Photo: Courtesy Of Johnathan Ross Wenske and Kris Haro.Somehow, even in 2014, breastfeeding in public remains controversial in many parts of the country. While all 50 states (and Puerto Rico) have passed laws that either expressly allow breastfeeding in public or exempt breastfeeding mothers from being arrested for indecent exposure, the public at large hasn't quite caught on. New moms who dare feed their babies in restaurants, on public transportation, or even share their experiences on the Internet continue to face a pretty harsh stigma.
Art students at the University of North Texas have created a mock ad campaign, cleverly titled When Nurture Calls, to illuminate the issue with an appropriate deadpan snark. Each of the three campaign images features a woman nursing her child in a bathroom stall, with copy that reads "Table for Two" or "Private Dining." The ads are designed to be mounted on public bathroom doors.
"Would you eat here?" the small print on each ad states. "By law, breastfeeding mothers are not protected from harassment and refusal of service in public, often forcing them to feed in secluded spaces such as public bathrooms. To help take a stand, visit whennurturecalls.com, because a baby should never be nurtured where nature calls."
The project aims to draw attention to a proposed Texas state law, HB1706, that would ensure that women have the right to breastfeed in public, while beginning to lay the framework for punishing those who harass or discriminate against nursing mothers. Click here to check out the full campaign — and be glad you've never been forced to take lunch on a toilet.