Reader Addie says that she was at Babies “R” Us to pick up some stairway gates and try out a “glider”, but when she attempted to use the chair for its intended purpose, she was told that she was not allowed to breastfeed on the sales floor.
Here’s Addie’s letter:
I went to this Babies R Us Saturday to pick up some stairway gates and to try out gliders – my son needed to nurse, so I decided to multitask and nurse and try out a glider at the same time. Within a microsecond, an employee named Mike came over to me and told me that if I needed to “do that”, that I had to use the mother’s room in the store (mind you, I was COMPLETELY covered by a nursing cover). I told him that I did not want to nurse my baby in a room that smelled like baby poop. He stood there, shaking his head at me in disgust, and told me that it was store policy, and that if I needed to “do that”, it had to be in the mother’s room. He stared me down until I got up in left, and I have no question in my mind whatsoever that he would have called security if I hadn’t gotten up and left. I attempted to feed my baby in the parking lot (impossible since he is very wiggly and easily distracted at this stage), and ended up driving home with a hungry, sobbing baby.
Quoting California Civil Code 43.3: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and child are authorized to be present.” A cramped and smelly room hardly counts as “any location”.
I will no longer support this company.
Nearly the same scenario happened at the Toys “R” Us in Times Square a few years ago, and it caused quite a large PR debacle for the company. The ACLU even got involved. At least officially, it’s Toys “R” Us’ policy that mothers can breastfeed their babies wherever they like, in accordance with the law. They do provide breastfeeding rooms at Babies “R” Us, but you are in no way obligated to use them. The employee who told you otherwise was incorrect. You should report his behavior to Toys “R” Us corporate because it is inappropriate and may even be illegal.
Here’s a portion of the letter that Toys “R” Us’ CEO sent to the ACLU after the Times Square incident:
Toys “R” Us agrees with the New York Civil Liberties Union that we should do everything we can to provide for the best interests of our customers — moms, kids and families. Toys “R” Us does maintain a company-wide policy that any mother may breastfeed her child in the place of her choice within our stores. Beyond that, all of our Babies “R” Us stores have dedicated rooms for breastfeeding mothers. These rooms are clean, comfortable, safe and private, and we have spent significant amounts of money to provide this option for our customers. Our Times Square store, in particular, has a private area designated for this purpose. We are proud to offer this accommodation to those mothers who are more comfortable breastfeeding their children in a private environment, and it is our experience that many mothers prefer this alternative. However, we are equally respectful of the preference of other mothers — which, in New York, is their legal right — to breastfeed their children in the place of their choice within our stores.
Toys ‘R Us Issues Formal Response to ACLU [Imperfect Parent]
(Photo: Bob Reck )
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Penn and Teller BS did an episode on exactly this (without the chair) — Episode #52. Watch it, it’s quite illuminating on the issue. Their opinion? It’s private property, and up to the store as to what they want happening there. If enough shoppers there find watching others nurse distasteful, the store will ban it. If enough shoppers find it distasteful that a store would ban nursing, it will be allowed.
This isn’t some sort of equal rights issue. It’s not like someone is being told they can’t shop at the store because of something outside of their control. It’s easily within your control to choose to breastfeed where the store asks you to, or not to be in the store at all. And that’s not an unreasonable expectation at all, IMHO.
Vote with your dollars! Personally, in a baby store, I agree its okay, but not on the furniture they are selling!
And it sucks that California is implementing laws like that. Laws like those are just plain wrong. Leave it to California, I suppose…
Penn and Teller BS did an episode on exactly this (without the chair) — Episode #52. Watch it, it’s quite illuminating on the issue. Their opinion?
@shepd: Does not trump state law.
Leave it to California, I suppose..
From TDK‘s very useful link:
@RStewie: I wonder if you’ll feel differently once you have a child. Sometimes a baby needs to eat RIGHT NOW and there is no other option but to feed them RIGHT NOW and perhaps RIGHT NOW is in a public place and no private option is available. I’m sorry you are so weirded out by breastfeeding, but sometimes there is no other option.
@carbonmade: No problems there. I’m not having children. My step-son is enough for me.
In California, its a civil offense?
Man, they’re in the dark ages. here in Connecticut, its a criminal offense to try and stop someone from breastfeeding. IIRC 10k fine and 90 days in jail. (My memory sucks, so I could be wrong. I’m too lazy to look it up.)
I have to side with the store here. I am pro-breastfeeding and I don’t have a problem with women breastfeeding in public – babies have to eat and they are not good at waiting on a meal. But you don’t have to breastfeed on new merchandise that is for sale anymore than you would take a nap on mattress at a mattress store.
unless she’s madddd hot, i dont wanna see that…nope..no fatties or old ladies not cool
@kaosfive2005: I really hope you’re banned for that. Disgusting and sexist.
I will leave the conversation with this. The law is the law. Period.
Quoting California Civil Code 43.3 won’t make it okay to, say, breastfeed on top of a shaky ladder at Home Depot, or sitting on someone else’s plate of spaghetti at Olive Garden, or while running down the subway tracks. The armchair lawyers love to reduce everything to a single code, law, case, or public statement, then play interpretation-twister to justify their actions.
Lady, you’re using a store display item in a potentially unsanitary or damaging way. You could be the cleanest mom in town, and that’s good, but there will be plenty of other parents attempting to change diapers on those same display items, and the stores have to draw a line. It’s still the property of the store and subject to their rules and, yes, their whims too.
But let’s be totally honest. Maybe their feeding rooms and bathrooms smelled like baby poo (a strangely offensive odor to some, maybe most people), but can we admit that there was at least a little temptation at the convenience of the glider, or nursing chair, or whatever it was (I’m not a baby enthusiast, I don’t know).
Ok, so here we go:
1. Breastfeeding is NOT the same as taking a shit, pissing, or fucking. It is *feeding* a child.
2. Breast milk is NOT a biohazard and it is very unlikely that you’ll get sick if you accidently touch some.
3. As someone mentioned above, it is highly unsanitary to breastfeed in a bathroom. Would you eat in a bathroom? Didn’t think so.
4. Breasts are NOT here for a man’s sexual pleasure. Breasts are made to FEED children. Sure, they can be sexual, but only in the right context. If it is being used to feed a child, it is NOT sexual. If you find it sexual, you have a problem, NOT the mother or the baby.
In conclusion, if you have a problem with public breastfeeding, that is YOUR problem. Period.
@masonreloaded “Breastfeeding is natural – but I don’t want to see it in public anymore than I want to see other natural acts in public.”
I’m truly sorry this is uncomfortable for you. Babies need to eat and California state law provides that they may do so in a public place. Laws can be changed, but honestly I don’t think this one is going anywhere.
If customers are allowed to sit on the furniture to try it out then they are allowed to nurse on them. However, it is perfectly within reason for a store to disallow sitting on the furniture. If there were signs posted that testing out furniture (sitting etc.) is not permitted she would have been in the wrong to nurse on them. As it is BRU ENCOURAGES mothers to test out their chairs. You can’t have it both ways.
@nicemarmot617
“La Leche League is insane. Breastfeeding, while a perfectly natural, non-disgusting thing to do, is not always appropriate. This organization is like the PETA of breastfeeding. They have a good idea, but they take it way too far.”
In my area at least LLL is just a support group for women breastfeeding. Comparing them to PETA doesn’t ring true with me. PETA has done some very real illegal or at least questionable things and has allegedly conspired with eco-terrorist groups. LLL has never had any alleged illegal activities. They are just unapologetic in their stance that breastfeeding is natural and should be allowed anywhere. You don’t have to agree with that philosophy, but they are NOT promoting illegal acts in order to breastfeed.
Also its really sad that this view of LLL is still prevalent in America. There are always some extremists in any organization, but MOST LLL members/leaders are just moms wanting to give/receive help in breastfeeding. Its a shame that so many women who want to breastfeed are told not to go to LLL because they’re wackadoos. Breastfeeding is NOT easy, and though natural it takes a lot of work and dedication to nurse. Women need all the support they can get, and I just hate the idea that someone who needed help felt they couldn’t go to LLL because of this view.
—————————————-
My own stance: I’m a mother of 2 young children. I breastfed the first for 4 months non-exclusively. My second is now 9 months old and has never had a drop of formula. He continues to breastfeed now, but also eats solids.
Frankly, if you don’t want to see breastfeeding you can only avoid it by staying in your house or leaving a room as soon a a woman begins to nurse. That would be unreasonable for you. In the same vein, it is unreasonable to assume a breastfeeding mother can/should have to stay in a house or go to a specific room for the entire time a baby is nursing. Babies, especially newborns can nurse every hour or more. Imagine having to leave the room and go sit in a stinky place for 10-20 minutes out of every hour because a woman is breastfeeding her baby… If it doesn’t make sense for you it doesn’t make sense for the nursing mother. Breastfeeding is best for human babies and should be encouraged. Making someone feel bad for trying to do what is right just isn’t helpful.
Having formula fed one child and breastfed another, I’ve gotten dirty looks BOTH ways. At least when I breastfeed I know I am actually doing what is best. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. I certainly never want to expose myself (personal choice) but I also will not feed my baby in unsanitary conditions. If a room smells like poop I tend to think that there may be poop on the furniture. Grosses me out and I wouldn’t change my baby in a stinky room let alone feed them there.
That being said, my local BRU has a lovely mothers room and its clean. I’ve used it many a time. I have, however, been to a BRU in another state and the “mother’s room” was a broken chair and a changing table and it REEKED. In that situation I’d nurse where was more appropriate for the child and be as discreet as humanly possible.
I think the point is that the mom was just trying to feed the baby and the employee went against BRU’s policy to allow a mother to nurse anywhere within the store she is otherwise permitted. Its not as if she decided to nurse behind the register or in the men’s room. She nursed where she was allowed to be, which is within the rights given to her by the state of California AND BRU’s parent company. Above that, the employee was allegedly rude to her. I’m certain that is unacceptable regardless of the nursing.
And even if breast pumps were cheap, how can you make a law forcing them to be used?
Personally, I’m more worried about an infant not getting fed properly than the mess, boob, or the germs. And I’m even pro-choice (because lets face it, a man has no business imposing his will on that topic).
I’m with the mother on this. I’m used to it. I’ve never seen anything gross about it. But the store could’ve made a request to not sit in the display and do it. If they have signage up and are active on not using displays for feedings, then She can move to a bench or something.
Its a fine line, and I think they can request her to move, if only on display funiture. But they can’t make her go to the room if she doesn’t want to.
And for all that are offended, Look away. Its not that hard to slightly adjust your head to the left a little. While I personally believe that you should try and to cover up at least, you can do it however you want. My ex would just flop it out and let my son go at it wiouth covering up at all.
@katylostherart: I give up helping you for the second time now. I think it’s evident that your views are the minority and you are clearly outnumbered.
@snoop-blog: I know, it’s frustrating. ALL women should be able to pump!!! It’s just so EASY! And hand pumps are especially easy! I know ‘cuz my one friend loves her hand pump!
UGH NO.
@little stripes: fine, would you like me to list all the examples of a hand pump user i know? two cousins (five children total), four friends (7 children total).
cuz they couldn’t afford a $300 electric breast pump either and wanted a babysitter to have it on hand or to have it in the baby bag or at the park or at the library or grocery store.
@katylostherart: Anecdotal evidence is totes accurate. What about my twin sister who had a hard time pumping with a decent one? And found it time consuming and cumbersome and more of a pain in the neck than a convenience? And what about those women who have a hard time breast feeding naturally to begin with? NOT ALL WOMEN ARE THE SAME.
And even so, not all women WANT to pump, even if they CAN, and that is a valid choice.
@little stripes: i wasn’t assuming all women could do it. it’s equally bad to assume that all women can’t. and neither of us know whether or not this woman could or couldn’t.
@katylostherart: Exactly. Therefore, you shouldn’t ask why she’s not pumping, since you have no idea why she’s not pumping, and if she even WANTS to pump.
@little stripes: “
@Rectilinear Propagation: so breast pump and bottling breast milk is also horrible?
there’s another option.. “
my actual quote. “there’s another option” i said nothing about should. and it still is a “could”
you having breastfed does not make your opinion more valid than any of my friends or family members that have breast fed. if i’m pulling a third person anecdote out, you have to realize you ARE a third person anecdote to me as well and your opinions are equally valid. i’m sorry pumping was such a pain for you. it’s a valid option for plenty of women that i’ve seen in my life.
@katylostherart: “my actual quote. “there’s another option” i said nothing about should. and it still is a “could”
Please tell me why it’s up to YOU to mention these “other options.” I’m sure this woman knows that these other options exist and does not need you telling her about them. It’s fucking -condescending- to say things like, “Well…she could just pump!” Yeah, she could, but that’s not any of your business. Period.
“suggesting a reasonable alternative to any action is ok.”
Uh-huh, because women need to hear it from you, because obviously women are dumb and don’t know that there are alternatives.
@little stripes: please tell me why it’s up to you to decide what i can and cannot suggest? this is a post on a public forum. it’s just as much my business as yours.
and some women don’t know their options. how many women get taught how to pump their own breasts by massaging them to get the milk out, without any external pump? i actually seriously doubt most mothers know about that option because mechanical breast pumps and breastfeeding are so common.
@katylostherart: Oh, you can suggest anything you want, that doesn’t mean it’s not condescending and not your place. Would you REALLY want someone to tell you how to parent? Really? Because, sure, someone can, but that doesn’t mean they should, nor does it mean it’s right.
Your condescending tone is what we have an issue with. It’s not like you’re talking with a friend who is asking for your opinion on something; you are saying, “Well … why doesn’t she just pump?!” Not acceptable.
Sure, you can say it; but I and most other people can go ahead and think you’re a condescending asshole who doesn’t know what breastfeeding is about.
@little stripes: again why is it not my place? you’re obviously trying to tell me what i should think. again, this is a discussion on a public forum. your opinion has the same credence as mine. you can think it’s condescending, i can think the same of yours. and i can think of plenty of instances when maybe someone should tell someone else how to parent. maybe this isn’t one of them. but really, why’s it so wrong to suggest an alternative? i was pretty excited to find out about tampons when i was 14 and using pads. you are taking personal offense to something not even directed at you because you believe you can relate to this woman. why would you not want to be told about something that could possibly (notice i did not say definitely) make your life easier?
@little stripes: To even butt in on a subject you are that ignorant on is beyond me.
But seriously I’m at work, and I can’t chat anymore until I get my work done.
@snoop-blog: I was agreeing with you!!! I was just being sarcastic.
@little stripes: I know I was talking about her. It’s cool.
@katylostherart: You weren’t mentioning the alternative to a friend who was asking your opinion. You implied that the mother SHOULD have used an alternative instead of breastfeeding in public. It IS wrong for you to say that she could (or rather “should” as that’s basically what you have implied over and over), because 1)it’s none of your business how she chooses to feed her children 2)you don’t know her situation and you don’t know if pumping is even a viable option for her and 3)again, it’s none of your business, and it’s damn condescending to say, “Well, why not just pump?! Then you don’t have to pop a boob out in public! And hey!!! It’s gotta be easier! And they are cheaper! I know ‘cuz my anecdotal evidence says so!”
I bid you all a good day!
Until the law is changed, sounds like the mother had every right to breastfeed her baby in public. Personally, I would rather do so in a more private place, but hey, to each his own.
I’m a bit confused though. She wanted to use the “glider” for its intended purpose? Does she mean “to sit” or to “nurse”? Is there such a thing as a “nursing glider”? Even at the BabiesRUs website I could only find reference to a nursing ottoman.
Also, it takes time to nurse a baby. It seems a bit unfair that she was going to hog the glider for a period of time and preclude anyone else from testing it out themselves.
I’m amazed at how many people are ragging on this mom because they think she was “making a statement.” Everything we do makes a statement. This mom was saying “I have a hungry baby that needs to eat. I need to sit down and feed him/her, which is what I’m going to do.” And while I can see where some of you are coming from with the “it could get the chair dirty” concerns I will say this: so could a toddler who is toilet training and has an accident while sitting in the chair, or so could a person with less than stellar hygiene who tries out the chair and gets BO all over it, and so could…except that nursing is really not that likely to get the chair dirty (moms usually bear the brunt of spit up). Besides, plenty of stores seems to have no problems with moms nursing on the display merchandise (I hear great things about Ikea). Also, whether a mom covers or not should have nothing to do with anything (some babies will NOT tolerate eating under a hot and humid blanket).
I am, unfortunately, one of those people that “freaks out” at the whole breatfeeding-in-public thing. I don’t care about the sight of it, and I know it’s a necessary thing (really? can’t you bottle that stuff and feed them that way?) and all that.
But I don’t like it. It completely squicks me out and makes me uncomfortable. And I’m a woman. The sound is nasty and the thought makes me nauseous. Kind of like someone that disciplines their kid in front of me.
Stuff like that should be private. I know some people think it’s natural and that they have a right (which they do, accoridng to these laws) but hey, it’s natural for me to take a dump, but that doesn’t mean a store has to avail me of a toilet or that I can just do it anywhere. Also, I have to eat and drink, but I can’t do that in a lot of stores.
I know my opinion doesn’t “count” and that it won’t be popular, but I wish people would be more sensitive, and not think that their circumstance trumps someone elses for whatever reason.
@RStewie: So why should your circumstance trump someone else’s? Especially if the law is on their side?
@xay: Mine doesn’t. And the law is on their side. But why can’t they see the other side of it?
Just because you see things one way, and the law says it’s ok, doesn’t mean the other opinion or side or whatever doesn’t have a valid point. What’s so wrong with acknowledging it, and (maybe) doing something about it?
@RStewie: When I was a breastfeeding mom , I did understand that breastfeeding offends some people and squicks them out, which is why I either tried to find a public place or covered my son’s head with a blanket.
But when it comes down to it, my priority is to my child first before your sensibilities. I am no lactivist, but I’d rather annoy you than deal with a hungry, screaming baby when there is a very simple solution.
@xay: find a private place. Yeesh.
@xay: Exactly. and I understand that. but don’t just whip out a boob and expect everyone to be cool with it just because you’re breastfeeding.
I’m just looking for some sensitivity on EVERYONE’s part. My own included.
If you’re feeding your kid, and they’re crying and hungry and it’s obvs that you have to do it Right Now, I’ll walk away.
But expecting me to enjoy it is what makes me mad. Just because it’s your Right to do it, doesn’t mean it’s my Obligation to enjoy it. I’m allowed to still be squicked out.
Which I know is off topic of the story, but I do feel is on-topic with the comment thread.
@RStewie: No one is asking you to enjoy it. Jesus. It’s not all about YOU.
@little stripes: i think the real point doesn’t have to do with enjoyment. she doesn’t have to actually tolerate it either. the easiest way for her to not tolerate it is of course to leave the area. it’s not all about any single person. one person’s comfort doesn’t take seat over someone else’s just because there happens to be a baby involved. what makes the nursing mom more important than everyone else around her anyway?
@katylostherart: Uh, because the baby needs to eat? It’s much, much easier for people to just NOT LOOK if it bothers them.
And if you’re bothered by a mother feeding her child, you have issues. Period. A boob is NOT just there for sexual enjoyment. Context DOES matter. If you’re too immature to realize that, it’s not the mother or the baby’s fault.
@little stripes: obviously “enjoy” wasn’t the exact word I was looking for. more like “be cool with it” or “not be uncomfortable”.
No need to be upset, though. I’m just saying it’s ok for people to not be comfortable around a woman that is breastfeeding, and that just because it’s her right to do it, doesn’t mean it’s automatically offensive if someone else doesn’t feel comfortable around it.
@RStewie: If you’re uncomfortable, look away. It really is that easy.
@RStewie: I don’t think anyone is saying that you have to be cool with it or that you have to be comfortable with it.
What I am saying is that you should suck it up and deal. I have never seen these ostentatious breastfeeding mothers that always come up in these discussions who pull out their breast and let the baby dangle off of it for an hour while chanting breastfeeding slogans and heckling passers by for their discomfort other than at nurse ins.
@xay: that is a really really hilarious image. i’m totally tearing up now.
@xay: oh, that’s hilarious! and I would have to comment if I ran up on one of those women, too.
I do walk away. 1. I don’t want to be there. 2. They don’t really want me there.
I just wish the people commenting wouldn’t be so quick to jump on commenters that find it uncomfortable. They’re ALLOWED to feel like that, and it’s not a crack in their moral fiber or anything like that. Maybe if I had breastfed a child, I wouldn’t feel like that, but I haven’t and I won’t ever, so I do. But my point is that it is OK to be uncomfortable. It doesn’t reflect poorly on a person to feel like that.
But according to the previous comments on this site, it ISN’T ok. It’s obvs a sign that a person is immature or sexually deviant or oppressing women…or whatever.
@RStewie: It’s not about you. I’m sure that most nursing mother would prefer that you keep walking.
@xay: Squicks? I’ve never heard that term, but I think I’ll use it from now on.
And I’m with you 100%. Who cares if other people are offended? The whole point of breast-feeding is nourishing your baby so their opinion is the only one that should count. My son never complained about where I chose to feed him.
I too always used a blanket if I was in a public place, simply because I didn’t feel like being gawked at by ignorant people.
@RStewie: “(really? can’t you bottle that stuff and feed them that way?)”
IT IS NOT THAT EASY. And feeding your child IS NOT THE SAME THING AS TAKING A DUMP. Period.
@RStewie: The fact that something squicks you out is not the world’s problem. When you’re at a restaurant, do you throw a blanket over your head to eat in case the sight of you eating squicks somebody out?
A baby with a tit in its mouth is a baby that’s not crying, screaming or otherwise bothering you. If you’d rather listen to ear-piercing shrieks than risk seeing a sliver of boob, you need therapy.
@katylostherart: so you think sex should be private, unless it involves artifical sex organs and then it’s OK? That’s exactly what you’re saying if you think breastfeeding should be hidden but bottlefeeding is cool.
Pictures or it didn’t happen (I admit to loving boobies, so help me).
I guess the problem must be with uptight bitches who can’t stand that their undersexed husbands might catch a little extra breast-action on the side. Seriously, my wife and her friends breast feed in public all of the time and we have a couple of friends who whip out their breasts without a care – you wouldn’t be surprised how many guys guiltily admire.
I’m with the commenter who said that the lady shouldn’t have breast fed on salable merchandise, though.
@mariospants: I’d be surprised, actually. I love boobs, sure, but they’re not really that sexy with a mewling crotch-fruit all over ‘em.
No problem, personally, with breastfeeding in public or anywhere else. Even in front of my (hypothetical) kids. (It’s actually a lack of exposure to images of nudity that fucks up children, imo.) I don’t really get the guys that get some kind of sexual thrill out of it. I mean there’s no sexual context whatsoever. It’s as sexy as a medical exam.
Oh, and I do know of one lady who said she would never breast feed because “it’s a sexual area and would make me feel uncomfortable”.
In my experience, there are some girls who get seriously sexually aroused when their nipples are played with (the majority either don’t even care for it or are oblivious to it) so I can understand this portion of the population getting a little riled up by breast feeding if only that a similar activity would provoke awkward feelings for them (wasn’t there an article in that “what to expect when you’re expecting” book about breastfeeding regarding women who actually orgasm while breastfeeding?).
Anyway, those squeemish women should look away as the majority are feeding their kids, not taking a shit in public.
And if someone finds it sexual, it certainly isn’t the problem of the mother trying to feed her child. If you can’t be a mature adult and not gawk, you have issues.
@little stripes: fetishes are not necessarily a result of any psychological issues. it’s a matter of preference for certain things. think assman vs boobman.
IR stands for Incident Report. It is the system used by many large companies to keep track of all issues. Problem tickets can be linked to the IR. All work with an IR is recorded, including the amount of customers affected, time spent on the issue, and how long it was open. Its basically just a tracking system so upper management can see how many resources have been spent/wasted on problems/incidents.
@katylostherart: Of course some people find lactating breasts sexual. That doesn’t mean women should stop breastfeeding in public because there are people who are too immature to realize that a woman breastfeeding in public is not doing it for sexual pleasure, but to feed their baby. I mean, seriously. If you can’t control your sexual urges, then stay inside.
satoru, give me a break!
“I’ve never understood why people are so adamant about breast feeding in a public place? If you’re discreet about it then fine, but most of these people want their boobs hanging out for all to see as if its no big deal.”
That is absolutely absurd. Here is why people feed in public- because their kids are hungry. Mothers get told what to do in public in ways that people would never, EVER apply to fathers. People seem to think that the bodies of women, especially those who are pregnant or have children- are public domain.
My friend was once asked by a manager at a restaurant to go to the bathroom to nurse her son because some rednecks at the table over weren’t okay with her quietly and totally covered-up feeding her infant son. Would YOU eat your paid-for meal in a public bathroom? Why should a child eat in a public bathroom? Why should a mother be shuffled off somewhere like she’s a disgrace?
I don’t know where you live, but I have NEVER seen a woman breast feed with a full boob hanging out. Most women are not comfortable having people like you talk about their breasts. I am sure some people do it, but the majority do not. If you see nipple, you are probably looking a little too closely. While we are on the subject, many children aren’t comfortable with a whole blanket over their head. They are already fussy and hungry. Why make them hot on top of that? Most women nurse with a blanket or with their shirt just over the top of the baby. Honestly I believe many nursing mothers use the covers to keep creeps from staring at them.
Our culture is so messed up that we cannot show a part of a body without being sex-obsessed with it. Breasts are natural and are an evolutionary tool developed to feed young.
On top of everything- I would rather see a happy mom and baby nursing than to hear a kid screaming because she or he is hungry. I work in a fairly expensive restaurant for the time being and I can promise you I’d welcome a nursing mom at my table rather than have a screaming child ruin everyone’s dinner. If you don’t like it, don’t look. At least you won’t hear the kid crying.
The stench of entitlement and indignation from the posters in here is sickening.
To not spend more the a moments thought on whether or not something so mundane as breastfeeding a child is offensive or not offensive to you just goes to show that people need something to do with their time.
OMG — I was just at babies r us this weekend, and as I was sitting on a glider with my 4 week old son, and I asked if they had a place to nurse and they firmly directed me to the mother’s room. It was a nice enough room and the gilder they had in there was ok, but not as nice as the one I wanted to buy. It would have been nice to “test drive” it.
So, “mike” wasn’t trying to catch a peek? “He stared me down” sounds like he was all about trying to catch a slip. Him interacting with the OP tells me he wanted to get close.
And then she drives home with a hungry sobbing baby? What an idiot/moran/poor excuse for a mother.
Just because she had to put up with poop stank for 20 minutes while her baby ate she didn’t allow her infant to eat? That is the most selfish behavior to date.
Besides, everyone knows about olfactory fatigue. Basically, If we keep sniffing one odor continually, our ability to perceive that odor soon declines and disappears.
I know I’m a little late to this party, but this quote from katylostherart made me laugh… derisively:
“i’ve seen people do it and all i can think was, it wasn’t easier to just fill a bottle before you left and pull that out instead of unbuttoning a shirt, undoing a nursing bra, getting out whatever you’re going to use to cover your boob if you’re going to and a whole bunch of other stuff.”
So before you leave, you have to unbutton your shirt, undo your nursing bra, get out whatever you’re going to use, assemble the breast pump, pump for anywhere between 10-30 minutes to get the right amount to fill a bottle, clean the equipment, get something to keep the bottle cool, and then once the baby gets hungry, scramble to find a place to warm up the bottle, which could include asking employees to use their hot water tap.
This is, of course, assuming you a) have a pump and b) your baby will take a bottle. Not totally safe assumptions.
No, yeah, that’s way easier than throwing a kid on the ol’ boob, letting it eat, and going on about your business.
@sjspiehler: LOL, right, and yet she thinks she’s not being a condescending asshole.
Wow…what a discussion! I wish I was here sooner!
Anywho, I have had two kids and I was a bit shy on the public breastfeeding. However, I would not use a room provided by a store unless it was large enough to be comfortable for the whole family plus stroller and it did not smell to all high heaven. I did very minimal breast feeding outside of the home just because of my feelings about it. However, I don’t care if other ladies “whip it out.”
I had both a manual and one of the most expensive electric breast pumps out there. My manual pump worked much better, however, because it was manual it also tended to aggravate my carpal tunnel. You can bottle up the boob juice, but then you also have to keep it cold in transport and then warm it up once the little one wants it…not always able to do that.
So, what we seem to forget is that this lady was using a FLOOR DISPLAY MODEL. Stores put these out so you can try them and they EXPECT them to get dirty. They sell floor models cheap when they no longer need them. If something spilled, I am not sure it would have been cleaned up at all. The guy was wrong wrong wrong to ask her to move, law or no law, this was not merchandise that was set aside because someone already purchased it…it was the floor model literally being used for its purpose!
Wow, I wonder how people would go off if they saw a lady with a baby that had one of those great “blow out” diapers…poop is much harder to clean up off fabric than breast milk.
@dorastandpipe: Wow, I wonder how people would go off if they saw a lady with a baby that had one of those great “blow out” diapers…poop is much harder to clean up off fabric than breast milk.
Since you’re arguing that it’s the display model, so does that mean if a baby had the blow out would it be acceptable to use the display table and diaper disposal unit because the “mother’s room smells like poop?” Because it’s a display model that is going to be discounted anyway? They’re usually discounted because of scratches and nicks, not fluids.
To the “not a health hazard” commenters
Our son’s daycare has breastfeeding mom’s label the bottles with red bio-hazard style labels (formula moms use plain white labels) and the teachers all need to wear plastic gloves when handling the breast milk. Whether it is actually a hazard or not it’s enough that the thought of using something that has another person’s fluid on it probably grosses out a large majority of people. And even if they have no intention of selling the models, surely they intend others to sit in eventually to test it out, and they shouldn’t have to sit in potential messes.
Where I work (bookstore) we’ve had kids pee and poop on the carpet and had the parents leave and the staff is notified by another customer that witnessed the accident. Granted not every time but parents are embarrassed and want to leave. So I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a “no feeding” policy and that it came about from parents not cleaning after themselves and their kids. If the mother’s room is in such poor shape it’s not a reach to think that other parents may have left messes in the rest of the store on past occasions, causing such a policy to exist.
Bottom line is fluids are fluids and I don’t want to purchase or even test drive an item that may have the potential for a person’s fluids to be on it. If I were to see someone breastfeeding on merch at BRU I would leave, not because of the feeding but because the illusion that anything in that store is clean has been destroyed.
Why not test drive a bib and a new cover up while your at it, if most of the spitup ends up on the parent. Because you can’t guarantee that ever single time the mother and baby will leave it in the exact condition they arrived in.
If people insist on feeding on the floor models because “the law says so” the next step is NO MORE FLOOR MODELS in stores and then there will be Consumerist posts about that.
There are no winners in this, only this 4 hour debate about breastfeeding.
TenaciousC – Why should she have to feed her child in a hot car when there’s a chair available for her to sit in in a store for babies?
@sjspiehler:
Hey brainiac. Because feeding a child gets prioritized over a mothers discomfort. You think it feels great when the child is feeding? Any mother here can answer that.
I guess, starting the vehicle, and controlling the climate is too much to ask.
Besides, the mother needs to plan for the child to be fed. What if she wasnt a babys r us that provided a facility? What if she was at walmart or target or the gas station or getting her oil changed? GUESS WHAT? YOU MAKE IT WORK, WHATEVER IT TAKES!
@TenaciousC: “I guess, starting the vehicle, and controlling the climate is too much to ask.”
Guess what, yo, not everyone has cars. Not everyone has a car with air conditioning. Not everyone has the money to waste gas while feeding their child. Not everyone has room in their car.
@little stripes: Just face it. We need to get back in the kitchen so we can have dinner ready for our husbands. Don’t forget to make yourself look perty before he gets home, and have a drink in hand for him!
@TenaciousC: really no need to call names.
Don’t you think that if the mother’s uncomfortable, the child will be uncomfortable too? Children who are uncomfortable for any reason won’t eat.
Wal Mart, Target, and most oil change places have chairs or couches or benches provided for the comfort of the customer. If she’s at a gas station, chances are her car is already cool enough to sit in and feed the child.
The problem is people like the employee in this story and quite a few commenters on this post, who want to deny breastfeeding women their legal right to feed in public or shame her for wanting to do so.
@sjspiehler: It was a compliment.
Um, no… that actually isn’t the case in the slightest. I have seen women in the most uncomfortable positions feeding their children. Ive seen women at sweat rolling off their backs at the beach DYING of heat and the child is cooing away.
Thanks you. You are solidifying my point. You make it work. Despite the surroundings.
I agree, the OP isn’t an outcast in the least. She is just a poor planner and selfish.
@TenaciousC: Yeah, but not all babies are like that. Some babies are really, really picky about how they eat.
@TenaciousC: If you have no other choice but to feed your child on a hot beach with sweat rolling down your back and sitting in an uncomfortable position, then you do just that, and count yourself lucky that your child will eat in that circumstance. Mine certainly wouldn’t.
This woman was not on a hot beach. She was surrounded by comfortable chairs in a place that caters to mothers with children in a state that gives her the legal right to breastfeed wherever she wants.
@TenaciousC: “She is just a poor planner and selfish.”
I’d love to hear your explanation of that comment.
You can’t plan when an infant is going to get hungry. Trust me, I wish it were possible.
And how is feeding your child when it’s hungry selfish? Are you referring to the other people who might get offended by it? They’re the ones who are selfish, in my opinion.
@TenaciousC: again, I’ll ask: would you eat in a room that smelled like poop?
@carbonmade: “again, I’ll ask: would you eat in a room that smelled like poop?”
That questions has been asked several times, by several people, and no one will answer it.
I think it’s because we all know what the answer is, and some people are not willing to admit it.
@allthatsevil: Hell, I’m wondering how many people would eat in a bathroom that DOESN’T smell like poop. Something tells me that TenaciousC eats in plenty of public places, and certainly never eats in a bathroom.
@carbonmade: Fine, I’ll play.
Can you quantify some points, so that I may answer correctly? One can only assume you are asking me to put myself in the child’s shoes, since the mother isn’t the one eating.
Please post results to these questions. Then i will answer.
How hungry am I?
Am I a growing child?
Do I know that the poop smells like poop and it is supposed to gross me out?
Do I know when my next meal will be?
Do I know how much i will get to eat when i do eat?
@TenaciousC: OH.MY.GOD. You really are an idiot, aren’t you?
Since the baby can’t talk and likely isn’t necessarily aware that the room smells like POOP and therefore likely isn’t SANITARY, it’s okay if the mother feeds her child in there. That’s what you’re saying? For reals?
“Do I know that the poop smells like poop and it is supposed to gross me out?”
You do realize that poop is unsanitary, don’t you?
There are plenty of people who lose their sense of smell who STLL WOULD NOT AT IN A BATHROOM.
@little stripes: Yay for missing letters.
@sjspiehler: Yeah, no kidding. I’m not a mother and even I know that a baby who is not happy or comfortable will NOT eat. Babies are stuborn.
@TenaciousC: “Hey brainiac. Because feeding a child gets prioritized over a mothers discomfort. You think it feels great when the child is feeding? Any mother here can answer that.”
Hey, brainiac, if the mother is uncomfortable, it is likely the child is also uncomfortable. If a car is hot and the mother is hot, the child is probably even hotter and it will be even MORE difficult for the baby to feed and could infact be dangerous.
A mother’s comfort IS important, because if the mother isn’t as comfortable as she can get in most situations, the baby is likely also not comfortable.
Also, I live in a very hot climate and it takes probably 5-6 minutes to cool down my car. Depending on where Addie lives in California, it could be equally hot and take an equally long time to cool down the car.
Not that any of that matters, because she shouldn’t have to abandon all of her purchases (which is rude to the employees) and go sit in her hot car when it happens to be her legal right to sit in a public place and breastfeed.
@sjspiehler: Seriously. I love this, “Well, why doesn’t she just…” Why is it your business? She’s feeding her child. Let her feed her child. Period.
And I live in Arizona. When it’s 115+ out, a car can EASILY exceed that in 10 minutes flat. It takes FOREVER to cool a car down. Sometimes it’s so hot I have to like, practically levetate lol.
@little stripes: *levitate. dur, I can spell.
@little stripes: And, it’s not really recommended to sit in an unmoving car with the a/c going when it’s really hot outside, because your car, especially if it’s older, could easily overheat.
@little stripes: haha, I was always paranoid about feeding my son in the car – I’d sit in the backseat. I had visions of some yutz hitting my car and the airbag going off!
@little stripes: I really think that a lot of people think that if one child does things a certain way, all children will. My son was very picky about where and when and how he ate. If he was hot, forget it, he just wanted to whine when he was hungry – and if he ate while he was hot, he’d spit up. And I live in a hot climate, and he was born in June. I didn’t go out much…
You all are missing my point. Child’s Hunger > Parent’s Discomfort.
We can discuss logistics of how long it takes to cool down cars and the science behind “poop particles” floating in the air, not having a car and(insert legless argument here) if you want. However, you will need to also explain that to the STARVING CHILD, and quickly, because she/he is kinda hungry.
@TenaciousC: Um. Would you eat in a room that smelled like poop? It’s also about the child’s HEALTH and SAFETY.
Guess what? Most women breastfeed in public because the baby is HUNGRY, not because it’s more comfortable for them to do so. You’re being really moronic right now.
@TenaciousC: “However, you will need to also explain that to the STARVING CHILD, and quickly, because she/he is kinda hungry.”
Right. At which point I’d sit myself down in the glider chair at Babies R Us and cover myself and nurse.
Yes, the child’s hunger takes precedence over the mother’s discomfort. Similarly, my child’s hunger takes precedence over the discomfort of some weirdo that thinks breastfeeding should take place behind closed doors only. I’m not going to scramble around trying to find a place to nurse because of YOUR discomfort – I’m going to nurse wherever I have to, DISCREETLY, as is my right.
@sjspiehler: It really sounds like we are in agreement, so lets high five and enjoy the rest of the show.
@TenaciousC: I have read all of your comments and came to the conclusion that you are a troll. Your only purpose here was to stir shit (pun intended) and attempt to “troll”. same for that katy person.
People DO argue just for the sake of it on the net and they are called trolls. It’s best to not even acknowledge them and go about the conversation without them. The more you feed them, the worse they get.
I wish threads would get locked by the editors once every point has been made and starts to repeat itself again like were seeing here in this one.
Please, lets not feed the trolls, don’t even give them the satisfaction of letting them know you’re reading their comments. Just flat out ignore them once you see who wrote them.
@snoop-blog: Please, lets not feed the trolls, don’t even give them the satisfaction of letting them know you’re reading their comments.
He says, 3 paragraphs after admitting he’s read all of the supposed troll’s comments.
@DigitalMariner: Whatever. I gaurantee I won’t be reading anymore of yours too! lol.
@snoop-blog: So now pointing out irony makes one a troll to be ignored also? Good to know !
@snoop-blog: Who…me?
I just don’t post a lot. In this case, I wanted to flush out the real argument. Which, as suspected is meaningless.
@DigitalWhoGivesaSHit: Maybe he cant help himself. I am addictive.
@snoop-blog: This is where an “ignore” button would come in handy.
@TenaciousC: okay you did your job, but if it’s meaningless to you why comment in the first place.
And I read all comments for the most part. I read all of your initial comments to see why the fuck you joined the conversation in the first place. It just seemed you were in the mood for a fight. Excuse me if I’m wrong. I’m not afraid to admit it like others. I have ALWAYS kept an open mind.
@snoop-blog: And now after saying you’re ignoring him, you continue to “feed the troll” as you would say. (Note: I don’t think he’s trolling). Continuing to go on like this is more troll-like than anything I’ve seen TenaciousC do in this thread.
As a current breastfeeding mother I am obligated to be outraged at this, and more so because it is BABIES R’ US for Christ sakes, you would assume a greater level of understanding of the breastfeeding mother’s needs. That said, I don’t think I would EVER use a display model glider to breastfeed my child in. Granted a mother should have every right to pull out the boob and feed when her child is hungry without question, but I think the store has a right to be able to display it’s merchandise without it being in a compromised state. Breastfeeding CAN be messy, especially with a “very wiggly and easily distracted” baby, and those gliders are expensive, generally between 200-600 dollars, and while big stores are insured and could probably afford a replacement if need be, should they have too when they do provide mothers with an alternative? I am appalled by the sales associates attitude and “look of disgust”, if that was the case, but I also get annoyed with women who believe that it is unacceptable and almost abusive to nurse their babies in a setting sub-par to a cloud. Sometime conditions aren’t ideal, but I promise you that most babies, in this circumstance, are truly more concerned with the feeding aspect then the aesthetic one.
Anyone who’s ever breastfed a child should know, positioning is important. I don’t see what the problem is with her trying OUT a glider at the same time. She could of found the perfect glider, and they would of had a $300+ sale in 15 mins.
Toys R Us, you get a slap on the hiney for being crude and turning a simple choice into a shameful spiral of debachery.
Children are not especially cognizant of their surroundings – we are there as parents to protect them. This includes not letting them eat in a room that’s wildly dirty.
Also, I wouldn’t sit in a room that smelled like poop for 20 minutes doing anything, let alone breastfeeding.
Heavens to mergatroid, people – we’re not beasts, we’re civilized creatures. If you need to do a biological function like that, go be discreet about it. Don’t wave it about like a flag in people’s faces!
I’ll freely admit that I’m about as far from being a prude as you can get, and think that America is waAAAy too hung up on the human body – but I’m also not going to whip it out and start wanking right there in front of god and everyone.
Have some consideration for the rest of us. . .
@El_Fez: Failure on the basis of confusing masturbation with feeding a baby. If, in your world, the two coincide you are one sick fuck.
@El_Fez: So where do you go that god does not see you? and why do you think god would want them to breast feed in public?
@El_Fez: You do realize that breastFEEDING is not the same as masturbating, right? I mean, you eat in public without shame, don’t you?
@El_Fez: You’re right, we’re not beasts, we are civilized creatures. This is why when you feel the urge to masturbate, you can wait to get home and do it in private. Babies have no similar brain filter. When they are hungry, they want to eat now.
Have you ever seen a woman breastfeeding? Did she undo her nursing bra and say “HEY Y’ALL! HERE ARE MY BOOBS! I’M GOING TO STICK ONE OF THEM IN MY BABY’S MOUTH NOW! EVERYONE GET A GOOD LOOK?” Yeah, probably not. If you saw her nipple for more than a second or two, I’d be surprised.
@sjspiehler: “HEY Y’ALL! HERE ARE MY BOOBS! I’M GOING TO STICK ONE OF THEM IN MY BABY’S MOUTH NOW! EVERYONE GET A GOOD LOOK?”
Hilarious! Judging from comments on this thread, I swear that’s what people who are against public breastfeeding think women do.
@carbonmade: And that these women who just dare to feed their children in public are doing it specifically to annoy and bother other people.
@carbonmade: aww man, your baby’s mouth is obstructing my view! <– okay bad joke.
Seriously, if they wanted to draw everybodys attention, they’d just pierce every part of their body as humanly possible with jewelry so big it stretches you ear, nose, or lip out; while tatooing on your entire body with different colors, wearing black everything (including makeup) while having fake horns implanted on your forehead.
Isn’t that what attention whores do?
@snoop-blog: Isn’t that what attention whores do?
or… maybe they make it their charge in life to point out trolls. just sayin.
@TenaciousC: you pinned me! damn it. how will I survive now that the world thinks of me as an attention whore! Oh the agony! That’s it, I’m going to go home and eat worms.
that was actually the best comment you’ve made so far, mainly because I got a good chuckle out of it.
@snoop-blog: oh, but that is so much different than whipping your boobies out for the whole world to see. I mean, when you’re breastfeeding you’re practically shoving your tits in my face–I mean really, why can’t you nourish your growing baby at home for pete’s sake. I’d MUCH rather listen to your child SCREAMING then see you completely covered by a blanket, your child quietly eating. And breastfeeding is totally the same thing as masturbating in public or taking a dump in the floor model toilet at Home Depot. Totally. (some of these comments here just boggle the mind, don’t they?)
@carbonmade: you and little stripes are my new bestest friends on here.
amazing how I have so many and yet tenaciousC has none. Don’t be mad tenacious, I’ll be your friend, just don’t tell anyone…
^NOT want them to breast feed in public^
I’m headed to Lowe’s to go check out the toilets.
@jmuskratt: Not the same thing and you know it.
@little stripes: Because you say so?
I’m doing what the toilet is intended for, the process is completely natural, and some cultures don’t make a big deal out of it.
If we haul out the “get over it, it’s nature” argument, where does it lead? It leads to my sister-in-law whipping her tit out at the Thanksgiving Dinner table, that’s where.
@jmuskratt: The child is EATING. It is NOT the same thing as taking a dump or pissing, and it is especially not the same thing as masturbating in public. Pretending otherwise is ignorant.
I just want to know where this place is that fez goes to masturbate where supposedly god doesn’t see him. lol.
I don’t know, I mean on one hand, you can try out a car or a pair of jeans before purchasing, but then again, you can’t go into a appliance store and wash a load of laundry to see if you want a washing machine, or head into Victoria’s Secret and drop trou in the middle of the store to try on their products. That’s why they have dressing rooms.
I can see both sides.
back before there were bottles and pumps, this was the only way. At what point did society become so me!me!me! and fuck the babies! I don’t care if you are trying to raise a family, do it in the privacy of your own home so ME!ME!ME! doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable. No wonder other countries hate America. We are about the stupidest nation ever. Literally. Our education system and standards are jokes. And apparently we suck at parents because we can’t teach our children compassion, and are afraid to talk to them about sex and the human body.
/end rant.
Again, because you say so. If only I could get away with “It just is, okay!” at my job.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. It takes me much longer because I’m ignorant.
@jmuskratt: Would you avoid eating a burger in public if you knew there was a vegetarian in the room? If you knew that vegetarian was uncomfortable with you eating meat, would you stop what you were doing and go eat in the bathroom so the vegetarian would feel better about himself?
@jmuskratt: Oh, my god, you’re a moron.
I want highschools to start a “common sense” class because apparently it’s not that common.
@snoop-blog: I’m beginning to think that’s not something that can be taught.
This is so immature. I naively used to think people grew up when they passed 30, but making people have to go to a separate room to breastfeed? It’s not like the mother is flashing everyone for the fun of it, she’s trying to raise a baby the healthy way and make time. Why not make people that talk on the cell phone while being checked out at a register go to a separate room? Or people that hog an entire aisle just to hang out with friends (with or without carts) while others have to go through the next aisle to get to the otherside of the group. They’re wasting people’s time, not the rare responsible mother. I’m disgusted. People really need to grow up and learn that breasts have other purposes than distracting other people. This isn’t damn 3rd grade.
Bodily fluids that could possibly contaminate a display item where other customers will touch and examine? While I would like to think that every mother and infant are free of any sort of diseases I wouldn’t touch that thing if it was used afterwards. I’m not a germaphobe but one does need to be careful.
This is why there are rooms for this to begin with. I don’t understand why some people still put up a fight with this issue.
I think nursing a child is a wonderful thing to do… in private. I for one don’t want to walk into a store or any other public place and see a woman breastfeeding her child. It’s great that some of them want to cover up and such while doing it, but a lot of them do not.
So going on with the whole rights thing, does this mean I can whip out my junk and pee in the corner of a store? Not at all, they have a room for that, just like a lot of places have a room for feeding children. Choosing not to use it because of a smell is a choice, but that doesn’t give the right to flip out a breast in a public place. Mens bathrooms smell as well, but you hold your breath and do what you need to do because that is the place to do it.
When my first son was born, I was TERRIFIED of nursing in public. Since I had an excellent milk supply and a good pump, it was easy for me to pump a bottle and bring it along. So I brought bottles to the grocery store … to the mall … to moms’ groups … pretty much everywhere I went.
And when my son turned 2 months old, something bad happened. He started screaming every time I tried to nurse him. He ONLY wanted his bottle. A visit to the lactation consult didn’t fix the problem, though I did everything she suggested.
So I spent the next 10 months of his life pumping milk for him. Whooohooo! That was a BALL! The constant washing pump parts, bottles, nipples, etc … being tethered to the pump around the clock … it was GREAT! /sarcasm … I do count myself very lucky that my supply didn’t bottom out, and that I could afford a second pump after my first one died. N
I am pregnant again, and this time, I am nursing this baby wherever and whenever. It’s not about modesty or activism or anything else — it’s my child’s right to eat (and your right not to have to listen to him scream inconsolably). And although it’s a lovely idea to just “feed the baby before you go,” babies have an amazing way of being hungry again 20 minutes later.
Oh, and no way in H-E-double-hockey-sticks would I feed my child in a bathroom or a room that smelled like poop. Even if it was OK with -me-, my husband would absolutely be horrified and disgusted at the idea.
I’m currently talking to a local congresswoman about strengthening my state’s breastfeeding laws. It’s attitudes like the ones here that make me realize how very, very badly we need protection for mothers who don’t want to do anything more than FEED THEIR FREAKIN’ KIDS! (And anyone who thinks a new mom actually WANTS people to look at her body is sadly, sadly deluded.)
Wow what a crazy set of comments on this story. I can’t believe all the argument about bodily fluids and contamination. The law is clearly on the mother’s side in this case. I don’t see what the point of arguing it — the OP had a right to do it, and that was not respected. Whether we as a group like that right is irrelevant in terms of customer service.
This same thing recently happened at a Vancouver H&M here in Canada, where the mother was asked to use a fitting room. The next week, the store was blocked with lots of breastfeeding mothers in a sort of breastfeeding shop-in protest. There was nothing the store could do but apologize, red-faced, because British Columbia has legal protection for breastfeeding that is similarity worded to the statue cited in this case. Perhaps this could be tried at a Babies-R-Us(-as-long-as-they-aren’t-hungry)?
I’m not offended by breastfeeding, I breastfed my son. I also when he was old enough to be distracted in a store to be wiggly ans squirmy fed him before I left to go to the store knowing that he would not get a good meal. I agree with everyone who said that she should not have fed her child on merchandise, maybe that is because my son did spit up and right after eating he wpit up all over me and everything around us. If not immediatly cleaned would leave a horriable smell and stain. He didn’t ask her to leave he asked her to go to a different part of the store, she chose to pitch a fit like a toddler and leave. If she did go in the room and it wasn’t clean then stand there while you watch them clean it so it was clean for the next mother who came in and needed to feed their child, I am sure they would thank you for it. You chose the route of doing nothign but to be the victim.
Shazam! That’s some thread of comments, arguments, and rebuttals.
Teats are natural, Babies R’ Us provides nursing rooms, breastfeeding babies are beautiful things, Babies R’ Us can have poor sanitation, etc. All worthwhile points.
In the end it’s the viewer that sees either a baby feeding or a shameful display of boob. No amount of legislation and discussion will change that.
If I can’t poop on the toilets on display at Home Depot NO she cannot nurse on the glider on display in BabiesRUS. You cannot guarantee your kid won’t puke or crap on it.
And for the record I nursed both my kids. I didn’t go shopping for nonsense when it was near time for them to eat. In the event they required nursing while out and about, I nursed them in my warm and comfy car and people watched while they nursed.
I’m just not one of those people that needs to make an issue over some things. Sure nursing moms deserve rights, but jesus let’s get real. Unless you’re nursing the next Jesus, get off your high horse. We don’t care that we can’t see your tatas, it’s the CHAIR we’re concerned about.
nursing a baby should be a private bonding moment. Not a moment where you’re likely going to piss someone off, (because in every 3 people there is one jack ass), just so you can “stand up for boob justice”.
and for the poop smell… after nursing my kids, they always pooped. ALWAYS. it was rank and it stunk up the damn house and I usually had to eat while smelling that nasty smell.
@Lorillyn: re your question “why is breastfeeding in public something you would want to do?”
Because babies get hungry. Very young, exclusively breastfed babies get very hungry because breastmilk is digested quickly and they have tiny tummies that need refilled constantly. If I were ever to shop at BRU (more unlikely than ever, unless the store apologizes publicly), my 6 week old would sure as heck be hungry before I was done shopping in that warehouse hovel.