A recent survey regarding public breastfeeding and pumping has revealed some unsettling attitudes that highlight ongoing issues of equality and understanding in our society. It appears that a significant portion of Americans remains uncomfortable with the idea of women breastfeeding in public spaces, having access to private pumping facilities at work, or simply feeding their babies in a manner that is completely natural.
Conducted by the team at Lactation Solutions, the survey polled 1,000 households to gauge public sentiment on breastfeeding practices. The findings are particularly disheartening, revealing that one in four people in the United States views public breastfeeding or pumping as inappropriate. Additionally, 61 percent believe that mothers should not nurse openly in public—a natural act that has been practiced throughout history.
Over 60 percent of respondents think that women shouldn’t nurse in restaurants, suggesting that while others enjoy their meals, mothers should not have the same privilege. Moreover, 25 percent of those surveyed believe businesses shouldn’t be required to provide private lactation rooms for mothers, leaving many to wonder where they are expected to pump. A further 35 percent believe that unconventional workplaces, such as construction sites, have no obligation to offer nursing accommodations.
The results are even more troubling when broken down by gender. A concerning 45 percent of men do not think employers should provide lactation rooms, in contrast to only 23 percent of women. Furthermore, 21 percent of men don’t believe mothers should be entitled to time off for pumping, compared to just 9 percent of women. This stark disparity reflects a lack of understanding—or worse, blatant sexism—regarding the challenges that nursing mothers face. Interestingly, more women than men feel that mothers should not be allowed to breastfeed in public, which raises questions about societal pressures on women.
Jennifer Moore, Director of Lactation Solutions, expressed her disappointment in the survey’s findings. “It’s disheartening that new moms still lack the support they need from both men and women in our society to breastfeed publicly,” she stated. “These outdated attitudes make it difficult for mothers to navigate daily life without fear of judgement or shame.” It’s frustrating to see that, despite breastfeeding being legal in all states and many employers being required to provide lactation rooms, outdated opinions continue to persist.
The reality is that public breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits for both mother and child, yet some mothers have faced ejection from public places for nursing. Disturbingly, a significant number of moms who have filed discrimination complaints related to pumping have faced job loss.
Moore hopes this survey will shed light on the pressures and discomfort that new mothers experience when feeding their babies in public. “Being a mom is challenging enough without being surrounded by critics,” she said. If you’re interested in learning more about the journey of motherhood, check out our blog post on terms and conditions. Also, for those looking for more information on home insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource, as is March of Dimes for all things related to pregnancy and fertility treatments.
In summary, the survey highlights a troubling lack of support for public breastfeeding, revealing outdated and sexist attitudes that hinder mothers from comfortably feeding their children in public spaces.