To the editor:

I wish to sincerely thank the dozens of people who have shown their support for breastfeeding and a supportive ordinance. From this heartening response, it is clear that many people in the Lawrence community believe in protecting nursing mothers’ rights and in creating a more positive environment for breastfeeding mothers.

One commissioner has publicly questioned whether it’s appropriate for the City Commission to take a stand on this issue. How could an issue of such critical importance to the physical and mental health of our children not be appropriate? I think an ordinance is absolutely necessary because a woman should have the right to feed her baby without feeling uncomfortable or being harassed.

An ordinance also will guarantee breastfed babies the same rights as bottlefed babies to eat wherever they get hungry, without their mothers being asked to move to another location, such as a bathroom as I was offered by the health club owner.

The more support breastfeeding women feel from the public, the more likely they are to nurse wherever they go, instead of opting to take along formula or a bottle because they don’t want to offend anyone or be accused of “exposing themselves.”

Last week, our City Commission signed a breastfeeding proclamation stating a goal of the U.S. Surgeon General and Secretary of Health and Human Services that 75 percent of new mothers would be breastfeeding by the year 2010. What better time than now to sign an ordinance that will help us to reach this goal and raise a community of healthier, happier babies as well.

Amy Swan,

Lawrence