Group defends state breastfeeding law

A local group is defending an Indiana law that says a mother can breastfeed her baby anywhere in public. \nThe issue came under the national spotlight last week when about 200 women took to the streets of New York for a "nurse-in" to advocate their right to breastfeed in public.\nBloomington might not have a rash of "nurse-ins," but it does have the La Leche League, an organization that tries to educate and support breastfeedinging mothers. The group meets monthly in Vineyard Community Church to discuss the issue and act as a place to get "mother-to-mother information," said Joan Breeden, a La Leche League leader.\nIn the meetings, the leaders have conversations with mothers so they can share their experiences and information. The leaders are always there to make sure that the mothers don't try to give out any misinformation, Breeden said.\n"We don't want some mother to say something off the wall," she said.\nBut the support that the mothers offer each other is the most important part of the meetings, said Judie Ellison, another La Leche League leader.\nBreastfeeding has many benefits, but some women still do not do it, Breeden said. The most common complaints are sore nipples and mothers not knowing if their babies are getting enough to eat.\nBloomington resident Diane Day said she didn't breastfeed her children because she was working. This is another common reason women don't breastfeed, but Breeden said all they need to do is get a pump and prepare the milk before work. \nBreastfeeding helps the health of both the mother and fetus, Breeden said, adding that one controversial study even shows that breastfed babies have higher IQs.\nThe baby will also never go hungry while the mother is around, Breeden said. \n"They are always ready, always available," she said. "If you find yourself in a car accident, it's always right there."\nOne reason many women don't breastfeed is the same reason some people don't want women to breastfeed in \npublic, Breeden said -- breasts are viewed as something sexual.\nBut, a breastfeeding mother doesn't reveal anything anyway, Breeden said. The only time someone can see the nipple is while the baby is reaching for the breast. \n"It can be done modestly," Ellison said.\nDay said she believes that if breastfeeding is done in public, women should cover themselves with a blanket so that nothing can be seen. \nJunior Brian Flynn said he doesn't think people should mind public breastfeeding. \n"It's natural," he said. "It shouldn't be something sexual."\nFlynn's sister just started breastfeeding and his brother asked her to "give (him) warning and (he'll) just walk out of the room."\nFifth year senior Beau Jackson said women shouldn't breastfeed in public, but he doesn't care enough to actually say anything to them. Still, the closer the woman is to him the more uncomfortable he becomes, Jackson said. \n"It depends on what public is," he said. "I wouldn't want her to come over here and sit next to me"