A friend forwarded this to tme:
from The Register-Guard, Tuesday, September 7, 1999 (Eugene, Oregon)

Nursing moms' rights affirmed
Health: The state is giving women cards that explain breast-feeding in
public is legal.

By The Associated Press

Salem, OR -- Breast feeding in public has never been illegal in Oregon, but
mothers who want to nurse their babies will soon be the first in the nation
to carry a card affirming that right.

The Oregon Health Division is issuing cards women can carry as a defense if
someone hassles them for nursing their babies, said Kristin Sasseen,
coordinator for the state's breast-feeding awareness campaign.

On one side, the cards cite the law: "A woman may breast-feed her child in
a public place." On the other is a phone number women can call if they are
hassled.

State health official say the card is something a mom can whip out to show
she's not doing anything wrong, if someone asks her to nurse elsewhere.

"I think it was a brilliant idea," said state Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland,
who sponsored legislation affirming the right to breast feed. Brown likens
the card to Miranda cards that outline a person's rights if they're arrested.

Oregon mothers are getting other help with breast-feeding as well. This
summer, the governor ordered all state agencies to provide breast-feeding
employees with a place to pump and store milk, as well as unpaid break time
to do so.

Meanwhile, the Health Division is distributing window stickers for
businesses that welcome breast-feeding moms.

"I think as a general rule, people are very accepting, considerate," said
Sharon Hansen, a consultant at Salem Hospital. "It is very possible to
breast-feed discreetly so as not to offend anyone."

While it may seem unnecessary to launch a public awareness campaign for
something that has always been legal, many moms still get hassled.

"I've had people talk under their breath, 'Look at that. Can you believe
that?' The same kinds of things they say about kids with purple hair," said
Robyn Tuttle of Salem, who breast-feeds her daughter and often has to do so
in public places. "I actually had one woman in Lancaster Mall say
something like, 'I can't believe you're doing that here.'"

But just having a card in their pocket won't be enough to help all women
overcome the self-consciousness of breast-feeding. Sasseen said. "I do not
think that women are going to say, "Oh, this is legal, so now I'm going to
throw my breasts out there," she said.

About 20 other states have laws to ensure the right to breast-feed in
public, although Oregon is the first to put it on a card. The law is
catching on because breast-feeding is a healthy alternative to formula and
cuts health care costs. The convenience of breast feeding also reduces
absence rates at work.

So far, the Oregon Health Division has had requests for about 20,000 cards,
both from hospitals and individual moms. The state expects to print about
100,000 cards during the first year at an estimated cost of about $1,500,
Sasseen said.



Mardrey Swenson, IBCLC
New Hampshire

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