I was asked to cover up

[veganbaby]

by the manager at a restaurant, BJ's Brewery. She told me that it was common courstesy to cover up. I was being discrete as I could. I told her that Texas protects my rights to BF and I shouldn't have to cover up because the family who complained is uncomfortable. They woud just ahve to deal with it. She was actually nice about it and said okay and left. She didn't say that I had to cover up or leave, but did ask if I wanted a towel. I said no. Then I attempted to feed DD w/o covering up but DD wasn't hungry any more.

[squirrelletta]

God that gets me sick...whats worse is how upset it makes me because I know its not common to see mothers BF...BECAUSE HARDLY ANYONE DOES IT! Thats just sad.

My husband said the other day "So you get mad if mom's refuse to BF huh?" I said "No, I can care less what they do with their lives, I feel sorry for the baby."




PS: I love your pictures....what a sweet heart!

[willowsmom]

Unfortunately...In Texas...establishments have the right to refuse service to anyone...including breastfeeding moms. I just found this out in this month's Mothering.

Check this out...
http://parentwiseaustin.com/Breastfeeding/index.html

we've got to change things in this state. Fortunately most establishments don't study all the breastfeeding laws (or lack of) in there state so most won't argue...just sound knowledgable.

We will make a change!!!
And Good job standing up for your rights!! And the right's of your baby!

[leomom]

Oh, Cynthia! That makes me so mad!!! :

[thebee321]

How can Texas establishments refuse service to BFing women? I found this on LLL website (I've been researching this very topic today):

"Tex. Health & Safety Code § 165.001 et seq.
1995 Tex. ALS 600; 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 600; 1995 Tex. Ch 600; 1995 Tex. HB 359

Chapter 165. Breast-Feeding
Subchapter A. Breast-Feeding Rights and Policies
Sec. 165.001. Legislative Finding
The legislature finds that breast-feeding a baby is an important and basic act of nurture that must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. In compliance with the breast-feeding promotion program established under the Federal Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. section 1771 et seq.), the Legislature recognizes breast-feeding as the best method of infant nutrition.
Sec. 165.002. Right to Breast-Feed
*******A mother is entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.********""



That's just a portion of it. I hope I didn't paste too much and break copyright laws. Here is the page:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills36.html

Surely their right to refuse service can't trump this law, right? (being hopeful here!)

[hallesmom]

I have a friend that lives in Denton-and we just might have to go there and I just might have to BF my 19 month old there. Wonder what they'd think about THAT!!

So, I'm confused-I know the texas law-but what about private companies/restaurants/etc??

[FeministFatale]

Wow, that's awful! I've never been told that I should cover up, I don't know what I would even say, but I'm sure the person would get an earful. Sounds like you handled that situation perfectly.

[veganbaby]

Originally Posted by hallesmom

I have a friend that lives in Denton-and we just might have to go there and I just might have to BF my 19 month old there. Wonder what they'd think about THAT!!

So, I'm confused-I know the texas law-but what about private companies/restaurants/etc??

The restaurant is in Lewisville which is south of Denton. I wouldl ove to see the look on**their face when your feed your nursling!

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Originally Posted by veganbaby

he told me that it was common courstesy to cover up.

Some people’s definition of common courtesy is seriously messed up, however ~ that’s NOT your problem!

Good on you, mama!

[HeartsOpenWide]

Next time some one ask you to cover up stand up and shake your boobs in honor of breast feeding...just kidding! I am sorry this happened to you, I am glad that the woman was nice to you about it though, I have heard some worse storys although it is unfortunat that this happened at all.

[sevenkids]

I thought it was common courtesy not to stare at someone?

I was standing in a supermarket check out nursing ds, and an older lady kept looking at me and muttering to herself about indecency and exposing myself, I asked her if she could please join another line as she was making me uncomfortable, haha.

[soccerchic21]

Originally Posted by sevenkids

I thought it was common courtesy not to stare at someone?

good point!!!!

OP good for you for standing up for your rights.

[MamaFae]

I asked her if she could please join another line as she was making me uncomfortable, haha.

Woot!! Good one mama!

OP sorry you had to face that. The only way that will change is by continuing to stand our ground and protect the rights of our children!

When we were in TX the only place I was given any trouble was in San Antonio at the Alamo when I was offered a chair in the ladies room to nurse my then 3 month old DS. I told the attendend politely that I was perfectly comfortable where I was, but thank you for offering me a chair. I was sitting on a bench in one of the courtyards btw.

Since we lived in Austin, which is a bit more progressive than the rest of the state I never had a problem, but friends of mine did at a few different places in town. When they did we all showed up en masse and had nurse ins. I remember at least two one at a local Texas Land and Cattle and another at a dry cleaners in south Austin.

[loomweaver]

Originally Posted by HeartsOpenWide

Next time some one ask you to cover up stand up and shake your boobs in honor of breast feeding.. .

:

Oh, I so want to do this, why don't I ever get approached....

[NoraB]

It seems like the law protecting bf'ing would superceed the law allowing a restaurant "the right to refuse service to anyone." After all, is there anywhere in the country that allows a restaurant or private business to refuse service based on race? I don't see how restaurants or other private businesses could similarly discriminate against bf'ing moms when the law says, "in any location in which the mother is authorized to be."

If restaurants and private business are kicking bf'ing women out w/ impunity, then I think some picketing is in order!

[Greaseball]

No, restaurants ANYWHERE do not have the right to refuse service to someone because they are breastfeeding, whether the mom is covered up or not. People always get this confused. Civil and personal rights trump the right of the business to refuse service to anyone. Like someone else said, that right does not allow you to refuse service to someone because they are black or whatever.

If you are asked to cover up or leave, state your rights. If they say they have a policy against bfing, ask to see the policy. If they ask you to eat in the restroom, say you will contact the health department to make sure their restrooms are certified as eating facilities. If they threaten to call the police, say that the police only respond to crimes and you are not committing a crime. Only leave if it becomes apparent the police are showing up anyway - and then, contact a laywer and the media.

[hypatia]

Originally Posted by veganbaby

Then I attempted to feed DD w/o covering up but DD wasn't hungry any more.

That's just how I would have responded! Too bad your DD didn't get the bigger picture!

[Lula's Mom]

My state law in Georgia: "The breast-feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which should be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. A mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorized to be." (emphasis mine)

I wonder if that's why they specifically included the word "otherwise"; as in, if I'm not breastfeeding, the restaurant would authorize my presence, be happy to have me as a customer. So if I do begin nursing there, the restaurant can't revoke that authorization solely on the grounds that I'm now feeding my baby. Sounds like TX needs an "otherwise".

[Sustainer]

Originally Posted by Lula's Mom

if I'm not breastfeeding, the restaurant would authorize my presence, be happy to have me as a customer. So if I do begin nursing there, the restaurant can't revoke that authorization solely on the grounds that I'm now feeding my baby.

Exactly! Thank you for explaining it; I couldn't think of the right words. Yes, that's what it means. And I'm pretty sure it means the same thing even if it doesn't have the word "otherwise." If it didn't mean the same thing, it wouldn't mean anything -- it would be pointless -- "a woman is allowed to breastfeed where a woman is allowed to breastfeed"? -- where would the sense in that kind of a law be?

So, yeah, the Texas law trumps the "we reserve the right to refuse service to any one for any reason" thing.

[veganbaby]

No luck again! I nursed at Starbucks today and was asked to cover up. The worker there said it was a family oriented place and had kids. DH told them that we are probreastfeeding and kids should learn how babies eat.