Moms Talk: Nursing in Public

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I've seen many newborns over the past few months. Originally, I thought it was simply because I had major baby-bump envy, but after checking with Virtua Hospital in Voorhees—known as one of the area's best hospitals to give birth in—officials say more than 2,600 babies have been born since January 2011, at Virtua's Voorhees branch alone.

Witnessing the baby boom around town has also led me to notice a significant increase in mothers who breast-feed their children. Maybe it's because more women are feeling liberated in their right to nurse publicly. Women are finally getting comfortable with feeding their children outside of the home. It's not only economical, it's beneficial to the baby. To my breast-feeding moms—kudos!

And the nearby town of Haddonfield is even home to a number of La Leche League groups.

Breast-feeding is immensely beneficial for both a newborn and a mother. It helps mom shed that baby weight at a faster rate, and increases health for mother and child alike.

According to the National Resource Defense Council, "Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a number of diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer, before the age of 15."

While all of these things sound fantastic, there are still many breast-feeding critics who believe it's unacceptable to nurse a child in public. In the instances I've seen women breast-feeding publicly, they always do it discretely. And in today's mommy market, there are fabulous and fashionable nursing cover-up's and accessories that conceal mothers while they're nursing.

With all these modern advancements, and in today's forward-thinking world, why are people still offended by such a natural act?

I want to know what you think. Share your feelings about public breast-feeding. Tell us how you feel when you notice a woman nursing her child in public. Would your feelings change if that mother was completely covered-up? If you find breast-feeding offensive, what makes you feel that way?

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