Harassing Breast-Feeding Mothers Could Lead To Fines

MADISON, Wis. -- Asking a breast-feeding mother to cover-up could soon cost people in Wisconsin $200.

A proposed bill by state Sen. Fred Risser would protect mothers who breast-feed in public from being harassed.

Under Wisconsin law it is perfectly legal for a woman to breast-feed her child in a public place.

But while the state law may be behind the mother, the public isn't always behind the law, Madison television station WISC reported.

Michelle Morgan said she has run into problems trying to breast-feed her son, Ian, in public.

"A woman basically said to me that I should probably go somewhere else or make sure that I stayed covered up," said Morgan. "It made me pretty angry."

"It's usually quite innocent," said La Leche League leader Laurel Franczek. "The person who's asking that doesn't realize that women already have the right to breast-feed wherever they are."

Clearing up the confusion about breast-feeding in public is the inspiration for the bill, which is now in front of the state Legislature.

"It is necessary to make clear to those few places in the state that do not accept the law or permit it, that this is the policy of the state of Wisconsin," said Risser.

It's a law Morgan says will give her a little extra firepower if she's asked to cover up again.

"I have the right and the protection to say that I'm legally able to be in this space, and that I'm legally able to nurse my child and you can't tell me otherwise," said Morgan.

Well, the poster has proven she (he?) can stand her ground and doesn't need "laws" to protect her individual rights. Or "mere words", no? Civil rights also carries with it (or should, harumph) disagreement at the individual level. Obviously, the poster does not see herself as a "victim", IMHO.

Imagine had I sued the pants offa all the driver's, say for example, flipping me off during "road rage" sessions. Should there be a law against, middle-finger "language"?

The argument here is: "I'm feeding my child, so bugger off". The counter is: "So what. What's this gotta do with me, and my view. Your issues and concerns differ from mine."

I think there should be no laws controlling a women's right to breastfeed her child however she likes. Every issue is different. I've seen women just take their boob out and breastfeed their baby and I have seen other's be discreet. It may make some feel uncomfortable but the way i see it is if you are uncomfortable walk away, don't look, but understand she has that right and get over it.

Excellent post!

We've been having a bit of issues with "lactivists" in our area. One day they comandeered a radio talk show for a good hour and when anyone even dared go against even part of what they were pushing, they were quite obnoxious and condescending in an overly sugar-coated touchy-feely way. Insinuating responding callers had sexual hangups, were repressed, were bigots...all these typical attacks were leveled with no respect whatsoever to anyone who had a differing opinion. Lots of blah-de-blah about evil drug companies in colusion with formula companies to "create" ill children as a lifelong sickly consumer !!??!!
Afterwards they were picketing a local hospital for handing out formula samples to new mothers, and wrongfully accusing the hospital of pushing formula and not informing or helping new mothers with breastfeeding. This is total BS. Three women in my office gave birth at that hospital within the past year, and the hospital was fully cooperative & informative with any breastfeeding needs they had.

These lactivists are trying to deny other mothers the right to decide what feeding makes most sense for their situation by removing one of their options. Sadly, both my friends could not successfully feed and had to go to formula. This was very emotionally stressful for them (as well as their babies) and made them feel like failures because of the vocal pressure these lactivists are putting out there. They definitely imply you are a bad mother if you don't breastfeed, and also that you can do it if you only try hard enough. Both statements are false and hurtful. And as a side note, not one of the many, many women I know who has formula-fed her child has had a sickly child- only one has had a soy allergy.

True advocate for breastfeeding will give as much support to those who are not having a successful experience as those who are. Every woman deserves the right to make a well-educated choice that is best for her and her baby.

If only 66/100% of people noticed a woman breastfeeding her baby, there wouldn't even be a discussion about it. I'd even recommend said Wisconsin legislator earn his salary by trying to fix real problems.

To say that "Grandpop" might be offended comes across to me as conveniently making him the scapegoat, i.e., "We understand that a person with an 'old fashioned' value system could be offended."

What is NOT said is that many men, women and young folks of all ages are uncomfortable in the presence of a woman who is breastfeeding her child. They also have rights. If they choose to go elsewhere, who's to criticize them?

I nursed my children privately and still enjoyed a social life scheduled around the baby's needs. If anyone believes this is a hardship, she doesn't know yet what real hardship means. This is strictly my viewpoint. I don't expect anyone who disagrees to change their mind and I'm fine with that!

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