public nursing rights

[jcsgirls]

Today I was nursing my four month old in a restaurant. It was too hot to cover her with a blanket; however, I covered myself with my shirt. When my baby was finished, a lady approached us and told me that we should do it in a more private area that I was offending people in the restaurant and there were young boys in there. I told her that was her opinion and I hope she had a nice day. She then told me that a law was being passed that prohibited nursing in public. I just smiled and said that would never happen and walked away.

Has anyone heard of a law trying to be passed to prohibit public nursing? That is the craziest thing I've ever heard!

[Tine]

Depends on where you are, I guess, but it seems to me that laws are headed the OTHER way. Wishful thinking on that rude lady's part, I'd say.

[rockinmama]

You handled that wonderfully!
What state do you live in?
In Maine a mother is legally allowed to breastfeed her baby any where public or private that the mom has a right to be.
I am annoyed that this is not the law in EVERY state.
I am secretly waiting for the day when someone approaches me about nursing dd so i can educate them about the actual purpose of breasts!

[gratefulbambina]

She may have recently heard of the law being passed in AZ. This is not a state law though, just a certain club or something.

[zoomom]

Great way to handle comments like that!

I too thought of Chandler Arizona and the directive that's been in the news lately. I think many people have heard bits and pieces about the directive that was proposed in the City of Chandler, and they take the parts that they want to hear and use them, often times out of context.

Unfortunatley AZ is one of the states that BF actually falls under the indecent exposure laws . Right now there are many groups that are joining together to try and change the law.

[mom2jolakeil]

Totally depends on where you are. But chances are, you were in the right and that lady needs to mind her own business!!

[charmander]

I loved your response to this rude woman. And if it made her so uncomfortable, why didn't she just look away?

[veganbaby]

I guess she was trying to intimdate you with the law. She probably just made it up hoping that you would be unknowledagble of your rights to BF.

[soccerchic21]

She probably thought that breastfeeding falls under indecent exposure because *gasp* someone might see a nipple shot as you are latching on!

Great response!

[hubris]

I would have had a hard time not laughing at the new law she thinks is being passed. Wonder where she got that idea?

As for the young boys...HOORAY that they might see you nursing. Maybe you'll help to normalize nursing for them so that when they're fathers someday, they'll support their wives' breastfeeding. Young boys are surrounded by sexual images/ideas of breasts, it's about time somebody gave them some exposure to the idea of breasts as a source of nourishment and comfort for children.

[jyurina]

Thre was no law passed here. It was a measure to specify the handling of NIP complaints in a certain town(Chandler). Due to the overwhelming e-mails, phone calls, letters, and council meeting support, the measure was scrapped and a task force is being formed to map out the next step. You can google breastfeeding laws and you state to find out if you are protected in your state. You go mama! Way to stand up to ignorance.

[lovebug]

IT JUST KILLS ME!!!!!!!!!!! what do some people think, a bf mom should put on a sign "dont look at me cuz at any moment i could bf my child" . what she said to you is like saing you cant bring your 9 year old here, cuz he dose not need to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont have any little ones YET. when i do i hope if a lady like that comes up to me i can handle it as well as you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


and to you!!!!!!

-kelly