by Charine T. Cheah

Created on: July 06, 2010

Personally I have breastfed my child for slightly over two years.  Breastfeeding my child is one of the best things that could ever happen to me.  The ability to nurse my child and at the same time bond with her are precious moments that I would never trade off, not even with the most expensive diamond on earth. Breast milk is undeniably the best source of nutrients for infants, and no cow milk or any animal milk could ever substitute that. By breastfeeding my child, I know that I am giving nothing short of the best to my child.  As such, I truly cannot comprehend to the reason why women should not be allowed to breastfeed in the public area.

It takes a lot of a mother to breastfeed her child.  One has to experience the pain a mother suffers when her breasts are heavily engorged with milk; and the awkwardness and discomfort when her breasts are heavily lactating; not to mentioned all the inconveniences that come along breastfeeding to fully understand the massive love and effort a mother puts in to breastfeed her child.  A mother is worried when there is insufficient flow of milk, that she may not have enough to provide for her infant, and is very careful not to be caught with any viral cold or fever, as medication is not encouraged for a breastfeeding mother. 

I recollect having to feed my child while we were at shopping malls or some public areas. Honestly, no lactating mother carrying a hungry infant would ever think of purposefully expose her breast, in fact that was the last thing in my mind! All I care for at that moment is to get ensure my child is sufficiently breastfed and is full.  I remember hunting for breastfeeding rooms to feed my child at public places during such moments but unfortunately, we have to admit that not all places are baby-friendly.  Under such circumstances what do we do?  Do we mothers stop feeding just because there are no facilities available?  What do you think a mother with a crying hungry infant would do?  Of course I proceeded with breastfeeding my child!

Paediatricians recommend that mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months of life. I recall having nurses and consultants teaching me how to have my child latch on when I breastfed her for the very first time.  New mothers get so much support and encouragement in the hospital environment to breastfeed their babies. There are ample facilities to ensure the success of breastfeeding, such as

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