Breastfeeding in Public

Rachel Strelchuk

Composition II – ENC1102

Due 6/2/13

Professor Nappi

Breastfeeding in Public

Procreating and children are essential to life and its existence. It is a natural thing. Our entire world must face all the good and the bad that comes with it. This includes mothers being able to care for and nurture their babies via breastfeeding at any time and at any place. There are many benefits of breastfeeding for the mothers, the babies, and the economy. Yes, there are some cons to breastfeeding, but mostly those cons are personal opinions. One con about this general topic in public is that it makes other people in the vicinity feel uncomfortable. Women should have the right to legally breastfeed their babies in public without being ridiculed.

It’s against the law to be nude in public, so breastfeeding in public should be illegal too! Nudity in a public place makes a lot of people uncomfortable. The law is in place to protect innocent victims from having to see any other person’s sexual organs. Why should this nudity be allowed just so mothers can breastfeed? “A woman walking around with an exposed chest is not something parents want their children to be exposed to.” That causes children to ask questions that parents are not ready to answer and puts them in an even more awkward position.

Why feel uncomfortable? Every human being was born from their mother’s womb and their mother most likely breast fed him or her. The only difference is it is just a matter of when and where their mom was when she breast fed. Yes, nursing females should try to cover themselves up as opposed to a full exposure. Breasts are not disgusting or sexual when it comes to nursing. “In most cultures around the world, breasts hold no sexual connotations…[breasts are] for the sole purpose of feeding children.” The parents who are concerned about their children asking questions should embrace this natural occurrence and explain it to them. This will enable the future generations of people to understand the benefits in breastfeeding. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, they have proposed a “Healthy People Initiative” and hope the percent of mothers that breastfeed raises another 6.9%  by the year 2020. In fact, President Obama signed several acts that protect mothers from actually being coerced by their employers to extract breast milk in a bathroom! The Government wants to protect mother’s rights. In July of 2010, a mom who was nursing her six month-old daughter in a Johnny Rockets restaurant was told by management to go outside or in a bathroom. All humans have to eat or obtain nutrients somehow, but infants have to eat every few hours. Mothers cannot neglect to feed their babies just because someone else does not like seeing it and tells them to leave. That would be neglect, which is a form of child abuse, and neglect itself is against the law. 

Seeing someone breastfeed is just inappropriate. Natural nursing in public does not assist anyone else in society except the mother. Breast milk is not any better than milk or formula, so moms can take bottles of formula with them in public. There are not any benefits that the mother needs to breastfeed or breastfeed in public.

There are actually a lot of benefits of breastfeeding to the mothers, the babies, and the economy. The benefits almost create a natural chain or circle of benefits to everyone involved. Beginning with the infants, breast milk is easier for them to digest. For the benefit to the infants, breast milk also contains nutrients and helps fight disease. Babies who are on formula actually have more ear infections and diarrhea. Similar to vaccines building immunities for humans and pets against harmful diseases, breast milk provides extra antibodies for babies to help them. The healthier a baby is the better chance of survival in his or her young lives. When a mother breastfeeds, there are benefits to her too. It can lead to lower health risks for her and helps new moms relax, which can reduce postpartum depression. This means overall better health for mom and baby, which means fewer visits to the doctors and/or hospitals. That would also allow families not to have to struggle with medical bill debts. This also encompasses benefits to the economy and the tax-payers. For the families who need assistance from the state, lower health care costs mean less money from the tax-payers paychecks. When mothers do not have to carry around and spend their money on baby bottles and formula, they help the economy by not having to throw away the plastic baby bottles, which would create waste. By denying a mother the right to breastfeed her child in a public place, the chain of benefits begins to fail, which is a domino effect of possible negative outcomes. These explanations prove that mothers need to be able to care for their infants at any time. When mothers are able to care for their babies the way they choose, it empowers them and other women with confidence. 

There are so many benefits of breastfeeding and doing such in public that not everyone is aware of. The benefits include healthier mothers and babies, more financial savings to families, and a more successful economy. Most cultures around the world think breastfeeding is natural and not sexual. It would benefit others to understand and embrace this natural way of feeding babies because it is a natural part of life. The United States Government creates and continues to create more acts that protect and allow women the rights to breastfeed their babies without being criticized. For those who do not agree with breastfeeding need to try to understand and adapt because laws pertaining to this matter are continuing to be accepted. Mothers, and friends and family members of moms who breastfeed can help to create awareness by explaining the benefits to others who do not understand. People need to be more open minded. Does breastfeeding in public harm, hurt, or hinder anyone? The answer is NO. Breastfeeding, regardless of when or where it occurs, is just better for mothers, babies, and families. When mothers breastfeed their babies in public, they should be allowed to and be accepted without criticism.