The Breastfeeding Cardby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 26 Jul 2009 05:16 PM While many states protect women from getting arrested on indecency charges for breastfeeding (not all states do), there are very few states that actually declare it a civil right to breastfeed your child. Fortunately, some progressive states are starting to institute such laws. Washington state has become the latest state to declare, effective today, that women have a civil right to breastfeed in public. Lawmakers who sponsored the bill want women to feel just as comfortable with breastfeeding as they would pulling a baby bottle out of a diaper bag. Unfortunately, breastfeeding moms are made to feel ashamed and insulted simply for needing to feed their babies. As anyone know who has breastfed a child, babies need to eat frequently. Being told to cover up or leave, breastfeed in the bathroom or to feed a baby at home can be uncomfortable and intimidating. People frequently roll their eyes, make negative comments under their breath, shake their heads and stare when they encounter a breastfeeding woman. One of the interesting things about the new law in Washington, is that the state's Human Rights Commission is being proactive about making sure the law is enforced. They will distribute breastfeeding cards that specifically detail the law and women's right to breastfeed. If a woman is confronted, she can simply hand out one of the cards, and hopefully the situation will be diffused right away. What a wonderful idea the card is. Perhaps we can all make cards that state our local law regarding breastfeeding (if there is one) and distribute them to people who target breastfeeeding mothers. Of course, I can't help but think of some more sarcastic responses to put on cards to distribute to rude people, such as "You've obviously been bottle fed. I feel sorry for you," "I'll nurse in the bathroom when you eat your lunch in the toilet," and after being attacked for breastfeeding by professed Christian woman (yes this happened to me) "Do you think Jesus drank formula?" Related Articles: Would You Nurse Another Mom's Baby? Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantbaby tags User Comments Samual (11722) 27 Jul 2009 05:43 AMIn the UK you can breastfeed anywhere that children are allowed until your baby is 6 months old.  Kimmama |
Baby categories |
