Ordinance Allows Mothers To Breastfeed Wherever They Want
Ordinance Overwhelmingly Passed County Board
Updated: 12:06 pm CST January 5, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- Dane County mothers are now able to nurse their children anywhere they choose under an ordinance enacted Thursday night.
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TALKBACK: What Do You Think?The ordinance prohibits anyone from interfering with a breastfeeding mother in any public place in Dane County.The ordinance comes after recent reports of mothers being escorted off planes or even out of Camp Randall Stadium because of where they've chosen to breastfeed."I go everywhere with my kids; I feed them whenever they're hungry," said Erika Lukas, a Madison mother.Lukas said that breastfeeding her child hasn't been easy for her or her friends lately."She went to nurse her baby in her car, because she wasn't comfortable doing it in the mall, and a security guard was tapping on her window saying, 'You can't do this here,'" said Lukas of a friend's experience.Now one Madison mother, who is also a county board supervisor, said she hopes to make experiences like that a thing of the past."Technically, if you're a store owner and you see someone nursing and you want them to stop nursing, you may ask them to leave. So, this would stop you from asking them to leave," said Supervisor Carousel Bayrd.The county-wide ordinance now bans anyone from interfering with a breastfeeding mother. The ordinance is getting mixed reviews from city residents."Why should we put an undue burden on women and young children?" said Bob Dwyer of Madison."I have no problem with breastfeeding in public. I breastfed all my children, but I think there are health concerns and (wonder) whether it is appropriate or not for the business place. I would have a question about that," said Marilyn Martin of Madison.Lukas said she feels the safety of knowing you could nurse your child anywhere could encourage other mothers to breastfeed."What's good for babies and mothers is going to benefit the community," Lukas said.While the ordinance overwhelmingly passed the county board, there is a similar measure currently in committees of the Madison City Council as well as the state Legislature.There are consequences for a violation of the ordinance. Anyone who violates the law could be subject to a fine ranging from $10 to $100, WISC-TV reported.
VIDEO: Watch The Report | TALKBACK: What Do You Think?The ordinance prohibits anyone from interfering with a breastfeeding mother in any public place in Dane County.The ordinance comes after recent reports of mothers being escorted off planes or even out of Camp Randall Stadium because of where they've chosen to breastfeed."I go everywhere with my kids; I feed them whenever they're hungry," said Erika Lukas, a Madison mother.Lukas said that breastfeeding her child hasn't been easy for her or her friends lately."She went to nurse her baby in her car, because she wasn't comfortable doing it in the mall, and a security guard was tapping on her window saying, 'You can't do this here,'" said Lukas of a friend's experience.Now one Madison mother, who is also a county board supervisor, said she hopes to make experiences like that a thing of the past."Technically, if you're a store owner and you see someone nursing and you want them to stop nursing, you may ask them to leave. So, this would stop you from asking them to leave," said Supervisor Carousel Bayrd.The county-wide ordinance now bans anyone from interfering with a breastfeeding mother. The ordinance is getting mixed reviews from city residents."Why should we put an undue burden on women and young children?" said Bob Dwyer of Madison."I have no problem with breastfeeding in public. I breastfed all my children, but I think there are health concerns and (wonder) whether it is appropriate or not for the business place. I would have a question about that," said Marilyn Martin of Madison.Lukas said she feels the safety of knowing you could nurse your child anywhere could encourage other mothers to breastfeed."What's good for babies and mothers is going to benefit the community," Lukas said.While the ordinance overwhelmingly passed the county board, there is a similar measure currently in committees of the Madison City Council as well as the state Legislature.There are consequences for a violation of the ordinance. Anyone who violates the law could be subject to a fine ranging from $10 to $100, WISC-TV reported. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
