Public Breastfeeding Laws by State

by FamilyEducation Staff

South Dakota: "This term ["harmful to minors"] does not include a mother's breast-feeding of her baby."

Tennessee (.pdf): " A mother has a right to breastfeed her child who is twelve (12) months of age or younger in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be present."

Texas: "A mother is entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be."

Utah: "The county legislative body may not prohibit a woman's breast feeding in any location where she otherwise may rightfully be, irrespective of whether the breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast feeding."

Vermont: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any place of public accommodation in which the mother and child would otherwise have a legal right to be."

Virginia: "No person shall be deemed to be in violation of [indecent exposure laws] for breastfeeding a child in any public place or any place where others are present."

Washington: "The act of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is not indecent exposure."

West Virginia: No public breastfeeding laws.

Wisconsin (.pdf): "[Indecency law] does not apply to a mother's breast-feeding of her child."

Wyoming: "The act of breastfeeding an infant child, including breastfeeding in any place where the woman may legally be, does not constitute public indecency."

Disclaimer: The information provided here is intended to help you understand the general issue and should not be construed as legal advice.