Council Removes Breastfeeding from Indecent Exposure Ordinance

The Alexandria City Council unanimously voted to exempt breastfeeding from an indecent exposure ordinance during Saturday's public hearing meeting.

Councilmen Rob Krupicka and Kerry Donley were approached by non-profit Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria to clarify the law.

The amended law allows a woman to breastfeed in public without an “opaque covering," which had previously been required.

Donley characterized the change as “a positive statement from the city.”

“This isn’t about indecent exposure but about the promotion of health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles,” Donley said.

Brian Moran, chair of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria and the Democratic Party of Virginia, spoke at the hearing promoting the benefits of breastfeeding for both infant and child. Moran particularly pointed to a reduced risk of pediatric weight problems for breastfed babies.

In his remarks, Donley spoke of a connection between breastfeeding mothers and a lower incidence of breast cancer.

The new ordinance also requires nursing breaks for mothers who work at Alexandria businesses with more than 50 employees, including the city government.

Deputy City Manager Michelle Evans said several city buildings already have designated rooms for feeding and pumping. She said a room on the fifth floor of City Hall will soon be designated as such.

"In our efforts to be a more family friendly community, we have to take on all aspects of what that means, including doing right by moms," Krupicka said.