'Extended' Breastfeeding in Public Law

Jodi - posted on 01/05/2012

"If you choose to EBF why not cover up, go somewhere private, or pump? WHy add fuel to the fire? That is what I don't understand. "

Nikki J, I just want to start by saying, it's not you personally on debating on this quote...it's the quote in general because heaven knows you are not the first, only or last person to feel or think precisely this way.

So, replace EBF with NUK, or sippy cup. I hate seeing a child about 2 years old or older with a NUK in their mouth. Why can't those moms just go somewhere private, or cover it up or...idk...just not use it in public? Same with the multitude of 4 year olds I see using sippy cups, again...go somewhere private, cover it up or teach your kid to use a cup (I realize most 4 year olds can use a "real" cup but use a sippy cup for convenience). I don't like seeing those things, I don't agree with them...but I respect a mother's right to use them as she sees fit. I would never actually suggest she hide it away. Is the difference solely then that it's my breasts? Big deal, I see way more tits on "fully dressed" women than on myself when I nurse. I see pants hanging down showing off thong, no laws against that though.

In short, I think the law is crap and should be done away with. Live and let live...don't like the way someone else chooses to live...then don't live that way...pretty simple.

Tina - posted on 01/05/2012

maybe they should ban low cut tops, bikini and short skirts honestly their are more offensive things then breast feeding. Why do people feel it's their right to get involved in something that has nothing to do with them. If you're uncomfortable with a woman breast feeding look away. How many women feel uncomfortable when their man is eye balling someone in short shorts or a mini skirt. Yet they're perfectly legal. People just aren't right in the brain.

Samantha - posted on 01/04/2012

World Pediatric suggest that a woman breastfeed babies till at least 2 years of age!
Oh and a nice video clip that needs to be aired on tv again.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

Starting breastfeeding is really hard, but if you get over the learning part it get easier, and I felt lazy sometimes :) but not in a bad way of course. It's not lazy parenting, but it sure is relaxing!

Stifler's - posted on 06/20/2011

I don't see how it's lazy parenting to breastfeed. I could not do it. It was too hard.

Good Day! - posted on 06/20/2011

Sigh...Heather...what part of the South are you in? I don't see people being more modest here. Yes, I've traveled other places. I DO see plenty of sexualization here. And that is the problem with the law. It equates breastfeeding with public indecency and nudity.

Nicole - posted on 06/20/2011

Oh dear! Here's my hormones again!!! It's coming.... The surge of curse words flying through my head!



Instead of throwing random curse words through the universe of cyber-space, I'll just say that I am so tired of this debate. I'm tired of the breastfeeding being acceptable or not acceptable debate... Then you add age into the mix and those that are uncomfortable with the thought of breastfeeding just become MORE uncomfortable. And they LOVE to use fancy words and double talk like "I'm okay with breastfeeding, but...." Or "discreet". Or "private". You know what this says to me? That your original few words "I'm okay with breastfeeding" are just a lie. You are not totally okay with breastfeeding because you choose to put limits on it. You want women to hide when they are doing it. You think that a child aged x suddenly realizes that breastfeeding is sexual even though they have no idea what sex even is. Why? Because that's what one does when they equate breastfeeding to sex or indecency. Get over it, stop perverting the function of MY breasts, and look away because I am going to use MY breasts for what they were intended to do and that's to breastfeed my *gasp* 20 month old! Any other thing that I use my breasts for is up to me.



I see more cleavage in the tops that many women wear in public than I do when breastfeeding in public. And guess what? I'm not trying to get attention with my breasts (as some would like to believe), but the women wearing a shirt with her cleavage busting out, is most likely looking for just that! Either that, or she just doesn't see anything wrong with the sight of breasts and that's okay, too. I am, at least, using my breasts to nurture a child and better his health (and mine!). Not to mention, lowering the health care costs for my fellow men and women who think I should be shunned for doing so.



AND my 20 month old is perfectly capable with eating utensils, sippy cups, regular cups, straws, and eats and drinks everything in sight and STILL wants to breastfeed right after! So, stop stereotyping women who let their children wean naturally. We are not lazy, incompetent, selfish parents, who just stuff a boob in our child's mouth instead of actually parenting. There may be some breastfeeding women who are like that but they are not the rule. Stereotyping and prejudice does nothing but divide and hurt.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

Vicki, I like to say 'full term breastfeeding' as opposed to 'extended breastfeeding"

Vicki - posted on 06/20/2011

Just skimmed the beginning and end of this debate. What a ludicrous law! Here in Australia I guess I'm approaching what is called 'extended' breastfeeding, my boy will be 2 at the start of July. I don't think it's such a big issue here though, I haven't had a negative comment or look yet. I breastfeed anywhere and everywhere. Never covered myself in cloth, no way he would tolerate that anyway! I actually don't like the term 'extended', it assumes you are doing something beyond the normal. Breastfeeding a child until they are ready to stop themselves is biologically normal for our species. You know what is weirder? Drinking the milk of other animals, we are the only species that does this.

I find some suggestions kinda insane and showing a complete lack of understanding about breastfeeding toddlers. Expressing is not an option for many of us. I don't get a let down to a pump anymore and besides, my boy has never drunk expressed milk. He always spits it out, I donated to a friend when I went back to work. Now he's older, not feeding as much and my supply has dropped a bit I don't pump at work. Also, pumping is a pain, who wants to do it if they don't have to? He feeds for comfort as well as nutrition. Yes we bond in other ways, cuddles, talking, whatever, but why deny him this when he still needs it? It's the fastest way to calm him down if he's upset, at home or while we are out.

Putting a cut off age for breastfeeding in public implies that there is something morally wrong with breastfeeding altogether, or that it's akin to urinating or having sex. Why is this suddenly the case at age 2? It's not. There's no difference, frankly if it bothers you put a blanket over your head. Modestly isn't really an issue. I've never seen a breastfeeding mother sit down, take her clothes off to her waist, flap her gigantic bosoms in the direction of her toddler and shout, 'Here Jimmy boy, come and get your booby milk!'. Most people can't even tell that I'm feeding. Toddlers usually feed much faster than babies, my boy is usually all done in less than five minutes.

I think the lawmakers in this particular area are concerned with what they THINK breastfeeding a toddler in public is like, rather than how it actually is.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

And I walked through the grocery store while nursing my baby yesterday! No cover, no fancy undershirts. Just pulled up my shirt and latched her on and kept on shopping with the family! Most people looked at me, then at her, then continued on their way. Idk if they noticed I was nursing or not, but you could see a good deal of my back and belly if you looked.....
Idk, no one here cares. Good old farm country :)

Heather - posted on 06/20/2011

Every region/ society has their own code of ethics and what they think is right or wrong. Some of us in the South are more modest than those living other places. I can absolutely see how seeing a walking toddler nurse could be embarassing and disturbing. I cannot imagine my father-in-law or older male relatives seeing me nurse in public! Most of the women I know, including myself who breastfed went into nursing rooms when in public, or at the very least were very secretative about the process. I can't see doing that with a two year old.
This may shock sensibilities of people living in other places, but laws are made by and for the people living there. Be aware of differences.

Heather - posted on 06/20/2011

Every region/ society has their own code of ethics and what they think is right or wrong. Some of us in the South are more modest than those living other places. I can absolutely see how seeing a walking toddler nurse could be embarassing and disturbing. I cannot imagine my father-in-law or older male relatives seeing me nurse in public! Most of the women I know, including myself who breastfed went into nursing rooms when in public, or at the very least were very secretative about the process. I can't see doing that with a two year old.
This may shock sensibilities of people living in other places, but laws are made by and for the people living there. Be aware of differences.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

I think he will naturally transition to other forms of comfort, but I'm going to let him be the guide. I do encourage him to just cuddle or hug instead of always asking to nurse, but that's just for my personal comfort as I don't like constantly nursing him. But he is still younger then the minimum for the natural weaning age so he has time yet :)
I think it's important that I not push him away and let him see that his sister gets what he is being denied.
Besides, I've got two boobs, why not!

Minnie - posted on 06/20/2011

BTW, we were just at a cafe yesterday after taking the girls on go-karts (they loved it!) and as I was nursing my almost three year old in the booth I happened to look to my right and what was practically in my face, but a huge hairy man's sweaty crack. LOL.



What did I do? I looked at something else. I didn't like it, so I chose to look elsewhere.

Minnie - posted on 06/20/2011

I am nursing a soon to be three year old. She's not ready to wean because she just loves it too much. It doesn't hinder me and it hasn't affected her social development. And she has no one to compete with in that department. It just works for us :).

I've never expressed my milk for two breastfed children and I'm not about to start now. If we're out and about and she wants to nurse it's completely second nature for us and doesn't hold us up at all. A two minute thing and we're on our way.

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

Is he wanting the comfort because he feels you are giving his comfort and love to the new baby. Maybe it is time to find a new way to bond with him. If that is what he is craving, he may be ready to stop nursing and have a different bonding experience where he doesn't feel threatened by another child. Just a suggestion.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

It's not the milk he wants, it's the comfort, the familiarity, the closeness, the attention, the bond he wants.
He nurses because it feels right to him, I continue because it's healthy for him.
I've actually given him pumped milk once recently, he said, "hmm? Thats not water!" And he put it down and asked for water.
To him nursing is a way I show him love, not just a way to eat.

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

So even though you are nursing a 2yo and a 1 month old you don't think you could give him your milk in a sippy to help him transition. That would leave more avaiability for your new baby whose only source of nutrition is your breast. Again, it is just an opinion though.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

Oh and as for doing it for mom or for child, trust me, almost always it's for the child. My son asks to nurse all day and honestly I'd love for him to cut back a bit. I'm nursing my one month old too so it would be nice if my two year old would cut down his feeds a bit.
I've never denied him foods and drinks, and yet he prefers my milk. He will eat a full dinner and still beg for nursing.
Everything I do with him is because I believe it's in his best interest. And that includes not forcing him to wean before he is ready. And not denying him nursing just because some stranger might have issues.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

Because it's a ridiculous fire. Breasts are designed to produce milk for our babies, there's no point where the milk becomes bad, there's no point where nursing directly from the breast becomes bad for their health.
There's no expiration date on my boobs so why should I deny my child what my body makes just for him?
Because some stranger might not like seeing it?
Why would they not like seeing it? As I said boobs are for feeding your kids, anything else is secondary.

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

I don't think that anybody has a right to make a law that says you can or cannot do something you feel is important in raising your child. But just as spanking bothers some people, BF a toddler in public can bother people, I think it is important if you do choose that, that you take that into consideration and be aware of other people's feelings. It is important to make sure that nutrition is there I just don't see why it has to be a big fight about it. The law is wrong, plain and simple, not because I agree with EBF (I don't) but because it infreinges on your right as a mother to choose what is best for your child.

If you choose to EBF why not cover up, go somewhere private, or pump? WHy add fuel to the fire? That is what I don't understand.

Minnie - posted on 06/20/2011

I don't think your opinion is wrong- that's non-contestable and is yours. But we can't be imposing our opinions, which are nothing more than that, upon people when the action we have an opinion about isn't harmful.

Clearly the women you personally know are a little odd. I assure you though that I have not met a single mother like that and believe me when I say I personally know MANY mothers of nursing toddlers.

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

Not all of them, but I know some who do. I am just saying, I understand the nutritional benefit, but why does it have to be direct BF at that age, why not pump and put it in a sippy. Why do you think that is the wrong opinion to have?

One of the mom's that EBFs actually told me she still BF because she can take in more calories and not have to work out as much to keep the weight off, bc she BF. That does NOT sound like she is doing it in the child's interest.

My kids are 2.5 and 1.5 both are eating table food take vitamins daily and drink whole milk. I don't see why people get so upset about not BF toddlersin public, when all you have to do is go somewhere private, even your own car if need be.

Minnie - posted on 06/20/2011

And I believe you're wrong about that 'natural time for transition' based on the work of various anthropologists. It appears to be somewhere between 2.5 and 7.



I honestly have never met a mother who refused her toddler adult foods. Do you really think that mothers that you see nursing a toddler in public are doing that?

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

NO, and I wouldn't. That is my point. I know moms who only give toddlers breastmilk because they don't want them to "like" the other milk and stop BF. A few of them have even admitted that they don't want to give up BF not that the child has an issue stopping. I believe there is a natural time for transition somewhere btw 9 months and 2 years. I don't understand why some people feel the need to BF to 2,3,4,5 years old. or if they are really doing it for the child's benefit.

Minnie - posted on 06/20/2011

why does it matter if it comes directly from the source.

Exactly. Don't seek to control someone else's life just because you don't like the way it looks. Good grief. Breastfeeding a toddler is not harmful to the nursing dyad and it certainly isn't going to make you black out and convulse.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/20/2011

Obviously you have never breastfed a two year old right Nikki! You can't understand til you've been there.

Nikki - posted on 06/20/2011

I am sorry,but I think it is a little out there to BF a toddler. If you want them to get the nutrition, pump and put it in a sippy. As long as they are getting the nutrition why does it matter if it comes directly from the source. I take no issue with BF an infant in public but a 2 yo should be drinking water and whole milk in assition to breast milk. I don't see the problem with this law.

Nicky - posted on 06/20/2011

I think making a law about breastfeeding is ridiculous.

But then again, they outlaw using cellphones while driving, but nothing about using an ipod, or police using the RT - which essentially is more difficult than using a phone (for the record i do NOT use my phone while driving... just making a point)

people are employed to make laws, and they will have targets to reach, and bonuses to achieve, so when times are slow, there will be ridiculous laws created.

Just like when the front page of the news is a celebrity doing something stupid, really? the news? the actual news? nothing else going on in the world?



My opinion is that BF your child is a bond between you and your child and when they get to a certain age, it should be restricted in public for you and your child's privacy, but thats just me. I stopped BF'ing at 9 months after my little girl had 4 teeth already and decided to chew... OW, i had intended to feed for a year, im not big on BF'ing longer than that, but like I say, each to their own

its not nice seeing a kid running up to mum and pulling on her top or saying 'mum, milky, titty please' but thats me feeling for the mother, not the situation, and I sure as hell wouldnt think that laws should dictate that situation.

OhJessie - posted on 06/07/2011

It is a horrendous law and absolutely needs to be abolished. There's no excuse for it.

Jodi - posted on 06/03/2011

Best of luck with that Natalie - I am assuming it will only be helpful if local people sign it?

Natalie - posted on 06/03/2011

Change can happen with you help! Sign the petition! https://www.change.org/petitions/stop-new-city-law-that-limits-breastfeeding-in-public

Natalie - posted on 06/03/2011

Isobel - posted on 05/25/2011

Nobody "needs to". You want to because it's the fastest easiest way to calm them...that's a long way away from "need".

Kathy - posted on 05/25/2011

In my opinion, it doesn't matter that this toddler doesn't need breast milk for nutrition. It doesn't matter that she could be breasfed at home. It doesn't matter that I don't need this hamburger for nutrition. It doesn't matter that I could eat it at home. It's MY RIGHT to eat in public, just as it's my right to breastfeed a toddler in public (assuming I have a breastfeeding toddler, which I don't)

It's all about rights, not all about breastfeeding per se.

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/25/2011

Lacye, have you breastfed a two year old?
If memory serves me I think you haven't, and until you have you won't really understand why you could "need" to nurse your two year old in public. Two year olds are quite needy and breastfed ones know your milk is right there, they don't get the whole 'in public' issue :)

Amanda - posted on 05/25/2011

Sorry my Canadian election comment wasnt meant to start a new debate its just the freshest election in my mind. My point was that just because a person is in power it doesnt mean that most people agree with their policies. It actually doesnt even come close to most people agreeing. As votes get split up between partys, as well USA and Canada both have HORRIBLE voting records of not even 50% of voters actually coming out to vote. For example our last election was barely 30% of voters actually voted.

So you cant keep saying that clearly this is what people want in GA because the elected officials want it.

Amanda - posted on 05/24/2011

It's not just about breastfeeding -- it's about the right to not be harassed for parenting.

Amanda - posted on 05/24/2011

It's not just about breastfeeding -- it's about the right to not be harassed for parenting.

Lacye - posted on 05/22/2011

oh. lol Sorry. It's been a bad day.

Minnie - posted on 05/22/2011

I know you weren't saying that or that YOU think it is disgusting. I was just saying that Joe Shmoe can't place arbitrary limitations on age. Because everyone has a different perception as to what is acceptable. If the government thinks that breastfeeding toddlers contribute to public indecency, then they should ban NIP altogether, because a mother of a newborn is much more likely to expose some skin. And there ARE some people who DO think that we shouldn't nurse in public at all. And because so many have said that it isn't necessary to nurse a two year old that this law is fairly acceptable- I say that by those standards it isn't necessary to nurse a much younger child, either.



It's discriminatory, plain and simple. And it doesn't protect mothers from abuse because it is abuse, itself.

Lacye - posted on 05/22/2011

That is not what I'm saying at all. I'm not saying nursing in public should be illegal all together. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not against it. I just don't think it is necessary after the age of 2. I never said it was disgusting. I never said to pump. I never said the age should be reduced. But I think I'm going to sit the rest of this debate out since I'm apparently not making myself clear enough. Either that or I'm being misunderstood. Either way, yall have fun.

Minnie - posted on 05/22/2011

The AAP only recommends ONE year of breastfeeding (and for as long as mutually desired afterwards).



So in the US, most people think that children do not need to nurse over 12 months. Many think it's unecessary (and even disgusting) to be breastfeeding an 18 month old.



Perhaps because the AAP does not say a minimum of two years breastfeeding that we should decrease the age this law draws the line at to 12 months? Because they don't solely depend on mother's milk 'like a newborn' does?



Heck, let's reduce it to nine months in public, because I've heard of plenty of mothers reducing their infant's breastfeeding to two or three sessions a day by then. They're not depending on it like a newborn does.



Or-! Since we still can live and be healthy on formula, perhaps we should just make NIP illegal completely! Because a breast is a breast is a breast- (and no one wants to see a brand-new mother with engorged milk-drippy soppy breasts)- we could bring bottles of formula for when we're out. Or at least pump, like so many anti-NIP people tell us to do.

Lacye - posted on 05/22/2011

I'm not saying people have to give in. I'm just saying that while change might not happen right away, it will eventually happen. I'm not saying that they should give up. As I have said before, they aren't talking about banning it all together, just for children over 2 and in public. People can do it at home all they want to. Just not in public. I don't see a big deal about not breastfeeding a 2 year old in public. They don't solely depend on mother's milk like a newborn or an infant does. They are old enough to get their nutrition from other food. Mothers can still breastfeed at home if they choose to but I don't see where it is necessary to breastfeed a 2 year old in public.

Dana - posted on 05/22/2011

Ah, the old "give in to the bully" tactic, yeah, that works real well...

Nicole - posted on 05/22/2011

"But if a woman is going to be out in public breastfeeding a toddler, then there are going to be some comments about how horrible it is that she is breastfeeding the poor child and how trashy it looks. Now I'm not saying that is what I think about it, because I don't but there are going to be people like that and they will make comments to purposely hurt the mother. So yeah. I would rather it not be allowed in public than have somebody verbally abused because they are doing something that is perfectly natural."

To second what Sara said... Or homosexuals should just never come out in public because there are some serious homophobes who would have hurtful things to say. Or overweight and obese people should stay home and never come out in public. Or someone with a birth defect.... You get my point.... If you truly believe that breastfeeding is only natural then you would feel it is right to stand up for those that are breastfeeding, not supporting a system that discriminates against them.

Jenn - posted on 05/22/2011

"But if a woman is going to be out in public breastfeeding a toddler, then there are going to be some comments about how horrible it is that she is breastfeeding the poor child and how trashy it looks. Now I'm not saying that is what I think about it, because I don't but there are going to be people like that and they will make comments to purposely hurt the mother. So yeah. I would rather it not be allowed in public than have somebody verbally abused because they are doing something that is perfectly natural."

Then that's when it is our job, as fellow citizens, to stand up for her rights, not give in to the bullies. If I saw someone being rude and disrespectful to a mother who was nursing her toddler, you better believe I would say something. Just because some people are uncomfortable with it, doesn't give them the right to be ass-holes and harass some mother and child.

Krista - posted on 05/22/2011

Sara's right. If the people of Georgia who feel this is wrong, sit back and wait with their hands in their laps for the southern states to become "less stuffy", they're going to be waiting a damn long time.

Oftentimes, societal change requires that people stand up and demand that change, even if it makes people a little bit uncomfortable.

Good Day! - posted on 05/21/2011

And how will change happen? By little ole people like us standing up to try to change it.

And by the logic of your last paragraph, Black people should have just stayed at the back of the bus, so they wouldn't be verbally or physically abused by racists.

Lacye - posted on 05/21/2011

Sara: I'm not saying it's a good thing. But it is the way it is. Things will eventually change but at it's own pace. When the southern states become less stuffy, then there will be a significant change. You can try to change it if you want. I'm not saying you can't but I just don't see much change coming.

Jodi: They aren't talking about banning breastfeeding past the age of 2 all together. Just in public. But if a woman is going to be out in public breastfeeding a toddler, then there are going to be some comments about how horrible it is that she is breastfeeding the poor child and how trashy it looks. Now I'm not saying that is what I think about it, because I don't but there are going to be people like that and they will make comments to purposely hurt the mother. So yeah. I would rather it not be allowed in public than have somebody verbally abused because they are doing something that is perfectly natural.