WA Breastfeeding Law Passes

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By Stacy Lilienthal

Story Published: Apr 25, 2009 at 5:01 AM PDT

It's now a woman's civic right to breast feed her baby in public. Before the new law, women could be asked to leave a public place if someone was uncomfortable.

Baby Elizabeth Ann is due July 20th. The new law means her mother, Alicia Rains will be able to feed her naturally whenever and where ever she needs to. Rains is glad for that, "If your baby's hungry, they don't know about laws or anything like that. They need food." "Very young babies are meant to eat every couple of hours" starts RN and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Karin Carlson, "and sometimes it's just not convenient for you to find a private place where you can go do this."

The governor signed the law citing the health benefits. Carlson lists a few, "lower rates of infection with ear problems, even they're linking it to lower rates of diabetes, lower rates of obesity." Some studies even show a mother's milk reduces the rate of some childhood cancers.

We talked to at least 10 people, including John Sheaffer, who all say they support the new law but want mothers to be well covered. "I could see probably a lot of people getting offended." But mothers say clothes have become more accommodating now. "There are shawls that cover up here and you can't even tell if there's a baby there." explains expecting mother Rains while pointing to her shirt.

"Really that's what breasts are meant for. They aren't meant for selling beer or women draped over cars." laughs Carlson. And now more women may use them for that purpose, now that a law protects them from being forced to leave.

Studies have also shown breast feeding is also good for the mother, preventing osteoporosis and anemia.

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