Can't breastfeed at the YMCA?

[sarahariz]

I was at the local Y yesterday swimming with my 14 mo old and she needed to breastfeed. I pulled down the strap of my bathing suit as I always do and she latched on. After a while, a young female lifeguard came up to me and said, "Ma'am, if you are going to do that you need to go into the locker room." I was so upset! The Y's purport themselves to be supporting children and families, and I explained to the guard that nursing is a normal part of being a mother/child. I'm going to write a letter to ask what the "official" policy is.

Has anyone else had this experience at a Y?

[carla72]

I am in canada and the ymca here has never told me not to bf. I don't know if there is a policy. I think sometimes the staff there get a little authority and it goes to thier head. I would be very supprised to here they had a no bf policy. But that is in canada

[chersolly]

I think that AZ is without any BF legislation, right? So I guess what this asshat says goes.

[mommyto3girls]

I have been nursing Sage twice a week at the Y. In the lobby during Maia's pre-school science class and while participating in the parent child gymnastics class. Never had a word said to me

[kate~mom]

i've nursed ds at our Y, while watching dd's swim lessons. that said, i have heard of others having problems at other Ys. i would write a letter and keep nursing right where you typically do. i can practically guarantee that if you just reply "no thanks, we're ok right here" the lifeguard won't do a darned thing.

[Chandar]

sarahariz: I am so sorry this happened to you! :

Are you on the AZlactivists yahoo list? There are many of us in AZ that are trying to get legislation passed that protects nip. pm me with your email addy and I will send you an invite.

Also are you willing to share your story for use with the legislators? And how far would you like to take this? I would contact the manager, and get their official policy, then I would contact the city council, and make them aware of the issue of bfing in public needs protection. We are working on Chandler and Tucson right now. Sounds like Prescott is next.

[UUMom]

Have you spoken to the director? I have nursed all 4 of my children at the Y over 16 yrs , and have never had a problem, although i am in MA. 'Ive not nursed my children *in* the pool, however. I've always nursed on the bleacher seats. I think 'bodily fluids' in the pool can freak some people out.

I hope you can resolve this. I would think it's a regional problem, not a general Y problem, from my exp.

[JessasMilkMama]

Originally Posted by sarahariz

I was at the local Y yesterday swimming with my 14 mo old and she needed to breastfeed. I pulled down the strap of my bathing suit as I always do and she latched on. After a while, a young female lifeguard came up to me and said, "Mmm, if you are going to do that you need to go into the locker room." I was so upset! The Y's purport themselves to be supporting children and families, and I explained to the guard that nursing is a normal part of being a mother/child. I'm going to write a letter to ask what the "official" policy is.

Has anyone else had this experience at a Y?

My friend did! And it was pretty humilating for her. I believe that they wrote her a letter of apology and that the YMCA has a policy that encourages nursing...

[hubris]

I'm willing to bet that it has less to do with the Y and more to do with a young, uneducated lifeguard. I'm glad you set her straight!

[lauraess]

I say definately follow through with letters and continuing to bf there. If you calmly and confidantly assume your right -and your dd's- by replying with something like: " We're doing one of THE healthiest things at a health club and we're fine right here, thanks."-- I agree that most likely the guard will back off. If not, You have just moved up to the next step in advocating- speaking out to the management and the other members.
I work at a Y and never yet have i seen anyone nurse - except my fellow-mdc friend- and this is dissappointing. I suspect those that do are being very discreet.

[MoeInfinity]

I imagine that this is a training issue--the management will most unlikely be mortified (regardless of his /her beliefs on breastfeeding) and will probably write a rather apologetic letter back to you. A request like that from a staff member would be in conflict with the general family philosophy of the Y. Please let us know the outcome...we could all "help" if need be!

[kbayfeld]

Sorry this happened to you. I'm curious about what their official response would be. I have nursed at the YMCA before in Phoenix (Christown Mall location. Once I even tandem nursed my girls in the main lobby-they were about 1.5 and 3 at the time. I remember thinking, well if this doesn't get a response, nothing will. I managed to stay pretty covered (I try to conceal the back & side fluff), so maybe people didn't even realize what was going on.

I see Chandra mentioned AZ Lactivist board with Yahoo. I hope you join and keep us updated with what you hear from YMCA and if you need any support from other mamas.

Karen

[Momtwice]

I might approach it this way:

I'd complain to the higher ups about the employees HARRASSMENT of you.

I would act as if nursing at the Y was perfectly normal and the employee was bizarre for harrassing you.

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by carla72

I am in canada and the ymca here has never told me not to bf. I don't know if there is a policy. I think sometimes the staff there get a little authority and it goes to thier head. I would be very supprised to here they had a no bf policy. But that is in canada

It would be against the Human Rights Code to make that policy in Canada. I nursed my dd at the Y numerous times too...no problem

[Fiercemama]

To quote from LLL's page on BFIP:

"It is important to remember that women have a right to breastfeed in public whether there is a law or not. The purpose of legislation is NOT to legalize it, but to clarify the fact the fact that women have the right to breastfeed in public, or that it is not a criminal offense, such as indecent exposure. Thus, if you are in a state that does not have legislation, you still have the right to feed your baby where you go. "

Here's the link to the full article:
http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills4.html

I would talk to the higher ups at the Y to see what kind of a response you get. If you need help on changing policy (people sure do get their swim trunks in a twist over NIP in or near a pool!), get in touch with Janice in Canada. She has very good info on a similar situation in Western Canada.

[Beeblebrox]

Just a quick question: Were you BF in the pool? If it was breastfeeding in the pool I could see how someone might have a problem with that to be honest. As another poster has stated in this thread, the bodily fluid aspect in a pool might bother people. Now, I wouldn't suggest going to a locker room, at all. But, I might step out of the pool. That's just how I would operate though.

Again, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with NIP. I'm just trying to look at this from another person's perspective. I don't see it as so much of a "I don't want to see it" thing, but more of a "breastmilk is a body fluid" thing. Is it right that they'd make sucha big deal? No, but that is most likely what that life guard was thinking.

(waits for the attack)

Edited for spelling and clairification

[Janice in Canada]

If the OP joins the AZlactivist group, she can go to the files area and find there reports prepared about breastfeeding in pools. One aspect of that the report investigated, was the "threat" of bodily fluids in pools. It clearly gives evidence that the level of chlorine in any public pool would be more that sufficient to take care of anything in breastmilk. After all, it has to deal with much less benign substances such as urine, blood, sweat, spit, etc.

Those files are also here:

http://members.shaw.ca/barbstrange/Pools/Pools.htm
(I believe there are actually more documents on the AZlactivist site, than is posted on the link above)

Janice

[Firemom]

I have to laugh about the bodily fluids :LOL

Anyone who goes to a YMCA knows that there are babies and children using the pool. There is a lot urine in that pool.

As Janice said, "thats what chlorine is for"

[sarahariz]

Thanks all of you!

Thanks all of you for your replies! They are really inspiring! A friend of mine went to that Y the next day, and asked them what their official policy is. It is that you can't nurse in the pool itself, because of the bodily fluids issue, plus there are no foods & drinks allowed in the pool area besides water! Apparently though, one can breastfeed while sitting on a bench in the pool area, so that lifeguard was wrong. It is still ridiculous. Apparently they also told my friend they are having a big staff mtg on Nov 1 to educate everyone regarding the policy.

I think I will print out the info Janice suggested, type up a letter, and meet w/ the director.

I also agree, it would be great to get the law changed in AZ, city by city. I would be glad to coordinate the Prescott effort!

[lauraess]

yEAH, breast-milk vs. urine... Hmmmm. or how about those little accidents that float and they have to clear the pool for about 45 minutes! ?? I know at least once when the 45 minutes came PRETTTTYYY fast!
It just drives me nuts that people are so breastmilk-phobic!
I think You should definatlely meet with the director, do some educating if possible and remind them strongly that Y's are supposed to be holding to a philosphy of health for the whole family and community. -- Breastfeeding meets that so much more than the french fries and burgers they sell at my Y's cafe!