I understand picking your battles, but this seems like a step backwards.

[KempsMama]

There are two issues at play here, but I'm mostly concerned with the "no nursing" issue.  Does this seem totally backwards to anyone else?  I mean, women have the RIGHT to breastfeed in public, why would you encourage women to give that up (albeit, temporarily) to win a different battle?  What does that say about the importance of a mother and childs right to nurse in public?

http://birthaction.org/2011/04/25/would-you-want-a-midwife-who-asked-you-not-to-nurse-in-public/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4db6da6ae80eb7ed%2C0

[Naturallove]

Oh my gosh! I can't believe what I just read! It seems completely backwards and appalling to me that these midwives would even think to ask such a thing of women! I would understand if it were currently illegal for women to breastfeed in public there, but it is there legal right. They aren't fighting any battle. That battle has been won! It is fortunate that I live far away because I am so inflammatory that I would go there and nurse in public just to ruffle their feathers. This is unbelievable!

[annettemarie]

Yeah, I agree that it made me want to pack up my twins and go nurse there.

[spedteacher30]

I understand their point--a capitol is typically extremely formal. If I had a child with me, I wouldn't feed him/her in the hallways (or the bathrooms), and would find a spot in the cafeteria or outside on the steps to give him/her a snack. If I had a bottle-feeding infant with me, I would do the same thing. I think if I brought my nursing infant with me, I would find an extremely secluded spot for feeding him/her--not a bathroom, but certainly a spot where food is acceptable--the cafeteria, a bench outside, the office of my incredibly supportive delegate, etc.

It wouldn't be because nursing a child in public is inappropriate, but because eating in most parts of the building is inappropriate. Also, if I were wearing a suit--as I would for a legislative hearing, I would need a more secluded spot for nursing because my clothing would be less likely to be nursing compatible.

honestly, if I were attending a legislative hearing, I would pump and leave him/her with a sitter for the time I was in the hearing. I nursed my child until he was 3 and a half, and I NIPed regularly until he was over 2 years old--but I still think there are times and places it is not appropriate, even if it is legal. If I wouldn't feel comfortable eating in a location or feeding a toddler in that same area, I wouldn't nurse an infant there.

the only exception to that would be if I were representing a breastfeeding or parenting coalition, and they specifically wanted nurslings there.

[annettemarie]

I just don't think you can compare a baby's need to eat to a toddlers or an adults. Babies can't wait. I could see making the argument asking people to leave babies at home, but if it's acceptable for an infant to be there, it should be acceptable to feed them, by breast or by bottle.