007-08-23 04:08:40 · answer #8 · answered by Ginger 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is illegal just very controversial. Just make sure you are doing it in a respectful way and are modest and there should not be a problem. It becomes a problem when mothers do it in a way to draw attention to themselves. I think like anything that involves a ladies body it is about respect. I never had any problems because I did it discreetly. I doubt many even knew what I was doing because I respected my privacy and I also respected those around me.
2007-08-23 03:45:00 · answer #9 · answered by Oh me oh my...♥ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I live in California where its legal so I have not had anyone say anything to me before and there's always someone else feeding also. I bought one of those baby slings and it covers my baby and doesn't show anything while im feeding her and if I still feel weird I put a little small blanket on top of the blanket. I got mine at Babies R Us, but they slings everywhere at target , walmart, and other places good luck and hope this helps. Also if it is illegal in your state then you can just say your baby is sleeping in your sling because they wont be able to see your baby but you can really be feeding your baby.
2007-08-23 03:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by srlpink 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋