A breastfeeding rally took place on the north steps of the State Capitol Wednesday in support of two new bills designed to encourage breastfeeding among Texas mothers.

KVUE News

One of the bills calls for strengthening the current right to breastfeed law. The bill would make it illegal to interfere with a woman's right to breastfeed. The bill, HB-1154, which was filed by State Representative Jessica Farrar would also add penalties if someone tries to interfere with breastfeeding mothers and would provide education for businesses about the law.

The second bill, HB-703, which was filed by State Representative Mike Villareal, would license lactation consultants so Texas women can receive qualified care. Lactation consultants give advice to and work with mothers who are trying to breastfeed their babies.

The World Health Organization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, American Academy of Pediatrics and State of Texas all endorse breastfeeding as the optimal source of feeding for babies.

Breastfeeding advocates say multiple studies have shown that breastfed babies are healthier and breastfeeding saves millions of dollars a year in lost time wages.