Breast Feeding

Florida's Breastfeeding Legislation

La Leche League

Online Breastfeeding Resources

Recommended Reading for Breastfeeding Mothers

Famous Women Who Breastfed

Florida led the nation by enacting the first comprehensive breastfeeding legislation in the United States. The legislation not only exempted breastfeeding from criminal statutes, but created a new law that stated this important and basic act of nurture must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. Finally, it provides for a breast-feeding encouragement policy for facilities providing maternity services and newborn infant care.

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 383.015
1993 Fl. ALS 4; 1993 Fla. Laws ch. 4; 1993 Fla. HB 231
The breast feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A mother may breast feed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to the breast feeding.

Fla. Stat. 800.02, 800.03, 800.04
Statute language omitted. These statutes exclude breastfeeding from various sexual offenses, from the definition of an unnatural and lascivious act.

Fla. Stat. § 827.071 (Child abuse statute)
(g) "Sexual conduct" means ... A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstances constitute "sexual conduct."

Fla .Stat. §383.016, , 383.016, 383.311, and 363.318
Section 383.016 of the Florida Statutes, provides for a breast-feeding encouragement policy for facilities providing maternity services and newborn infant care and authorizing use of "baby-friendly" designation. Sections 383.016, 383.311, and 363.318 of the Florida Statutes relating to breast feeding, administration of maternal and child health programs, education for birth center clients, and postpartum care for birth center clients, requiring encouragement of breastfeeding.

Happy Mothers, Breastfed Babies

La Leche League of the Florida Central Panhandle is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers through education, phone help and monthly group meetings. Meetings held the 3rd Friday of every month at: First United Methodist Church 214 S. Partin Dr. in Niceville Chandler Building Room #800 on the 2nd Floor.

Call Sarah at 850-420-3900 for more information Or click here to send an email. Pregnant women, babies and children are always welcome at meetings

Florida Legislation- February 1993 House bill no. HB 231 FL ALS 4; 1993 FL Laws ch. 4; 1993 FL B 231 FL Stat. 383.015, 800.02-800.01, 847.001 (later 827.071) Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. The breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A Mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the Mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the Mother’s breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.

Click here for online breast feeding resources.

Click here for our recommended reading list for breast feeding mothers.