All 50 States Have Finally Made It Legal To Breastfeed In Public

Aug 06, 2018

We're a progressive society, right? We have evolved and matured as people, haven't we?

Then why is 2018 the year in which all 50 states have finally declared it legal to breastfeed in public? Wouldn't you have thought this would have been the state of breastfeeding affairs for quite a while?

Instead, women are even now shamed for feeding their babies in public. In fact, there have been numerous cases of women being treated appallingly for just trying to nourish their children!

Just this past month a manager (yes, a manager!) at a pet store went to Facebook to threaten any women and their baby if the women choose to feed their children in public.

This woman threatened to punch not only the mother but the breastfeeding baby, all under the guise of protecting her own children from seeing a mother breastfeed.

Unsurprisingly, people were not only shocked but disgusted by this woman's response to public breastfeeding.

Facebook users, especially those who breastfeed or breastfed, let their outrage be known, with one stating, "I am so offended by this! This to me threatens me and my child! I live in SC—I breastfeed whenever my daughter who is nine months is hungry wherever we happen to be."

Of course, not all those who are against public breastfeeding threaten to throw punches, some just try to cover the innocent baby with germ-infected dishcloths. Yes, one restaurant employee in Alabama actually tried to cover the baby's head with a dish rag!

Then, one mother, while not physically threatened or given a filthy rag, was asked by airport staff to pump in the bathroom. Then, upon compliance, this woman had a male employee walk in on her.

Could she not have been allowed to cover herself up and pump discreetly at the airport? Did she have to be sent to a grimy bathroom where she was unexpectedly walked in on?

Unfortunately, many people have a hard time normalizing breastfeeding. Perhaps some still have a sexualized vision of breasts. Perhaps some have never had any experience with breastfeeding and don't realize how hard it is to go out with your breastfeeding baby when you fear public repercussions.

Whatever the naysayers' reasoning, at least breastfeeding moms now know that legally they are allowed to breastfeed in public nationwide, now that Idaho and Utah have finally jumped on board with the rest of the country.

Republican Rep. Paul Amador echoed the sentiments of many when he said, "Personally, I find it disappointing that we're in 2018 and we still haven't passed this law in Idaho."

Unlike Idaho, Utah saw a little more controversy over the breast, as the bill originally maintained that it was legal to breastfeed "irrespective of whether a woman's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding."

While some are appalled that any woman would breastfeed in public and others are absolutely supportive of women feeding their babies, there are still those who debate the issue of covering up. Clearly, those fighting such an issue have never breastfed a baby who likes to wiggle and push at their cover or a baby who simply hates the suffocating feeling of being covered.

Regardless, keep up the good work moms!

What do you think about breastfeeding in public? Are you for or against it? Let us know in the comments, and spread the word by showing this article to your friends and family!