I can't Nurse in the Nursery at the YMCA? Am I handling this right? - Page 2

[sweetpeppers]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

well, on a whim, I googled "northeast pa YMCA" and called the first one that came up.

www.corningymca.org - [phone]

Deb there said, of course I could nurse wherever I wanted, "As long as I was discreet" and she suggested I use a blanket. And also that I nurse at a secluded section near the running track rather than the nursery, since there are less likely to be any kids in that section :eyeroll

I wonder if YMCA has an oficial poliocy from headquarters or whatever.

Yes, we wouldn't want any children to be scarred from seeing a child nurse! Good grief.

[sapphire_chan]

If you're asked not to nurse in the nursery again, I'd step right outside the door and nurse there, maybe on a bench or seat, maybe just sit on the floor.

[sapphire_chan]

Well, I'm glad to say it doesn't seem to be an issue at my YMCA, during the hour I was there, I saw two moms nursing in the nursery. One as I dropped Lina off and one as I picked her up. There are two rocking chairs set up specifically for that, it seems.

[tpintsch]

I'm just stopping in to give a little update and thank you mama's for your support. We still haven't heard anything back from the director. We sent a follow up email last week and he still hasn't written back. I did end up filing the incident with FirstRight.org last week, and I haven't heard from them. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to contact me or the Y? I'm not really sure where to go from here. I'll continue to nurse where I want at the Y, but I'd really like to avoid confrontations about it. Anyone have some advice?

[kriket]

Originally Posted by Pirogi

Totally completely , but did anyone else choke on their coffee when they saw the super-sexy vixen mommy nursing in the above story? I mean, yeah, moms are sexual beings too, but really? Fishnets?

Is it Lucy Lawless?

I'm sorry you're dealing with this too. I'm glad to hear your DH is helping you out! Some DHes wouldn't. Mine stands guard like a papa bear and sometimes gives me a tally after I'm done of how many people walked by. He's a bit strange.

[elizaMM]

I am on First Right's task force and I'll pm tpintsch right away.

[ThingaMaSling]

Location question

Was this at the Easton/P'burg location in Easton, PA, by any chance? If so, I'd love to help you arrange a nurse-in. I am very active in LLL & am a board member for EmPoWeReD Birth PA, so we have many nursing mommies who'd be willing to help, I'm sure!
So sorry that this happened to you! This is just so silly!!! Many kudos to you for sticking up for yourself & your baby though!!!

Originally Posted by tpintsch

My family just signed up for a membership at our local YMCA. Last week when I went in the nursery to pick up my DD, I changed her diaper and sat down in a corner to nurse her before we left. I was told by an employee that I would need to go to the bathroom as I wasn't allowed to nurse my child in the nursery room. I informed her that according to PA state law I was in fact allowed to nurse my child any where in the building I was allowed to be. During my explanation she cut me off and said she didn't want to talk about it anymore with me. I finished nursing my child and left.

Then today I went into the nursery again to pick up my DD after I was done working out and she was very upset so I sat in the rocking chair and started to put her in the nursing position and before I even had undone my bra I was told again, by another employee that I was not permitted to nurse there. I asked her why she would say that, and she replied that sometimes dad's drop there children in that room. I informed her of the state laws protecting my rights and the rights of my child to be breastfed in public. I also informed her that I would be contacting the director about this issue. She told me she was just following the YMCA policy.

I'm not aware of any YMCA policy against breastfeeding in their facility (not that it would be legal anyway), but I just wanted to check with some of you who may have run up against this same issue. I'm pretty sure my rights are protected any way. My husband emailed the director today and sent him this email

"Jim,

We are new members, we enjoy the Y a lot and very much enjoy our Fitness club memberships.

My wife on two occasions was recently told by employees/volunteers that she could not breastfeed in the nursery. Please advise all of your staff that under laws signed by Governer Rendell in 2007 she can breastfeed anywhere she (and the infant) has a right to be.

Here is a link to a news story about it:

http://www.parentdish.com/2007/07/22...-law-backlash/
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07190/800449-100.stm "


After this, if I'm told not to breastfeed again, what should I do next? I'm not very trusting that this issue will be taking care of... and I'm kind of embarrassed now. I didn't really want to make enemies with the people that take care of my child, KWIM?

[kcstar]

When we were members of the local Y, they had comment slips and the responses would be posted on a bulletin board in the main hallway.

I never had a problem nursing at the Y nursery. Often the staff would invite me to sit in the rocking chair, but I was usually fine sitting on the floor against the wall.

The one time I had an issue nursing at the Y, it was in the lobby. A woman at the front desk said "there are rooms for that", referring to the Family changing rooms / toilet / showers by the pool. I ended up covering up and continuing right there.

[MadameXCupcake]

Originally Posted by Pirogi

Totally completely , but did anyone else choke on their coffee when they saw the super-sexy vixen mommy nursing in the above story? I mean, yeah, moms are sexual beings too, but really? Fishnets?

It is the actress Lucy Lawless[from Xena].
I would love to have a sexy fun nursing picture of myself like that.

[tpintsch]

Originally Posted by ThingaMaSling

Was this at the Easton/P'burg location in Easton, PA, by any chance? If so, I'd love to help you arrange a nurse-in. I am very active in LLL & am a board member for EmPoWeReD Birth PA, so we have many nursing mommies who'd be willing to help, I'm sure!
So sorry that this happened to you! This is just so silly!!! Many kudos to you for sticking up for yourself & your baby though!!!

Its actually the Wilkes-Barre location. I appreciate the offer of help. I'm really hoping they respond in a positive manner.... if they ever respond.