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Risser: Allow breast feeding
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by Pedro Oliveira Jr.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Two democratic state legislators proposed a bill Thursday that would allow mothers to breastfeed in any public place.
State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and Rep. Sheldon Wasserman, D-Milwaukee, introduced the bill after Risser heard from a constituent of his.
"[The constituent] was breastfeeding in a shopping center [and] was asked to leave the area and go to the women's bathroom," Risser said. "I checked into this situation and found a number of other states that already have access to such legislation, and it seemed to me that it was a reasonable bill."
Wasserman, co-author of "The Right to Breastfeed Act," said many women in Wisconsin fear harassment when nursing, and added that the bill will include punishment for such behavior.
"We encourage breastfeeding," Wasserman said. "And if anyone bothers people breastfeeding, they can receive a ticket up to $200."
Not everyone in the state supports the bill, however.
Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, said nursing is important for children, but it should be done with discretion.
"Breastfeeding is very natural. However, I don't think that we need to have legislation that gives special sanction to it," Appling said. "Just because something is normal and natural — it doesn't mean we have to condone [it]."
Racine resident Carrie Richmond, who protested restricting public breastfeeding last year, agrees with the new legislation and said it should not be an issue.
"It only makes logical sense," Richmond said. "I personally don't see why babies shouldn't be allowed to be breastfed anymore than you would be allowed to give them a bottle. Feeding is feeding."
Richmond protested with 20 women and children July 1, 2006 when a Racine woman was told to feed her baby in the bathroom of a Victoria Secret because a changing room was unavailable.
Despite previous attempts to pass similar legislation in Wisconsin, Wasserman said he is very positive the bill will advance.
"Now [Risser] is the president of the Senate, and when you're the president, your bills are heard immediately," Wasserman said.
In the coming weeks, the Right to Breastfeed Act will be referred to and discussed by the Senate Health Committee.
Anonymous (February 9, 2007 @ 11:28am):
Boobs are sinful, much like HPV vaccines. Everyone, secure your shame.
Anonymous (February 10, 2007 @ 11:03am):
Wow, is she serious?""Just because something is normal and natural -- it doesn't mean we have to condone [it]." obviously very stooopid. I mean, seriously. not breastfed, missing those IQ points it would have given her to not say such stupid things.
Anonymous (February 10, 2007 @ 1:26pm):
Al I can say is it's about time. Anywhere it's appropriate for a baby to be it's appropriate for a baby to fed whether via bottle or breast. Formula feeding costs this country billions of dollars every year. Breastfeeding mothers need to be supported, not harrassed. Lisa in Milwaukee
Anonymous (February 10, 2007 @ 2:54pm):
I'm so VERY glad a "family" supporting group is chosing to put themselves between mothers and their babies. Babies need to eat, and our society no longer confines women to their homes.
I don't need your conservative anti-family values putting shame on the fact that I have a baby and my baby eats. She eats from a spoon and she eats from my breast.
I don't eat in the bathroom, and neither will my baby. We need these sort of laws so that women and babies can be left alone.
Anonymous (February 10, 2007 @ 7:15pm):
I'd like to point out that Julaine Appling's comments in this article do not reflect the views, as a whole, of the Family Research Institute in Wisconsin. The Institute does not have an official stance on the issue.
As someone who identifies with many of the Institute's causes, I can personally say that most members of the group are pro-family and pro-breastfeeding-- anytime and anywhere.
Anonymous (February 10, 2007 @ 10:37pm):
I REALLY cannot believe that anyone actually thinks breastfeeding is vulgar/obscene...oh my gosh!!!! We see the most trashy people with breasts exposed, thongs showing etc. THIS IS FEEDING A CHILD. Get over it. We're not going away. It's too bad we HAVE to have a law to protect us in the first place, but since we do.....I'm all for it.
Anonymous (February 17, 2007 @ 1:01pm):
As a Christian, I'm glad to know that Julaine Appling's views do not represent those of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin. Like many childless women, Miss Appling probably has little understanding of the struggles facing quiverfull mothers who've been told to nurse in the bathroom and leave their older children unsupervised.
When this happened to me my oldest daughter, who's ten, said to me, "Mama, why do they think breastfeeding is wrong? Isn't that how baby Jesus was fed?" I couldn't bring myself to tell her that, sadly, there are perverts in this world who find the sight of babies feeding the way God intended to be a lustful thing.
Anonymous (February 18, 2007 @ 2:20pm):
I feel so sad for people who are "uncomfortable" with the thought, sound or sight of a baby nursing. I'm even more sad for respectful and socially appropriate, conservative women who feel shamed for discreetly nursing their babies in public places. They should feel proud! We need this law. Babies need to nurse whenever and wherever they are hungry. We have a long way to come- this is a great start! Say NO to meals in bathrooms!
Anonymous (March 22, 2007 @ 5:28pm):
You have to be kidding me,
In a city where some one can get gunned down putting bas into his car the State Senator Wasserman has nothing better to introduce into the legistlature ?
I am not against breast feeding but I do not want to want through Southride mall or Mayfair Mall and have to watch a row of breast feeding mothers during lunch time for baby. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO COMMON COURTESY ? and common sense with our state legislature ? Please find something more important to spend state time amd money on. I challenge Senator Wasserman to make a more contribution to bettering life int he Milwukee area other then turning our public areas into a hooter feeding area .
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