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Should Breastfeeding be Allowed in Public? Brittney Moore The University of Cincinnati 4 April 2014

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Abstract In society today, it is common to be exposed to images of sexuality on a daily basis. Images on television, billboards, magazines, and even some prescription drug commercials can be very suggestive. It has become so commonplace that many in society simply do not notice it anymore. People may walk by these images on the street and think nothing of it. While the image of a woman dressed provocatively in a lingerie ad may not raise any eyebrows, it seems that when breasts witnessed being used for their intended purpose, many people become offended. The purpose of this research paper is to address the issue of breastfeeding in public.

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Brittney Moore Dr. Karin Mendoza Intermediate English Composition (ENGL-2089) 9 April 2014 Should Breastfeeding be permitted in public? In todays society, we are constantly bombarded with images of sexuality. Sexually provocative or suggestive images are everywhere from the television, billboards, magazine articles; even prescription drug advertisements can have a degree of inappropriateness. It has become so commonplace that many people just do not notice it anymore. It rarely raises an eyebrow, unless it is to the extreme. There is, however, something that if witnessed in public has been known to raise more than a few eyebrows and quite a lot of controversy- Breastfeeding. It seems commonplace to most to view breasts in a suggestive light, but when breasts are being used for their intended purpose, the public is not sure how to handle it. I work as an OB/Labor and Delivery RN. Obstetrics is my passion in nursing. Every day, we encourage moms to breast feed their children, so the issue of a mothers rights when it comes to breastfeeding their child is near and dear to my heart. It is my belief that successful support of breastfeeding moms will not only benefit their own child, but the health of society as a whole. The experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons the joyful bonding with your baby, the cost savings, and the health benefits for both mother and baby. (womenshealth.gov). Breastfeeding provides many health benefits to not only baby, but mom as well. Breast milk provides baby with important nutrients and antibodies. It is easy for baby to digest and contains the perfect combination of fat, sugar, water, and protein that baby needs to grow. Breast milk will never be subject to recall, thus is it safer than formula. Breastfed babies

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have lower occurrences of lower respiratory infections, Type II Diabetes, asthma, and obesity when compared to formula fed babies. Store-bought formula just cannot replicate the benefits that breast milk provides. Breastfeeding is also beneficial to mom. Moms do not have to prepare, heat, or store breast milk. It is always available, prepared, and the correct temperature. There is no need for storage of bottles, everything is ready in an instant. Breastfeeding also saves a lot of money. The close contact that breastfeeding provides allows for a close bond to be formed between mom and baby. Breastfeeding has also been linked to a lower risk of Type II Diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers, and postpartum depression. (womenshealth.gov) If breastfeeding is so beneficial, why do so many take offense? Why do they worry about exposing their children to a breastfeeding mother, but think nothing of exposing their children to womens lingerie advertisements on television and in print? On a recent cover of Time magazine, a mother was shown breastfeeding her four year old son. Not many will remember what the article was about, most will remember the knee-jerk reaction it caused in the vast majority of the public. Breastfeeding in public is a protected right in some states. Ohio law states, 3781.55 Breast-feeding in places of public accommodation. A mother is entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation wherein the mother otherwise is permitted. (breastfeedinglaws.com). In many cases, business owners can still ask a breastfeeding mother to stop or move to a more private area. If she refuses, she may be subject to trespassing under basic property laws. The considerable variability in attitudes towards breastfeeding in public places among managers suggests there is not always a supportive environment for breastfeeding, which may deter mothers from breastfeeding in these places, hence undermining their ability to

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breastfeed successfully. (McIntyre, Turnbull, & Hiller, 1999) More and more public places have set up rooms to accommodate breastfeeding mothers. While this is looked at as a step in the right direction for some, others still hang on to the hope that they may breastfeed in public and not behind closed doors or confined to the bathroom. After all, who wants to eat in a public bathroom? Recently in the news, there have been more than a few examples of violations of mothers right to breastfeed their babies. In Canada, a breastfeeding mother was asked to use an empty dressing room instead of discreetly feeding her child on a bench. In Canada, as in the United States, mothers have the legal right to breast feed their children when and where they please. The mother stated that,Even though Im sure no one noticed what had happened, I was humiliated. ("Superstore customer told to breastfeed in changing room", n.d.,) A mother shopping in a Texas Victorias Secret asked to use an empty dressing room to feed her son, but was promptly denied and told to use the alley behind the store to feed her child. Clawson left and fed her son in a public restroom, where she felt humiliated and confused. She says she thought Victorias Secret was a company that celebrated womens bodies and was surprised theyd treat a breastfeeding woman that way. ("Victoria's Secret store bans mom from breastfeeding", 2014) If breastfeeding in public is viewed as overstepping the limits of propriety, this poses a barrier to exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no additional commercial formula, water, or other foods) for the recommended minimum time of 4 to 6 months (Sheeshka et al., 2001) Breastfeeding is a choice. It is the best and most healthy choice for both mom and baby. It can also be an uncomfortable choice. While the public seems to be the only party offended by a breastfeeding mom, the mom herself is often embarrassed to be singled out. While trying to make the healthiest

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decision and nurture her child, she is pointed out and ridiculed and sometimes asked to leave. If she is not asked to leave, she may be asked to take her infant to the bathroom to feed. The use of a nursing cover or blanket can protect the mom from exposing herself, but sometimes it is the blanket itself that draws the attention. Recently in Scotland, Midwives are pushing for legislature that would make it illegal to ban a woman from breastfeeding in public. They state that, Stopping breastfeeding in public is like telling people not to drink water. Mothers should never feel reluctant to breastfeed. (Call to back breastfeeding) It is my belief that a mother should be allowed to nurse in public without drawing the attention of others. She should be able to do so in a comfortable way. If she chooses to use a nursing room, then so be it, but if she is more comfortable sitting in public nursing there should be no problem. The use of a nursing blanket or cover protects against overexposure. Breastfeeding should be encouraged, not ridiculed. Breastfeeding in public is a protected right, although it is not viewed as such. A mother that is making the healthy choice and breastfeeding her child should be admired and praised. She is setting an example for other mothers. If breastfeeding was more widely accepted, perhaps more mothers would choose breast over bottle. When a mother makes the news because she was asked to leave an establishment because she was nursing her child, this may persuade other mothers not breastfeed. No one wants to bring that kind of ridicule and judgment down on themselves. Encouragement and acceptance of breastfeeding in public may not only benefit one mom and baby, but generations to come. During the process of this research, I have learned that support of breastfeeding mothers should begin with the healthcare provider. Adequate support of breastfeeding mothers is very important to the success of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is important to the health of mothers

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and infants, and nurses must be viewed as the patient advocates we are and help support any mother making this wonderful decision concerning her newborn (Eddy) More importantly, should be the nurses focus on the patient. It has been reported that some women have reported feeling pressured or coerced by nurses into breastfeeding their babies. This is an unfortunate byproduct of nurses passion for breastfeeding promotion; a passion that may be influenced by best practice guidelines that endorse the notion that breastfeeding is attainable for all. (Humphries) Breastfeeding can also influence the mothers perception of how successfully she is able to care for her baby. In conclusion, breastfeeding is the healthiest, economical, and safest choice when it comes to feeding baby. While it is a protected right to breastfeed in public, many establishments will still ask a nursing mom to move to a more private area, sometimes the bathroom. Breastfeeding should be encouraged, not ridiculed and rejected. So cover up moms, and feed those babies!

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References Breastfeeding in Public." Womenshealth.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-in-public/index.html>. "Breastfeeding Law: Ohio." Breastfeeding Law RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://breastfeedinglaw.com/state-laws/ohio/>. "Why Breastfeeding Is Important." Womenshealth.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2014. <http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is important/index.html>. "Call to back public breastfeeding." Nursing Standard 20.37 (2006): 9. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. Eddy, T. (2002), Breastfeeding Support. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 31: 131132. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2002.tb00031.x Holohan, M. (2014, January 21). Victoria's Secret store bans mom from breastfeeding. Today.com. Retrieved from http://http://www.today.com/moms/victorias-secret-storebans-mom-breastfeeding-2D11968546 Humphries BSN, MN, RN, J. M. (2011). Breastfeeding Promotion. Does passion for a cause threaten the nurse-patient relationship? AJN, 111(12), 11. McIntyre, E., Turnbull, D., & Hiller, J. E. (1999). Breastfeeding in Public Places. Journal of Human Lactation. doi:10.1177/089033449901500211

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Pickert, K. (2012, May 21). Are You Mom Enough? Time. Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20120521,00.html

Sheeshka, J., Potter, B., Norrie, E., Valaitis, R., Adams, G., & Kuczynski, L. (2001). Womens Experiences Breastfeeding in Public Places. Journal of Human Lactation. doi:10.1177/089033440101700107 Superstore customer told to breastfeed in change room. (2014, February 17). CBC News [Edmonton]. Retrieved from http://http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/superstore-customer-told-to-breastfeedin-change-room-1.2540926

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