Women should have the right to breastfeed in public places without feeling intimidated or embarrassed. Breastfeeding in public is one of the most controversial issues in society today. An issue which is misunderstood as a disrespectful act of indecent exposure, when in fact it is the most natural thing in the world. Women in restaurants, airplanes, and other public spaces have been told to leave or to cover up while breastfeeding their children. Many of these mothers say they feel unwelcomed, uncomfortable and even intimidated. To society breastfeeding in public is disturbing and disrespectful, but what many don’t realize is that a human being is being fed. A child’s feeding schedule should not be changed simply because people think feeding a baby is disturbing. Many mothers choose to breastfeed for the benefits, their culture, Women decide to breastfeed for the amazing benefits it leaves in the future for the baby. During the first six months it is crucial for a baby to get breastfed because it provides many necessary nutrients to promote an optimal infant weight gain. Breast milk produces antibodies that help resist harmful diseases and infections such as leukemia, lymphoma, pneumonia and eye and ear infections. There are two significant nutrients in breast milk which are not in store bought formula, protein and fats. Store bought formula do not contain the DHA and cholesterol that breast milk has which helps assist the infants cardiovascular and nervous system.
Breast milk provides all the necessary proteins, vitamins, sugar and fats essential for an infant’s growth
Breast-feeding is nutritionally, emotionally and physically superior for a mother and her child. “Human breast milk is not standard nor is it interchangeable with cow’s milk. It is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition to meet the needs of the baby as it grows” (“Giving your Baby... Diet.” par. #10). Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which stimulate the growing baby and protect it from illness such as diarrhea, ear infections, rashes, allergies, asthma, skin problems, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other serious illnesses. Breast-feeding also improves a baby’s chance of remaining healthy. These antibodies are not found in formula. They can not be sustained. Breast-fed babies are also neurodevelopmentally more
Breastfeeding in public is very hot in the media right now. Mothers everywhere are being shamed for feeding their babies in public even though it is what's best for the mothers and the babies. “Breast milk contains antibodies that protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Breastfed children have fewer ear, respiratory…” (Legislatures). Instead of verbally abusing the women who breastfeed in public other ladies need to support the new mothers by knowing what the law states about breastfeeding in public and protecting the mother’s rights.
Breastfeeding is not only a lifestyle choice but also an important health care choice. Any amount of time that a mother can do it will help both her and the baby. Many benefits of breast milk are noted for mothers, babies, and others. Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the perfect chemical composition of human milk, specifically the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease. The private practice of lactation
Breastfeeding might be considered the next worst thing you could do after procreation, not realizing it is a natural biological aspect of life. People regard breastfeeding in public as inappropriate and believe that women want to breastfeed in public, so they can exhibit their breasts on purpose. In the video “4 Reasons Women Should NEVER Breastfeed in Public,” Kristina Kuzmic sarcastically talks about the reasons why women should never breastfeed in public. “We’re moms, we don’t need to go out in public. We gave up that right when we decided to start popping out babies. We don’t need to go shopping or eat out or have a social life.” This shows how much we still need to progress in our understanding of breastfeeding and its importance for both mother and child. In the article “Why I’m Glad Someone Told Me To Stop Breastfeeding In Public”, Amber Hinds emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding is best for the baby; it is best for the mother; it’s best for the family, best for employers, best for the community and best for the environment” (18). Breastfeeding not only has benefits for the mother and baby, since it can help create an emotional connection, it also helps those around them see that breasts should not be sexualized. Breastfeeding is natural and if women are shamed for breastfeeding in public, it’s unlikely that they will continue doing
Breast milk is best for infants. It reduces the risk for SIDS, which affects approximately 3,500 infants in the United States every year (“Sudden Unexpected Infant”). Babies, especially newborns are very fragile and they can get sick very easily and sometimes a small cold can result in hospitalization, but these odds can be reduced by breastfeeding because babies who are breastfed don 't get sick as often as those who are formula fed. Breast milk can prevent allergies, eczema, ear infections, and stomach problems (Adler). Breast milk also changes to suit a baby’s needs, for instance, it can provide antibodies to prevent an infant from getting sick and alter its
Breastfeeding in public is often viewed as offensive inappropriate or gross. But as a mother you have the rights to feed your child whenever or wherever you want to. I believe it's a mother's duty to feed the child when he/she hungry (debate.org). But when you are feeding your child they must cover their breast with a cloth to give the mother and privacy.
Unlike Minnesota many states don’t have laws requiring employers to give women time to pump. There are very few states which mandate paid time off for a new mother and women in poorer economic situations can’t afford to take time off. Formula is often pushed on new-mothers by hospitals and is heavily advertized on TV. Yet one of the most compelling reasons women won’t breastfeed is due to social pressure not to expose the breast. Even though MN statute 617-23 exempts women who breast feed from indecent exposure, lack of common exposure has led hiding one’s breast to be a social norm. Even those who cover are often scrutinized for this public display of Mother& Child. Almost all women in my family have breastfed in public and each one of them talks about the stares and comments they received. Some even express pumping ahead of time as to avoid the stares – which led to impairment of replenishment of lactose in the breast. A friend of mine who chooses not to cover is often asked to by those around her to do so. I once heard a young woman tell her that the sight of it “made her uncomfortable”. This is probably because we almost never see boobs free in public, and when we do they are sexualized to an unattainable
Breastfeeding is the oldest style of feeding a baby. It’s existed since the start of time. In fact, out of all the mammals that exist on this planet, each one of them nurses their babies, including humans. Recently, breastfeeding publically has been seen as indecent. Why would society frown on the most natural and beautiful act a mother can do for her child? Nearly daily women are asked to leave public places when they’re feeding their kids because someone believes it 's indecent or perverted, despite the efforts that are made to promote breastfeeding as positive. Breastfeeding isn 't indecent or perverted; but, several people assume it should be hidden and out of the general public eye. It’s a women’s right to nurse her child anyplace she
Children need the benefits that come from breast milk. Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their child before they risk further damages concerning their well-being. Breastfeeding has become a huge part of development in a child’s life in creating a longer life expectancy. “One large study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that children who are breastfed have a 20 percent lower risk of dying between the ages of 28 days and 1 year than children who weren't breastfed, with longer breastfeeding associated with lower risk” (Babycenter). With the child's life at risk, it has become critical for a mother to breastfeed her child. It is very imperative that a child receives the care and nutrients it needs to survive. Higher levels of nutrients through breast milk have given the child the ability to survive
For many years, woman’s breast have been sexualized due to breastfeeding, there has been an excessive amount of hatred and arguments surrounding the topic of; breastfeeding in public. Some individuals believe it is disturbing and intrusive, while others are completely supportive and find it to be natural. There are many opinions and point of views that are for and not for breastfeeding in public that are reasonable, it all depends on the level of maturity. Society has considered breastfeeding in public being a sense of disturbance, however; breastfeeding is the most natural element of life and tremendous amounts of support must be given toward mothers instead of shaming them for essentially keeping their child alive by feeding them when desired.
When a child is born, the very first breathe of life can be infectious due to all of the diseases around us. For an infant, the immune system may be functioning, but is not as strong as the father’s or mothers. Human Milk is known as being species-specific, and is uniquely superior for the feeding of an infant. For the child’s health, breast milk does a lot more than just helping with basic nutrition. Breath milk is very high in fat and contains all the vitamins and nutrients a baby will need during the first 6 months of life, is it also packed with disease-fighting antibodies transported from the mother who will protect an infant from diseases and illnesses they are constantly exposed to during daily life. Certain diseases such as stomach versus, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections and even meningitis occur less often to a breast fed baby then a formula fed baby.
An infant who is breastfed receives added health benefits compared to a child who is formula fed. In the first few days after birth, the breast milk is comprised of protein, vitamins A and E, and antibodies which help protect the infant from infection. After the first few days, the mature breast milk contains fats and cholesterol, which are essential for the growth and development of the infant’s nervous system, eyes, and brain. It also contains micronutrients calcium and magnesium, which are beneficial to the infant’s growth (Thompson et al., 2010).
However, some people think of breastfeeding as Nudity. Breasts are viewed as sexual items rather than a natural way of providing nutrients and comfort for a child. Anxiety about breastfeeding in front of other people affects breastfeeding for women with low self-confidence or who feel society disapproves of breastfeeding in public. They start to feel uncomfortable. Women should be able to have rights to legally breastfeed their babies in public. Mothers report that that they felt more comfortable breastfeeding in a park than a shopping mall. In some cases, women are asked to leave the premise due to them breastfeeding. Parents do not want to explain to their children about breastfeeding. So, they label breastfeeding in public indecent. Parents who are concerned about their children asking questions should just explain to them. This will help people understand the benefits of breastfeeding.
The benefits listed above that affect a baby/toddler, up to two years old, physically include the lowered risk for ear infections, Sudden Infant Death syndrome, asthma and eczema, and a stronger immune system. Regarding middle ear infections, there was a study that compared infants that were only fed formula and infants breastfed only. The results showed that those who were formula-fed experienced a greater risk of about 70% for developing an ear infection (Scariati et al., 1997). SIDS is one of the more worrisome risks to watch out for with a new baby because it is still not completely understood how it occurs. With results supporting breast milk’s part in reducing the risk for SIDS, a case study looked into sixty-three unexpected infant deaths and separated them into one of three categories; nineteen infants suffered from SIDS,