Should Women be Able to Breastfeed in Public?
Doylestown is considering a breastfeeding ordinance to protect the rights of women to breastfeed in public.
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In Pennsylvania, women have the legal right to breastfeed in public. But just because it is a state law doesn't mean that all businesses are aware of the law or uphold it.
To ensure businesses don't infringe on a woman's right to breastfeed, many places—including Doylestown—are drafting ordinances to protect this right.
At a meeting on Monday, July 16, Doylestown Borough Council president Det Ansinn asked his colleagues to look into drafting an ordinance that would make it illegal for Doylestown businesses to infringe on a woman's right to breastfeed.
"We want to protect women who breastfeed their children in town," Ansinn said. "It’s a public health issue. [Breastfeeding] is permitted by law, and we want to make sure that our businesses and public places are following the law."
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 45 states have laws specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are among them.
In April, one northwestern city took those protections a step farther. The city of Seattle passed an ordinance making it illegal for a business to ask a mother to leave or to cover herself or the baby while feeding.
And the new federal healthcare legislation enacted protections for employees who need to pump breast milk for their babies. The new law requires that businesses and institutions provide "a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk."
Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll and commenting below.
Kathleen
9:09 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Obviously Det Ansinn did not learn from his defeat in the last election. Citizens are not interested in his social re-engineering.
Λάρισα0
1:11 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A woman should ABSOLUTELY be permitted to breastfeed in public! It's NATURAL to provide sustenance to an infant via breasts. No one should have a problem with women breastfeeding! That would be like having a problem with people using public restrooms or eating in public. It is NATURAL. It's absurd that this question even has to be asked.
Kathleen
9:55 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
It is natural to use toilets and make love; however, I do not wish to be privy to the acts.
Λάρισα0
10:09 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
You mustn’t have any kids. Heaven forbid a baby eats in front of you. Perhaps you should stop eating in public as well.. People don’t want to be privy to watching you eat if a baby isn’t permitted to eat in your presence!
Kathleen
10:29 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I do have children; however, all of us eat from plates using knives and forks.....not exactly the same as breast feeding.
Pete Krenshaw
10:12 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
You are missing the point... It already is a law and really is not up for debate despite what the article and survey states.
My question is since it is a law, why do we need to be redundant and pass local ordinances to reinforce it? To me it appears Det Ansinn and Doylestown is just wasting time when there are probably more important issues to be dealt with.
Millie Edmonds
7:53 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
It is natural for a woman to breast feed her baby. If you don't like it, then turn your head the other way, and stop staring!
bruce west
7:54 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
If you do not prefer to look at a woman breast feeding, perhaps turn your eyes elsewhere. We raised two children and when those little gems are hungry it is prudent to feed them. And IMO, it is a natural act.
Kathleen
9:07 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The way it works here in the U.S. is the majority rules. If the majority is offended by a woman baring her breast in public, than the breast-feeding mother must exercise modesty and not offend the majority.
Kathleen
9:11 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The world does not revolve around your two "little gems," and those who feel baring the breasts in public to be offensive should be given the same consideration as your "little gems."
Kathleen
10:53 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Public breastfeeding may be legal; it doesn't make it acceptable to those of us who are offended by women baring their breasts in public.
On Det Ansinn, I totally, 100% agree. Surely we can do better selecting those who are paid by our tax dollars.
Pete Krenshaw
10:59 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
It does surprise me that some women are not as modest as others as far as "covering up" when breastfeeding.
Pamela
11:17 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
As you see from the comments this is not an issue that ,just because it is law, everyone accepts it. There are many owners that will ask a woman to "cover up" or leave if the other customers are uncomfortable, regardless of law. It is a matter of making the customer happy. Personally, I breastfed my children. It was better for them and cheaper. HOWEVER I have a big problem with women who can not be polite and considerate of others by throwing something over their shoulder to "cover up" while in public. Yes, it is natural , however I don't need my teenage boy seeing your boobs. I also don't want to see a child who is old enough to drink out of a cup walking up to you and asking for drink, while you whip one out from under your shirt. This is not Europe, this is America and there are certain culture differences that one has to respect.
Kathleen
11:28 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Pamela, you said it best. I wouldn't argue with one point you made.
Λάρισα0
12:23 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Yes, covering up while breastfeeding is ideal. As a breastfeeding mother, I myself covered up in public so no one would see my breasts. There are theme parks, such as Knoebel's, that have provided specified stations for breastfeeding mothers.. Kudos to them! However, a woman should not be asked to leave or approached if she is modestly breastfeeding her child. I agree with many who posted.. If you see an issue with the act, turn your head.
Lavender Green
3:34 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Although breast feeding a baby is a very natural thing I do believe some provisions should be made out in public, like go to the restroom and do it, yes there are a lot of restaurants that do not have chairs or anything to sit on, that actually is the problem, a public place should make it easier for a mother to nurse in the privacy of the ladies room so not to upset other guests. But there are some who are going to protest this and say, but its natural, yes so is going to the bathroom and that too is something that should not be done in public
CyD252
10:33 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I support breastfeeding in public, because a baby being breastfed in public is a baby that's not crying in public. And I'm good with that.
Lavender Green
9:37 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
There is a time and place for everything and yes i agree a baby not crying is a wonderful thing however some people (and it actually does not bother me) have issues with this and for sanitary reasons and just sheer respect of ones self one should in a public place, unless there is no other way, go into the restroom. Or better yet why dont the mother ask people if its going to be an issue. We dont live in the stone age and most places will work with you
CyD252
11:19 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Lavender - Are you really suggesting that one should feed a baby in a public restroom ... "for sanitary reasons?"
Lavender Green
12:52 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
I am saying that more places with public restrooms should make provisions for mothers to feed their children, to make it safe and comfortable for them, its not only nursing its also for those who would say have to have insulin, I think that mothers should want the privacy not want to just sit in public and do it, its common courtesy, but honestly people need to do what they need to do, just my opinion
Pamela
1:08 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Everyone agree that breastfeeding is natural and a right. However the problem is that those who are most vocal, are the ones that refuse to cover up and be modest about it in public. It is what my mother called "a lack of consideration and manners". It may be a right to breastfeed, however it is also a right to not have to see it in public. Most people don't have a problem with the breastfeeding, it is the inconsiderate manner in which they opening display their body parts for everyone to see. Not everyone is comfortable with seeing a woman's naked boob while eating their dinner or walking with their children. Your rights should not walk over someone else's right. We should not have to turn our heads while eating. You should cover up in public and be considerate of others.
CyD252
10:26 am on Saturday, July 21, 2012
There are many things which I'd rather not see in public. Especially when it comes to people of a certain physique wearing specific styles of summer-wear or beach-wear.
Should these people also be legally required to "cover-up?" Or should I be expected to "turn my head?"
Pamela
10:08 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
actually I much prefer to stare and comment. "Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should" or "Just because it's in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it" and I do believe summer wear and beach wear is still covering your private parts, and if it isn't there are ordinances already written on what is acceptable....
CyD252
11:09 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Fair enough... It sounds like you're willing to cut questionably-attired plus-size people some slack. But you're not willing to extend similar tolerance to a far-less-common situation that actually serves a productive purpose?
Yes - if a restaurant or a store offers facilities specifically for breastfeeding mothers (facilities that don't double as a place where people crap) - that's great. But such facilities are very rare.
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