Church said breastmilk is bodily fluid, encouraged formula.

[stockingup99]

Yesterday, I brought a bottle of breastmilk to church so I could enjoy the service. They informed me of their "breastmilk guidelines" which state that breastmilk is a bodily fluid, and cannot be used by the caregivers. They offered me free formula, and encouraged its use as safer.

I left the baby with them and said no to formula. They beeped me before the service even started and asked me to take him into their nursing closet to feed him. I took the baby and left in tears.

I am going to miss that church. www.northridgechurch.com

Does anyone have a link to a good page of info from a source they would recognize? I am going to write a letter and would like to include a page or to of science. So sad, other mothers may feed that crap to their little ones thinking just one bottle is okay.

[Tummy]

I am so so so sorry for you mommy!

I am not meaning to bash your choice of church.. but perhaps you are better off with out them.. that is just down right rude and discrimination!

best of luck finding a new one!!!!

[nonnymoose]

Do the caregivers refuse to change diapers, too? Seems like there'd be a lot of bodily fluids in there. I would think that if that was really the issue, they could wear gloves so as not to get your breastmilk cooties on their cwean widdle fingers. Bah. :

[nonnymoose]

Originally Posted by stockingup99

They beeped me before the service even started and asked me to take him into their nursing closet to feed him. I took the baby and left in tears.

Nursing closet??

I am going to miss that church.

Why?

[USAmma]

Most daycares will use ebm if mom provides it. Why would your church be any different? Maybe you can talk to a local daycare and find out their policies on breastmilk and why it's allowed, since they have to conform to health standards. Then bring a copy of that to the church.

[lynsage]

Originally Posted by nonnymoose

Nursing closet??



Why?

:

[stockingup99]

Nursing closet explanation

The nursing room the church provides is about walkin closet size, and has a TV so you can view the service.

Last week, when I didn't bring a bottle, I nursed in the rocking chair in the hall, and they encouraged me to use the closet for privacy. I said that the TV would just distract him, and did not get up.

Thanks for your kind replies.

After more than five years of nursing, my three children, I didn't think I would be so upset by this. I feel much better after reading the replies.

[hankiesmama]

i'm so sorry mama! People are so ignorant! I can't believe that they didn't realize that cow's milk is a bodily fluid from an animal that usually stands around in it's own feces most of the day!

Maybe everyone should write this "church" and educate them!

[mrspeeper]

One comment: JESUS WAS BREASTFED.

[kavamamakava]

Would you be up to asking for a meeting with the Pastor? Or how about writing a letter? We can help you. And then you can send a copy to all that might need to read it like the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Discovery Island Kid's Ministries, Facilities. Married Adults and Seasoned Adults, Special Needs of Children and Adults, Women's Ministries.
Let them know how it hurt you and how breastmilk is not a dirty bodily fluid and formula feeding should not be encouraged over breastmilk. I'm sure that if you start a letter and post it, lots of women can give you wonderful tips on where to insert facts and statistics.

[mrspeeper]

I hope you don't mind- I emailed the Pastor of the church. I was very calm and gentle, not crazy, but I just find it so sad other mamas and children feel unwelcome there too (along with the absurd policy) when Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me" and he created women's bodies to NURTURE a child. ARrrghh!

[MyLittleWonders]

That is outrageous! And, yes, let us know if you don't mind ... I'd love to write a calm and informative letter to the pastor, children's pastor, married couple's pastor ... explaining their ignorance in their decisions.

[bleurae]

I would LOVE to read about a nurse-in in front of a church personally!!

[~member~]

for bringing this issue to light and taking action. It is not only churches but hospitals that need to be educated. Medical doctors these days are taught that breastmilk is a bodily fluid. They are taught that exchange of bodily fluids causes infection to pass from one person to another. When I had my second dd, the doctor called CPS on me for breastfeeding, because I was endangering her life. I might give her an infection!!!
Thankfully, the Director of the CPS was a mom who had breastfed her kids and told the doctor that if he had written proof that I was endangering my child by breastfeeding and going against medical advice, then she would pursue the matter.

I would hate if it is yet another tool for formula companies to use to get moms not to breastfeed.

[hankiesmama]

Originally Posted by MamaInTheBoonies

: When I had my second dd, the doctor called CPS on me for breastfeeding, because I was endangering her life. I might give her an infection!!!

.

You have to be kidding us!

[~member~]

I wish I was. I have to say that in hind sight I hope that experience will be the worst experience of my life.
I have all my medical records and the doctors notes and even the notes from his phone call to CPS. I wish I had a scanner to show you.
I did hire a lawyer, but they were unable to do anything, since neither my baby nor I died or was physically damaged by what was done to us. Well, the physical damage that was done to me was OKAY, because c-sec surgeons are not infallible
The doctor that did my surgery was supposedly the best, and yet he still managed to sever ALL the nerves on my left side, so I have no feeling on the right side of my genetalia Still don't have that feeling of needing to go to the restroom, kwim? I just have to sit every once in a while and try to go.
I refused the 'emergency c-sec', they knocked me out and did it anyways. Of course, my emergency was at exactly 24 hours after I got to the hospital

okay, sorry, I am getting off topic.

[mommyto3girls]

How aweful for you with the c-sec

Stocking up- here is the info you requested in your OP

As of this date, human milk is not (nor has it ever been) included in federal health agencies listings of body fluids governed by universal precautions for bloodborne pathogens which would mandate handling and feeding with rubber gloves or storage in a separate refrigerator as a biohazardous material. This continues to be the current policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Full info here http://www.lalecheleague.org/Release/daycare.html

[ZeldasMom]

Originally Posted by stockingup99

Yesterday, I brought a bottle of breastmilk to church so I could enjoy the service. They informed me of their "breastmilk guidelines" which state that breastmilk is a bodily fluid, and cannot be used by the caregivers. They offered me free formula, and encouraged its use as safer.

I left the baby with them and said no to formula. They beeped me before the service even started and asked me to take him into their nursing closet to feed him. I took the baby and left in tears.

I am going to miss that church. www.northridgechurch.com

Does anyone have a link to a good page of info from a source they would recognize? I am going to write a letter and would like to include a page or to of science. So sad, other mothers may feed that crap to their little ones thinking just one bottle is okay.

Whaaaaa???

So do they have their caregivers drink the milk from your child's bottle?

Really weird. Really backward imo. Good for you for wanting to write a letter. It's hard for me to think of where to begin with providing info because their position is so strange.

I went over to the LLL web site and searched for info. First I looked under daycare. Then I searched using the term bloodborne or pathogen (I forget which) and found this:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Release/daycare.html

I wish the date were more recent, but if you don't find something better I would print this out and include it with your letter. I have called LLL's Center for Breastfeeding Information in the past for help with a problem. Maybe try to track down their phone number and call them on Monday and see if they have ideas.

You could also call a local LLL leader or get help from the reference librarian at your local public library. A lot of places have online chat-based reference now which is super convenient.

And I agree with pp that I would not miss this church either. I think you deserve a lot better!


Good luck with this!

[annettemarie]

That is disgusting.

Body fluid?

NURSING CLOSET?!?!

Honey, find a church that actually teaches the same compassion, love, and nurturing that Jesus did.

[HelloKitty]

Wow - I am just floored by this. Trying to encourage the use of formula? A nursing "closet"?

I'm sorry you liked your church and are going to miss it but I know you can find a better one.

I nurse in my church all the time - during the service next to everyone else.