Lactivism
In his article today, “Law protects mothers’ right to nurse in public,” Spokesman-Review reporter Rich Roesler covered the signing into law of a bill that would make it illegal for anyone to discriminate against a mom breastfeeding her child in restaurants, stores, malls, theaters, parks, schools, and other public places.
I remember how horrified I was several years ago when we were at a café one afternoon and one
of my relatives told me I could breastfeed my son in the restroom. I asked her,
“Would you ever eat your lunch in the bathroom?” When she said “no,” I told her
that my son wouldn't either.
But I wasn't always so outspoken. I also remember being at the mall one day and feeling so insecure about nursing, that I walked all the way back to the parking garage so I could nurse my crying infant. (That was before a friend of mine told me about the comfortable couches in the ladies’ lounge at Nordstrom.)
I quickly got over my breastfeeding insecurities – especially after nursing both my kids until they were both about 2 ½. But I think some moms are still a little hesitant about nursing in public places. Some say their fears about potential discrimination might contribute to the fact that many women stop breastfeeding before their children turn 1.
Although 41.5 percent of mothers were still breastfeeding their babies at
six months of age in 2004, only 11.3 were exclusively breastfeeding and not
supplementing with infant formula, according to the CDC’s latest Breastfeeding
Report Card.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months of an infant’s life, according to the organization’s 2005 revised policy statement on “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.” The AAP – which is made up of about 60,000 primary care pediatricians and other specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of children – also suggests breastfeeding support for the first year and beyond “as long as mutually desired by mother and child.” Breastfeeding also has become a national health goal for the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What do you think about this new breastfeeding law?