Lactivism
Lactivism (a portmanteau of "lactation" and "activism") is the advocacy of breastfeeding.[1] Supporters, referred to as "lactivists", seek to promote the health benefits of breastfeeding over formula-feeding and to ensure that nursing mothers are not discriminated against.[1][2]
One form that lactivism can take is the staging of a "nurse-in" (a play on "sit-in"), which involves women gathering in public to breastfeed their children, usually to protest incidents in which a nursing mother was asked to cover up or leave a location because she was breastfeeding.[3][4][5]
Often during nurse-ins, breastfeeding mothers will sometimes wear clothing with the International Breastfeeding Symbol on it, to show their solidarity.[6]
Another form of lactivism is acting as support for mothers that wish to breastfeed. Lactivists provide information and share resources on successful breastfeeding.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Harmon, Amy. (June 7, 2005). "'Lactivists' Taking Their Cause, and Their Babies, to the Streets." The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ↑ Gordon, Andrew. (September 24, 2007). "The politics of breastfeeding." Toronto Star. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ↑ "Breast-feeding mothers stage nurse-in. (November 16, 2006). MSNBC News. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ↑ "'Nurse-In' Protest To Take Place In Chatsworth." (September 8, 2007). CBS News. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
- ↑ "National 'nurse-in' set to protest treatment of mom." (November 20, 2006). USA Today. Retrieve September 27, 2007.
- ↑ "The International Breastfeeding Symbol. (n.d.). Mothering. Retrieved September 27, 2007.