For Moms & Families: Know Your Rights
Breastfeeding is a human right, exercise it!
Exercising that right often requires communicating your decision directly and forcefully to those who may question you.
Philadelphia Ordinance 9-1105--A City Law that Protects Breastfeeding in Public
Philadelphia City Ordinance 9-1105, a section of the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance, makes it an "unlawful public accomodations practice to prohibit a mother from breastfeeding or segregate a breastfeeding mother irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to breastfeeding."
If anyone tries to stop you from breastfeeding outside your home call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, 215-686-4692.
Pennsylvania Law Act 28--A State Law that Protects Breastfeeding in Public
Pennsylvania Act 28 passed in 2007 grants mothers the freedom to breastfeed in public without penalty. Under the law, breastfeeding may not be considered a nuisance, obscenity, or indecent exposure.
Share with Others Your Breastfeeding Choice
Below are sample letters you can print and use to inform the hospital staff and your employer of your decision to breastfeed, and your associated rights.
Letter to the Hospital Staff
Download as Word document
Letter for Employers
Download as Word document
Health Professional Letter to Employer
Download as Word document
(Obtained from www.breastfeedingonline.com/letter-print.html).
Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit
The Business Case for Breastfeeding - The Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau has released a toolkit to help advocates to educate businesses about the benefits of supporting their employees to breastfeed. You can obtain 3 brochures online by visiting http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/ or get the FULL KIT by calling 1-888-275-4772.
Last Updated June 2008 |