In writing to a legislator, for ANY breastfeeding bill, I have the
following suggestions:

1. Write calm, informative letters. Angry letters will either be ignored, or
used against breastfeeding mothers to show what zealots all of us really
are. Even consider saying a few nice things to the person - then give your
pitch. You can express your disappointment without being angry or nasty.
Active listen a bit in the letter..

2. Provide information to them. Benefits of breastfeeding. Stories of
mothers who were harassed. Why you believe there should be a law. Can even
give them copies of things like "Breastfeeding Does Make a Difference" or
"95 or 96 Breastfeeding Fact Sheet".

3. Feel free to use any of  my pitches in the breastfeeding legislation
articles I have on the web:

 http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawMain.html

or to copy the article and include it. You can give information on other
bills, in other states, and why you like them.

4. NOT RECOMMENDED to have a nurse-in to protest legislation failing.
Reason? Makes you look like some radical person that legislators should be
scared of. If you want to do something like that, how about a nice RALLY
where breastfeeding information is given out - where you have prominent
people in the community speak - and DON'T do it at the capitol!

5.  It would help if you knew WHY she doesn't want to consider it. Does she
think you don't need a law since it is not against the law to breastfeed
anyway? What is the logic behind the decision? Can someone talk to her aid
NICELY and try to find out what her concerns and interests are?

6.  And last, when a bill fails, it isn't that big of a deal. So what.
Oregon was going to pass something that took away the right to breastfeed.
California tried that. They NEEDED to have some time before they tried it
again. Now California has a real good chance of getting a good bill passed.
Oregon may need that time too. Hey, remember it is already legal to
breastfeed in public. I'd almost rather see legislation that JUST SAYS

BREASTFEEDING IS AN IMPORTANT AND BASIC ACT OF NURTURE THAT MUST BE
ENCOURAGED IN THE INTERESTS OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, AND FAMILY VALUES.

Period. Nothing more. Under the public health statutes. Now it would apply
to ALL cases. Not just nursing in public. MIght be easier to pass.

Liz Baldwin




_______________________
Elizabeth N. Baldwin,  Esq.        Baldwin & Friedman, P.A.
2020 N.E. 163rd St. # 300          N. Miami Beach, Fla. 33162-4970
Phone:  305-944-9100                Home office: 954-929-9090
Fax:  305-949-9029                    [log in to unmask]
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Breastfeeding and the Law:  http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawMain.html