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Rebecca Anguiano
Marcia Smith
English 1010-086
April 29, 2015
Breastfeeding in public, civil right or health risk?
For hundreds of mothers across the entire United States, about 250 Target stores held one
of the largest nurse-ins ever. It was November 29th four years ago when the country was
introduced to a mom from Houston who had used Facebook to spread the news. It all started
when mom, Michelle Hickman, was asked to leave the clothing aisle she was in because she was
breastfeeding her baby in the area. The employee asked if it was possible she could feed the baby
someplace else or in a nearby dressing room. During this time Targets policies clearly stated that
women were able to breastfeed in public, yet she was told otherwise. This disagreement then
started a campaign online, gathering many women from all parts of the nation leading the issue
to a protest. Experiences like these were the start of a very controversial argument, and the
reason why it still is today. To some people, breastfeeding in public can be seen in different
ways, whether a mother may be fully covered while feeding or not, the fact that they are still
breastfeeding publicly continues to spike some controversy. To other people breastfeeding in
public is a lot more complex. Things like health issues or the health benefits it can bring, civil
liberties, and cultural or social aspects on the topic are things to consider when talking about
breastfeeding.
For many people breastfeeding is one of the most important things a women must do to
keep a child healthy, but why? Overtime breastfeeding has only gotten more complicated
Approximately 77 percent of mothers start breastfeeding immediately after birth, but only about
16 percent of those moms are breastfeeding exclusively six months later. (Breastfeeding State

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Laws 1) A benefit breastfeeding can have on an infant includes the fact that a mothers breast
milk can transmit maternal antibodies, leading to less doctor visits. Although, most pediatricians
would agree that advantages like these only work best when an infant is fed until at least the age
of one; but babies arent the only ones benefiting from breastfeeding, moms are too. Sources say
that breastfeeding has decreased the chances of getting breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and
Osteoporosis. The United States could save an estimated $13 billion per year if 90% of mothers
exclusively breastfeed their babies to 6 months of age, according to research published in the
journal Pediatrics. (Chretien). Breastfeeding can also serve as an alternative way to losing the
gained baby fat, and just like their mothers, babies will lose weight as well. In a separate metaanalysis, children breastfed for 9 months had [a] more than 30% reduced odds of becoming
overweight compared with children never breastfed, and the two studies that examined exclusive
breastfeeding showed a stronger effect. (Cria G.). For years now, child obesity has been a very
serious epidemic in the U.S. this source says breastfeeding can be the answer to preventing it.
Many people would agree that all of these advantages are something they consider when
women are seen breastfeeding in public. Some women may need to feed as often as two to three
hours, and because of this, nursing in public has to happen at one point. However, since
breastfeeding in public is not exactly accepted by many, embarrassment is usually the main
reason why women dont breastfeed today. Perceptions of social disapproval of breastfeeding
and embarrassment of feeding in public are two of the main reasons why women may choose to
[bottle feed] instead of breastfeed, or why they may cease breastfeeding early on. (Marsden
et.al.). Other sources mention that women who feel more comfortable and are in an area where
breastfeeding is encouraged, increases the chances of having a better and more successful
breastfeeding session. However, for the last couple of years breastfeeding rates have significantly

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decreased. In the U.S about 80% of women say, before delivering they intend on breastfeeding,
75% of women have already given their child formula at one and half weeks old , and only 31%
of women actually breastfeed their baby until they are 9 months old. In a society where
breastfeeding is normal and encouraged it is more likely that women will have higher levels of
self-efficacy. (Marsden et.al.). Some women may lack self-confidence when breastfeeding,
making themselves believe theyre not good enough to produce milk or are just afraid itll hurt
too much. When it comes time for a mother to breastfeed in public these are the factors that may
affect both the child and the mothers health. After all, embarrassment and low self-esteem are
the leading cause for why women arent breastfeeding and why many argue that breastfeeding in
public should be strongly encouraged.
Although having healthy babies is widely promoted around the world, some agree that
breastfeeding in public isnt always the best option. Research shows that low-income countries
have demonstrated an improvement in infant and maternal health while breastfeeding. However,
some mothers who carry diseases or are infected by HIV-AIDS, along with other maternal
infections can pass them to an infant through their breast milk, being extremely dangerous for the
both of them. During breastfeeding, the baby can be infected by pathogens from the mother
through several possible routes of transmission such as respiratory secretions and droplets, direct
contact (lesions in the breast and nipple) and milk. (Lenari M.). Because some women are not
as educated on how to breastfeed, the public may be exposed to certain health risks. If the
feeding is not done correctly and in the proper place, infected mothers who dont wash their
hands, or spill can increase these risks. Without knowing this information, mothers cannot
properly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and
thus they cannot make a truly informed decision about how they want to feed their babies.

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(Breastfeeding from the Public Health perspective 1). Many recommend several prenatal
classes and multiple government funded organizations for mothers who want to be properly
taught ways to breastfeed. Others believe home is most likely the best way to go, it is the only
place a baby can eat in peace and where a mother can enhance her confidence. A lot of the time
some mothers may be found walking around while breastfeeding and involving themselves with
other things or multitasking instead of dedicating important time for both a mother and child.
Practice rooming-in-allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
(Breastfeeding from the Public Health perspective 4). Alone time with a baby will increase
many of the health advantages mentioned before, whereas if you do otherwise, this may produce
unhealthy milk risking the chances of having a healthier baby, being one of the reasons why
public breastfeeding is not as encouraged by many.
Other than health being an issue with breastfeeding in public, many argue that it is only a
civil right. As of March 30, 2010 President Barrack Obama had signed the Affordable Care Act.
Among many other sections within the law we see one called the Fair Labor Standard Act. The
FLSA includes the right for a mother to be able to have a reasonable break time to produce milk,
all employers must provide a place other than a bathroom to pump milk. The ACA also includes
a new private health insurance plan for womens health services, one of the services includes
lactation counseling and breastfeeding support. The national goal is to the proportion of mothers
who breastfeed their babies in the early postpartum period to 81.9 percent by the year 2020.
(Breastfeeding State Laws 1). Some states even mention that a women serving for jury duty
may be excused to a facility where they may produce milk, but only if they request it in writing.
The state breastfeeding laws are now accepted in at least 49 states in the U.S., Utah happens to
be one of them, Utahs law mentions that any city and county may not inhibit a womens right to

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breastfeed in public, and encourages employers to know the benefits of breastfeeding and
provide the right amount of break time for a mother to produce milk.
Although it may be allowed in most of the states in the country, one of the state
representatives could argue that breastfeeding in public may be considered public nudity and is
labeled indecent. In other words, mothers living within this state may only breastfeed
discretely. When it comes to mothers like Hegedus from Michigan, we find a judge from the
state district court room asking the mother to leave the court after he had found her breastfeeding
in the back of the room. Michigan happens to be one of the states who allow breastfeeding in
public, but she was asked to do otherwise and isnt the only mother asked to do so.
Health and civil liberties arent the only two issues that play a big role when
breastfeeding in public, but cultural and social aspects do too. As I have mentioned before, a big
reason why some women dont breastfeed anymore is because of embarrassment and nonacceptance. Women who feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public are less likely to sustain the
practice over time. (Jonsson). Attitudes towards breastfeeding are accounted differently for
many people around the world, but when it comes to America, many say that womans breasts
have a much more sexual significance, rather than viewed as a natural source of food for babies.
NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne summed up that unease in a Twitter post, Just walking through
supermarket. See a mom breast feeding a little kid. Took a second look because obviously I was
seeing things. I wasnt! he tweeted.(Jonsson). But its not only men who find it uncomfortable.
When a magazine had published the cover of a women breastfeeding in 2006, one mother had
commented, Gross, I am sick of seeing a baby attached to a boob.(Jonsson) A few of these
comments may be the reason for why some women would prefer bottle feeding with formula
versus breastfeeding. It is sometimes understood that even though a mother may be seen using a

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blanket to cover herself while feeding, it can still bring discomfort to people. Just because its a
womans legal right to nurse a baby in public doesnt mean she should walk around flaunting it.
(Jonsson). Culturally speaking, many dont seem to mind seeing a mother feed her baby
naturally, but other religions or cultures can see it as a complete lack of respect.
On the other hand, breastfeeding in public may not always be viewed so harshly by
others. Some argue that a mother publicly breastfeeding her child should only be seen as
something natural or a beautiful work of art. No one is running around swinging tassels. Its all
about feeding a childmothers trying to do their best for their children. (Chretien) Standing in
a more professional point of view, as said before the president had established the right for
women to be able to pump milk in the proper place at work with the right amount of break time.
Although, no one ever seemed to ask what exactly were the attitudes of the rest of the employees
or their thoughts on breastfeeding in public. In the year 2012 a study was done in the U.K. using
interviews of at least nine other employees from local businesses, such as cafes and restaurants.
The interviewers specifically chose four employees that either worked in a breastfeeding
friendly workplace and five other employees in a non-breastfeeding friendly workplace. Staff
who agreed to take part in the interview were 2 males and 7 females each ranging from ages 23
to 36 years old. In the end, the small study showed that public breastfeeding was actually
generally accepted by most of the employees, partially because some of them were parents and
mothers who had breastfed themselves. Most people viewed public breastfeeding positively,
believing it to be normal and natural. (Marsden et.al.). The participants who were not fond of
public breastfeeding were those in a younger age group.
In the end, health risks or health advantages, civil liberties, and cultural or social point of
views on the issue all agree to one thing, the importance of breastfeeding. Although when it

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comes to public breastfeeding, it seems to be very difficult to keep a neutral stance on the issue
itself, some people either agree or disagree to let mothers breastfeed in public. I do agree that
breastfeeding should be highly encouraged, and am aware that breast milk can have all sorts of
benefits on both a mother and infants. In summary, a women should be properly educated on
how to breastfeed to insure child growth and the prevention of disease for the mass public. I am
sure that like myself, and for many others, it can be very difficult to come to an agreement when
concerning public breastfeeding. Some may not have another choice but to agree with the
breastfeeding state laws that have already been passed recently, some may find it fortunate. As
time goes by I hope the country can come to an agreement with public breastfeeding and
eventually meet each other half way.

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Works Cited
"Breastfeeding State Laws." National Conference of State Legislatures. U.S Department of
Health and Human Services, 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
"Breastfeeding From The Public Health Perspective." National Center For Biotechnology
Information. U.S National Library Of Medicine. (2011) Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
Jonsson, Patrik. Breastfeeding Moms Protest At Target Stores, But U.S. Public Is Real Mark.
Christian Science Monitor. 29 Dec. 2011. N.PAG. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5
Apr. 2015.
Katherine, Chretien. When Will USA Get Over Breastfeeding Hang-Ups? USA Today. N.D:
Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
Lenari, M. Human Milk, A Concrete Risk For Infection? Journal Of Maternal-Fetal and
Neonatal Medicine. 25. (2012): 67-69. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
Marsden, Amy, and Julie Abayomi. Attitudes Of Employees Working In Public Places Toward
Breastfeeding. British Journal Of Midwifery. 20.4 (2012): 271-277. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
Perrine, Cria G. Vital Signs: Hospital Practices To Support Breastfeeding-United States, 2007
And 2009. MMWR: Morbidity And Mortality Weekly Report. 60.30 (2011): 1020-1025.
Academic Search Premier. Web.5 Apr. 2015.