Poll Results: Teaching about Breastfeeding in School
October 8, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, breastfeeding, poll
My kindergartner’s school sent home a letter the other day. The letter outlined the health education topics for grades K-5 (and gave parents the choice of having their child opt out of health discussions!) It was not clear whether breastfeeding is mentioned in any of the health education talks. I hope it is, and I hope elementary schools across the country get wind of these poll results. When I asked: “Should breastfeeding be discussed in health class?” over 50% of voters thought breastfeeding education should begin in elementary school. Just over 25% thought such teachings should take place in high school, with another 13% voting for middle school/junior high. Only one person thought breastfeeding education is inappropriate, and one thought breastfeeding education is unnecessary.
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That’s great that so many people think that it should be taught– and starting at a young age! Hopefully this transforms in to action (i.e. being taught in the schools), which hopefully will lead to more women breastfeeding in the future, increased husband/partner support for breastfeeding, and increased social acceptance of breastfeeding!
I’m not sure that breastfeeding should be taught in *health* class (though I did vote for “elementary school” in the poll). Shouldn’t it be included in biology/science class, when the students learn about mammals and the different systems of the human body?
I think that health class, when discussing reproduction, would be appropriate. It’s been 10 years since I was in high school though… maybe things have changed?
I just got asked not to breastfeed (covered) my infant at my son’s elementary school as one of the male teachers was offended, and some of the boys were talking about it. Apparently they would like me to go to a special room on the other side of campus and do it. Very sexist and in violation of public law as I was both covered, discreetly sitting in a corner outside of the classroom, and facing a wall. This was a public school. It is sad the few sexist ppl have to dictate public policy.
I, too, just was asked to leave the cafeteria of my son’s public school because I was breastfeeding my 3 month old daughter UNDER A BLANKET. The VP asked me to leave in a very confrontational way, meanwhile I had no idea why she asking me to leave! She told me breastfeeding “was not allowed” but I could use the restroom. My question is why don’t they just wind the cafeteria line through the restroom, too, if that is an appropriate place to feed an infant! This is in direct violation of Texas law, which allows for a nursing mother to breastfeed wherever the mother “is authorized” to be.
I am a registered nurse currently studying to become a breastfeeding counsellor. I am working on a course project promoting knowledge about breastfeeding to school aged and college aged students, and by doing so, hoping to normalize breastfeeding. The research I have read so far says that many young people have never observed a breastfeeding mom and infant. This lack of observation might prevent young people from considering breastfeeding their own children in the future…..and they continue to feel that breastfeeding is not normal and they are embarassed about breastfeeding in public. So please continue to breastfeed your babies in public! It will help to normalize and promote breastfeeding for our children (and maybe their teachers, too!)