Responses to common objections to public breastfeeding, from the serious to the absurd. For those opposed as well as those having to deal with those opposed to nursing in public.

Responses to Opponents of Public Breastfeeding

Have any moms sued others, or businesses, for being harrassed in public. I think there should be a fine for ignorance.

It is not my first choice to feed in public, believe me I loved the quiet and comfort of home, but as a mom of three it became a necessity. Yes I had to bf at the little league ballpark etc. while shuffling older kids around. Feeding in a hot car is not an option. I didn't make a public display, was descreet as any mom who just cares about feeding her baby.

I was fortunate that no one ever said anything to me but am outraged at how many times I read a story about an uninformed security officer or business owner, etc. that hasn't got a clue about the laws. Probably less people are approached for walking around braless with nipples showing in inappropriate clothing than moms breastfeeding.

Let's be real. You really can't see anything but the back of a baby's head when a mom is breastfeeding. Why do people get so indignant about it?

Thank you for writing this article! I love it when people stand up for a woman's right to feed her baby wherever and however she feels is best for her baby. I always appreciate the women that I have seen breastfeeding in public because they gave me the confidence to feed my baby outside of the confines of my house as well. Sometimes people forget that most moms are not nursing in public to try to gain attention and make a statement, we are just trying to meet the needs of our hungry babies.

Thanks, ladies. Violet.. sadly while most states have laws protecting public breastfeeding and stating that it is not public indecency, very few (if any.. I have to check) states have ENFORCEMENT clauses which apply a fine or any other sort of punitive action for violating that right.

I don't think people actually care about seeing breasts. Let's face it, we see breasts all the time. They just don't like seeing breasts used for feeding babies. It makes them feel confused about how that relates to their image of breasts for sex. They talk about women covering up and try to make it about covering the breast. But what they really want is to cover the baby AT the breast. It's pretty absurd.

Nicki

And Megan.. welcome to the AP site. I was excited to see an editor come on board. I'll be following your articles with interest. I've been an AP parent for 9 years and counting...

Nicki

Thanks, Francine. I agree. I have mixed feelings about the "sit-ins" in terms of whether they further the cause in terms of changing minds, but I do like seeing breastfeeding mamas stand up for one another and basically say, this is legal and if you try to stop one of us because you don't want to see it, we are going to make you see it.