Nursing in Penn?

[kikidee]

I think this is lactivism, since it involves the laws and such?? If not, feel free to move to the appropriate forum...

Later this month, I am going out to Pennsylvania for 3 weeks. I live in Arizona, which is a VERY BF-friendly state, according to the handy-dandy little map Mothering has (it's green). AZ has rights for women to BF in public, with an enforcement clause (I think I got that right?) -- anyway, it's super friendly law-wise (and the people are great about it, too!).

PA is red on the map -- meaning that basically there isn't anything protecting my right to BF in public. What does that mean? Am I not "allowed" to BF in public? Or do I just not have a leg to stand on if someone confronts me on it?

It will be freezing there, so I'm not sure how my NIP we will do... but I thought I would information-gather anyway, just to be on the safe side!!

[honolula]

You have the right to nurse in public, here, but there's nothing in place to protect that right. Does that make sense?
Don't sweat it too much. I nursed in public for years without ANY attempts to cover up (in south/central PA), and I'm a 38 DD. No one ever looked cross eyed at me. In fact, no one ever looked within ten feet :

[kikidee]

Me too ! On the size

OK -- that makes sense. So I can totally NIP, even if someone tells me not to -- but I really don't have legal recourse to back that up in court??

[mama24-7]

If you will be in Philadelphia, they have an ordinance that protects a mother's right, w/ an enforcement clause, I believe. You can go to llli.org and search for laws & find it.

I've been NIP'ing in PA for 5 years now w/o any problems. Perhaps look into an LLL meeting while you're here?

Have a safe trip!

Sus

[cycle]

I live very close to Penn's campus and even though it may not look like it it is a very liberal and natural living community. My son's preschool is on the campus and I know of at least 5 moms there who are breastfeeding toddlers (including me, well maybe ds isn't a toddler anymore). There are protections in the city of Philadelphia though but I don't think you will have any issues.

What are you doing at Penn? If you need any advice, info, anything let me know!

[kikidee]

Originally Posted by cycle

What are you doing at Penn? If you need any advice, info, anything let me know!

That's where I'm from (outside of Phila) -- my brother is getting married at the end of December, and then DD and I will be staying with my mom for a couple of weeks. She is going through chemo, so we are there to cook/clean/etc for a little while, b/c she is feeling pretty rotten from all of that.

Anyway-- I haven't been back there since having DD, so I wasn't sure what I was in for... thanks for the info ladies!

[cycle]

Originally Posted by kikidee

That's where I'm from (outside of Phila) -- my brother is getting married at the end of December, and then DD and I will be staying with my mom for a couple of weeks. She is going through chemo, so we are there to cook/clean/etc for a little while, b/c she is feeling pretty rotten from all of that.

Anyway-- I haven't been back there since having DD, so I wasn't sure what I was in for... thanks for the info ladies!

I'm sorry about your mom. I hope she bounces back quickly. If you need a break while you are here PM me and maybe we can meet up some place! I'm out of town from 12/21 - 12/27 but home the rest of the time.

Safe travels.

[eepster]

I NIP in PA whenever I visit my sisters I've never had a problem. However, if I was asked to leave a place or to cover up I wouldn't have any recourse. Here just to the east in NJ (where I live) if someone in a store or restraunt asked me to leave or cover up I could sue them, b/c NJ has laws that protect BF.

[lawajay]

Freedom to breasfeed in PA

There is a law now-- it was just passed in July. And there has been a law in Philadelphia for quite a while. Here's some info from this site:
http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills33.html

SUMMARY OF ENACTED BREASTFEEDING LEGISLATION
PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania recently enacted its first law regarding breastfeeding. It exempts breastfeeding from criminal laws, and gives women "permission," but not the "right," to breastfeed.

35 P.S. § 636.2 et seq. (2007)

35 P.S. § 636.2. Declaration of policy

The General Assembly finds that breastfeeding a baby is an important and basic act of nurturing that must be protected in the interests of maternal and child health and family values.

§ 636.3. General rule

A mother shall be permitted to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present, irrespective of whether or not the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.

§ 636.4. Freedom to breastfeed

The act of breastfeeding shall not be considered:

(1) Indecent exposure as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3127 (relating to indecent exposure).

(2) Open lewdness as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5901 (relating to open lewdness).

(3) Obscenity or sexual conduct as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances)

(4) A nuisance as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6504 (relating to public nuisances).

Pennsylvania: City of Philadelphia City Ordinance 9-1105

City Ordinance 1996 Amends Section 9-1105 of the Fair Practices Code entitled "Unlawful Public Accommodations Practice" to prohibit a breastfeeding mother from or segregate a breastfeeding mother within any public accommodation where she would otherwise be authorized to be irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to breastfeeding.

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by kikidee

I think this is lactivism, since it involves the laws and such?? If not, feel free to move to the appropriate forum...

Later this month, I am going out to Pennsylvania for 3 weeks. I live in Arizona, which is a VERY BF-friendly state, according to the handy-dandy little map Mothering has (it's green). AZ has rights for women to BF in public, with an enforcement clause (I think I got that right?) -- anyway, it's super friendly law-wise (and the people are great about it, too!).

PA is red on the map -- meaning that basically there isn't anything protecting my right to BF in public. What does that mean? Am I not "allowed" to BF in public? Or do I just not have a leg to stand on if someone confronts me on it?

It will be freezing there, so I'm not sure how my NIP we will do... but I thought I would information-gather anyway, just to be on the safe side!!

If you access the Mothering map at http://www.mothering.com/resources/map.pdf you get the updated version with PA's color change to a state with a law but no enforcement provision. Thanks for the heads-up that the map in the "Pocket Guide" hasn't been updated. I'll give a nudge.

Jake Marcus

[kikidee]

Cycle - thanks! I'll PM you if I need a break.

Ok good, I'm so glad the law was updated! I thought I remembered seeing something about that on here awhile back...

I'll print all that out and take it with me. Just in case.

Thanks everyone for your help!!