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    Here's How Breastfeeding Laws Vary Around The U.S.

    Ranging from requiring "discretion" while feeding a child to giving the ability to pursue legal action against anyone who asks a mother to cover her child, here's an overview of breastfeeding laws in the 50 states and DC.

    alienam2
    by alienam2

    Community Contributor

    1. Alabama

    Nothing to write home about - moms can feed their babies anywhere they're allowed to be.

    2. Alaska

    Via ncsl.org

    Not only can a mom feed her child, but it's also not considered immoral. Go figure.

    3. Arizona

    Via ncsl.org

    Nothing too interesting about this one.

    4. Arkansas

    Via ncsl.org

    So far this language seems pretty standard. Then again, we aren't out of the "As" yet.

    5. California

    Via ncsl.org

    At least California protects people from having to see a baby be fed in their own home. Who wouldn't rather hear a crying baby, anyways?

    6. Colorado

    Via ncsl.org

    Nothing too fancy.

    7. Connecticut

    Via ncsl.org

    Now here's where you might want to sit up and pay attention. Harass a mother for feeding her child from her breast and you could end up in jail for 30 days. Needless to say, jailhouse happenings are bound to be much more offensive than a mother breastfeeding her child.

    8. Delaware

    Via ncsl.org

    So, here we are again with the basics.

    9. D.C.

    Via ncsl.org

    Not only can she breastfeed, she can use her whole breast to do so.

    10. Florida

    Via ncsl.org

    Stat. 800.02 goes on to clarify that breastfeeding does not violate public indecency laws. Good thing, too because who wants to eat under a blanket in the Florida heat?

    11. Georgia

    Via ncsl.org

    Not only is a mother allowed to breastfeed, but it is recognized by the state as an important and basic act of nurture. Maslow's heirarchy, anyone?

    12. Hawaii

    Via ncsl.org

    Don't try and turn away a Hawaiian woman just because she is nursing! You'll have to get creative in that state.

    13. Illinois

    Via ncsl.org

    Again, she can use her whole breast to feed her child, but should observe the societal norms within a place of worship should she choose to attend.

    14. Indiana

    Via ncsl.org

    Short and sweet.

    15. Iowa

    Via ncsl.org

    They ran out of creativity in Iowa. Still, satisfactory.

    16. Kansas

    Via ncsl.org

    Concise.

    17. Kentucky

    Via ncsl.org

    Not only is it legal to breast feed your child in Kentucky, it is illegal for anyone to interfere with this activity. Don't mess with Kentucky moms.

    18. Louisiana

    Via ncsl.org

    Louisiana knows what's up.

    19. Maine

    Via ncsl.org

    So moms can breastfeed on public OR private property? Gasp!

    20. Maryland

    Via ncsl.org

    Again, it's illegal to interfere with a nursing mother-child pair. Also note it doesn't say "infant." So, if your eyes are offended, avert them.

    21. Massachusetts

    Via ncsl.org

    Again, not only is it legal to breastfeed, this right is protected by the attorney general who may bring a civil action against anyone who violates that right.

    22. Michigan

    Via ncsl.org

    We don't get offended by bottle nipples do we?

    23. Minnesota

    Via ncsl.org

    When was the last time someone got offended by a pacifier nipple? Never? Yes, that sounds about right.

    24. Mississippi

    Via ncsl.org

    Because how can you breastfeed a baby without uncovering "any part of" your breast?

    25. Missouri

    Via ncsl.org

    You read that right...you can pump milk in the mall food court during a girls' day out.

    26. Montana

    Via ncsl.org

    Montana's law is pretty clear here. It doesn't matter if you're annoyed or aroused or disgusted by a mother nursing her child, you can't really do anything about it and neither can law enforcement. As it should be.

    27. Nebraska

    Via ncsl.org

    And Nebraska brings us back to the boring laws...

    28. Nevada

    Via ncsl.org

    This seems reasonable, considering the fact that, with all that takes place in and around Vegas, there are probably much more intense opportunities for one's delicate senses to be offended than by a baby breastfeeding.

    29. New Hampshire

    Via ncsl.org

    Not only is feeding your baby perfectly decent (in fact, it could be argued that it's indecent not to do so) but also to attempt to prevent a mother from doing so is, in fact, discrimination.

    30. New Jersey

    Via ncsl.org

    Pretty straightforward.

    31. New Mexico

    Via ncsl.org

    Straight to the point.

    32. New York

    Via ncsl.org

    Again, nipples are just skin. (Or rubber, if you bottle feed).

    33. North Carolina

    Via ncsl.org

    North Carolina's got it going on!!

    34. North Dakota

    Via ncsl.org

    Not sure what could possibly be immodest about breastfeeding a child. When a child eats from a bottle you see the nipple, the bottle AND the milk. Talk about non-discreet... (Sarcastically making a point...mothers who bottle feed are just as wonderful as mothers who breast feed. This comment is not intended to shame those who bottle feed, just those who find breastfeeding gross or remotely sexual.)

    35. Oklahoma

    Via ncsl.org

    Straightforward.

    36. Oregon

    Via ncsl.org

    Oregon doesn't beat around the bush.

    37. Ohio

    Via ncsl.org

    Not complicated, folks.

    38. Pennsylvania

    Via ncsl.org

    Very thorough, Pennsylvania.

    39. Rhode Island

    Via ncsl.org

    "A woman may feed her child by bottle or breast." End of story. Because that's really what it's all about, isn't it? As long as your baby is getting fed, who really cares about all the other business? Rhode Island FTW!

    40. South Carolina

    Via ncsl.org

    South Carolina doesn't like to make things complicated.

    41. South Dakota

    Via ncsl.org

    Interesting choice of words. It should be clarified that breast-feeding a baby is NOT a sexual act at all, prohibited or otherwise.

    42. Tennessee

    Via ncsl.org

    The law used to only protect breastfeeding for children 12 months of age or younger. As of July 1, 2011, breastfeeding of children is protected by law, regardless of age. This was a wise change, considering the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until at least age two years (24 months) or beyond.

    43. Texas

    Via ncsl.org

    Don't mess with Texas. Or Texas moms.

    44. Utah

    Via ncsl.org

    The law goes on to further clarify that breastfeeding is not considered pornographic in nature. Thanks for that clarification, Utah, just in case anyone was confused.

    45. Vermont

    Via ncsl.org

    Also very straightforward.

    46. Virginia

    Via ncsl.org

    So, good luck figuring out if you're on protected property while you're trying to feed your child, moms.

    47. Washington

    Via ncsl.org

    The law also goes on to clarify that breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is not indecent exposure.

    48. West Virginia

    Via ncsl.org

    Any location open to the public. End of story.

    49. Wisconsin

    Via ncsl.org

    Can a mother breastfeed her child? Of course. Can someone ask her to move? No. Can someone ask her to cover her breast? No. Can someone ask her to cover her child? No, and who would ask someone to cover up their adorable baby??

    50. Wyoming

    Via ncsl.org

    Deja vu. Feeding your child from your breast is not indecent. Any questions?

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