Breastfeeding Public Women Law Breastfeed Mothers States One's

In the United States, "breastfeeding" (the act of a mother feeding a baby with the milk from her breasts) "in public" (in places that are shared by many people, not in one's home) is surprisingly "controversial" (with many people feeling strongly that something should or should not be done a particular way). Although breastfeeding is "legal" (allowed under the law) in all 50 states, many woman are "harassed" (bothered) or otherwise made to feel uncomfortable when they breastfeed their babies in public, even if they try to do so "discreetly" (without being seen and without drawing attention to one's actions).

Sometimes, when breastfeeding mothers are harassed, they simply leave the area. However, more "brazen" (bold) women sometimes reach out to other breastfeeding mothers through organizations like "La Leche League" (an organization that encourages mothers to breastfeed and supports them) to "stage" (organize) a public "nurse-in" in which many women gather to publicly "nurse" (breastfeed) their babies where the first woman was harassed. This often results in the company "issuing" (providing) a public "apology" (a statement that one is sorry for what has happened) and sometimes changing its "corporate" (business) policies regarding breastfeeding and employee training.

Today, 36 states have laws that "affirm" (state that something is true) the rights of women to breastfeed in public and/or to protect breastfeeding women and their babies. And in 1999, the U.S. "House of Representatives" (lawmaking part of the government) "enacted" (made into law) a breastfeeding "amendment" (a change to an existing law) that stated that federal "funds" (money) may not be used to "prohibit" (not allow) women from breastfeeding in public buildings.