by Lillian Jensen

Created on: August 07, 2009

Whether or not you subscribe to the belief that breast milk or formula is better for a child, we all agree that the number one duty of parents is to meet their child's basic needs - one of which is nourishment. If a mother chooses to breastfeed her child, she should not be restricted in the location she chooses.

Most women will not chose to "flop their breast out" and will instead be discreet in this action. In fact, there are many companies nowadays that sell nursing covers to help women remain discreet, such as Hooter Hiders (gotta love the name!), which can be found at

www.hooterhiders.com. If you do come into contact with a less modest woman, simply look away and go about your day. Chances are, the mother would rather you not stare anyway.

Secondly, milk production is based on supply and demand. The more often a woman empties her breasts completely, the more milk she will produce. While it may seem that a pump is the obvious solution to the breastfeeding in public debate, it may hinder the woman's supply of milk if she is forced to pump often. This is one of the reasons why many working mothers are only able to continue to breastfeed for a short amount of time. The pump simply does not empty the breasts effectively like a nursing baby. Many women notice a significant drop in production even after just having to pump for two to three feedings. It is unfair to make a woman risk milk production for your comfort.

Finally, consider this: would you eat in a restroom? Changes are, you would not choose to eat in an area where there are all sorts of disgusting germs floating around. Why should a mother be forced to subject her baby to such unsanitary conditions because a few people are made "uncomfortable" by the simple, natural act of breastfeeding? People do worse things in public all the time. I'd much rather see a woman breastfeeding her baby, even with her breast completely exposed, rather than see a teenage couple engaging in public displays of affection.

In a society where we are quick to judge others, particularly parents. we sure are hypocrites. After constantly preaching that a parent should always do what is best for their children, we do not make it easy to do so by having petty arguments over a woman's right to breastfeed her child anywhere she chooses.

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