Churches and nursing

[Charmie981]

I'd like to know your take on whether a church is exempt from this Louisiana breastfeeding law.

Thanks!

[rmzbm]

Why would a church be except? I wouldn't think they could be.
Anyone?

[Charmie981]

The question arises on the question of whether a church is exempt because it's not a "public place."

[rmzbm]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

The question arises on the question of whether a church is exempt because it's not a "public place."

Interesting, I never thought of that. But if they are open to the general public - I think it would apply, right? It seems it would be covered in the "wherever the mother has the right to be..." I dunno. I DO know I'd not attend any church that was so backward.

[woodchick]

The new MA breastfeeding law exempts Churchs/places of worship.

There was no wording that exempts churches in the LA law that was linked. I'd think that if it wasn't specifically mentioned then it doesn't get specific exemption. But I'm no lawyer!

[sasntappy]

It doesn't say "public place" It says a "place of public accomodation" And goes on to clarify that it means any place a woman otherwise has the right to be in. A church is both of these and therefore is NOT exempt from this law. It always makes me crazy when churches become sites of breastfeeding intolerance.

I have nursed in every church I have been in since having children. Only once did I ever get so much as a second glance and the pastor's daughter happened to be next to me when it occured. That church had a row of rocking chairs in the back in case babies needed to be rocked. The next week when I came in there were 2 pictures of Mary nursing Jesus on the wall above them. I never got a second glance again. The church I go to now has a quiet room for moms and babies who are fussy or who are just BUSY. I go in there now with my 18 month old, but until she was toddling I just nursed her through the service in the sanctuary. A lot of moms go in there to nurse though because it is more private-- and comfy with nice squishy rockers. A nice option, but certainly not required. Also all nursery care staff is trained on the FL state breastfeeding law to head off any discomfort in its path.

[rmzbm]

Originally Posted by sasntappy

It doesn't say "public place" It says a "place of public accomodation" And goes on to clarify that it means any place a woman otherwise has the right to be in. A church is both of these and therefore is NOT exempt from this law. It always makes me crazy when churches become sites of breastfeeding intolerance.

That's what I thought.

[2pinks]

For me personally, it would be a moot point. It'd be extremely difficult for me to attend a church with such intolerant breastfeeding views.

BTW, I'm from Gretna!

[Charmie981]

The church actually is in the process of developing a "policy" but has been too small before this to for it to be an issue that needed a policy. Now someone has decided to make an issue about it and the church wants to have an officially supportive policy to wave at the naysayers.

[Sagesgirl]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

The church actually is in the process of developing a "policy" but has been too small before this to for it to be an issue that needed a policy. Now someone has decided to make an issue about it and the church wants to have an officially supportive policy to wave at the naysayers.

Good. Might I propose a statement in the church bulletin that says something along the lines of JESUS WAS BREASTFED? (Most likely for 2 years if not more, considering that Mother Mary was a Torah-observant Jew.)

Honestly, this is an issue that has a huge spiritual significance to me. I consider Mary to be the example of what a mother should be. She is really a very strong woman. There is no doubt that she breastfed her son; it is an example I feel compelled to follow.

I am glad that your church is writing a supportive breastfeeding policy. Though nursing has been accepted at nearly every Episcopal church I have been to (and I walked out of the one where it wasn't), I know of no specific policies. It's a wonderful thing, especially if it comes down from your pastor or lay leaders.

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by Sagesgirl

JESUS WAS BREASTFED?

:

[Romana]

In Illinois, churches are specifically exempted from the breastfeeding statute, and while a mother is allowed to nurse there, she's supposed to adhere to whatever's deemed appropriate/inoffensive in that church/mosque/temple. It's a little odd but there you go.

Under Illinois law, a mother's right to breastfeed in public is protected, but "a mother considering whether to breastfeed her baby in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriate in that place of worship."

740 Illinois Consolidated Statutes

Here is a good Mothering article about BF law: http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...ation-law.html

[Poogles0213]

Originally Posted by woodchick

There was no wording that exempts churches in the LA law that was linked. I'd think that if it wasn't specifically mentioned then it doesn't get specific exemption. But I'm no lawyer!

Well, what about this part: "No child care facility shall discriminate based on race, color, creed, disability, as defined in R.S. 51:2232(11), national origin ancestry or whether a child is being breast-fed. However, this shall not restrict the hiring or admission policies of a church or religious organization"

I can't quite tell. It would be helpful to ask someone who speaks legalese to be absolutely sure

[woodchick]

Originally Posted by Poogles0213

Well, what about this part: "No child care facility shall discriminate based on race, color, creed, disability, as defined in R.S. 51:2232(11), national origin ancestry or whether a child is being breast-fed. However, this shall not restrict the hiring or admission policies of a church or religious organization"

I can't quite tell. It would be helpful to ask someone who speaks legalese to be absolutely sure

Hmm. Missed that part! Good thing I'm not a lawyer

[riverscout]

Yes I believe they are exempt, technically speaking that is.

Generally speaking, a "place of public accommodation" doesn't include places of worship. It usually only applies to entities that affect commerce. The ADA has the same wording and places of worship are exempt from having to comply with that.

The "a mother breastfeeding her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, shall not be deemed to be in violation of r.s. 14:106 or of any other provision of law" part just means a nursing mama can't be charged with a crime, not necessarily that she has the right to be allowed to breastfeed anywhere and everywhere.

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by Romana9+2

In Illinois, churches are specifically exempted from the breastfeeding statute, and while a mother is allowed to nurse there, she's supposed to adhere to whatever's deemed appropriate/inoffensive in that church/mosque/temple. It's a little odd but there you go.

740 Illinois Consolidated Statutes

Here is a good Mothering article about BF law: http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...ation-law.html

Though, one could argue that if bottle feeding mothers feed their children in the main auditorium, it is the norm and custom to feed one's child in the main auditorium. (At least, that is what I would point out if I ever got harassed over it.)

[KirstenMary]

E. Breastfeeding Not a Violation of Law.
A mother breastfeeding her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, shall not be deemed to be in violation of r.s. 14:106 or of any other provision of law.

I'm not really sure. MA specifically exempts churches from the new law, so it's pretty cut and dry.

Do children drink bottles during service?

[riverscout]

r.s. 14:106 is an obscenity law for anyone who is wondering

[Charmie981]

No, no one really feeds bottles during the service. And it's not an issue of during service, it WAS an issue of "anywhere but the nursing mother's area." But, it's really not an issue (now). I had a chat with my good friend and breastfeeding mother of soon-to-be six who is also the pastor's wife. Someone "complained" about my nursing in the nursery (there's supposed to be a no non-nursery workers in the nursery policy, so I WAS in violation of that). Without thinking or really talking about the implications, the default reaction to that complaint was "nursing mothers should use the nursing mother's area," which miffed me on so many levels and my friend/pastor's wife totally agrees, so obviously the church needs a policy so that everyone (particularly the nursery coordinator who made and/or received the complaint in the first place) can have the same, bfing friendly answer.

My take on it is "it's the law" so the party line should be "asking a nursing mother to the nursing mother's room is discrimination/segregation." But she thinks that legally churches are exempt and the policy should be pretty much the same but not mention the law because the law doesn't apply to churches. It's really a very small difference, given that the "other people" were trying to implement something that is not acceptable and would have me leaving the church in no time. But, I just wanted other people's take on whether churches are exempt or not, because if they are, that's gonna really bug me! And the fact that MA's law exempts them is just disgusting, too, IMO.

[junipermuse]

Originally Posted by KirstenMary

Do children drink bottles during service?

At the church that i have attended the most, children definitely drink bottles and sippy cups and also eat things like crackers and cheerios and cookies in the sanctuary. But I have also nursed my baby a bunch there, so there you go. There are also several rocking chairs and a box of toys in the back of the main area if parents want to move back there to feed their babies or take them to play quietly during the service.