Posted on 01/04/2007 1:25:25 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Dane County mothers will be guaranteed the right to breast-feed in public under a law the County Board is expected to approve tonight.
The proposed ordinance prohibits anyone from interfering with a woman nursing an infant or pumping breast milk in a public place under county jurisdiction, such as the airport, the zoo or any stores or restaurants in unincorporated areas.
Anyone who violates the law would be subject to a fine of $10 to $100.
Sup. Carousel Bayrd, Madison, who sponsored the ordinance, said it isn't based on any specific local incident of a woman being told she couldn't breast-feed in public, but rather on "the overall stories of women who have been harassed or glared at or asked to nurse in the bathroom."
"It's to address that and to allow women to nurse without feeling that they're in an uncomfortable situation," Bayrd said.
Bayrd, who has breast-fed her own child in public places, including restaurants, stores and the Capitol Square, said mothers nursing in public try to be as discreet as possible, and aren't trying to promote any political agenda.
"When you breast-feed it's an intimate moment between you and your child," Bayrd said. "No one is nursing so they can have additional public nudity."
The ordinance hasn't generated any opposition and was unanimously recommended for adoption by three county committees after it was introduced last month.
The Madison City Council is considering a similar ordinance to protect a woman's right to breast-feed in public. The proposal was unanimously recommended at this week's Organizational Committee and may come up for a vote this month.
Ald. Robbie Webber, 5th District, said she hadn't heard any objections to the city ordinance, though she noted a similar statewide proposal sponsored by Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, died in committee last session. Risser said he will reintroduce the legislation this session.
Webber said studies have shown that exclusively breast-feeding infants can be healthier in the long run, but doing so in public can be uncomfortable.
"Obviously you have to have cultural support for that to happen," Webber said. "This is just another step that encourages something that has been proven to be healthy for both the mother and the child."
Yeesh.
Nanny State Ping-worthy? Make a law for NO reason; but they're not promoting any sort of agenda. Sure. *Rolleyes*
(And guess what? Legislation will be introduced soon for a state-wide Smoking Ban in Wisconsin. Stay tuned!)
I don't mind the nursing in public, but pumping in public ? Gross...
This is great. Now American women can be featured in National Geographic.
Does the law say they need to cover themselves? Show a little class or decorum.
Or is this just another whip it out law?
If we can have smoking only zones, why can't we have feeding zones?
Does Sharia law allow for public breast feeding?
Since they are being discreet, they won't mind if someone stares? Takes pictures?
When the Muzzies in Minnesota & Michigan get their burqa-panties in a wad over this, I wonder how quickly the law will be repealed so as to not "offend Muslim religious sensibilities"...
Where's my camera?
I can't imagine pumping in public, I wouldn't get the milk to let down. I want a private a place as possible (although not a restroom, that's even more gross).
"When you breast-feed it's an intimate moment between you and your child," Bayrd said.
Sex is an intimate moment between man and woman. You gonna do that at the table next to me while I'm trying to enjow my lunch as well?
I nursed all 3 of my children. I never had any problem finding a quiet and private place to nurse them. I do remember being at an amusement park once and a woman in a tube top decided to nurse her baby while sitting in some stadium seating (the kind they have for the sea mammal shows). She didn't cover up, and she also didn't keep ANYTHING covered. She whippedher tube top down and started nursing her baby. I think that was a bit much.
BTW there are other things I wish folks would stop doing in restraunts too. Like blowing their nose at the table. That is so darned gross!
susie
Oh lovely.
Why should a woman be given a free pass to pump breat milk in public?!
Then keep it to yourself, lady.
Here come the Nipple Nazis.
I am particularly peeved at breast feeding at sporting events. The sign at Fenway Park says; "No Outside Food Allowed Inside Stadium."
ROTFLOL! I think this qualifies as the post of the day. : )
Why would you want to stare or take pictures? Would you want to take a situation where no one needs to be uncomfortable and turn it into a confrontation? Do you stare and take pictures of women who are not breastfeeding?
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