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Media Watch: Breastfeeding on Capitol Hill
In December 1997, in a position statement published in the journal Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their breastfeeding guidelines. The AAP now recommends mothers breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and continue at least a full year, longer if possible, slowly adding age-appropriate solid foods to compliment baby's diet. The health benefits of breastmilk are indisputable; breastmilk provides significant immunological benefits and reduces a child's risk of developing allergies. Despite this compelling evidence, only 54% of American mothers breastfeed their babies when they leave the hospital; that percentage plunges after the first 10-12 weeks post-partum. The United States has the lowest rates of breastfeeding of any industrialized country. And its no wonder: breastfeeding remains a social taboo throughout much of our nation.
While breastfeeding is not specifically outlawed, the practice is discouraged in many public areas and institutions. In extreme cases, public nudity laws have been invoked to quash the practice of breastfeeding in public. Usually it doesn't need to go that far. Faced with a hostile, disapproving world, most women will simply take their breastfeeding infant back into the closet-into germ-infested public restrooms-or they'll stay at home or give up breastfeeding altogether. But not if Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) has anything to say about it. Under legislation currently headed for congressional approval, these antiquated restrictions may soon be a thing of the past.
Rep. Maloney says that the legislation is part of a push to make breastfeeding socially acceptable. The Breastfeeding Rights Act has already passed the House and is headed for the Senate. The bill will allow breastfeeding in public areas on federal property including federal buildings, museums and national parks. That's a major endorsement for a simple act of life and love.
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Profile: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, a Democrat, represents the 14th district in New York City. After serving for ten years on the New York City Council, Maloney defeated a 14-year incumbent in her first race for Congress in 1992. She was reelected in 1998 with 77% of the vote. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, Maloney is one of the leading advocates for women and family issues, with special emphasis on women's health, family planning, childcare, and reproductive freedom. Her bill to offer annual mammograms for women on Medicare was included in the FY98 budget agreement. She has also introduced legislation (“Kiddie Mac”) which would make day care more available and affordable by guaranteeing loans for day care facility construction and improvements.
A summary of child- and family-friendly legislation Rep. Maloney is sponsoring in the 106th Congress:
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act Amendments of 1999 -- A bill to clarify the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) to protect breastfeeding under civil rights law, requiring that women cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for expressing breastmilk during her own lunch time or break time. (HR 1478)
Breastfeeding Promotion and Employers' Tax Incentive Act - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax for expenses for providing an appropriate environment on the business premises for employed mothers to breastfeed or express milk for their children. (HR 1163)
Right to Breastfeed Act - A bill to ensure a woman's right to breastfeed her child on any portion of Federal property where the woman and her child are otherwise authorized to be. (HR 1848)
Child Care Infrastructure Act -- A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit against tax for employers who provide child care assistance for dependents of their employees, and for other purposes. (HR 389)
Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act - A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow employees to take, as additional leave, parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities and to clarify that leave may be taken for routine medical needs and to assist elderly relatives, and for other purposes. (HR 2103) Also included is a bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if the domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent has a serious health condition. (HR 2104)
What you can do to support child friendly legislation:
Call or write to your congressional representatives. Let them know you support Rep. Mahoney's bills and similar public policy initiatives that will encourage and support the practice of breast-feeding. For a complete listing of all U.S. Representatives, log on to www.house.gov.