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Breastfeeding Laws for Your State

by Eliza on March 8th, 2008

Do you know what the breastfeeding laws are for the state you live in? I moved from state to state while in the military and now that we are out it hadn’t dawned on me to look up the breastfeeding laws in Missouri. Why? I simply got use to breastfeeding my child whenever I needed to do it. I’m not the type of person that shows her boobs in public, however I do feed my child in public. Normally I’ll place a cover over the top of the event in question and when I don’t have one I lift my shirt up just enough that my child can latch on and no one can see what it going on. If they see then it is because they are looking.

If you are a breastfeeding mom you can get out of jury duty if you live in one of the following states:  California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and Virginia.

There are a lot of states that allow breastfeeding in public, however you do have to watch how they are worded. Keep in mind if you live in a state that allows breastfeeding anywhere, this means you cannot get kicked out of a mall, courthouse, or even a public place that a woman is allowed. But if you do enter a private residence there may be a restriction, this is the same if you enter a place where it states you cannot bring in drinks or food. Here are a few states that allow breastfeeding in public.

Alabama and Florida allows breastfeeding in any public place or private location.  Guess this means no one is getting kicked out of a restaurant for feeding their infant.  Arizona and Arkansas allows breastfeeding in any place a woman in authorized to go.  Virginia allows breastfeeding on in any land or property owned by the state.

Breastfeeding isn’t always smiled upon, while many states allow this publically you’ll have to read the breastfeeding law for it to make sure. For instance, Georgia doesn’t mind a mom breastfeeding her child in public as long as they do it discreetly. (ladies, no taking off your top)

My own state, Missouri, actually allows a breastfeeding mom to be excused from jury duty and breastfeeding can’t be looked at as indecent exposure.  Works should also allow a breaktime for such a mom, so that she may express milk and child care facilities should not discriminate against such a child. Yes, this means if you breastfeed they can’t turn you away because they don’t want to pass out someone else’s milk.

To find out what state breastfeeding laws your state has check the 50 States Summary of Breastfeeding laws. Always be sure to know, before you start arguing, most laws are actually for the breastfeeding mom. 

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8 opinions for Breastfeeding Laws for Your State

  • Maria
    Mar 8, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    LLL also has an easy to use page where you can look up US and international law. Keep in mind, however, some countries do not have a law, because it simply is not necessary. For example, I nursed in public throughout Germany without so much as a dirty look, and as far as I know, they are without “protection.” Actually, my midwife there told me that it was unnecessary to even worry about it.

    LLL– to look up the law– http://www.llli.org/Law/LawMain.html?m=0,1

  • Ian
    Mar 9, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    Here in Scotland they passed a law a couple of years ago, the legislation makes it an offence to stop nursing mothers from feeding their babies in places like bars, buses and shopping centres. Businesses who break the law risk a fine of up to £2,500.
    England is still a bit behind on legal rights, but it’s rare to be challenged for feeding your baby, I think people are getting the message.

  • Michelle
    Mar 9, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    It’s good to know the laws. Thanks.

  • Megan
    Nov 13, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    where did u get your info for missouri? I live there too and the info i’ve found doesn’t include some of what you’ve posted. I’m interested in the source in case I’m ever descriminated against.

  • Shannon
    Nov 26, 2008 at 8:01 am

    I am also interested in the Missouri info. The only laws I have found for here is that a woman can BF in public, but must do so discreetly, and that hospitals are required to give info on BFing and provide LCs. Most of what I’ve found hasn’t been updated in a few years though, so if there are new, more current laws, please let me know.

  • Eliza
    Nov 26, 2008 at 8:34 am

    here are a few sites: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm, http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/JuryStates/JuryStates_files/page0014.htm, http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul05p51.html

  • Eliza
    Nov 26, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Missouri requires mothers to breastfeed “with as much discretion as possible.” This language is subjective and can create problems. Recently, a Kansas bill addressing public breastfeeding was amended to include the word “discreet” and a female legislator supporting the amendment stated that this meant feeding under a blanket or towel.9

    from the LLL site

  • Eliza
    Nov 26, 2008 at 8:43 am

    Section 494.430, RSMo: Upon timely application to the court, the following persons shall be excused from service as a petit or grand juror:…
    (6) Any woman who is breastfeeding, but only if such woman provides a written statement to the court certifying that she is actually breastfeeding her own child not exceeding two years of age; and requesting that she be excused from service.
    Introduced by Rep. Robert Schaaf 1/23/2007

    http://www.familyfriendlyjuryduty.org/JuryStates/JuryStates_files/page0014.htm

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