Many Individuals Are Concerned About Breastfeeding And The Law

Are you concerned about breastfeeding because you are not sure about the legalities of your right to breastfeed in public, or about breastfeeding as it pertains to visitation rights if you are not...

Are you concerned about breastfeeding because you are not sure about the legalities of your right to breastfeed in public, or about breastfeeding as it pertains to visitation rights if you are not the custodial parent, or what the law says about having to serve on jury duty while breastfeeding? These questions and more are often asked by breastfeeding moms and by those who are interested in breastfeeding should they become pregnant and even some individuals who have no intention of breastfeeding but may want to know what the laws are regarding breastfeeding, especially breastfeeding in public or while at work. There are breastfeeding law not only in the United States but worldwide.

Breastfeeding legislation for the United States:

Legislation: LEAVEN, Vol. 41 No. 3, June – July 2005, pp. 51 – 54

In 1994 there were only five of the United States having legislation pertaining to breastfeeding. These laws typically pertain to public displays of breastfeeding, breastfeeding while on jury duty, accommodations to be made in the workplace for breastfeeding moms, education issues pertaining to breastfeeding, health issue or insurance measures pertaining to breastfeeding as well as custody or visitation issues.

State legislation is usually the best protection that breastfeeding moms have.

In 1999, an amendment to the U.S. postal appropriations which was a spending bill included a statement about women having rights to breastfeed her child at any location in a federal building or when on federal property. This included federal agencies, national parks, national museums and federal courthouses, federal buildings and federal property.

At least 28 states have some laws addressing breastfeeding after 1995.

Workplace accommodations that are needed by nursing employees include reasonable break time in order to nurse or pump milk, a place of privacy to pump. The La Leche League (www.lalecheleague.org/Law/LawBills.html) has information available in case a mom needs to educate her employer about her breastfeeding rights in the workplace. Another Website concerning the law and breastfeeding is www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org

www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm is a Website that contains information about summaries of 50 of the states of the United States and their breastfeeding laws.

You can find international laws on breastfeeding at http://www.llli.org/Law/ItalLegis.html?m=0,1,1

Breastfeeding is a natural act and very beneficial for both baby and mom and as such it ought to be encouraged by the medical profession, and protected by law so that the right to breastfeed is not discouraged. Laws are by nature there to protect the rights of people to do certain things and breastfeeding is one act in which it has become necessary to develop legislature in order to protect both the mom and baby while breastfeeding. Being aware of the laws in your state is part of your responsibility if you wish to breastfeed in public, force breastfeeding rights during a custody hearing or visitation hearing, or to be able to return to work after having a baby and not have to give up your dream to breastfeed your baby for at least the first year of life.

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