Happier mothers, healthier babies

One no-cost way to improve nutrition and health in the state is to encourage more mothers to breast-feed their babies for longer periods. Bills sponsored by Senator Susan Fargo of Lincoln and Representative David Linsky of Natick would establish the right of women to nurse in public without being charged with lewdness. Massachusetts is one of few states without such protection for nursing mothers. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, embarrassment at the disapproval breast-feeding often elicits is a major reason that women choose not to nurse.

Breast-fed children have fewer ear infections, less obesity, and less diabetes. The country could save $3.6 billion a year in healthcare costs if all babies had only breast milk in the first six months and at least some in the next six, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. "I would be happy with either bill going forward," said Linsky, and so would nursing mothers who have been harassed at malls and restaurants.