Going on vacation with your family is all about bonding, relaxing, and creating special memories that will last a a lifetime. If you are a mom who is breastfeeding, the convenience of having your milk on you at all times, without lugging around bottles and formula, may seem convenient while on vacation, but you may be anxious about breastfeeding in public. There are so many stories of moms being shamed or shunned for breastfeeding in public places, and if you are about to go on a relaxing vacation, you want to know — what are your breastfeeding rights at resorts?
Breastfeeding rights differ from state to state and from country to country. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are 49 U.S. states that allow mothers to breastfeed in public, out of which two states, Virginia and South Dakota, exclude breastfeeding moms from public indecency or nudity laws, leaving Idaho as the only state that hasn't passed any supportive breastfeeding legislation. Florida and California, home to many family-friendly resorts, have laws that include provisions for breastfeeding moms and allow moms to legally breastfeed in public.
Popular vacation resorts like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld have baby-friendly care centers and private areas, some even equipped with rocking chairs, for mothers to breastfeed privately in a peaceful environment.
International resorts like Sandals and Beaches, located in the Caribbean and abroad, are subject to the breastfeeding laws within the country they're operating in. According to Breastfeeding Quest, international laws on public breastfeeding vary, and while some international countries, like Australia and Canada, have provisional laws for breastfeeding, other countries may have different cultural and religious views on public exposure.
Whether you're traveling in the U.S. or anywhere else around the world, it's a good idea to get familiar with the laws of the places you are planning to visit. The right amount of preparation, and knowing what to expect, can lead to a more relaxing vacation.
