How to Know Your Breastfeeding Rights

Wanting to breastfeed your child is a wonderful experience. Breastfeeding in public can be frustrating and intimidating if you do not know your rights. Here are ways to know your rights and deal with comments from others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• internet access

1. Research your rights on the internet. According to The Right to Breastfeed Act, H.R. 1848, signed in 1999, in the United States a woman has a right to breastfeed in any public place.
2. Not only does the federal government protect a woman's right to breastfeed, but many states have their own protections. Twenty-one states do not consider breastfeeding as indecency, fourteen have laws pertaining to breastfeeding and work places, twelve exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty, four states have breastfeeding encouragement campaigns, and Virginia specifically allows breastfeeding on any state own land or property.
3. Baby Talk Magazine has created a card that identifies the woman's breastfeeding right per state, that she can show uncooperative business owners. Carry it with you, just in case you run into someone unaware of the law.
4. If you are asked to leave or cover up, you can gently remind the public place of your rights. If they are insistent, you have a right to have police called. While not the ideal way to deal with the situation, occasionally it may be necessary.
5. Rally support of others. If your spouse, family and friends are supportive of your decision to breastfeed, when you are with them and faced with a difficult situation, they can handle it. While it is easy to pick on the breastfeeding woman, it is harder when there are others supporting her!
6. While you do not have to cover with a blanket, it is advisable to try and remain covered while nursing. Even simply pulling your shirt down a bit (without covering your child's face!) may help you avoid confrontations. Of course, that is not always possible, that is why laws are there to protect the nursing mother.
7. Dealing with comments from others is frustrating. Ignoring the comments or pointing out your rights may work. However, if you are feeling feisty or the comments don't stop then have your own pre planned replies. "Do you eat in the bathroom?" is great for those requesting you to nurse in the restroom. "Would you like some?" will stop the stares. Plan a few comments before faced with a situation so you are prepared!

Tips & Warnings

• Know your rights and voice them when necessary!