Breastfeeding in Public Essay Example

Breastfeeding in Public Essay Example Breastfeeding in Public Paper Breastfeeding in Public Paper In 2005, Barbara Walters, on national television, said that the sight of a woman breast-feeding her kid next to her made her uncomfortable.  What followed was a protest which began on the Internet and ended up in the streets.   After the comment, around 200 women hiked to ABCs headquarters, their form of protest: breastfeeding their babies in full view of everyone, while others held signs denouncing Walters comments, and the show which she hosts (Harmon, 2005). Amy Harmon at the New York Times writes that the ABC protest is only the most visible example of a new wave of lactivism.  Ã‚   Harmon relates that the lactivism movement stems from the surge of American mothers who choose to breastfeed (from 50% in 1990 to 70% in 2003).   Harmon explains that women found their lactivism voice after getting nasty comments about breastfeeding in public, or being asked to stop or transfer.   Harmon also writes that hundreds of women recount being asked to stop in a host of public spots.   Harmon attributes these to the prevailing cultural squeamishness of public nursing (Harmon, 2005). The Law Breastfeeding in public, however uncomfortable for those who could see it, is legal in the United States.   According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 39 states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia   all have laws which specifically allow women to breastfeed in public.   Twenty-five states have laws which categorically excludes breastfeeding from being classified as indecent.   Breastfeeding in the workplace is allowed in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico along with 19 states (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008). Going further, breastfeeding mothers are exempted from jury duty in 12 states and Puerto Rico while five states and Puerto Rico have encouraged the development of education campaigns geared at breastfeeding awareness (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008). Businesses are also allowing nursing customers to breastfeed in their establishments, Harmon gave Starbucks and Burger King as examples (Harmon, 2005). Its Ones Right Breastfeeding has been proven beneficial to both the mother and the baby.   Public health officials have even gone as far as saying that not breastfeeding is detrimental to a babys health (Rabin, 2006). The United States Food and Drug Administration says that a growing body of evidence points to the fact that breast-fed babies have lower chances of being hospitalized, contracting diseases such as ear infections and diarrhea, getting allergies and rashes.   An FDA article cites Ruth Lawrence at the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that breastfeeding should be done for six to twelve months (Williams, 1995). Breast milk contains just the right amounts of lactose, water, amino and fatty acids for proper digestion, growth and brain development.   Breast milk also transfers a mothers antibodies to the baby, protecting the infant from a host of diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis and other virus- and bacteria-borne diseases.   It is also sterile, and has more than 100 ingredients not found in infant formula.   It doesnt cause allergies (Williams, 1995). Other benefits to the baby includes proper jaw development, higher chances of developing straight, healthy teeth.   Psychologically, breastfeeding enables early attachment between the mother and the child, while promoting a healthy sense of security (Williams, 1995).   The Department of Human Services adds that breastfeeding is also tied to earlier development of infant immune system, decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, less susceptibility to serious illness, reduced risk of chronic diseases like childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, allergic diseases, asthma, higher IQs from enhanced neurological development. To the mother, breastfeeding can help in shedding off the extra pounds, save money.   Breastfeeding can also act as a contraceptive (Williams, 1995).   The mothers uterus also returns to normal size faster.   Also, there is reduced risk of endometrial, breast and ovarian cancers, osteoporosis and bone fracture.   Psychologically, a breastfeeding mother gets more confident and bonds with her baby (Department of Human Services, undated). Not breastfeeding, or at least in public, can deprive both mother and infant of these benefits.   And society is not helping.   Rabin points out that 60% of mothers with very young children work, while the law only requires companies to pay 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.   There is even no time alloted for lactation leave.   Only 1/3 of large companies have private and secure facilities for breastfeeding.   Only 7% offer child care sites near or in the workplace (Rabin, 2006). In effect, breastfeeding in public becomes necessary because its very hard to be a parent without leaving home, and hungry babies are not known for their patience.   A new mother returning to her normal routine outside the home will find it difficult to locate a place thats truly private in order to breastfeed her baby (Pugliese, 2000). As Anne Robb Pugliese states, breast milk is the best for babies, it doesnt stop being so just because other people are around. Nurse Here Now, an online advocacy for breastfeeding in public, states that breastfeeding in public is not, or should not be, a shameful act.   Other peoples discomfort stems from the fact that they cannot distinguish between maternal and sexual intimacy.   Moreover, hiding to breastfeed is not giving priority to the babys needs (NurseHereNow.Com, 2005).