AMA Advocates Breastfeeding in Public
AMA Advocates Breastfeeding in Public
Other states, such as Connecticut and New Jersey, are taking on those who hassle breastfeeding mothers by levying fines against "those who attempt to disrupt mothers from breastfeeding in public."
But in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia -- where no laws protect breastfeeding mothers -- there have been incidents in which mothers were barred from stores or restaurants or in other ways hassled while breastfeeding.
Maxey says that supporting state laws is just one more piece in an overall effort by the AMA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the surgeon general to encourage breastfeeding for the first year of life -- although she admits that many mothers find it difficult to continue breastfeeding for more than six months.
Nelson says states that are interested in passing laws that protect mothers' rights to breastfeed in public can contact the AMA to receive copies of its model legislation.