Hempstead Town Plans To Allow Breastfeeding Anywhere In Parks

Many Hempstead Town Board members are vowing to change the town's code to allow nursing mothers to breastfeed their children anywhere in town parks or facilities, instead of just "designated areas," which is what the current law allows.

The issue came to legislator's eyes this summer when a Levittown resident received a copy of the town's pool rules with her pool pass. Among the rules is one that says that nursing mothers can breastfeed their children in designated areas.

The woman's town representative, Dennis Dunne, contacted the town's Parks Department and had the section removed from the pool rules. Now, town representatives are working to change the town code.

“As the first mother in Town of Hempstead history to serve as supervisor, it was critically important to me that we update these outdated policies in order to reflect modern day practice,” said Supervisor Laura Gillen. “Nursing has been shown to provide incredible health benefits to newborns, which is why I, and many women throughout the town, have made this choice.”

Gillen said the last time the town's rules on breastfeeding were updated was in 1982.

“As a mother who breastfed my two children, I cannot stress enough how important it is to me that we change our code to reflect a woman’s right to feed her child in public,” said Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. “Breastfeeding is one of the most natural functions of a woman and to imply in any way that it is shameful or should be hidden goes against my belief system.”

Breastfeeding areas are usually located in secluded spots, sometimes in restrooms or changing rooms. Allowing mothers to breastfeed anywhere would allow a woman to watch one child while nursing another, instead of forcing her to take all her children with her whenever she needs to nurse.

“I had a career in the medical profession as a registered dietitian for decades and I nursed both my daughters, so I know the benefits of a mother breastfeeding and believe that women should be able to choose if, when and where they want to breastfeed their child,” said Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby. “Updating this code is very important so we ensure that there is no question as to where our board stands on this issue.”

Gillen said that this incident has prompted her to go through the Town Code to see if there are any other statutes that need to be updated.

"There are hundreds of town codes that have to be dusted off and looked at again,” she said.

Photo courtesy Town of Hempstead