Can I have anything done about my school administrator asking me not to breastfeed my child at school?
ByQuestion by Elizabeth: Can I have anything done about my school administrator asking me not to breastfeed my child at school?
First of all, I’m 17 and a junior in high school. I have a 2 month old son and I’ve decided to breastfeed him for at least one year.
I pump before I leave for school, but at lunch my mother brings the baby to me and I breastfeed discretely (Cover up with blanket)
One of my school administrators saw me in the school lobby and apparently has an issue with breastfeeding. “That’s indecent exposure, I’m going to have to ask you to go somewhere else.”
Can I do anything about this? Isn’t it my right to give my baby the very best?
I live in Florida, I’m not sure if there are any breastfeeding laws here.
Best answer:
Answer by Heather T
Where do you live? Have you looked up your rights?
What do you think? Answer below!
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20 Comments
June 18th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
It is illegal for her to ask you to move on, and you should tell her that too. It is your right to feed your baby as, when and where they need to be fed.
ETA – For the person who suggested feeding in a bathroom – Yyou probably don’t realise how offensive that is to nursing mothers, I wouldn’t eat in a bathroom, I wouldn’t expect my child to. An empty classroom yes, but not a stinky loo.
June 18th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Maybe you should go into an empty classroom or the bathroom while feeding your son. I don’t think it is indecent exposure, but maybe you could go somewhere where you wouldn’t catch anyone’s attention. You are in high school with a bunch of immature teens, so yeah, your best bet would be to feed him elsewhere, classroom, bathroom, car, etc.
June 18th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
they can’t not ask you to leave, i would tell her that if she has a problem with it to call the police.
June 18th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Where do you live? If in NY-State, you can cite the law at the administrator: A woman can breastfeed everywhere she is legally allowed to be. It might be worthwhile to check out, if the laws in your state are similarly supportive.
It would properly also help, if you go to a teacher or somebody you know who is supportive to breastfeeding and ask for some support with that administrator.
In any case: Keep up the good work! Breastfeeding is the best you can give your son!
June 18th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
He’s required to give you a clean, quiet place to do so. But, he has the right to ask you not to do it in the middle of the lobby (with a bunch of teenagers present).
You see, it’s a tricky legal issue. Women are allowed to breast feed in “public.” But, the school is not “public.” People cannot just come and go as they please. He has an obligation to not allow “indecent” behavior in front of minors. You, as a minor and a mother are in a weird gray area of interpretation of the law. If you REALLY want to make a big deal out of it, you can take it to court. I’m sure toe ACLU would love you for it. But, until then, he has a right to tell you not to do it in the lobby.
Just ask to use an empty office or something.
**edit** I know those laws (I’m in Florida actually), but laws in “public schools” are different. For example, there are heavier fines for having drugs on campus, there is no such thing as “free speech” (my sister, a Lit teacher in the system learned that the hard way), and they can also search you, your belongings, or your locker for any reason (or no reason at all). Look, I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying that when minors are concerned on school property, everything you “think” you know about the law gets thrown out the window.
June 18th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
If feeding a baby a bottle in that same place is allowed, then I don’t believe they can prevent you from breastfeeding there. I would contact some people to get it straightened out- the school board, a lawyer that can possibly look into the laws on your area, even La Leche League or a lactation consultant may be able to give you some advice on your rights in this situation. You most certainly should have the right to feed your child in any place that you and your child have the right to be.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to stand up for your baby!
June 18th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
The law regarding breastfeeding in Florida state;
Stat. § 383.015 (1993) allows a mother to breastfeed in any public or private location. (HB 231)
Fla. Stat. § 383.016 (1994) authorizes a facility lawfully providing maternity services or newborn infant care to use the designation “baby-friendly” on its promotional materials. The facility must be in compliance with at least eighty percent of the requirements developed by the Department of Health in accordance with UNICEF and World Health Organization baby-friendly hospital initiatives. (SB 1668)
Fla. Stat. § 800.02 et seq. and § 827.071 exclude breastfeeding from various sexual offenses, such as lewdness, indecent exposure and sexual conduct.
2008 Fla. Laws, Chap. 172 excludes a mother breastfeeding her baby from the offense of lewd or lascivious exhibition using a computer. (SB 1442)
June 18th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Yes. It’s illegal for him to do that.
>>Fla. Stat. § 383.015 (1993) allows a mother to breastfeed in ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE LOCATION. (HB 231)
–383.015 Breastfeeding.–The breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values, and in furtherance of this goal:
(1) A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.
(2) A facility lawfully providing maternity services or newborn infant care may use the designation “baby-friendly” if it establishes a breastfeeding policy in accordance with s. 383.016.
>>Fla. Stat. § 383.016 (1994) authorizes a facility lawfully providing maternity services or newborn infant care to use the designation “baby-friendly” on its promotional materials. The facility must be in compliance with at least eighty percent of the requirements developed by the Department of Health in accordance with UNICEF and World Health Organization baby-friendly hospital initiatives. (SB 1668)
–383.016 Breastfeeding policy for “baby-friendly” facilities providing maternity services and newborn infant care.–A facility lawfully providing maternity services or newborn infant care may use the designation “baby-friendly” on its promotional materials if the facility has complied with at least 80 percent of the requirements developed by the Department of Health in accordance with UNICEF and World Health Organization baby-friendly hospital initiatives.
>>Fla. Stat. § 800.02 et seq. and § 827.071 exclude breastfeeding from various sexual offenses, such as lewdness, indecent exposure and sexual conduct.
–800.02 Unnatural and lascivious act.–A person who commits any unnatural and lascivious act with another person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance violate this section.
>>2008 Fla. Laws, Chap. 172 excludes a mother breastfeeding her baby from the offense of lewd or lascivious exhibition using a computer. (SB 1442)
etc. Check my source for more.
June 18th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
The law in Florida says you can breastfeed anywhere, public or private, that you are otherwise allowed to be. It’s not indecent exposure, and your school adminstrator is violating a state law by threatening you.
I’ve posted a link to the law for you below. It has some information that you can print to hand to your administrator (or anyone else) the next time you’re asked to go somewhere else.
June 18th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Seeing the previous answers – I don’t think it is a matter of whether the school is public or not. It is a matter of your rights. You have the right to breastfeed and he cannot forbid you to do it. An office is the best example, not a public place either – but the employer 1) has to respect your right to do it and 2) is obliged to provide you a private, hygenic place to do it (a toilet doesn’t qualify as such!). I don’t see why your school should be any different.
I would investigate this further according to this “right” logic. Good luck with it, I think you are a great mother. Thumb’s up!
June 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
you have every right to breastfeed wherever you want. and good for you breastfeeding and being so young and being devoted to it in such a way. that being said, just for your own benefit (to avoid dirty looks and mean administrators at school) i like the empty classroom idea. plus im sure you know how immature highschool kids can be.. be strong and good luck!
June 18th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
He wouldn’t tell a bottle-feeding mother to leave, so why should you have to leave?
Report him to the school board.
June 18th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
ohh thats just ridicilous but i guess i can see the issue maybe they don’t want you to do it because of other kids around…but you should start pumping enough so you don’t have to do that and you will be fine breastfeed in the privacy of you own home so you don’t have to deal with that bs…they probably don’t have kids or they are a man lol!!!
June 18th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
I think it’s great that you are trying to finish high school and raise a newborn. I think it’s also great that your mother seems to be helping and supporting you. While I pray that my daughter does not make me a grandmother while she is still in high school, I do pray that if it does happen that my husband and I will be supportive of her whether she keeps the baby or blesses another family with him/her.
I also think it’s great that you understand that giving your baby your milk is giving him the best and that your mom brings him to you during lunch so he can not only get the good stuff straight from the tap, but spend some time with Mommy, and you with him.
It’s also nice to read a post from a teenager that is properly composed with correct paragraphs, punctuation, spelling, etc. and is comprehensible and without the abbreviations of texting and IMs.
I understand breastfeeding in public. I have also been in high school. You probably do have the right to sit in the middle of the cafeteria, school lobby, etc. with the other kids and feed your son. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if you already feel like an outcast just by being a mom while the other girls are still girls. I’ve been in high school. I know what it’s like to be the high school outcast. I think the best thing to do, laws aside, would be to go to an empty classroom. This way, your son can nurse in a quiet area with no distractions and you won’t have any unnecessary trouble from school officials or other kids. When he gets older and realizes that the world goes on when he nurses, you will want the quiet, empty room.
Anyway, I hope this has been of some help. I hope you do make to a year and beyond. My daughter is 18-months-old and we’re still going strong.
June 18th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
yes you have every right to give your baby the best
if the school is wary about having you breast feed in front of the other students (which I can understand both sides, yours and theirs); then I would check and see if there isn’t an un-used office you could go into during your lunch to breastfeed
if that isn’t an option, then perhaps you have a guidance counselor or teacher you are close with who would allow you to use their office/room?
if that isn’t an option, then worst case scenerio use the girls locker room
legally, if the administration doesn’t want you to feed your son in front of other students then they must offer you an alternative, perferably an empty office
June 18th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
I would contact the Le Leche League, they will have information for you and may be able to make a formal approach to the school on your behalf, so that you are having some support in this. I think you breastfeeding at school is wonderful, you are giving your baby the best start possible and still going to school, you are a legend! It is giving all the other kids the clear message that breastfeeding is the normal way to nurture babies. I have found the Florida link below for you. Good luck from Australia. It is completely legal here for mothers to feed their babies where ever and whenever, even government ministers in parliament.
June 18th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
I am not sure about the laws in Florida, but it should be fine… I would go to him and say if you are having a problem with where I feed my child then give me somewhere clean and where I can sit to feed him in private. I really dislike people like that, I think it is amazing that you are going to school and still decided to breastfeed, and that your mom is so willing to help you out! Go You! hehe
Edit: I wanted to add you should call someone at your local LLL and ask them what the laws are, they will know…
http://www.lllflorida.com/groups/index.html
June 18th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
actually breastfeeding in the bathroom is fine! it isnt an offensive suggestion at all to who ever said it was. i have and so has my friend. you should go elsewhere like to your moms car or an empty room or yes even the bathroom!!
you are breastfeeding good for you. but don’t expect every1 to appreciate it. i breastfed and its not gross to breastfeed itself, but doing so in public even covered up is indecent exposure, even if you are covered up. that would be like taking your top off, and holding it over your breasts. that would be unacceptable at school and you know it. even though your not exposed as such, you pretty much are and every1 knows that you have naked breasts flopping under a flimsy shirt held against you. just like every1 knows about you breast feeding and what that means and what is going on. its not just feeding a baby, its a bonding experiance and why would you want that to be public? if its public and you have to cover up then you cannot see your babies sweet face and watch yourself caring for him the way only you can. also its not wise to cover any babies face no matter what. suffocation hazard.
just go elsewhere to do it or pump enough to last your mom all day or use formula.
also it isnt illegal for the administrator to make you go someplace else. he can make your mom and your baby leave the property and not issue them a guest pass if he doesn’t want to.
June 18th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
you have to go to the school board and then they will find out
i went to highschool and we had a daycare at school see if there is a school near u
June 18th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
You have the legal right to nurse in public. There are some handy cards if you want to print out and give them to a$$holes: http://www.flbreastfeeding.org/HTMLobj-320/Right_to_Breastfed_in_Public.pdf
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0383/SEC015.HTM&Title=-%3E2004-%3ECh0383-%3ESection%20015#0383.015
The 2008 Florida Statutes
Title XXIX
PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 383
MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH CARE
View Entire Chapter
383.015 Breastfeeding.–The breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values, and in furtherance of this goal:
(1) A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.
http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills14.html
Fla. Stat. 800.02, 800.03, 800.04
Statute language omitted. These statutes exclude breastfeeding from various sexual offenses, from the definition of an unnatural and lascivious act.
Fla. Stat. § 827.071 (Child abuse statute)
(g) “Sexual conduct” means … A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstances constitute “sexual conduct.”