newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A recent incident in Michigan has reignited debates about public breastfeeding.

The Detroit Free Press reported that 32-year old Afrykayn Moon was nursing her two-week-old son when a female SMART bus driver ordered her to cover up or get off the bus. Moon didn’t leave the bus, but the driver would not leave the stop until the child was done feeding.

CBS News reports that Michigan’s Home Rule City Act of 1909 states, "A mother's breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstances constitute nudity irrespective of whether or not the nipple is covered during or incidental to the feeding."

Right now, 27 states and the District of Columbia have made breastfeeding exempt from public indecency laws. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures website, the District of Columbia and 44 states have laws specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the surgeon general both say that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition. Many doctors look at studies showing that breast-fed babies are protected against sudden infant death syndrome and various infections and are less likely to develop asthma or become obese. Others still recommend formula as a supplement.

Michigan State Sen. Rebekah Warren is reintroducing legislation to prevent discrimination against breastfeeding women in the state, which was introduced in 2009 but failed to pass. Breast-feeding equipment is deductible on federal tax returns and can be reimbursed through health savings accounts.