As a mother who breastfed her daughter in public; I am interested in the controversial issue of women having the right to breastfeed in public places without feeling intimidated or embarrassed for doing so. This is an issue which is completely misunderstood as a disrespectful act of indecent exposure, when in fact it is the most natural thing in the world. Breastfeeding, the most natural and healthy method of feeding, has recently come under attack by vocal groups of hypocritical opponents. This issue has escalated to such a point that mothers trying to nurse their babies have been harassed, hounded and publicly humiliated. Given the vast scientific knowledge demonstrating the significant health risk to those babies not fortunate enough to be breastfed, one would wonder why more women are not encouraged to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding is a naturally occurring event which is oldest form of feeding a child it has existed since the beginning of time. In fact, out of all the mammals that exist on this planet, every one of them nurses their babies, including humans (WHO, 2013). Millions of women around the world breastfeed and do not give it a second thought. Only recently, breastfeeding in public has been seen as indecent. Why would society frown upon the most natural and beautiful act a mother can do for her child? Almost daily women are asked to leave public places they are feeding their children because someone believes it is indecent or perverted, despite the efforts that have been made to promote breastfeeding as positive Breastfeeding is not indecent or perverted; however, many individuals think it should be hidden and out of the public eye. It is a women’s right to breastfeed her child anywhere she feels fit. Breastfeeding in public is legal across the United States but widespread discrimination toward breastfeeding in public still exists.
Women should have the right to breastfeed in public places without feeling intimidated or embarrassed for doing so. Women should have the right to breastfeed in public whenever they feel it is necessary, because a hungry baby can‘t wait. Breastfeeding is a healthy act for both mother and child for their well-being. However the way in which a nursing mother conducts herself in public can alter the act of breastfeeding from a natural necessity to being viewed as a controversial obscenity.
By the use of the modern breastfeeding bras now available and the simple act of draping a baby blanket or shawl over the shoulder all breastfeeding can be done in a discrete manner, whether or not the mother is in public. Respect is a two way process. A bit of discretion on the side of the nursing mother would promote more support from the general public. Exposed breasts are everywhere, all over the media, in movies, magazines even on television. But put a nursing infant anywhere near those breasts and suddenly people are offended. Do people ask women to cover up during breastfeeding or to move some place more private because the person is perhaps sexualizing the act of breastfeeding rather than view it as a natural and nurturing act? For too long now women have been made to feel embarrassed for feeding their child. It is quite disturbing that in this day and age mothers are being prevented from doing what is natural. Breastfeeding is a precious bond shared between mother and child. It is appalling that many public places in our modern day still discriminate against women breastfeeding in public.
Millions of dollars are spent annually in advertising just to catch a mere glimpse of bosom: car ads, beer ads, even food commercials for Carl’s Junior have used the breast to sell their products with great success. Our society is full of offensive ads, including almost pornographic billboards seen on the average work commute, magazine covers featuring near-naked women placed at five-year-old eye level in the typical grocery store checkout and commercials during family hour programming promoting condoms, lubricating jelly, and erectile dysfunction medications. Where is the public outcry for these uncensored ads? The average parent would readily agree that these ads are inappropriate, yet it is an impossible task to avoid them in any given normal day. Clearly one person’s offense at seeing a baby on a breast should not be allowed to dictate other peoples’ basic human rights.
It also is quite baffling that women are raked over the coals when they breastfeed in public; yet society has accepted plunging neck lines and swim suit tops expose more of the breast than when a woman breastfeeds. On average when a woman wears a swimsuit top it covers only 10-20% of your chest according to Vogue magazine. This has been accepted as a social norm, just as long as the nipple is not showing; but when a woman breastfeeds on average the amount of breast that shows is 5-10% (Le Lache League, 2013).

Across the United States laws exist to protect women for breastfeeding in public. Despite that laws exist, women feel hesitant and uncomfortable breastfeeding in public because of societal view of it being perverse or indecent. Is it wrong to tell women who nurses in public to stop or leave? Is it not an infringement on her civil rights? I believe women should not have to feed her child in a dressing room or a bathroom because she is doing the most natural thing for her child
Breastfeeding is a precious bond shared between mother and child. It is appalling that many public places in our modern day still discriminate against women breastfeeding in public. In some cases women are even asked to leave the premises because they are breastfeeding. According to a recent survey done by Le Leche League , showed that the majority of restaurants and shopping centers were found to be unsupportive of nursing mothers, disapproving towards breastfeeding as they thought their customers would be offended and pushed away as they would feel uncomfortable. Which seems ridiculous due to the fact that breastfeeding in public is not in any way illegal, yet is viewed as an obscenity. (Le Leche League, 2013).
As a society we must support the mothers who are contributing to the wellbeing of our nation by breastfeeding. By being more accepting of the perfectly natural act of feeding, which is no different from that which we have accepted in the animal kingdom surely tolerance and common sense will prevail and the rights of the breastfeeding mother will be recognized.