{"id":9407,"date":"2020-04-08T20:39:52","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T03:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.castlighthealth.com\/blog\/?p=9407"},"modified":"2020-08-11T12:20:27","modified_gmt":"2020-08-11T19:20:27","slug":"breastfeeding-in-public-your-legal-rights-and-tips-for-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/my.castlighthealth.com\/blog\/breastfeeding-in-public-your-legal-rights-and-tips-for-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Breastfeeding in Public: Your Legal Rights and Tips for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

Babies eat, like, a lot. In fact, if a newborn could write a memoir, they\u2019d likely title it \u201cEat, poop, sleep, and eat again.\u201d Thanks to this incessant eating, you may think breastfeeding means your social life has to go out the window in the first year. Not so!<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are laws in all 50 states that make it legal for your little one to dine straight from the source. And there are plenty of tips and tools that can make feeding in public places easy and comfortable.<\/p>\n

Are there laws about breastfeeding in public?<\/h2>\n

Yes. Breastfeeding in public is legal in all 50 of the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

Basically, if you are legally allowed to be somewhere (not trespassing), then you are allowed to feed your baby in that space. This means you can nurse your baby legally in stores, restaurants, schools, airplanes, and anywhere else you find yourself.<\/p>\n

Thirty states have even taken this a step further and exempted breastfeeding from public indecency. This means if you live in one of these particular states, you don\u2019t need to cover up while nursing.<\/p>\n

The 30 states include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.<\/p>\n

The laws are written slightly differently depending on where you live. If you\u2019re curious to learn more, consider reading the breastfeeding laws by state.<\/p>\n

Why is breastfeeding in public necessary?<\/h2>\n

You probably have places to be, groceries to buy, and older siblings to cart to school and other activities. Your baby doesn\u2019t always get the memo and gets hungry on their own schedule.<\/p>\n

And forget the word \u201cschedule\u201d because during growth spurts, it may feel like your baby is insatiable at all hours of the day and night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not only that, but pumping and carrying around milk isn\u2019t always possible or desirable.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re traveling, for example, it might just be quicker and easier to feed directly from the source. Your baby may not even take bottles. Or they may want the breast purely for soothing comfort. The list of reasons goes on and on.<\/p>\n

So, what do you do when you\u2019re out and about and hear the cries of a hungry baby? That\u2019s where breastfeeding in public comes in. \u201cPublic\u201d can mean anything from a designated nursing area at a store to a park bench at the playground to a couch at your friend\u2019s house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tips for breastfeeding in public<\/h2>\n

Remember: It\u2019s legal to breastfeed whenever and wherever you want. That doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you\u2019ll feel comfortable doing so the first few times you try it.<\/p>\n

You may worry your baby will be fussy or that strangers will stare at you. Being prepared can help you feel more confident. Here are some handy tips for feeding baby on the go.<\/p>\n

Dress for feeding<\/h3>\n

There are so many clothing options that make breastfeeding in public easier and more discreet \u2014 if that\u2019s what you\u2019re going for. (Feel free to feed however you\u2019re comfortable!)<\/p>\n

Breastfeeding apparel includes things like shirts with slits for easy access, scarves that can be draped over baby when needed, and\u00a0other items tailored for breastfeeding people.<\/p>\n

That said, you don\u2019t need to buy anything special to feed your baby on the go. You may find it easier to wear layers.<\/p>\n

Try something like a camisole under a loose t-shirt or button-down shirt\/cardigan. Or wear whatever you want. It\u2019s about finding what feels most comfortable for your needs. You do you!<\/p>\n

Do some research<\/h3>\n

Know you\u2019ll be out on a certain day? Try looking up where you\u2019re headed to see if there are any friendly areas for breastfeeding.<\/p>\n

For example, IKEA offers family-friendly nursing rooms complete with rocking chairs and changing tables. Target supports breastfeeding in its stores and plans to add nursing rooms to remodeled stores. You may also find that stores geared toward babies and children have special spaces for feeding.<\/p>\n

The website Moms Pump Here can help you locate breastfeeding spots wherever you\u2019re headed. New locations are being added all the time. There are even pop-up nursing\/pumping pods called Mamavas that you can find in various locations, like airports and stores, across the country.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t find a designated spot, no worries. Look for comfy couches or other soft seating. Want some privacy? Consider feeding in a changing room or trying spaces like quiet cafes, libraries, or museums. You may even ask your mom-friends if they know of any good spots. And make a list to consult for future outings.<\/p>\n

Practice<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t feel ready to breastfeed in the middle of a busy store? Start small.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Consider feeding your baby at home in front of a mirror to practice placing baby at the breast. Pay attention to things like how you adjust your clothing, how you use any covers or other gear, how your baby latches and unlatches, and how you feel most comfortable sitting.<\/p>\n

From there, take your practice on the road. Try feeding in a nursing room, at a friend\u2019s house, or at another familiar place, like your neighborhood park. Eventually, you can take bigger and bigger steps until you feel confident enough to feed anywhere you find yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Use the tools that make you happy<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t necessarily need any gear to feed your baby in public, but there are a few tools you may find helpful.\u00a0<\/p>\n