Florida enacted the first comprehensive breastfeeding legislation in the United States. The legislation exempted breastfeeding from criminal statutes, and created a new law that stated this important and basic act of nurture must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. Furthermore, the legislation provides for a breast-feeding encouragement policy for facilities providing maternity services and newborn infant care.

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 383.015

Fla. Stat. 800.02, 800.03, 800.04

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, 383.311, and 363.318

These 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.