Public brestfeeding harrasment

[mamasb]

On Saturday morning Dec 8, 2012, I was enjoying coffee with a friend and my 3 month old son at Crossroads Coffee Cafe in Gladstone, Oregon.  I was wearing a discreet nursing top, which barely shows any flesh.  I was approached by a waitress and told I was making another customer uncomfortable.  I was forced to cover my baby or stop feeding him.  I ended up walking out saying I would take my business elsewhere.  I posted a comment on facebook and the owner apologized and said she welcomes breastfeeding mothers, as long as they cover with a blanket.

Is that even legal to require covering???? It definitely is not welcoming!  Opinions please and how do I respond to that??

[MichelleZB]

It doesn't matter whether she welcomes breastfeeding mothers or not; she legally has to.

Oregon's laws are not clear about whether she can require you cover up or not.

Any Oregon moms willing to go to the coffee shop and nurse the heck out of their kids?

[pek64]

I'm not sure about the legalities, but was it possible to simply have one of you change seats?

[jgallagher66]

You can report them to the Oregon Heath Authority at 1-800-safenet. Supposedly they will contact the establishment and advise them of the law. Not sure if it will do any good but I would try it as a first step.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm sure you will get lots of support from this site and good suggestions on how to proceed.

[mamasb]

thank you!  i have left a message w safenet and local la leche league.

[loveandgarbage]

Good for you for being pro-active! Hopefully the owner of the shop gets set straight.

[mamapigeon]

In Oregon, a woman can breastfeed anywhere that she has a right to be.  So no, forcing you to stop nursing would be illegal. Not sure about covering up, but if it was done in a harassing or coercive way, probably also illegal...

http://public.health.oregon.gov/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/BABIES/BREASTFEEDING/Pages/Laws.aspx