Over the last few years, several news stories and photos surrounding public breastfeeding have gone viral and in the process, some mothers have admitted to feeling embarrassed after their actions were highlighted, while others have created movements to stop the public shaming against the act. In early December 2015, co-host of “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg, expressed her strong opinions on breastfeeding during the show’s “Hot Topics” segment. Goldberg stated, “If they’re old enough to have teeth, they shouldn’t be breastfeeding. Good god.”
This comment stirred up fire in the breastfeeding community, and people are defending their beliefs whether they think the act completed in public is wrong or not. In early 2012, singer and actress Beyoncé was reported breastfeeding her daughter, Blue Ivy, at a New York restaurant. The news made big headlines, but some are saying, “What’s the big deal?”
Although public breastfeeding is an issue, many mothers of color, specifically African-Americans, feel there is a stigma in the community as they have significantly lower breastfeeding rates than white mothers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“When I decided to breastfeed my child, my mother instantly turned her nose up to the idea. I’m not sure what the issue is, because it has so many benefits and can be cost effective,” explained mom of two Janice Porter, 31. “It’s a shame these mothers are being harassed because they are simply feeding their child. I’ve seen moms breastfeed inside of cramped and smelly bathrooms because they don’t want to risk the public shaming.”
The data from the CDC found although the gap between Black and white breastfeeding initiation rates has narrowed, Black infants consistently had the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration across all of the study’s years, 2000–2008. They believe this is due to a lack of support to start and continue the feeding process.
Dr. Elizabeth Ferries-Rowe, OBGYN at Eskenazi Health, said there is a stigma due to an equation of the breast with sexuality.
“It may seem inappropriate to expose the breast in public as it relates to a child, and a lot of it has to do with generational changes. Years ago there were very few people breastfeeding, so it’s something people don’t have a pre-existing familiarity and comfort level with,” said Ferris-Rowe.
Although she isn’t exactly sure what the strong stigma may be in the African-American community, she says it may have to do with tradition.
“What mom tells you is what you do, and I’ve seen interactions between patients and their moms and we’re trying to counteract that by having billboards and other advertising of African-American women breastfeeding,” she added.
Ferris-Rowe also believes there is a lack of understanding of the challenges and benefits breastfeeding holds.
“There is the notion that it should be easy to cover up, and again that has to do with a lack of familiarity for those who don’t understand how difficult it can be to keep a small child under a tent (when) it’s 85 degrees out.”
She said others think, “why not use a bottle while in public?” but explained that every child is different, and some children don’t take from a bottle very well.
“It’s assumed that if you don’t use a bottle, you’re looking to make a political statement,” Ferris-Rowe said.
Many establishments are assisting moms with feeding by creating more comfortable environments where they can breastfeed. The Indiana State Fair offers family tents, while the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has a designated nursing room. All employers are required by law to provide both a time and location for their employees to breastfeed.
Ferris-Rowe admits this can be hard for women to stand up for themselves when employers choose not to provide those accommodations or for those on hourly pay who want to avoid losing extra time to dedicate to breastfeeding or pumping.
