Mothers speak up for the right to breastfeed, regardless the place
Apr 4, 2012, 2:53 PM | Updated: Apr 5, 2012, 8:28 am
Seattle City Council met with the public, including mothers defending their right to breastfeed, at a public comment meeting on Wednesday. (Image courtesy Seattle.gov)
(Image courtesy Seattle.gov)
Breastfeeding moms told the Seattle City Council it should
be against the law to make them cover up or move elsewhere
to breastfeed their babies.
At a hearing on Wednesday, one mother spoke of the
embarrassment that came after some suggested she feed her
baby in a bathroom stall. “Would you bring your lunch to a
bathroom stall?” the mother asked the council.
Mothers said that sometimes, suggestions from people to
move other places can be so upsetting that it can effect
the emotional component of breastfeeding. “It can make it
so you don’t have milk to give to your baby,” a mother
testified.
Yet another mother suggested that instead of requesting
breastfeeding mothers to move somewhere seemingly more
private, they should be congratulating that mother for
making a ‘healthy choice.’
On April 9, the council’s expected to vote on the
ordinance that would make it illegal to tell a mother to
cover up, move, or leave an establishment when she’s
breastfeeding.
A person found guilty would have to pay a fine or take a
class.
In Washington state, if a mother is breastfeeding,
regardless of where she does it, she cannot be fined for
indecent exposure.
