Passing this law will not stop the stares, disgusted looks or comments from people against breastfeeding in public. All it will do is allow people to sue others when they feel harassed.

Women breast-feeding in public is not a problem. It is a natural instinct in mammals. But I feel embarrassed when I'm sitting in the mall watching my grandchildren in the play area and look up and happen to see someone breast feeding and she gives me a stare as if I'm staring when I'm not. I think it is natural and that the mother has to also feel it is natural and not feel embarrassed or give people odd looks. Throughout Europe women were breast feeding and no one disturbed them or felt uncomfortable. It is natural, it is healthy and we should encourage anything that keeps our families healthier and together.

To answer the original question... Yes, I absolutely believe this law is necessary. Our country has a strange contradiction between puritanical morals and extremely sexualized media. Women have heard the horror stories about breastfeeding mothers being forced to leave restaurants, malls, public functions. It does make you nervous. Why should a woman be afraid of feeding her child the best way she can? I think it is SAD that we need this law, but until breastfeeding mothers feel safe everywhere, laws like this are a necessity. I hope to see them passed in every state.

@JustAskMe ~ Breastmilk in a bottle is nutritionally better than formula. But you still lose out on valuable immunities and antibodies in that breastmilk just by it being expressed and kept outside of the body for a period of time. Why should I feed my child an inferior substitute for fresh breastmilk because you can't stand to catch a peek at a sliver of skin?

What about the children who refuse a bottle altogether? Many exclusively breastfed children absolutely will.not.drink from a bottle, no matter what after a certain age. My 9 month old will not take any kind of bottle, and we've attempted several types to allow my husband to feed her while I'm volunteering. Should I make her go hungry if we are out at the mall or park all day?

The question should not be "why not bring a bottle for public feedings?" It should be why would a breastfeeding mother bring a bottle in public? A breast is just a body part. There is nothing sexual about a child feeding the way that God/Mother Nature/biology intended. A breast being exposed to feed a child is just as sexual as my neck or wrist or big toe. Should I cover those because you're offended by the color of my toenail polish or the bracelet that I'm wearing?

You have every right to be offended by me breastfeeding my child if you choose to do so. However, your "rights" do not trump my child's NEED to be fed. You can look away if you don't like it, just as I can look away if the person next to me in the food court is chomping loudly with their mouth wide open. Should they be forced to eat in the bathroom because their eating offends me?

Didn't think so.

"laurdsed- You really think if this law is passed more people will breastfeed??? Seriously???"

Yes, absolutely! Breastfeeding rates will increase with this bill. Several physicians and medical experts testified to this fact during committee hearings. In states where there are breastfeeding protection laws, breastfeeding rates have increased. Lack of public protection is one reason (out of many)why WI babies get less breast milk than babies who are born in other states. It's a fact plain and simple. Many mothers will not breastfeed in public out of fear of being confronted and intimidated. Understandable when reading some of the comments on this board. It's easy for someone to say "well, just get a thicker skin.", but until you've been in the position of being treated like a prostitute for just feeding your baby, that is easier said than done.

Physician testimony stated that it's a fact that women who don't breastfeed in public (for whatever reason) breastfeed for less time than those who do. They see it in their practices every day. How sad that a baby gets less healthful benefits of its mother's milk because our society can't get over itself from a little sliver of flesh peaking out.

There are numerous examples of requiring legislation in order to change public opinion for the public good. Think of the rights of those with disabilities. Many STILL argue that these accommodations put undue hardship on businesses. Until legislation happened, many disabled persons couldn't even hold jobs if they could not gain access to buildings. People with disabilities are now more productive and have more public standing because the nation decided it's within a disabled person's rights to have accessibility to public accommodations.

That's just one example out of so many! Racial segregation, drunk driving, air pollution, I could go on and on. We live in a civilized society based on equality of it's people. Your discomfort of seeing a baby at the breast does not trump the right of that baby eat. It's as simple as that.

Justaskme: why would a breastfeeding mother bring a bottle when they are out in public? Why should I go out of my way to sit for an hour at home and pump milk, prepare bottles, pray that my baby will actually TAKE the bottle....all just because some stranger *might* be uncomfortable with the fact that my baby is nursing?

OK, let's not get titillated over this story!!!

JustAskMe- as stated in my post:When a mother feels that it is not safe to nurse in public she then tries to express milk and use a bottle to deliver the milk to the baby. This creates a downward spiral of missed feedings, a decreased supply, and using formula.

The more feedings a baby misses, the more a mother's supply decreases, and she can't go pump while out in public if she's supposed to be feeding a baby at the same time. And besides that, when a mother is being discrete, why should she hide what she is doing? This is the best way to feed you baby, and if more people see it in action it will become the norm once again.

BayMom - the value of breastfeeding at home is well accepted. But why not bring a bottle for public feedings?

JustAskMe
Feb 17, 2010 at 4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal Hopefully the Governor will veto this legislation. Everything has it's place - in the home in this case - and breast-feeding mothers should not be allowed to act so carelessly and irresponsibly in public.

That is stupid you know.
Barefoot and pregnant and cannot leave home because the baby may need food sometime other than 6,12 and 4???????

I agree some of those teens are showing more boob than a woman breastfeeding their baby. Don't LOOK and you will be fine!

I don't agree with whipping out the whole boob and chest area. I little discretion is good. I don't agree "do it in the bathroom" YUK

Baymom- no restaurant foods for Justaskme!

I also agree a 5 year old shouldn't be breastfeed. I remember being at a friends house and the kid ASKED for milk. I don't remember the term the kid used.

truelove- the bill isn't against breastfeeding. It is so people cannot harass women that do and would get into trouble for doing so.

It seems to me that people are taking this bill out of context. The purpose is to prevent mothers and babies from being harrased in public, which can severly damage the breastfeeding realtionship. When a mother feels that it is not safe to nurse in public she then tries to express milk and use a bottle to deliver the milk to the baby. This creates a downward spiral of missed feedings, a decreased supply, and using formula.

This bill is not being enacted to prevent people from sharing thier feelings about breastfeeding. To debate is good, but we must realize that the reason for this law is well founded, mothers have been harrased and run out of stores becasue they were trying to do what is best for thier child. To breastfeed on demand means that your child knows his needs are being met and trust is developing, all of which means less crying you hear in public!

So while I hope that every mother will do her best to make an informed decison about whehter or not to breastfeed, we must protect the mothers who have made this decison until our culture can see that breast can truly carry out two purposes. So guys, feel free to be attreacted to breasts, but also remember that sometimes they have a job to do and shouldn't be disturbed.

So kjane instead of leaving and going to another location to nurse, you stayed and allowed people to treat you this way?? You let your child be scared by 3 security guards so that you could nurse on a bench in front of someone who didn't want you to nurse there. Perhaps you should have confronted this issue with mall management LATER.

laurdsed- You really think if this law is passed more people will breastfeed??? Seriously???

I want to clarify that this bill is not about protecting mothers from discouraging glances, or even unfriendly words. What is happening is that women are being confronted, told that they are not welcome, asked repeatedly to leave, intimidated (3 security gaurds????) to the point that the process of feeding their infants is being prevented.
Do you see the difference? I tried to ignore it, go about my business, and literally COULD NOT feed my baby.

Go back and read my first comment. I said IF you don't like it, look away, I am offering an alternative to interfering with a natural process.
I could care less if people saw me breastfeeding my baby. I understand why, when it's such an uncommon sight for many, that they would be curious. I actually encourage you to look, until it's the most normal everyday thing to you.

"It's a two way street....don't complain when we do look."

Well, the bill was not about people <<looking>> at breastfeeding mothers, was it. The bill's intended purpose is about protecting mothers from being harassed and kicked out of public establishments for feeding their children.

I think restaurants should encourage public breastfeeding. Imagine the publicity Hooters could get advertising a Baby's Night.

"People who don't want to see a breast used for it's intended purpose... look away. Or better yet, throw a blanket over your head."

It's a two way street....don't complain when we do look.

I was involved with advocating for this legislation as part of a grassroots movement of breastfeeding families who felt that public awareness campaigns were not doing enough to encourage breastfeeding in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is woefully behind in breastfeeding rates in comparison to the rest of the nation. At the Senate and Assembly hearings, there were dozens upon dozens of families that provided testimony about the child's right to eat when hungry being trampled over in public establishments. Women have been treated horribly (!) here in Wisconsin for breastfeeding their children. Unfortunately, for many women, the fear of being treated badly for doing what is best often means that their children don't get breastmilk for very long. What a shame. So, if it's a law that's needed to get ignorant people to understand that a mother is doing what is best for her child, then so be it.

The point of business owners' rights was also brought up during the hearings. Yes, this is a common sense issue. However, it is also felt that this is an issue of the common good. Just like businesses are now required to make their establishments minimally accessible to those with disabilities, so should a mother be able to feed her hungry baby when she's otherwise authorized to be there. This is not an issue of the "liberals controlling the nanny state", this bill was widely supported and co-sponsored on BOTH sides of the aisle. Once our legislators were educated about this issue and its importance for public health, it was widely supported (often unanimously) in a bipartisan manner.

I personally have breastfed one child with out incident, then with my next baby was harrassed by a woman who worked at a mall kiosk for nursing my newborn on a bench, aside my 4 year old, while waiting for my husband to make a purchase and return. She insisted I stop feeding my baby, loudly, demanding me to leave, falsely claiming it was against mall policy. She summoned 3 security gaurds, you know, just for good measure, and to terrify my 4year old I guess. It was very upsetting to be in that hostile environment, just trying to feed my screaming infant who was startled by the stranger. Since coming forward with my story I have heard from many others in WI about this type of harrassment. It is often not a business owner or manager, but other employee making up false restrictions due to their own discomfort. People who don't want to see a breast used for it's intended purpose... look away. Or better yet, throw a blanket over your head.

Obviously everyone who is saying this law is useless has never been harassed for nursing in public or told to "do that" in the bathroom. I have been around NUMEROUS nursing mothers in public and I see less skin than I see on 13 year olds at Rockport pool. Yet somehow a woman feeding her baby is the indecent one??

YES the fact that this law needs to be passed is unfortunate but it is necessary.

The sooner our community starts viewing breastfeeding as a normal & crucial part of raising a child, the better.

If you were serious with your comment, your first sentence alone would have sufficed.

"Do we really need to see a mother breast feeding a 12 year old at the mall?"

No, we don't need to.

But I'll bet many 12 year old boys would love to see their 12 year old classmates in that position.

Just when did you lose touch with reality officerfriendly?

Is there an age limit for the child in this bill? Do we really need to see a mother breast feeding a 12 year old at the mall?

How is this any different if we are eating a sandwhich or drinking a soda or a water in public? And don't they tell mom's to be, that breast milk is better anyways? How can you pass a bill that's says a mother can not feed her baby!!! SNAP OUT OF IT PEOPLE!!!

Me - I'm just a poor northwoods boy. Can you women tell me - should I still find breasts sexy or not?

Do we "need" a law? No technically it is NOT illegal
now to Breastfeed in public but I believe that with the law
passed it will empower woman to feel confident to nurse in public.

In my opinion it is because of ignorant people that think it
should only be done @ home that this law is needed!!!!

JustAskMe, are you seriously saying that you think that women should be locked up inside their homes for two years after the birth of each child if they choose to breastfeed? In case you're unaware, breastfed babies have their own timetables for eating, and it's impossible to plan all outings around an infant's timing.

How would you feel if you were told that eating was something that, from now on, you could only do in your own home? Not happy, I'd suspect -- and infants tend to need to be fed every four hours or so.

I breastfed my daughter for a year. I did it in public many times and showed much less skin than some women who have their boobs almost hanging out. If someone said a word to me (nobody every did) god help them because they would get an earful that's for sure. It is no ones right to tell anyone where or how they should feed their child. If my baby was hungry and I was out in public was I supposed to deny her food? Heck no!! Again, the way some women dress is much more offensive than a woman doing something very natural...feeding her baby! I can't believe we even need a law for this. Stupid.

Breast feeding a child is one of the most wonderful things a Mom can do. Precious for both of you. A Mom should never feel like it is inappropriate. People seem to have strong negative opinions on this topic. GROW UP!!! Its natural.

Hopefully the Governor will veto this legislation. Everything has it's place - in the home in this case - and breast-feeding mothers should not be allowed to act so carelessly and irresponsibly in public.

Is Barney Phife at our mall going to ticket the perves standing around and watching you know they will!

I didn't think it was against the law before.

Once this law is passed will non breastfeeding moms get one to protect them from those who press judgement against them for their choice???? This law is useless and a waste of the governments time and money.

Carrisford-

"gap in legislation?" Seriously? First off, on any warm day on State Street YOU WILL SEE BOOBS. All over. Maybe not nipples, but certainly a healthy amount of bounding, round, SKIN.... they're called college students with tank tops. Or bikini tops. Take a look at fashion lately?

A nursing mother shows less skin than an average coastie.

Carrisford - I've read nothing in regards to what you say is behind this law. What I've read is that this bill will allow women to do this in public without the public's interference. Nothing about women wanting to go to the streets with no shirts on. ?!?!?!?

"As a breast-feeding mother of two I am in 100% support of this bill. I nursed both of my children until 13 & 14 months of age & feel that specifically in the Janesville community we need more awareness & consideration to nursing mothers. I think that this bill would just help moms feel more comfortable & @ east about nursing in public! Great article!"
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First off, I guess I've missed the deluge of stories in the news of the poor breastfeeding mothers being thrown out into the streets. Second, at what point does the state decide that they can actually leave some things up to the citizen or the business owner. After all, the state now tells businesses that people can't smoke, tells them what they must pay, if the liberals get their way the state will be dictating the number of paid sick days people get, and on and on. Enough. It's called common sense people. If you're breastfeeding your child use a fraction of discretion and I'm sure you'll be fine. I love all these third world country references, as though that should be the model we strive to emulate. Just another example of the nanny state having to interfere in people's everyday lives to "solve" a problem that doesn't really exist.

You know in third world countries this is not even a issue, but in prim and proper U.S.A the sight of a bare breast is such a big deal when will this country catch up with the rest of the world and just not make such a big deal about everything. We are suppose to be adults but yet we all act like little kids.

Such legislation is necessary to avoid women from parading shirtless down State Street in Madison. I wish I was kidding, but what invariably happens if laws don't define breastfeeding as an acceptable way of breaking existing public exposure laws, the ones who like to "push the envelope" by going topless under the banner of "because guys can, why can't we?" will get what they want. I wish we didn't have to legislate common sense, but there are enough crazy people out there who like to use a gap in legislation as an "opportunity" to do what they want.

Once again society needing / letting the Government tell them what they can and cannot do.

Anyone who has a problem with this bill is a real boob.

Comments on this subject are best avoided.

I completely support that you can feed anywhere, but was it "illegal" in some places? Was this necessary?

What an improvement! Too many places seem to think a woman should go to the restroom to bf -- germ city! This should cut down on security guard harassment of women in malls and other public places who need to nurse.

In my experience it is often uncomfortable to breast-feed in public in the Janesville area. I get "looks" or people intentionally avoid looking at me all together (and I wear a cover every time). Whereas I have never felt uncomfortable nursing in Madison, which seems to be generally more accepting of breast-feeding.

So this law would have the effect of mothers knowing that they have every right to feed their child when needed. Even if others are unaware of the law, at least it will provide some peace of mind that we are, in fact, doing nothing wrong. And hopefully it will stimulate some public education and awareness around the importance of breast-feeding that will make it more accepted in this area.

I got a funny look from an elderly male mall walker once, (I was on a bench near Lenscrafters, I think) but otherwise, I had no problems breastfeeding my children in public. I tried to be discrete and select corners or other out-of the way places. Both for discretion and to decrease distractions for the baby. (Not bathrooms! Yuck!)
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I think public awareness should be the issue, not necessarily making a law about it.

It's good thing the child in the picture has long arms or it wouldn't be able to reach that necklace

Why is the only way to get community support passing a bill? There are many organizations that promote breast-feeding. Laws are not intended to promote awareness.

It was the breast idea to do this law.

They may have been doing it since the beginning of time but people didn't have the delicate sensibilities they do now. I'm not a woman but I do have friends wives that have breast-fed. There needs to be a law, unfortunate as that is, to protect women that want to.

Unnecessary ..
Woman have been doing it since the beginning of time!

The bill is totally, 100% necessary. Any support/protection we, as breastfeeding mothers/families, can get is a step towards breastfeeding becoming 'the norm' again. I've never personally been criticized for nursing in public but I do feel it is so important to have this bill & protection in place so it can stay that way.

As a breast-feeding mother of two I am in 100% support of this bill. I nursed both of my children until 13 & 14 months of age & feel that specifically in the Janesville community we need more awareness & consideration to nursing mothers. I think that this bill would just help moms feel more comfortable & @ east about nursing in public! Great article!