After Air Force veteran and photographer Tara Ruby posted a picture of ten moms breastfeeding their kids while in uniform to her Facebook page, she was shocked when Facebook took down the picture and several users reported the photo. When the photo to another page, it was again deleted and reported multiple times. Somehow, an image of ten women feeding their children was deemed more offensive than the average bathroom selfie.

Ruby decided to photograph nursing military moms after she learned Fort Bliss was setting aside a special room for breastfeeding. She obtained the base’s permission to take photos of nursing mothers so that she may decorate that room with comforting images that celebrate motherhood in the military.

“The dedication needed for these moms to continue to not just breastfeed their babies but to pump during their work days, their training exercises and their schedules while still being amazing soldiers is extreme,” Ruby said to Buzzfeed. “It’s added pressure on them. Finding support from not only their communities but their military installation is so important for them.”

Before being removed by Facebook, the photo went viral and was shared more than 8,000 times. Unfortunately, that meant getting the attention of Internet trolls who have sent a barrage of hatemail towards Ruby and other pro-breastfeeding groups.

Policies regarding breastfeeding in the military vary by branch. Here is a summary of the Army’s nursing policies, which was compiled by Breastfeeding in Combat Boots.

The Army does not have a breastfeeding policy in place at this time and only offers the standard six weeks of maternity leave.  As a soldier, you will be worldwide deployable at six months postpartum. However, breastfeeding does not exempt you from going to the field. The Army does offer a sample letter to be used for educating, planning, and requesting a time and a place to pump after return to duty.  This could easily be adapted for use by members of the other services.  Within the Female Readiness Guide, there is a brief section on supporting the breastfeeding soldier.

Army– AR 614-30 Deployment (Table 3-1 #33)      AR614_30     ALARACT 171/2008   ALARACT 171/2008

Soldiers will be considered available for worldwide deployment 6 months after giving birth.

Breastfeeding Support Plan, Sample Memorandum   Army Sample Breastfeeding Memo Commander

Provide information on breastfeeding to educate Commanders and postpartum Soldiers, and propose a support plan to assist Soldiers in breastfeeding on return to duty.

Section X of the TG281 (A Guide to Female Soldier Readiness)    Army Female Soldier Readiness Guide

It is critical that leaders support their Soldiers.  The ability to successfully continue breastfeeding after returning to work involves space, time, and support.  Leaders need to provide female Soldiers with social and administrative support if the decision is made to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.  Providing a designated space in the workplace where mothers may express breastmilk is important since many active-duty mothers do not have private offices. If a designated room cannot be provided, the use of empty conference rooms or offices may suffice.