Despite the health benefits for both mother and child, many people have a problem with breastfeeding in public and in some states, it was actually illegal! Well, thanks to Idaho bill sponsor, Republican Rep. Paul Amador, the last holdout state has moved forward, allowing the U.S. to catch up with the rest of the world and offer laws to protect nursing mothers.
“Personally, I find it disappointing that we’re in 2018 and we still haven’t passed this law in Idaho. I think we can take a proactive stance here through legislation to promote the natural bond and health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. I also believe the health and nutritional choices of our families are best left as decisions for our families, not our government.”
Australia and the United Kingdom have had laws on the books to protect nursing mothers for years. The United States was among the last to offer mothers this protection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist, and the World Health Organization, WHO, encourage women to breastfeed in a desire to raise breastfeeding rates in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, breastfeeding can help lower risks for asthma, obesity, diabetes, ear and respiratory infections, and SIDS.
For more information on breastfeeding, you can visit BMBFA, (Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association).
