Breastfeeding in Public: A Global Review of Different Attitudes towards It

Abstract

Breast milk is the best diet for infants and exclusive breastfeeding is strongly recommended. In order for breastfeeding to be exclusive, mothers will face situations where they will need to feed in public places whether they are indoors or outdoors. However, acceptance of breastfeeding in public is not always accepted. Many cultural, legal, social and religious factors play a role in acceptance of nursing in public. Public acceptance in turn may have an effect on the rate of breast feeding in communities and regions. Some countries in North Europe and North America have made legislative attempts to establish the legitimacy of breastfeeding in public as well as the right to feed their child or pump milk at the workplace. Moreover, some countries in the Western hemisphere use advertising to promote breastfeeding. On the other hand, some African and Asian countries discourage, or even criminalize public nursing. This review summarizes the different attitudes towards public breastfeeding worldwide and the current advertising campaigns around the world.