Comments on: Breastfeeding Mom Gets Asked to Leave Restaurant. Again.

By: Rhode Island: Breastfeeding Made Legal

Rhode Island: Breastfeeding Made Legal — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:23:44 +0000

[...] blogged about breastfeeding in public before. There was the one about the woman kicked out of Denny’s in North Carolina. Kristen also blogged about a Kentucky McDonald’s asking a woman to leave for [...]

By: NY Passes Breastfeeding Mothers’ Bill of Rights

NY Passes Breastfeeding Mothers’ Bill of Rights — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:26:14 +0000

[...] breastfeed, who know the benefits, but then come into contact with idiot employees at stores and restaurants (and even public pools)? New York, as most states, protects a mothers right to breastfeed in [...]

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:50:53 +0000

I always used a cover-up when I BF in restaurants. I used the Bebe au Lait Hooter Hiders that had an opening so that I could maintain eye contact with my daughter. It was also lightweight, so not too hot.

I do feel like it’s the decent thing to do to cover up in public. Unless you are quite deft and have a very docile baby, there will likely be some nipple flashing between unclipping your nursing bra/top and latching the baby on. Had it not been for my cover, I know I would have been flashing a lot of people! Along those lines, I also feel like it’s distasteful for men to wear tank tops and muscle t-shirts at restaurants because I don’t want to be looking at their armpit hair when I eat. And since many restaurants have a dress code (”No shirt, no shoes, no service”), BF-ing seems to fall into that category of “decorum.”

Still, it should be the same for everyone. If you’re going to ask me to leave for BF-ing in public, then that guy flashing me all the pit hair should be asked to leave as well.

By: Jamie Ervin

Jamie Ervin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:58:23 +0000

I always managed to cover up just fine with baby and whatever clothing I was wearing… my MIL who was an avid DON’T DO THAT person even said she’d never seen anyone “DO IT as well” as I did… I hate that “IT”. Anyway, there is NO reason a breastfeeding mother should have to add extra layers. Babies pull blankets off, then you really end up exposed and they make it hot and prevent eye contact between Mother and Baby.

I did nurse in lounges off restrooms when available, but I would NEVER nurse in an actual bathroom. Gross. I had a job when my youngest was six months old that expected me to pump in the bathroom… YUCK… would you prepare or eat your food where people poo?

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:23:54 +0000

I’m pretty conservative when it comes to sexual morality but I fully support the right of moms to BF in public. Hooters waitresses are immodest. Moms feeding their babies the way God intended are not.

I personally feel most comfortable finding a private area to nurse (or covering with a blanket if a suitable one is not available). But it’s up to the individual mom to make that decision. Nobody should have the right to tell her to cover up or leave!

By: Darliegh

Darliegh — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:06:50 +0000

Kristen – exactly! Very little of the breast is even exposed and usually there’s a baby’s head blocking the view. How would these ‘offended’ people feel if they were asked to eat their dinner under a blanket? It is so sad that Americans are offended by the most natural and nutritionally superior way to feed a baby.

Also, breastfeeding in the bathroom is disgusting! I wouldn’t even use the toilet in most restaurants (especially Denny’s) because they are so gross let alone feed my baby in there. I agree that it would be nice if Restaurants had an area to accommodate breastfeeding mothers but it shouldn’t be in the restroom.

By: Kristen Chase

Kristen Chase — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:56:31 +0000

Jenn and Jackie — I’ve never actually seen any part of a woman’s breast while she is breastfeeding. And if I have, it’s been a part that you see in a low cut shirt.

Many babies don’t like having a blanket or nursing cover over them. And really, the question is not so much if people are offended by the breast but more so the actual act.

Because really, how much breast do you see? I’m pretty sure that it’s not enough for it to be seen as “offensive.”

By: Cate Nelson

Cate Nelson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:46:38 +0000

How timely.
I just wrote a blog calling on women to respond to CNN’s IReport question, “Is it okay to BF in public?”
*Love* the wording of that, BTW. Is it okay if my child eats? If it’s not too much trouble? Because she’s practically wasting away (if you ask her)! Like I’ve said before, I’ll feed my baby in the bathroom when people with poor table manners meet me there; I find THAT offensive!

http://blog.thenatureschild.com/2009/02/show-your-boobs.html

By: Jenn

Jenn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:25:58 +0000

Was the customer modest and at least using a towel or blanket to keep things covered as best as possible, or not?

Yes, the baby needs to eat, and yes she is eating dinner with her family, but at the same time it becomes uncomfortable for other parents with small children if there is no sense of modesty displayed.

By: Jackie Hernandez

Jackie Hernandez — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:12:19 +0000

I am a huge fan of breast-feeding and totally understand baby can’t always wait until you get home. However, I think it is only decent to cover up. They make so many nice coverups these days. Even a simple shawl could make breast-feeding more discreet.

I also wish restaurants and retailers could provide better facilities for mothers with young infants. Besides the fact that most changing stations are broken and inconvenient, there is never a seating area in the restroom. Perhaps a nice place to sit in the restroom would give breast-feeding mothers a place to go instead of feeding at the table.