Introduction:
Breastfeeding is a basic human right of women and children. However, this basic right is violated in various situations and places. COVID-19 has posed a big challenge for breastfeeding mothers, including unnecessarily separating them from their newborns. Many women also find it very difficult to breastfeed their babies in public even though they have the right to it. In many countries, there are social stigmas associated with breastfeeding in public. However, there are laws to protect breastfeeding mothers. So women do not need to feel uncomfortable while breastfeeding their babies in public. Also, it is considered illegal if anybody asks a breastfeeding mother to leave a public place.
What Is the Importance of Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding provides benefits for both mothers and babies. It ensures the baby’s health and survival.
Following are some of the benefits of breastfeeding in babies:
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Breast milk contains essential nutrients that help in a baby’s development.
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Breast milk has factors that lower the risk of diseases such as asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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Breast milk provides antibodies to the babies, which helps in developing a strong immune system.
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Breast milk helps in babies' healthy weight gain and prevents childhood obesity. This may be due to the presence of beneficial gut bacteria in breastfed babies.
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Breast milk can improve brain development. Studies have found that breastfed children have less chance to develop behavioral problems.
Following are some of the benefits for breastfeeding mothers:
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Breastfeeding helps in contracting the uterus that has been grown during pregnancy. After delivery, the uterus undergoes a process called involution, where it reduces to its original size. Oxytocin, a hormone increased during labor time, drives this process. It is also released during breastfeeding; hence breastfeeding can accelerate contraction of the uterus.
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Breastfeeding helps in burning calories. Therefore it may help in losing weight that has been gained during pregnancy.
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Studies found that breastfeeding mothers have less chance of developing postpartum depression as compared to mothers who did not breastfeed.
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Breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, etc.
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Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive method and helps in spacing pregnancies.
What Are Sexual and Reproductive Rights?
Sexual and reproductive rights or SRH rights refers to the human rights which apply to sexuality and reproduction. SRH consists of the following four fields:
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Sexual health.
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Sexual rights.
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Reproductive health.
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Reproductive rights.
SRH rights aim to ensure that people have the right to make decisions about their bodies and:
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To get proper information about sexual and reproductive issues.
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To gain access to sexual and reproductive health services such as contraception.
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To decide when and who to marry.
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To decide whether to have children and how many.
In addition, they should not suffer from any form of sexual violence, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, female genital mutilation, etc.
Why Was Breastfeeding Not Present in SRH Rights Previously?
The factors that caused the absence of breastfeeding in SRH rights previously are:
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SRH rights are mainly aimed at population control by providing abortion and contraceptive access for women. However, some reports claim that breastfeeding is an SRH right as it promotes child spacing.
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Breastfeeding is not included in gender equality agendas and is considered only a child’s right. This depicts that there is a lack of recognition of interdependent mother-and-child relationships. Many women cannot breastfeed their babies due to obstacles related to gender equality, such as lack of paid maternity leave, parent-friendly workplaces, etc.
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Feminist movements pressurize women to breastfeed to ensure the improvement of infant’s health.
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The growing industry of commercial milk formula has been trying to weaken the national breastfeeding protection legislation.
What Are the Human Rights Instruments That Protect Breastfeeding?
Following are certain policy instruments that signify and protect breastfeeding:
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Maternity Convention No.3: It was adopted in the year 1919 by the International Labour Organization. It mentions that during working hours, two half-hour breaks have to be given.
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights: It was adopted by the UN (United Nations) General Assembly in 1948. Article 25 signifies that motherhood and childhood have to be given special care and assistance.
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International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in the year 1966. In an article, it states that special protection should be given to the mothers for a fair period before and after delivery.
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Interpretation of CEDAW Requirements Relating to Women and Health: It was adopted by CEDAW (Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) in 1999. It states that nobody has any right to comment inappropriately on breastfeeding.
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Maternity Protection Convention No. 183: In article 4 it is mentioned that maternity leave should be a minimum of 14 weeks. Women should not be terminated from employment because of nursing.
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WHO or UNICEF Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding: It was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2002. It made goals and initiatives to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.
What Are the Tips for Breastfeeding in Public?
Although there are laws that protect breastfeeding women, many mothers find it difficult or uncomfortable to breastfeed their babies in public places. The following tips may help women to breastfeed their babies comfortably in public places:
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Wearing clothes such as pull-ups from the waist or button-downs helps in easily accessing the breasts.
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Blankets can be used to cover to prevent exposing the body parts that mothers would like to cover.
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While traveling, slings or infant carriers can be used, which can be comfortable for both the baby and the mother. However, precautions have to be taken as slings, in certain cases, can cause suffocation to the babies.
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If the mother prefers a private or quiet place, dressing rooms or lounges can be used.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding after delivery is important for both mother and baby, and it is a basic right of both. However, some factors and social stigma attached to breastfeeding abstain some mothers from breastfeeding their babies. Initially, it was not included in sexual and reproductive health rights due to certain factors. However, now there are many policies and laws that protect breastfeeding. These policies ensure that women can breastfeed their babies comfortably in any place, working women have to be provided maternity leave for a minimum of 14 weeks, nobody can make inappropriate comments on breastfeeding, and many more.
