When I hear stories about breast-feeding mothers being told to cover up or to leave public spaces, I am saddened by the opposition to such a healthy life choice.
House Bill 196, sponsored by Utah Rep. Justin Fawson, is a piece of legislation called the Breastfeeding Protection Act that will protect the rights of these breast-feeding mothers in public places. In case that seems frightening to you, I would like to share some reasons why breast-feeding should be normalized and protected.
Most people understand that breast-feeding benefits infants, but did you know it also benefits mothers? Breast-feeding helps with mother-infant bonding, postpartum mood and postpartum weight loss. New research even shows that skipping lactation following birth can increase a woman’s risk of deadly diseases like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease later in life.
In fact, studies have shown that, after controlling for all other risk factors for heart disease, mothers who don’t breast-feed are five times more likely to show scarring of their aorta and calcium deposits — early markers of heart disease. Furthermore, breast-feeding can have a greater positive impact on a woman’s lifelong blood pressure levels than diet and exercise.
So, why are so many opposed to public breast-feeding? Some common themes I’ve seen from online posts: “I don’t want my husband/sons to see breasts.” “[Breast-feeding] in public is immodest.” “Women’s bodies are sacred and it could be considered looking at porn to some.” “Showing a porn addict boobs is like an alcoholic taking a sip of alcohol.”
Author Amy Bentley spoke of this misguided viewpoint when she lamented, “Women’s bodies began to seem less and less functional, and more like objects of desire.” Could it be that our society has sexualized breasts to the point that some individuals can only associate them with sex — and beyond that, with pornography?
These arguments are hypocritical to me. In a society that uses breasts to sell everything from burgers to tires, breast-feeding mothers should be last on the list of male temptations. Also, these comments blame breast-feeding mothers for the thoughts and actions of strangers, as well as portraying men as mindless animals who will turn into raging monsters if not supervised. Both groups deserve more respect than that.
By showing support for this legislation, we can give mothers the safety to feed their infants in public, which can help younger generations view this act as normal and not shameful. Our community can further support breast-feeding mothers by giving them the respect and dignity they deserve.
When you see a breast-feeding mom covering herself in a corner, give her space and privacy. When you see a mother breast-feeding uncovered on a park bench, thank her for helping to change how we view this natural process. Teach your children that breast-feeding is a healthy choice that should be encouraged when it’s possible. After all, little girls who are exposed to successful and experienced breastfeeding moms have a much greater chance of being able to successfully breast-feed their own children.
Ultimately, breast-feeding is hard. It takes determination and great sacrifice. It can be painful. It can cause feelings of guilt when someone can’t complete breast-feeding goals. So, let’s stop making it harder on moms than it already is. Let’s instead acknowledge them for their hard work. Be the safe person they can sit by in a restaurant. Be their advocate if they are being harassed. Give them encouragement for the time and effort they are putting in. Together we can support mothers as they do what is natural and normal — breast-feed.
Erin Williams, St. George, is a lifelong Utah resident, has worked as a labor and delivery nurse for eight years in Salt Lake City and Mesquite, Nev., and is now a third-year doctoral student at the University of Utah, studying to be a women’s health nurse practitioner and midwife.