Mothers are arguably the most celebrated group of people in the world.

However, there are various facets of motherhood that are not fully embraced and are at times even frowned upon.

One such aspect is breastfeeding in public.

Lydia Kamau, a mother to a 10-month old baby girl notes, “During my daughter’s first months, I would feed her anywhere I was. However, I was always met with dirty looks, ironically from women, who were quick to remind me to cover up and stop being indecent.”

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Despite being scolded by women for breastfeeding in public, Lydia shares that she still continues to do it since she is only tending to her daughter’s needs.

Eunice Njeri, a Kaptembwa resident and mother shares that she is yet to develop the confidence other mothers have to feed their children in public.

“Whenever my baby girl gets hungry when we are out and about, I have to quickly secure a quiet corner that’s away from the eyes of many,” she says.

Most of the time, however, Njeri says she leaves the house with breast milk already expressed into bottles to make the whole process less awkward for her.

On the other hand, Rose Mueni, a Milimani resident and mother shares, “Going out as a lactating mother can really be challenging. As a mother, I have to carry a shawl along with me to cover up".

Unknown to Mueni and many other moms, Kenyan laws actually support breastfeeding in public.

According to the Breastfeeding Mothers Act 2019, section 9(1) and (2) “A woman may breastfeed her child in public. The act of a woman breastfeeding a child in public shall not be construed to amount to an indecent act.”

Sharon Kemboi, a registered clinical nutritionist, notes that on top of many not being aware of the breastfeeding Act, many view breastfeeding as obscene.

Sharon Kemboi, a registered clinical nutritionist.

Photo credit: COURTESY

The nutritionist notes, “The main challenge we face as a society is the objectification of the woman’s body, thus breastfeeding a baby in public is viewed as obscene”.

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In fact, Ms Kemboi says nutritionists and healthcare providers advise mothers to feed the child on demand, anywhere and anytime, as long as the mothers are comfortable.

When asked on whether covering up during breastfeeding has any effects on the baby, Ms Kemboi highlights that there aren’t any harmful effects to covering the baby.

“However, it is advisable to listen and observe the suckling baby to avoid choking and to make sure the baby is actually sucking milk and not air”.

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding in public? Is it indecent exposure or not?

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