International breastfeeding symbol created.

Mothering Magazine realized that there was no international symbol for breastfeeding. There are international symbols used as public service icons to indicate a handicapped parking spot, a telephone or public restrooms. A recognizable symbol for breastfeeding could be used to indicate a place that is breastfeeding-friendly. Ideally the space would be private and quiet, with a comfortable chair and an electrical outlet for pumping.

The purpose of the symbol would not be to isolate breastfeeding women as breastfeeding does not require a special separate place. However, parents often welcome quiet, private places in public where they can collect themselves and their children. The symbol could designate these kinds of places. An international symbol could increase public awareness of breastfeeding and provide an alternative image to the image of a baby bottle currently used to designate baby friendly areas in public.

Last fall Mothering Magazine created a contest, asking readers to submit designs for an international symbol for breastfeeding. The winning image was chosen from over 500 entries. The criteria for selecting the final image included public voting and votes from the major breastfeeding organizations, as well as design and reproduction standards.

The winning image was designed by Matt Daigle of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The design, which is representative of a child nursing, will be used to indicate designated baby friendly areas in public and to mark breastfeeding friendly facilities. The blue and white icon is easily recognizable and was designed to match other international icons for baggage claim, bathrooms, telephone booths, and information desks.

Matt is a stay-at-home dad, freelance graphic designer, and cartoonist. Matt and his wife Kay are the parents of one-year-old son Hayden. Matt said his design was inspired by his wife and son's breastfeeding relationship. Matt indicated that he hopes "this symbol is used in all public places to clearly communicate to the public that breastfeeding is natural and healthy and that as a society we support it. 1 hope that having a symbol will encourage more entities to establish breastfeeding-friendly areas for families to use. Finally, 1 hope that this symbol will encourage people to make breastfeeding their first choice in nourishing their children." You can read an interview with Matt in the January/February 2007 issue of Mothering Magazine or on their website (www.mothering.com).

Mothering Magazine has recommended that the symbol be used in workplaces, airports, malls, restaurants, conferences/expos, libraries, parks, or any public place. The symbol was signed over to the Public Domain and can be downloaded for use at www.mothering.com.