Before formula, all humans were breastfed, but not all humans were breastfed in public. Since March 2013, when the Latter Day Lactivists made the news, the breastfeeding in public issue had received a lot of coverage in Utah, and the issue has in fact been well received.
“The county legislative body may not prohibit a woman’s breastfeeding in any location where she otherwise may rightfully be, irrespective of whether the breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding,” according to the Utah Public Breastfeeding Law.
Although not everyone has been turned pro-breastfeeding in public, a recent informal poll of 50 Salt Lake Community College students shows that most students are fine with women breastfeeding in public, particularly on campus.
Almost all students believed breastfeeding is best for both baby and the mother, and most students agreed with the Utah breastfeeding laws.
It’s not much different from carrying a concealed weapon on campus, according to Joy Tlou, SLCC’s Public Relations Director. He says that if SLCC does not have a written policy, then the rule defaults to state law.
“I’ve had patients who have said, ‘you want me to take off my jacket off, I’m just gonna tell you I’ve got a concealed weapons permit, and it’s right here,’ and I’m like, okay, that’s fine,” says Michelle Neeshan, Clinic Manager at Health and Wellness Services.
Neeshan has also had patients who come in to pump breast milk, and although Health and Wellness Services no longer has a designated breastfeeding room, they still welcome women who are uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public.
“I think it is a cultural thing,” says Neeshan, “but I think [women] should be able to breastfeed here.”
The message is clear: If there’s a baby in need, stick to your guns and whip out that booby.
Really! This is the most unprofessional article I’ve ever read on breastfeeding. “Loaded Boobies”– that headline is certainly unkind, to say the least.
What exactly was unprofessional? As a breastfeeding mother, I wouldn’t find the headline unkind, and as a reporter, I told the story as it was told by others. This was not an opinion piece, so what’s the problem?
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