I agree with the people who say breastfeeding is a natural thing and best for your baby.I have 3 children and breastfed all of them. Of course you want to be as discreet as possible. The looks some people give when a baby is crying in public are annoying and if you can't feed the baby when needed that's what happens. Some people are so judgemental about why the baby is crying but also don't want you to feed in public! You can't win for losing. I also agree with the person who said that a bikini can be worse than a breastfeeding mother, and society thinks that is fine!! Some ladies dress so immodestly, their breasts and down below hair is almost fully exposed and guys think that is sexy???!!! Our priorities are all messed up. Breastfeeding is a natural thing and 99% of women are very discreet and sometimes you don't even know it's happening.

It IS sad that there has to be a law to assist with this "problem". On the other hand, to me, it makes more sense to let the mothers be and deal with the ones who abuse their time in public. I was walking through a fair in La Crosse last summer and a woman had her entire shirt and bra pulled up, walking around with a baby attatched on one side and her other boob just flopping around. THAT'S not the way to be discrete and it's not a good place to have children running around saying "mommy, what's that?"

Biggirl: I know several women in Janesville that have been asked to leave establishments or to feed their baby in the bathroom. Many local businesses/public places in Janesville have also refused to display the Breastfeeding Moms Welcome emblems. One even took down the emblem and changed their policy after a customer complained that a mom was feeding their child in the store. And this was a store geared toward healthy living.

Give me one instance, or indeed several, in which this has been a problem. We only make government bigger and bigger and our lives more complex when we always look to the law. It's most absurd, of course, when we do so even when no right has been infringed. But, it MIGHT, they tell us, so they will protect us from some future ill.

I support Breastfeeding Mamas, yes I do.

I feel INSULTED when people imply that we are doing something OBSCENE or SEXUAL with our babies. Anyone who believes that ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Pumping and formula can also compromise supply thereby compromising the sensitive breastfeeding relationship. As simple as it sounds, it's not. Breastfeeding is tragically misunderstood in our society. If you want to understand it better, visit kellymom.com

Yes, we do need a law. Mom's feel more comfortable going OUT into the world when they know the law supports them FULLY.

Mama's who "didn't have enough milk" didn't get enough support. SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING MAMAS!!!

I am sad to see this issue has to be made into a law. I breastfed my children and was ostracized for doing so in public. I never, just "whipped it out' and fed them; I was always discrete about it and used a receiving blanket to cover both of us. I never felt so bad as when I was asked to feed my baby in the bathroom at a restaurant. I told them to eat their dinner in the bathroom if they saw fit, but I would not feed my child there. There are plenty of women out there who would love to let everyone see what mother nature gave them, but that is not what this is about. Breast feeding should be allowed everywhere, at any time. Pumping milk ahead of time does not produce as much as the baby will eat at one sitting for most women and is really uncomfortable. I was fortunate that I was able to be a stay at home mother when all my kids were young. Not everyone is afforded this luxury. It's not a big deal to feed your baby, by whatever means (breast or bottle) unless you do it with a slingshot from across the room ;)

Geez it is the human anatomy and if you see a brest with the baby in the way you are to close. If it bothers you dont LOOK Turn your head and go on with life. A law for something that has been around far longer than the laws themself have, just tells me how screwed up our justice system is. I dont think we need laws for what is THEE natural way of feeding your child...Just remember if you get arrested in Rock Co.you'll get a plea bargain.

I'm all fine with breastfeeding also, but I don't think the breast an everything needs to be exposed- and why are women even comfortable exposing this to just anyone in the public? My friends were comfortable with me, but I've known them for years. I had one friend who wasn't comfortable with anyone but her husband so she went up to the bedroom. Out at the mall, my friends and I sat on a side wing away from the crowds and she still was discreet. We also went to the "nursing area" by the restrooms- there are some stores that actually have a comfortable place for breastfeeding moms. I remember the first time I waitressed in high school and saw a mom do that while I was trying to take orders. I didn't know what to think because it was embarrassing for me and I didn't see that before.
So.....the next thing.....if this bill will protect mothers from harrassment...what about not harrassing mothers that choose not to breastfeed? I know people that had comments made to them for bottlefeeding their child. Sometimes it just doesn't work for the mom or child...and it is a personal decision for ALL MOMS and no one needs to force any woman to do something they aren't comfortable with themselves. It's a big committment and it's not always easy and natural as it is expected to be. Some moms just don't produce enough or the baby just doesn't go with it...but it's nobody's business except mom and baby.

I beleive this law is necessary because it will give new mothers the courage to do whats best for their child with out fear of harrasement.

Also, when I breastfeed my little boy I dont use a blanket, and you would only see my chest from the baby's point of view, and if you are that close to me, wheather I am feeding him or not, you have a harasement case coming your way.

evansvillehousewife - I'm not against breast feeding in public, my post was strictly satirical.

All of you who want breastfeeding moms to cover up with a blanket.....why don't you try to eat with a blanket over your head and see how comfortable that is!!!

Hey, if we can eat out in public, why can't the kid? I would rather see a child nurse than some of these obnoxious people at the all you can eat buffets. Some of those people have as much finesse as a hog on the farm. Grow up people...see breasts for what they are for...to feed a child!

This law is not so much about the mother's breastfeeding as it is about managers, storeowners, librarians, etc not being able to force these women to leave a public place because they are breastfeeding their child.

There are exemptions to the laws already on the books. Is this new law really necessary? Shouldn't the lawmakers be worried more about state spending instead? It's the economy stupid!

Wis. Stat. § 944.17(3), § 944.20(2) and § 948.10(2) (1995) provide that breastfeeding mothers are not in violation of criminal statutes of indecent or obscene exposure. (AB 154)

Are there laws against breast feeding any place in Wisconsin?? I have wittnessed breast feeding at the Rock County fair, at the Sun Prairie Corn Festival, and at church. Is there really a need for a law? Don't the Wis. legislators have bigger fish to fry?

Bottles are fine for those that have a serious medical reason not to breastfeed or must be separated from their baby for long amounts of time, otherwise babies need to nurse from their mothers. Bottles are harmful to the environment to produce and clean, can contain poisonous chemicals, increase the chances of pathogen contamination of the milk, and begin the break down the mother child bond created by breastfeeding. Those are not risks I would take solely for the sake of convenience, especially someone else's convenience. And then of course the bottle would be at the wrong temperature and if it didn't all get used would have to be thrown away. Many women cannot get the hang pumping and it just doesn't work. It's not the same as having a baby there sucking. I am not starting an argument here about breast vs bottle as that's a whole different idea. This discussion is assuming a woman is already breastfeeding. Let me tell you I made many a scene with baby number one (out of 4) trying to force a bottle on her because that was what was expected. She hated them and for the few months she was in daycare refused them from her care providers. My second wouldn't take bottles from a sitter the few times I left her either. After that, I realized there was no point in trying and number 3 and 4 never had a bottle ever.

I am currently breastfeeding my 3rd child, but the 2nd to be breastfed. I did not breastfeed my oldest due to fear of embarrassment. Then I realized that it was healthiest for the babies and the mother. My subsequent recoveries from delivery were much faster than the first time around. I have been in the situation where feeding in public becomes necessary and then I have been able to diguise my actions with my shirt alone. Someone would really have to be staring to notice that I was nursing.

As to those that say pump before you leave the house, there are some women that are unable to pump, no matter how well they are able to breastfeed. Pumping has never worked for me so supplementing for formula was my next best option at times.

For those of you who take the "just pump before you leave the house" approach...I have never met a hungry baby or engorged breast that is willing to work around anyone else's schedule. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

Whats wrong with pre pumping your breast milk before you go to the mall or resteraunt? I know the pumps cost ah little extra but they are worth it. We use ours everyday so that we have extra for times when we are not home and just to help with the soreness of the nipple.

My babies never liked blankets. They are hot and uncomfortable and part of the nursing experience is that they can see your face. I have fed them everywhere without exposing myself. You just lift your shirt and the baby covers the rest. I have fed them during Mass in a Catholic Church and I'm sure most people had no clue. It is certainly a lot less of a spectacle than a screaming infant! There is no law saying that women can't breastfeed in public but there are no protections for them if others object. I have never had a problem, but I know that others have been asked to leave by store managers, etc. This law would give them the right to sit and breastfeed anywhere they have the right to be to begin with.

Clothed in a bikini or stuck in an infant's mouth, I don't want to see exposed boobs in a restaurant while I'm trying to enjoy dinner with my family. Yes breastfeeding is a natural act, but so is urinating and I don't want to see that in public either. Plenty of women breastfeed discreetly...every female in my family has used the blanket method when we HAD to feed while in public...most of the time we just planned the outing around the feeding schedule or pumped ahead of time.

I kinda agree with Rocky. When I go to the store or out to eat, I don't want to see a womans entire breast. Now I know babies need to eat, I have a two year old. I agree that women should feed their babies no matter where they are. I just hope that some don't take it as they can expose themselves where ever they feel like it. Don't take this as I don't want this law to pass, because I do. I just hope everyone is 'discret' about it. They make breast feeding shirts that just under the breast it opens up so you can 'discretly' breast feed your child.

Milton and Rocky- I would bet dollars to dimes that you feel a woman in a bikini that shows more breast is "modest", yet a breastfeeding woman that shows considerably less breast is "immodest."

You are from a sex that doesn't like to unzip more than necessary whilst urinating. I doubt you fully understand the complex mechanics of breastfeeding under a blanket.

It's a bit like trying to dress an uncooperative squirmy Pug puppy in doll clothes whilst keeping the whole mess contained in a pillowcase.

Procreating is a natural process as well...

I have no problem with discreet breast feeding - where the mother uses a shawl or small blanket to maintain a modest appearance. Some, however, are far less than modest - basically fully exposing themselves in the process. Yes - it is a natural process, but there are many "natural processes" that we do modestly. This should be no different. This law would basically allow anything when it comes to breastfeeding, which is why I would oppose it.

My question is: How big of a problem is the "harassment of breastfeeding mothers" in Wisconsin? Is this law necessary?

I'm assuming that means 68% breast-fed as far as hospital discharge records are concerned. I'm curious how many continued for more than 6 months or a year. From what I can tell anecdotaly, most mothers want to breastfeed and start out that way, but end up giving up after only a few weeks for a variety of reasons.

What exactly would this law do though? Is physical or verbal harrasement of breastfeeding mothers really that common? I'm sure they get plenty of disgusted/irritated/etc glances, but I don't see how any bill would affect that social attitude.

It's just sad that this has to be made a law! I can't believe people get upset that mothers feed their child in the most natural and healthy way possible. When a baby has to eat, they have to eat! There are ways to be discreet about it, as mothers should be to respect those around them. It's a shame that mothers need a law to have respect shown for them!

It's about time! Breastfeeding is natural and should be protected.