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| Photo courtesy of Amber Wolgamott in NC |
Fellow mom Kelly Roth set up a Facebook group for the demonstration and it now hosts over 7,000 members. The turnout at the stores was variable - some stores only saw one nursing mother while the offending store had over 50 breastfeeding women. Hopefully the event helped to raise awareness of the normalcy and legality of breastfeeding a baby in public.
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| Photo courtesy of Amber Wolgamott in NC |
Upon learning of the nurse-in, Target has issued a statement: "We want everyone to feel comfortable shopping at Target. Guests who choose to breastfeed in public areas of the store are welcome to do so without being made to feel uncomfortable. Additionally, we support the use of fitting rooms for women who wish to breastfeed their babies, even if others are waiting to use the fitting rooms."
Have you ever been to a nurse-in?
Target Nurse-In: Did It Change Perceptions of Public Breast-Feeding? [Time]
10 comments:
I myself is a breastfeeding mom, and I do believe a woman has a right to feed her child at any place regardless of the feeding method. A child has to eat; a bottle fed baby doesn't have a problem with feeding in the public, so neither should a breast fed baby- especially since breastfeeding is completely natural and the healthiest for both child and mother. We should try to encourage more mothers to breastfeed, therefore I think stores and restaurants, etc, should accommendate mothers that wish to do so. Which target in this scenaro had, they had offered the use of the fitting room, which is different and more sanitary from many other places that refer you to the bathroom. Just because we are breast feeding doesn't give us the right to "indescent exposure", any other woman who would lift their shirt in public could be arrested or even fined. I wasn't there at the store, so the mother could have had a cover or drape, which I find also to be acceptable if no other place was made available (besides the bathroom, that is just disgusting). I also don't know how the staff talked to the woman, they could have been more rude than what the article reads, I know I wouldn't be offended if they suggested I move to a fitting room, I'd be grateful that they were aware of my need to nurse and provided me a safe-private location to do so. I do believe some people take activism for public breast feeding to an extreme, just like other good causes, even though we have the right, other's who might be offended of public "nudity" of the breasts have a right as well. We need to be considerate too.
I am all for breastfeeding and wish I could for my children, but for some unk reason my body was not capable. I agree women should be able to breastfeed in public if they choose. But come on, it stated she was sitting on the floor in the women's dept. How safe is that? So when a shopper is pushing a cart around the racks and doesn't happen to see her, who will be sued by that woman when her and the baby get hit by the cart and is in some way injured? Just as moms who bf want people to understand this is a normal thing in life and is their right, they need to be considerate of others as well and know that not everyone has common sense or have the same opinion.
Totally with TrulyBlessedMom on this one. It is a matter of presentation. I would have welcomed an invitation to use a comfortable bench in a fitting room. I was at SilverDollarCity and preparing to nurse my son when an employee said they had a place for me to do that. I was already on guard so I took it harshly thankfully the lovely lady had nursed her own and gently explained that they have a specail air conditioned room with comfy chairs and water adjacent to the rest room for nursing moms. It was a nice break for me and the kids. My son ate much better without all the family fun (read loud playing and hollering)going on in the park. I was thankful for the accomidations, but I would never sit in the floor in a public place to nurse. It is unsanitary, and rude to others who are trying to do what they are there to do. I have found a bench or walked and nursed in many places, never sat on the floor. Given my personal and professional experience it was probably the sitting on the floor the employee had a problem with not the nursing.
I agree with truelyblessedmom.
When I was breastfeeding, there was a time where my child was ready to eat, and I was at a Target store. I chose to use the fitting room for my own privacy and comfort. And while there was a line of people ready to try on clothes, the associate never once knocked on my door or rushed me. I felt like my baby and I were being respected very well. Additionally, I've managed to nurse publicly at various restaurants or parks, with a nursing cover, and never once received complaints. I realize that's not always the case, or for some if a complaint is absent, glaring looks may be present instead. I'm not sure why our society has created this uneasiness for mothers or onlookers of breastfeeding - especially if the mother is taking due diligence to be modest. I do agree that we do need to be considerate of others and by not imposing ourselves - and our breasts - on them! And modesty is usually appreciated by others, but I had a very squirmy eater, making it hard to keep perfectly covered sometimes. Nonetheless, it is completely natural, the best source of food for baby, and an extremely beneficial act for mom, too. Why should we, as mothers, feel embarrassed to feed our child in public. I agree that getting in people's faces about any issue will only tune them out from whatever point you're trying to make. And while I had a respectful experience nursing, I think as a society at large, we still have a ways to go to make all women feel comfortable to feed their child without shame.
yes, I totally agree with TruelyBlessedMom.. I breast feed as well and by all means I will nurse in public if my baby is hungry, but I use a cover-up or go somewhere in a corner or someplace a little more discreet. Breast feeding isn't a shameful thing, it IS totally natural but there is a certain respect for others. So, OF COURSE its ok to nurse when your baby is hungry, just have common courtesy! :)
Safety was the first thing I was concerned about after reading this article. Sitting on the floor of the women's dept is an easy way to get tripped on, bumped into by shoppers or run over by a shopping cart. Alot of shoppers just dont look out where they r going so someone sitting on the foor is at risk. Plus thos high traffic floors r filled with dirt and germs. Always look for a chair or bench. Good for her for breast feeding, but play it safe and more hygienic.
Hugs,
Lactating safety mom:)
I nursed my children, just had my fourth, and I never have any desire to nurse in public. The closest I came was nursing in a dark movie theatre. I thought it was safer for me and my babies to nurse privately. If anyone is rude about a mother having to nurse in private (dressing room, car, etc.) or even if they are in an area that an attempt is made to be discreet, and someone is rude to the nursing mother... then that person is definitely in the wrong. But I do think things like "nurse-ins" and blatant public nursing where you just whip it out are extreme activists that are taking it too far. I agree with TruelyBlessedMom. Come on girls, let's have some common sense. Boobs have more than one purpose and unless someone has a baby or currently nursing, it might be uncomfortable for them to be seeing you flaunting them around in public. And for your own safety as well... there might be some weird guy watching you. There are plenty of dressing rooms available and bathrooms (which can be sanitary if you take precautions) or even your car. If you had no other choice, of course nursing in public would be necessary because the baby comes first... but there are always other private options. Sounds more like to me the mom in Target was just trying to get attention or start something (which she has obviously).
I wish more public places would take notice and incorporate "nursing stations" in thier environment. Places where mothers could feel comfortable nursing when we are out in public but not have to be 'out in public' to nurse. I would shop places like that!
It seems like everyone here agrees that it is a mother's right to nurse where ever as long as consideration is paid to the public. I agree, but I am also slightly opposed. Breast, contrary to popular belief, have no other purpose than providing for children. They are made to be a nonsexual body part, just as hands are (no one is asked to cover their hands in public).
Society has made breast out to be something that they are not and I think this issue raises that question. I don't think the employees were upset that she was sitting on the floor (which I think is disgusting and would NEVER DO). They were upset because of our twisted view of the human body and what we have made it out to be. This should be an education point.
I know that many will say that if society sees it that way, then that's what it is, but I disagree with that as well. There are many things in recent history that society had in belief for many years that we finally figured out where incorrect (the world being flat anyone?).
Just my thoughts...
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