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Breastfeeding in public

• More information on breastfeeding in public

Many women have reported feeling uncomfortable breastfeeding in public, even doing so discreetly. But it is important to remember that you are feeding your baby. You are not doing anything inappropriate. And even though it may seem taboo in some places, awareness of the need to support new breastfeeding mothers is building.

The federal government and many states have laws that protect nursing women. These laws are based on the recognition of organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Public Health Association, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) that breastfeeding is the best choice for the health of a mother and her baby.

Even with the growing awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, you may find it difficult to do so in public. Yet it is important to believe in yourself and your choice. Remind yourself that you can succeed and wear your confidence! Some tips for breastfeeding in public include:

• Wear clothes that allow easy access to your breasts, such as tops that pull up from the waist or button down.
• Use a special breastfeeding blanket around your shoulders. Some babies do not like this, though, so you’ll have to see what works for your baby.
• Breastfeed your baby in a sling. Slings or other soft infant carriers are especially helpful for traveling — it makes it easier to keep your baby comforted and close to you.
• Slip into a women’s lounge or dressing room to breastfeed.
• Practice at home so that you can ensure you are only being as revealing as you feel comfortable with.

It helps to breastfeed your baby before he or she becomes fussy so that you have time to get into a comfortable place or position to feed. (Over time, you will learn your baby’s early hunger cues.) When you get to your destination, scout out a place you can breastfeed, if that makes you feel more comfortable.

If someone criticizes you for breastfeeding in public, the La Leche League International offers a few different ways to respond:

1. Ignore the comment or change the subject.
2. Share information on breastfeeding with the other person.
3. Make a joke about the situation or yourself to lighten the mood.
4. Show that you are recognizing the person’s viewpoint by asking further questions without agreeing or responding to the criticism.
5. Be empathetic — show that you understand the other person’s feeling and meaning.

Most of all, it is important to remember that you are meeting your baby’s needs. It isn’t possible to stay home all the time and you can feel free to feed your baby while out and about. You should be proud of your commitment! Plus, no bottles and formula means fewer supplies to pack!

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More information on breastfeeding in public

Explore other publications and websites

• Breastfeeding and Jury Duty: State Laws, Court Rules, and Related Issues — This congressional report provides information on states that allow breastfeeding mothers to postpone or be excused from jury duty. It also discusses which states provide a jury duty exception for family caregivers or have pending legislation regarding breastfeeding mothers and jury duty.
  http://maloney.house.gov/documents/olddocs/breastfeeding/20050517_CRS_Jury%20Duty.pdf
• Breastfeeding and the Law (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This site provides a list of publications that address different legal issues and breastfeeding.
  http://www.llli.org/Law/LawMain.html
• Breastfeeding Laws (Copyright © National Conference of State Legislatures) — This publication has a comprehensive listing of the various laws enacted that relate to breastfeeding in each of the 50 states in the U.S.
  http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm
• Breastfeeding Legislation (Copyright © American College of Nurse-Midwives) — This publication explains why it is important to have legislation to protect the right to breastfeed.
  http://gotmom.org/index.asp?bid=30
• Breastfeeding Report Card — The Breastfeeding Report Card shows how breastfeeding is being protected, promoted, and supported in each state and allows comparisons across states, making it an important tool for increasing breastfeeding nationwide.
  http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm
• Extended Breastfeeding and the Law (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication discusses the evidence in favor of extended breastfeeding and how mothers can cope with reports of abuse or neglect from people who think extended breastfeeding is abnormal or wrong.
  http://www.llli.org/Law/LawExtended.html
• Health Care Reform Boosts Support for Employed Breastfeeding Mothers (Copyright © United States Breastfeeding Committee) — With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, breastfeeding mothers now have protections guaranteed by law. This fact sheet describes the Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law and how it works.
  http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Workplace/WorkplaceSupport/WorkplaceSupportinHealthCareReform/tabid/175/Default.aspx
• In the Best Interest of Breastfed Children (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication explains why it is important to protect the breastfeeding relationship during a separation or divorce. A mother must educate everyone involved about the importance of breastfeeding and how parenting time can be shaped to encourage the father's bond.
  http://www.llli.org/Law/LawInterest.html
• Summary of State Breastfeeding Laws and Related Issues — This congressional report gives a brief overview of the development of state breastfeeding legislation and summarizes the breastfeeding laws for each state. It also provides information on pending federal legislation that promotes breastfeeding.
  http://maloney.house.gov/documents/olddocs/breastfeeding/050505CRSReport.pdf
• The Breastfeeding Relationship and Visitation Plans (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This paper discusses why breastfeeding should be encouraged in family law cases, how to encourage the bond with the father without interfering with breastfeeding, and recommendations for visitation plans.
  http://www.llli.org/Law/LawVisitation.html

Connect with other organizations

• La Leche League International
  http://www.llli.org/
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm
• National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
  http://www.hmhb.org/
• United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
  http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/
• Women's Health Task Force
  http://www.womenshealthtaskforce.org/
• Womenshealth.gov, OWH, HHS
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/
• World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action
  http://www.waba.org.my/
• World Health Organization
  http://www.who.int/en/

Content last updated August 1, 2010.

Resources last updated August 1, 2010.

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