Olive Garden asks woman to stop breastfeeding

[tracymom1]

I don't usually post in here so I don't know all the rules, but I came across this article and wanted to share it with all the MDC lactivists. I certainly will not be dining here ever again.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/p...d316c2d61.html

[khaoskat]

Gee, I guess they didn't learn from the last bout of negative press from a couple of weeks ago. Different City but similar area.

[Jojo F.]

Aren't we taught that staring is rude? They should take their dinner to the bathroom AND were a dirty kitchen towel over their head

Cudos for the lactation consultant And for the mama, she's 19!!!

As my DH points out, these are probably the same people that go to strip clubs... maybe....

[Ellen Griswold]

It is the same Olive Garden, right? Michigan City located in LaPorte County, Indiana. Or am I wrong?

[caro113]

TBH, I'm not sure what annoys me more - the fact that an employee told her she had to stop nursing or the fact that she said "okay" and quietly got all her stuff together and left. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but by doing that, she basically just said it's okay to kick a woman out of a restaurant for nursing. She pretty much just made it that much harder for everyone else. She even commented that she didn't have anything to cover up. She should have said she didn't NEED to cover up, but no. She said she didn't have anything.

I'm really get tired of all this bull. Why can't people just realize that breastfeeding is something natural and beautiful and just get over it. I don't see vegetarians and vegans complaining about the person a few tables down with a giant steak. And honestly, as a vegetarian turning vegan, I find that disgusting and appalling. But do I make a big deal about it? No. In fact, I don't even care. Because it doesn't affect me at all, just like a woman breastfeeding her child doesn't affect anyone else in the restaurant at all.

[kijip]

Well Olive Garden is already on my "yuck" list, this just reinforces it.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by caro113

TBH, I'm not sure what annoys me more - the fact that an employee told her she had to stop nursing or the fact that she said "okay" and quietly got all her stuff together and left. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but by doing that, she basically just said it's okay to kick a woman out of a restaurant for nursing. She pretty much just made it that much harder for everyone else. She even commented that she didn't have anything to cover up. She should have said she didn't NEED to cover up, but no. She said she didn't have anything.

I don't think blaming the victim is helpful at all. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the breastfeeding mother in a situation like this. Not everyone has the fortitude to stand up for themselves when they're publicly attacked.

[bobandjess99]

looking at the date of that, it is the same incident from 3 weeks ago, just a new story i huess?
What gets me is the part aboutthe nipple showing is piblic indecency..I've never heard that, and our state law specifically gives women the right to breastfeed wherevere they have a right to be, without regard to nipple showage.

grrrr.

[bobandjess99]

ok, i just checked. It says "notwithstanding any other law" therefore any laws regarding public indecency wouldn't apply.
Wasthere ever a response from olive garden corporate on this?
I could go there tomorrow for lunch, its only about 45 minutes away.....ds is a nice big almost-2 year old, and he loves him some milky.....

[hotmamacita]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I don't think blaming the victim is helpful at all. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on the breastfeeding mother in a situation like this. Not everyone has the fortitude to stand up for themselves when they're publicly attacked.

I agree.

[JAZE MOMMIE]

I love OG and have nursed there a few times -but I always sit in a booth and wear a sweater or jacket to keep myself covered as best I can (wild nursers )
It makes me want to have a get together with my nursing friends!!

[nj's_mom]

As a mom of the same age- who has nursed in OG twice- once with a NB, before I had researched and discovered I shouldn't be ashamed for my nursing choices, I cowered in a bathroom- and the second time, with a sixth month old and much more secure, I was in the booth.

But I WILL mention- one, these booths are super crowded and she was probably already uncomfy and wishing she had more room- and two, not everyone has had the luxury of being made to feel good and secure with nursing! Especially women who have families who are weirded out by their bf'ing, or spouses, or (ahem-young moms) those who are in general looked down upon or discriminated against, to BEGIN with. Personally, I am just WAITING for someone to say something about me nursing my flailing one year old- but in the beginning, I was much more meek. Would I have agreed and slunk away to the toilets? Probably not. I would have been pissed, and embarassed, and left. But I can see how a mom might not have had all her strength about her, and given in to an a-hole with no decency or sense at all.

[filiadeluna]

I've BFed at the Olive Garden in my town many, many times, and never had a problem. Olive Garden should definitely make a public statement about this, though.