Abstract
Around 75% of American mothers breastfeed their babies for the first six months. Public breastfeeding ensures that babies get the nutrients they need to grow a strong immune system. Mothers should not be denied public restroom access or forced to cover up. Signs prohibiting breastfeeding are also prohibited. Breastfeeding benefits mothers, babies, and the economy. Many in the community questioned the legality of public breastfeeding. The WHO recommends exclusively breastfeeding all infants and young children for the first six months of life. Many mothers are frustrated by public breastfeeding. Some people consider the entire breastfeeding process as an act of public indecency. Even so, breast feeding has numerous merits. For example, skin-to-skin bonding with a child is also considered safer. Mothers should also not waste money on unnecessary bottles, breast pumps, formula, breastfeeding covers, among others. Breastfeeding families can save $1,200-1,500 in their first year. Therefore, it is wrong to make mothers feel embarrassed for doing something natural. Breastfeeding strengthens mother-child bonds. When the baby suckers on the mother’s nipple, many hormones are released. So oxytocin floods women’s brains. This hormone boosts a mother’s trust, love, and affection.
Breastfeeding in Public
Breastfeeding is a natural biological function. Despite the fact that an estimated 75% of American mothers breastfeed their children during the first six months of life, the issue of mothers’ breastfeeding in public remains contentious (Amir, 2014). For some women, breastfeeding in public can be an uncomfortable and even stressful experience. Consequently, it raises the difficult question of how much organ’s exposure one should have. It is hard to tell how much food a baby needs when they are out in public. Breastfeeding in public should be a common thing, but has become sexualized that many women have lost sight of the purpose of their breasts (Amir, 2014). Women who want to exercise their basic human rights should be supported rather than punished by society. Public breastfeeding is critical in ensuring that babies receive the nutrients they require to develop a healthy immune system. Therefore, mothers should not be denied access to public restrooms or forced to cover themselves with blankets.
The introduction of infant formula marked the start of the decline in breastfeeding. For most of their early development in the late 1800s and early 1900s, artificial milk substitutes were never meant to be used on a large scale (Boyer, 2018). The formulations were intended to provide nutrition to orphans and foundlings who did not have access to other sources of nutrition, and they were a practical way to use surplus milk from the dairy industry. Breast milk contains a high concentration of vitamins and minerals, whereas formula does not. Additionally, breast milk contains many nutrients absent in formula, including growth factors, antibodies, hormones, antivirals, and anti-allergens. According to Boyer (2018) making mothers feel embarrassed in public for doing something that comes naturally to them is wrong. Mothers should smile and enjoy the experience while providing their babies with the best care possible. Having formulas or even other alternatives should not eliminate breastfeeding.
Mothers, babies, and the economy benefit from in various ways from breastfeeding. Each link in the chain appears to provide benefits to the others in the circle. All infants and young children should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives, as recommended by the WHO (Giles, 2018). Among the main advantages of breast feeding to the baby include developing higher IQs, lower obesity, and protection from certain congenital diseases. Healthy babies, leads to healthy population. The latter is crucial in developing a thriving economy through the human resources that healthy individuals provide.
Women have practiced breastfeeding since the beginning of time. Breastfeeding a baby rather than bottle-feeding is natural because the baby receives all of the necessary nutrients and amounts of water through breast milk (Boyer, 2018). Similarly, it is beneficial to the mother in addition to feeding and providing nutrition for the baby. Women who are afraid of being judged for breastfeeding in public will cannot receive these benefits. Breastfeeding in public places is a natural process that causes discomfort for those in the vicinity and should be accepted rather than discouraged. If it is not already, it should become the norm in today’s society.
Several laws protect women’s rights to public breastfeeding. For example, the “Breastfeeding Anti-Discrimination Act” was signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on June 24, 2014. A woman’s sexual orientation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding status will no longer be grounds for harassment or discrimination in the state of Michigan. Similarly, breastfeeding mothers are allowed to do so in any open area that is accessible to the general public, including public restrooms (Hauck et al., 2021). Breastfeeding mothers cannot be denied access to goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations because of anti-discrimination legislation. Posting signs that prohibit breastfeeding is also prohibited (Hauck et al., 2021). An injunction, actual damages, or presumed damages up to $200 can be sought by women who are discriminated against because of their breastfeeding habits. Additionally, a court may order the mother to reimburse her for any legal fees she incurs.
Making mothers feel embarrassed in public for doing something that comes naturally is wrong. Many women have agreed to stop breastfeeding in public even though their legal right to do so is unaffected by any other obligation (Scott et al., 2015). Whether or not there are laws prohibiting women from breast-feeding in public depends on where one lives. If this is not the case, they will need to get in touch with their local representatives. State breastfeeding laws are enforced in the United States, and the practice is encouraged. Full implementation of breastfeeding regulations in the state has occurred (Scott et al., 2015). When it comes to breastfeeding, women have a legal right to breastfeed in any public or private setting in all but one of America’s fifty-nine states, DC, and the US Virgin Islands (National Conference of State Legislatures). All breastfeeding mothers in Michigan are now protected by new state law and act.
Breast feeding, whether done in public or privately, remains the most viable option. The legality of public breastfeeding became a point of contention for many people in the community after introducing infant formulae (Mulready et al., 2014). Noteworthy, baby milk formula were adopted as a viable scientific option and a solution to the breastfeeding concern, by the United States government, in response to the controversy. Even so, breastfeeding is now thought to be a better option than commercially available infant formula. Maggie Gyllenhaal was dubbed a feminist superhero after being photographed with her daughter during a public breastfeeding photo shoot in 2007 (Mulready et al., 2014). The approval served as an endorsement that public breastfeeding was permissible. Despite this, public breastfeeding has become a source of frustration for many mothers, as some people strongly oppose the practice. While some people still view public breastfeeding negatively, research proves that it is still the best option.
History shows that breastfeeding has been practiced for centuries. The old practice is further attributed to several more merits accrued to both the mother and the child. For instance, when a baby is breastfed, there is strengthening of the mother-child bond. Meningitis and other cancers and respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, childhood leukemia, and allergies are less likely in breastfed infants (Mulready et al., 2014). Compared to other women, mothers have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Breastfeeding whenever one wants is more convenient than having to plan ahead and carrying the right amount of pumped milk. It is also thought to be safer because of the increased risk of food allergies and the lack of skin-to-skin bonding with the child (Olejnik et al., 2020). The right to breastfeed should be protected for all mothers, regardless of where they are, whether they are at the mall, in a park, eating at a restaurant, or simply going about their daily business.
Financially-wise, breastfeeding is frequently preferred to formula feeding because it is much less expensive. Mothers should not spend money on unnecessary bottles, breast pumps, infant formula, breastfeeding covers, or any other equipment. For the first year of a baby’s life, the average cost of formula is $1,733.75. Families who breastfeed can expect to save $1,200 to $1,500 in their first year alone (Olejnik et al., 2020). Because of the additional expenses associated with using breastfeeding bras and breastfeeding pads as underwear, nipple cream, and a breast pumping bustier, a working milk supply is technically required for mothers who choose to breastfeed (Mulready et al., 2014). A breastfeeding pillow and a modest drape are nice extras, but a strategically placed towel and a large square scarf can serve just as well. Many of these items could be given to the mother as a gift at the baby shower event, making this much less expensive than formula (Olejnik et al., 2020). Breastfeeding or not, both options have advantages and disadvantages, but breastfeeding is more cost-effective in the long run. It is not appropriate to judge a mother who chooses to breastfeed her child, especially in public, because no one knows whether she is doing so for financial reasons.
Many people are not aware that breastfeeding strengthens the relationship between mother and child. According to research, the development of romantic feelings is a direct result of this. Many hormones are released by both the mother and the baby when the baby sucks on the mother’s nipple. Because of this, women’s brains are flooded with the love hormone oxytocin. Release of the chemical in large bursts is found to increase a mother’s trust, love, and affection. It has also been shown to reduce anxiety, increase happiness, and restore normal heart rate and breathing patterns through skin-to-skin contact.
Public breastfeeding is a sensitive topic for some, particularly those who believe it violates basic human decency. According to a popular belief, the breasts belong to a woman and should never be seen by anyone other than her partner or child’s mother. Debate.org users believe that public breastfeeding is a socially awkward job in and of itself (Wang et al., 2020). Issues arise from the fact that children may ask inappropriate questions about what the mother is doing, and the baby may make loud sucking noises that are upsetting to those around him or her. Furthermore, no matter how many states allow it, many people are still opposed to the practice of public breastfeeding due to personal views. For example, because breastfeeding is both physically and emotionally intimate, according to an article on the blog Go Fatherhood, mothers and fathers should not do it in public (Wang et al., 2020). However, it is arguable that as long as other people are not bothered by the display of such a private moment of intimacy, there is nothing wrong with either the act or the exposure. Mothers need to be able to care for their children at all hours of the day and night. Women gain self-confidence when they are able to care for their children in the way they prefer. Whether people feel offended by public display of an organ usually presumed private should not deny a mother the right to feed her infant.
As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding is an ancient practice whose benefits should not be hampered by contemporary awareness of privacy or any other right. According to Wang et al. (2020) the practice is a normal part of life. Breastfeeding is considered natural and not sexual in the majority of cultures around the world. Those who oppose breastfeeding should try to understand and adapt to this natural method of feeding children because it would help others understand and embrace it. After all, there are still laws in place regarding this topic (Weiss, 2021). No matter when or where it occurs, breastfeeding is better for mothers and babies. The practice of breastfeeding as a child was nearly universal. Consequently, breastfeeding is not weird, disgusting, or indecent in any way. For mothers who choose to breastfeed, they and their children ought to practice it, undisturbed. While some people advice mothers to use baby formula and breast pumps, some mothers prefer breastfeeding, a type of bonding with their children, rather than “artificial” breastfeeding. The mothers must be protected and given the space they need to perform this critical duty for the life of the child.
Summing up, it is evident that breastfeeding is a natural phenomenon. Mothers have a role to feed their children with breast milk to enhance their infants’ healthy growth and development. Therefore, it does not matter where one feeds, whether in public or private because the mothers care for the delicate child’s life. The introduction of artificial mild formulas for babies was crucial for providing alternatives for children that could not access mother’s natural milk. However, the formulations later led to controversy on the use natural milk through breastfeeding. The issue is even more contentious regarding public breastfeeding. While some people feeling that the practice is disgusting or wrong, children cannot be denied the right to quality natural food. The practice is practiced in many societies, for centuries. It is almost universal. In addition, the benefits of breastfeeding makes some states protect breasting, especially in public with legislations. Thus, no matter the circumstances, breastfeeding mothers should, rightfully, do so wherever they wish, including in public spaces.
References
Amir, L. H. (2014). Breastfeeding in public: “You can do it?”. International breastfeeding journal, 9(1), 1-3.
Boyer, K. (2018). The emotional resonances of breastfeeding in public: the role of strangers in breastfeeding practice. Emotion, Space and Society, 26, 33-40.
Giles, F. (2018). Images of women breastfeeding in public: solitude and sociality in recent photographic portraiture. International Breastfeeding Journal, 13(1), 1-12.
Hauck, Y. L., Bradfield, Z., & Kuliukas, L. (2021). Women’s experiences with breastfeeding in public: An integrative review. Women and Birth, 34(3), e217-e227.
Mulready-Ward, C., & Hackett, M. (2014). Perception and attitudes: breastfeeding in public in New York City. Journal of Human Lactation, 30(2), 195-200.
Olejnik, A., Adamczewska, A., & Kossakowska, K. (2020). Factors affecting attitude towards breastfeeding in public: a cross-sectional web-based study on Polish women. Journal of Public Health, 1-10.
Scott, J. A., Kwok, Y. Y., Synnott, K., Bogue, J., Amarri, S., Norin, E., & INFABIO Project Team. (2015). A comparison of maternal attitudes to breastfeeding in public and the association with breastfeeding duration in four European countries: results of a cohort study. Birth, 42(1), 78-85.
Wang, X., Han, J., & Lichtfouse, E. (2020). Unprotected mothers and infants breastfeeding in public amenities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 18(5), 1447-1450.
Weiss, J. T. (2021). Breastfeeding in Public: Knowledge and Perceptions on a University Campus.
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