A few months ago, Kenyans on social media expressed anger after a woman was allegedly kicked out of a popular restaurant in Nairobi for breastfeeding her baby.

The lady identified as Betty Kim said the waiters humiliated her when they threw her out for breastfeeding her baby without covering herself, something that stirred mixed reactions from the public.

Many people have different opinions when it comes to public breastfeeding. Some reason that under no circumstance should a woman’s breast be displayed in public, whereas others believe it is okay since a baby is being fed.

When the world celebrated World Breastfeeding Week earlier this month (1st to 7th), the World Health Assembly embraced the annual celebration as a valuable way to advocate for the protection, promotion and most importantly, support, of breastfeeding everywhere.

Regardless of the clear benefits of breastfeeding, many women still face challenges, and one of them is being able to feed their infants anytime, anywhere.

Assoumpta Mukeshimana, a TV presenter and mother of one, says a mother can’t control her baby’s hunger, and it is also her right to breastfeed her baby anywhere, for it is not a crime.

"I believe it would be better for women to breastfeed their babies anywhere, however, those who are not comfortable with this can try covering up with a blanket or shawl,” she says.

Mukeshimana says that as a way of encouraging breastfeeding without inconveniencing anyone, public buildings need to have a room where women can breastfeed and pump milk for their babies.

Public places, including large stores, shopping malls, airports, restaurants, should offer special nursing rooms complete with comfortable chairs and changing tables for mothers, she says.

"Just like we have washing rooms in every public area, why can’t we have those rooms for mothers? They will help keep babies safe, because before breastfeeding, one has to be careful about hygiene.”

Mukeshimana is also of the view that working mothers should also be provided with this space.

What is the issue?

When we were babies, when thirst and hunger pangs came calling, our mothers would confidently breastfeed us, even in public.

Fast forward to today. We now have people who frown upon mothers’ breastfeeding their children in public, citing indecent exposure.

The crusaders of anti-public breastfeeding argue that breasts, like other private body parts, should remain under wraps.

To this lot, exposing breasts in public, even for the sake of feeding a child, is wrong and amounts to indecent exposure. To some, it is a tad inconsiderate to other people.

Angella Uwamwiza, a supermarket attendant, says she is all for women breastfeeding, however, she believes they should not expose their bodies.

"I understand it is breastfeeding but let’s consider others too, some people are uncomfortable watching a woman’s breasts exposed like that in public. Mothers can try and do it in a discreet way by covering up a little,” she says.

Maurice Kirenga says it is alright for women to breastfeed in public because breastfeeding is not only legal but also encouraged.

"Mothers who breastfeed in public do not do it for pleasure, they just want to feed their babies. I think the best thing society can do is to be supportive.”

In her article ‘Involving fathers for healthy families’ Mary-Ann G. Schreiner, a public health specialist, shows that gaps remain in the uptake of exclusive breastfeeding and optimal infant and young child feeding practices, especially in low-income countries.

"Research cites poor government policies, limited community support and aggressive formula marketing as contributing factors.  The social and economic barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in low-income countries have been assessed with gender inequality, social influence and traditional practices shown to hinder feeding practices,” she writes.

Olive Uwamariya, a gender activist, says this issue should not even be up for debate.

"Aside from us knowing the benefits of breastfeeding for children, it should not be a question for debate. But it has become a contentious issue in some countries because of the sexual objectification of breasts. I think women should be able to breastfeed whenever a child is hungry, regardless of the place, period,” she says.

Back in the day, and in rural areas as well, women breastfed anywhere, she says. But the more we adapt to western cultures, the more we forget this was never an issue.

Why is it suddenly an issue? Nobody has a right to prevent a woman from breastfeeding a child. We should views breasts as a primary source for the child’s nourishment and not as a sex object for male gaze and pleasure, Uwamariya adds.

She is, hence, of the view that to ease this part for women, institutions, both public and private, should put into place facilities such as breastfeeding corners which are equipped to allow mothers to pump and store their milk throughout the day.

Policies that enable women to also have flexible time during the day or morning/afternoon hours to see their children and breastfeed should also be enforced.

Benefits of breastfeeding

According to Dr Wilbur Bushara, breastmilk provides ultimate nutrition benefits for babies. It contains vitamins, protein and fat.

"Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months have stronger immune systems because breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby in fighting viruses and bacteria,” he says.

Bushara also notes that breastfeeding gives the baby a chance to proper growth since breast milk contains nutrients and hormones that help the baby grow healthily, which cannot be found in formula milk.

He also points out that breastfeeding helps children have a higher intelligence quotient.

Breastfeeding, according to Bushara, helps create a strong bond between the mother and the baby.

"The closeness and eye contact helps both the mother and baby bond. It also makes the baby feel secure.”

Breastfeeding helps lose pregnancy weight as it burns extra calories. It also helps to release the oxytocin hormone, which helps the uterus to return to its normal size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth, he adds.

What to avoid when breastfeeding

To maintain the right milk production and the baby’s health, Bushara says a breastfeeding mother needs to cut back on a few things, for example, consumption of alcohol as it can go into the baby’s system.

He also cautions about consumption of caffeine. "The mother needs to limit her caffeine intake because just like alcohol, caffeine passes into the bloodstream and into the breast milk yet their bodies aren’t prepared to process such foods as quickly as an adult’s body.”

He also urges mothers to limit intake of high flavoured foods and spicy foods as well.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw