Breastfeeding in Public Archives

Dads and Breastfeeding

February 24, 2008

If you're easily offended, don't watch this video. If, however, you want to see an irreverant take on breastfeeding, you'll get a good chuckle out of this one from the guys at Dad Labs.com.

So there you have it, my addition to the February Breastfeeding Bloggers' Carnival. To see what the other participants have to say, visit these sites:

* Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog has some book reviews.
* Stacie at The Twinkies has a joke for us.
* Sinead at Breastfeeding Mums has a story about a pumping multi-tasking disaster.
* Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess shares several, shall we say, "titbits."
* Carol at Happy Sad Mama shares why she loves to nurse her toddler.
* Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 has some search terms that lead readers to her site.

Christina Aguilera Talks About Breastfeeding on The Ellen Degeneres Show... Plus... A Breastfeeding Comic Strip

February 21, 2008

Singer Christina Aguilera stopped by the Ellen Degeneres show recently. She has a new baby, and her low cut green dress prompted Ellen to ask Christina if she was nursing. Watch the clip on YouTube.

And now check this out... a comic strip about breastfeeding. Check out Stone Soup's take on breastfeeding in public. Click here.

Good Morning America Story About Breast Feeding in Public

July 15, 2007

My grandmother called me this morning to tell me that GMA did a story today about breastfeeding in public and the challenges that some moms face. Unfortunately, I missed the piece on the TV, but you can read it on line. Click here. From what I've read, it seems like the piece was very pro-breastfeeding in public. So take the time to go to their site and leave a comment with your own opinion. Here's a snippet from the story:

....46 states allow woman to nurse in public or at least exempt them from prosecution.

But, public opinion hasn't caught up with the law. A recent study found 57 percent of Americans said women should not have the right to breast-feed in public. Seventy-two percent said it was inappropriate to show a woman nursing on television.

For many mothers, it may ultimately be a health issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies should be breast fed up to one year. It said the health benefits include fewer food allergies and a stronger immune system.

"The longer you breast feed, the better the health benefits, not only for the baby but for the mother," said Baby Talk magazine editor Susan Kane.

Bruce-Low said it is important for more woman and people in general to see mothers nursing in public, calling it a natural thing.

Kane did have some suggestions for woman planning to breast-feed in public:
Use a cover up.
Feel comfortable while breast feeding. There are lots of products on the market that let moms cover up while nursing.
Wear a button-down shirt and nursing bra.
Ask permission if you are a guest.
As a courtesy, when at a private home or party, ask if it's okay if you breast feed.
Stand up for your rights.
Don't be ashamed of feeding your baby. In most cultures, it's considered completely normal.

A Nursing Hat?

June 01, 2007

Here's a new one.... Want to discreetly breastfeed your baby in public? Put one of these hats with an enormous brim on your babe's head. She'll be shaded from the sun and you'll be completely covered.

The MoBoleez hats come with some cute sayings too: "Au lait, s'il vous plait," "Milky Way," or "Time to tweet."

Now, I haven't actually tried one of these hats, but I did sort of concoct my own version last summer. I put my fuschia and white hat on The Bear's head while he was nursing. Of course it didn't stay on. Too big. And he managed to swat it away. Details. So maybe a hat properly sized for a baby will do the trick. Though I must say, I'd love to see what the baby looks like when she stops eating and sits up. Can she even see out from under that brim?!

Thanks to Babble for the "heads up" on this one!

Pennsylvania Nurse In Update

February 26, 2007

Roughly 150 people gathered at a Pennsylvania shopping mall this past weekend to support a mom who was forced to stop breastfeeding her baby in public. Leigh Bellini says a security guard asked her to put a blanket over her baby's head, feed her baby in the bathroom or her car, and even threatened to call the police.

The nurse in got its share of media attention. To watch a new clip from a CBS affiliate, click here. (Make sure you go to the right hand side of the page that pops up to find the link to the video). The piece has an interview with Bellini who says her goal is to get Pennsylvania to enact a law that would protect breastfeeding in public.

Angela at Breastfeeding 123 reports that a Pennsylvania State Senator has introduced a piece of legislation that is moving things in that direction. The Right to Breastfeed Act would allow a mom to breastfeed in any public or private place that she is otherwise allowed to be.

Pennsylvania Nurse In Saturday February 24th

February 22, 2007

A mom and her hungry baby are behind a nurse planned for Saturday in Pennsylvania. Leigh Bellini says she was at a shopping mall, trying to feed her son, when she had a little run in with mall security. She says they told her to cover her baby with a blanket, feed him in the bathroom or sit in her car outside.

PA moms, take note--
Pennsylvania doesn't have a law protecting a woman's right to nurse in public or private. But Philadelphia does have a city ordinance allowing women to breastfeed in public places. A State Representative, however, is pushing two pieces of legislation that could help breastfeeding moms. (via Breastfeeding123)

If you want to go to the nurse in, here are the details:
Center Court at the Berkshire Mall in
Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
Saturday, February 24th at 1:00p.m.
The nurse in is being sponsored by Mothering And More and Birth Without Boundaries.
Check both of these sites for details about the event.
As for Leigh's story, you can read the whole thing here. In part, she writes:

My husband and I took our 2-year-old daughter and 6 month-old son out for a day of shopping and errands. While at the mall, my son became hungry. I found a bench near an indoor tree and parked my stroller directly in front of me. As discretely as possible I began nursing my son. After about 10 minutes or so I was interrupted by a security guard, who asked me if I could put a blanket over my son and cover up better. I informed him that I did not have a blanket nor would I like him to get me one and also that I had no breast exposed anyway....

Moments later we were confronted by another security guard. I immediately told her that I had no intention on listening to what she had to say. My husband told her that she had to back away from my son and I and speak with him further down the hall. While I continued to feed my son, my husband dealt with this person. She asked why they couldn't provide me with a blanket or buy me a new one. My husband explained to her that we weren't going to use a dirty blanket or use a new one that hadn't been laundered. At this point the first security guard came back to get involved. He asked why I couldn't move the breastfeeding into a more private location like the bathroom. My husband asked him if he liked to eat on a toilet seat in a public bathroom. The security guard replied that I didn't have to sit on a toilet. My husband asked where should she sit, on the floor. The security guard replied that I could stand in the bathroom. My husband laughed and said "obviously you've never breastfed." Then the security guard suggested I go out to my car to breastfeed. IT WAS 30o OUTSIDE!!!!!!

Breast Feeding on the Today Show

February 03, 2007

The Editor In Chief of BabyTalk magazine was on the Today Show this past week, talking about the challenges women face when it comes to breastfeeding. Top of the list, of course, breastfeeding anywhere outside of home. To watch the clip, click on this link. To find the video, go to the left hand column, click on "Today Health and Living" and then click on "What is Breastfeeding Etiquette."

Moms...I'm curious to hear from you, how you've handled the challenge of breastfeeding in public. I'm working on that section of my book now. Cramming to get all of my edits done this week. Is there anything you want to see included? Let me know.