US Moms still fighting for their right to breastfeed in public

Some time ago I wrote an article for this blog and for NCT’s magazine, touching on key points around breastfeeding and the terrible stigma still associated with it.

Two days ago, Huffington Post reported a “Nurse-In” at a Hollister store in Concord Mall, Delaware. This was in protest of prior events where one nursing mum was asked to leave the store due to her ‘inappropriate’ behaviour. According to reports, the store manager said: “You can’t do this here. This is not where you do that. You can’t do that on Hollister property. We don’t allow that.”

Image from the Nurse In arranged in protest of prior events
Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/191004591024062/

Following on from the event, a group of lactivists held the “nurse-in” at Hollister stores across the US and Canada to exercise their legal right to breastfeed in public. Point made. But unfortunately, this escalated to the call out of security guards and the state trooper. The former stating: “leave or cover up” and the latter warning the nursing Mums they “could be kicked out of the mall if we didn’t cover up.”

It doesn’t end there. The day’s events sparked outrage (naturally), one Mother wrote on the Concord Mall Facebook page “Shame on your mall for calling the police on women for feeding their babies! Shame!”. The mall’s Facebook page response? “Hope you guys don’t mind if I suck my wife’s breast in public.” (Source: jubileebabyco.com)

Since the horrendous, ghastly response, the mall has since denied the Facebook page is their official page and it has been swiftly removed.

It’s a shame to be hearing such news on a regular basis and it baffles me still that the US appears more prone to verbally abusive backlash around the subject of public breastfeeding. Last year we already saw similar protests involving Facebook and Target. When will joe public get over it and realise breastfeeding is a natural way to feed babies? Why do we need to hide behind closed doors? Mothers have far more to deal with adjusting to being a new mum than worry about dealing with ignorant behaviour. Wise up, it’s 2013 – I’m sure there are more pressing matters to deal with than concerning yourself over a mother breastfeeding her baby in public. All babies have the right to eat in public!

If you have experienced a similar story, let us know in the comments below. Otherwise, go forth and breastfeed! 

National Breastfeeding Week 24th June – 30th June 2012; to celebrate get 10% off all nursing wear

National Breastfeeding Week 24th June – 30th June 2012.
Quote BFWEEK12 for 10% off our nursing wear range.

It’s National Breastfeeding Week!

Check out the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers for Nationwide events to attend to support and promote breastfeeding. It’s a time to come together and be proud that you’re providing the best start in life for your baby. Read our post on why “Breast is best” to learn more & why I think there is still more work to do to educate the public and increase awareness on the benefits of breastfeeding.

To celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, we are offering 10% off our nursing wear range. Quote “BFWEEK12” at checkout.

Happy shopping!