Independence Day - Celebrate Your Freedom to Breastfeed

     

 Oh the wonderful sunny days of Summer are upon us.  Laying out at the beach, baseball games, and family reunions.  Summer involves lots of outings and family gatherings. 

     For those of you breastfeeding new little ones, enjoying Summertime can require a little planning.   We know that baby is going to eat throughout these gatherings and arrangements will have to be made to provide comfort and discretion for both Mom and baby.

     How can you provide nourishment and share these private moments when you are in public?  Certainly pumping a bottle of breast milk is an option.  However, the heat and the “extra luggage” may throw a kink in your plans.  Breast milk is only good for about 5 hours before it needs refrigerated, but on hot Summer days it can spoil more quickly.  So, without carrying a cooler around, you may have trouble feeding baby good milk. 

     We know that a receiving blanket or a Hooter Hider can conceal breastfeeding from wandering eyes when you are in public places.  But sitting in the sun (or shade, when it’s 90 degrees outside) with a cover up over his head can be very uncomfortable and distracting for baby.  He may get too hot and want to pull the blanket off of his sweaty little head.  When the blanket comes off then Mom becomes uncomfortable.  You may feel exposed to the peepers all around you.  

     How do we solve these dilemmas and still breastfeed?   I always wanted to feel discrete when breastfeeding so that I did not offend anyone around me or embarrass myself.  I did take comfort in the fact that most of the time I was surrounded by my family and friends.  And they were great breastfeeding supporters.  
     Generally, people accept breastfeeding for what it is….taking great care of your baby.  And honestly, when my babies were nursing I was mostly hidden behind baby.  Sure people new I was feeding her, but her head was blocking the most important part.  Plus, her little hands were usually resting on my chest holding her “bottle” hiding even more of me from sight. Next time you are nursing at home, go stand in front of a mirror and you will see that most people can’t see as much as you thought they could. Realizing these things helped to calm my anxiety, and gave me more confidence about nursing in public. 

     But there is more!!  The law is on your side as well.  In September 1999, President Clinton signed into law the "Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act," which included legislative language by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to make breastfeeding legal anywhere on federal property.

"The last thing a mom needs is someone giving her a hard time about her decision to breastfeed her child or accusing her of violating arcane 'indecent exposure' laws," Maloney says. "The only thing indecent about breastfeeding is that some women have been harassed about it."  

  According to the National Conference of State Legislature website, Forty-three states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws with language specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location

     Twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws

     Twenty-four states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace

     Twelve states and Puerto Rico exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty

     Five states and Puerto Rico have implemented or encouraged the development of a breastfeeding awareness education campaign.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 191.915 (1999) Missouri Law requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to provide new mothers with a breastfeeding consultation or information on breastfeeding, the benefits to the child and information on local breastfeeding support groups. The law requires physicians who provide obstetrical or gynecological consultation to inform patients about the postnatal benefits of breastfeeding. The law requires the Department of Health to provide and distribute written information on breastfeeding and the health benefits to the child. (SB 8)

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 191.918 (1999) 
Allows a mother, with as much discretion as possible, to breastfeed her child in any public or private location.  Medical experts agree that breastfeeding is superior to formula feeding and recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding to 12 months of age and longer thereafter as the mother and baby so desire.
     
     So celebrate your Independence Day and feel free to breastfeed your baby without being harassed or feeling embarrassed.  After all you have the right to "bare arms" and shoulders and even breasts while breastfeeding your baby.

Jump in and breastfeed with
confidence. The law is on your
side. 

If someone asks you to stop breastfeeding in public give them this card to educate them regarding Missouri State Law and Breastfeeding.

License to Breastfeed

Missouri Law:  “A mother may, with as much discretion as possible, breastfeed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.” R.S. Mo. 191.918