Breastfeeding in Public

Breastfeeding in Public: A Debate

 Breastfeeding in public spaces has been a subject of debate among many people, with both sides giving strong views about their stand. Breastfeeding is the act of a woman feeding a child from her breast. The question is should breastfeeding in public be allowed? The answer is yes, breastfeeding in public should be allowed because babies have a right to be fed everywhere and anywhere just like adults. In addition, breastfeeding has several health benefits for both the mother and the child, and there is nothing wrong for them to enjoy these benefits even if it is in the public space. Women should be accorded the right to breastfeed their children in public without any ridicule and opposition.

The Right to Nurture and Care

 Breastfeeding in public should be allowed because every mother deserved the right to nurture and care for her baby by breastfeeding in any place and at any time. Most adults are always eating in public spaces, restaurants, and even while taking a walk. Therefore, why should a hungry child be denied the chance to feed in public as the adults do? All human beings have a right to eat, and this same reason applies to infants who in fact have to be fed after every few hours (Gribble and Gallagher 443). As a result, mothers cannot neglect to feed their children just because some people are uncomfortable about it. Hence, breastfeeding in public should not be opposed because a child needs to be fed after some hours and a mother cannot neglect to feed their children.

Benefits for the Child's Health

 In addition, breastfeeding a child comes with many benefits for the child. There are many benefits of breastfeeding for a child for instance; breast milk contains several nutrients that help in the fight against diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and bacteria-borne diseases (Moss and Yeaton 1226).  However, breast milk provides the child with extra antibodies that help in the fight against diseases. Therefore, mothers should be allowed to breastfeed their babies in the public because it is good for the baby’s health as it provides vital nutrients that protect the baby from diseases.

Challenging the Opposition

 One prominent against allowing breastfeeding in public is that women’s breasts are viewed as sexual items and that they should not be exposed to the public anyhow (Li et al. 1164). Furthermore, those against it argue that the woman can move to designated breastfeeding places or wait to reach home and feed the child. However, this can be challenged because, there are exposed breasts everywhere from the television, movies, magazines and even posters. Therefore, this is not a valid reason to stop a mother from feeding her child in public. In addition, every child deserves the right to be fed when hungry regardless of the place and time just like grownups. In addition, why deny a child the right to feed just because people think that the mother is exposing her breasts to the public? Those against breastfeeding in public should think twice before opposing it because this is an infant we are talking about and not an adult who can control or persevere when hungry. Mothers should be freely allowed to breastfeed their children and any place and at any time without any opposition. Whys should a child suffer from hunger just because some people are against a mother feeding a child in public? Breastfeeding is vital for a baby in his\/her growth and developmental stages, and they should not be denied a chance to feed when hungry just because the mother is in a public place.

Health Benefits for Mother and Child

 Finally, breastfeeding has been around for several years now. It should be allowed in public spaces because if discouraged, it can be detrimental to the baby’s health. Breast milk contains the adequate amounts of amino and fatty acids as well as water and lactose that are good for digestion and the growth and development of the baby (Moss and Yeaton 1228). Moreover, apart from the benefits to the child, breastfeeding it creates a bond with the child, helps shed extra gained weight in addition to lowering the risk of postpartum depression and other health risks. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk contacting breast cancer, some types of diabetes, and even ovarian cancer. Therefore, breastfeeding in public should not be banned because it has health benefits for both the child and the mother.

A Child's Right to Feed

 In conclusion, breastfeeding in public is a topic that has brought several reactions across the world. There are those supporting it while others opposing it and both have their reasons why they take such a position. Breastfeeding is essential for the growth and development of a child and those opposing it are just doing it for their personal reasons that are not even valid. In addition, it comes with several health benefits both for the mother and for the child. Therefore, no one should deny a child the right to feed just because the mother is in a public space. Children just like adults have to eat, and we can all agree that many adults are always eating while walking and even sited in public areas. Breastfeeding in public does not harm anyone, and so, mothers should not be criticized and ridiculed while breastfeeding their children in public.

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Works Cited

Gribble, Karleen D., and Gallagher Morgan. "Rights of Children in Relation to Breastfeeding in          Child Protection Cases." British Journal of Social Work 44.2 (2014): 434-450.

 Li, Ruowei, et al. "Public Beliefs about Breastfeeding Policies in Various Settings." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 104.7 (2004): 1162-1168. Print

Moss, Brian G., and Yeaton William H. "Early childhood Healthy and Obese Weight Status: Potentially Protective Benefits of Breastfeeding and Delaying Solid Foods." Maternal and Child Health Journal 18.5 (2014): 1224-1232. Print