New and What can I do?

[CoriandSami]

Hello. My name is Christie and I have 3 daughters. 7 1/2, 4 1/2 and 8 1/2 months. I am currently breastfeeding and have breastfed my other two until they were 1. THis past weekend, we made a 3 hour trip to Indianaopolis, IN to visit the Carribean Cove waterpark. On Monday afternoon, I nursed my baby in the waterpark VERy discreetly with no problems. On Tuesday I was preparing to nurse her when the Head Lifeguard there told me I needed to do it in the bathroom! I said "I have to nurse her in the bathroom?!" She said "yes" I said "I don't eat in the bathroom, do you?!" She said "No, but someone brought it to our attention that you were breastfeeding in here yesterday and we were told that you would have to do that in the bathroom." I was so upset I just went back to my hotel room. I am a quiet, reserved person by nature so didn't make a scene, although I wish I had now. When I went back to the waterpark, the guard told me there was going to be a shift change in managers and the new shift guard might not have a problem with me nursing. I asked what the problem was and she said she would go ask the manager to which she came back and replied "It might make other guests uncomfortable." I just rolled me eyes at her. I really wish now I had made a bigger fuss but it just isn't in my nature to do so. I am in the process of writing a letter though.

What would you all have done?

FYI, dont go to the Carribean Cove Waterpark in Indianapolis, IN. It is part of the Holiday Inn hotel there. Not a family friendly hotel. Too bad we can't boycott!

[siobhang]

I am so sorry you had to go through that!! It is really hard to know what to do right then and there when someone is in your face.

Personally, I would have (or at least hope I would!):

1. refused to move or stop nursing my baby. And said "you will have to call security to remove me because I have every legal right to be here."

2. If they did call security, I would take everyone's name and title and inform them I was contemplating legal action and/or a public protest. I would remind them of very successful nurse-ins in other cities and ask "do you really want that kind of attention?"

3. I would write a letter to the president of the company, citing all the employees by name, informing them of the rude treatment, citing the law, and demanding an apology and compensation.

4. I would post here and get the wonderful mamas to start a letter writting campaign.

BTW, the law in Indiana states:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills18a.html

Ind. Code. IC § 16-35-6-1
As added by P.L.125-2003, SEC.1.

Notwithstanding any other law, a woman may breastfeed her child anywhere the woman has a right to be.

Any other ideas??
Siobhan

[orkid]

According to Indiana State Law you have every right to breastfeed in any public place. Here's a link that shows that info http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm. I absolutely HATE it when people expect women to breastfeed in the bathroom.: If I were you I would carry a copy of the state's breastfeeding laws with me and show it to anyone who tells you that you can't breastfeed in public. And as for making the other guests uncomfortable, who cares. If they don't like it then they don't have to look.

[orkid]

Siobhang and I posted at the same time. I agree with everythiing she said and a letter written to company's president would be a good idea. Let him/her know how the employees are treating breastfeeding mothers.

[siobhang]

Heh, ships crossing in the night, eh orkid??

I found this on LLL site:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills5.html

* I was asked to stop breastfeeding. What should I do?

Answer: If you are told to stop breastfeeding, you will have to decide whether you want to try to do something about it at the time, or to leave and take action later. If you decide to try to do something about it at the time, you might ask if you can give your baby a bottle. If you are told that you can, you can gently educate by letting them know that no one has the right to tell you how to feed your baby. If you are in a state that has legislation, let them know that there is a law that protects your right. If the establishment is not willing to bend, consider leaving and educating them later on. It is not worth a scene to try to enforce your right, and the upset that may result is not good for mom or baby!

If you are looking at how to handle it after the fact, look at the best way to educate those involved. If you are in a state with legislation, the first step is to give them information about the laws, as well as about the importance of breastfeeding. If your state does not have any legislation, that does not mean you can't breastfeed! However, as you will not have any legislation to educate them with, consider using other states' legislation. In all instances, feel free to use this legislation article (as well as the others written by me), as well as other materials showing what an important health choice this is.

If you think you might want to take legal action against the establishment, we recommend that you consult with an attorney to determine your legal rights. Don't forget to visit the American Academy of Pediatrics' site and print out a copy of their recommendations ( www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html ). Nothing sets forth the importance of breastfeeding better than these recommendations! Feel free to contact your local La Leche League Leader for assistance with this. She can help you look at these issues.

[Sustainer]

Welcome to MDC!

I would have said "I have the right to breastfeed wherever I want." Then I would have sat down and breastfed.

After I got home I would write a letter to whoever's in charge of the place and tell them what happened and ask for an apology and ask what their breastfeeding policy is. If they responded with an apology and a breastfeeding policy I approved of, and said that they would educate their employees, I would let the matter drop. If they did anything other than that, I would not let the matter drop. I would continue to take action. The kinds of action I would take (letters to the editor, nurse-ins) would depend on their response.

[CoriandSami]

Thank You

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have started a letter and it was even suggested that I send a letter to the newspaper there as well as the state's attorney general because what they did was illegal. I don't know if I will go that far but I do beleive my rights were violated and want it brought to their attention.

What is a letter writing campaign? I did have a mother on another board I posted this to already email the hotel and water park about her disappointment in how I was treated. I think that was so great and supportive!

Thanks again for all your suggestions!

[Moon Faerie]

I'm in the middle of a move, but if someone has a form letter, I'd be happy to send one. Or in a couple of weeks, when we're moved, I can write my own.

Originally Posted by CoriandSami

FYI, dont go to the Carribean Cove Waterpark in Indianapolis, IN. It is part of the Holiday Inn hotel there. Not a family friendly hotel. Too bad we can't boycott!

Not all Holiday Inns are corporate owned, so it would be unfair to assume they all have the same policies. Being as it's part of a water park, I'd be willing to bet that it's not corporate owned. If that's the case, you'd need to get the contact info for the general manager and owner, and you can also complain to Holiday Inn. It might not get any response worth having, but the hotels have to maintain certain standards and customer satisfaction levels. Too many complaints and issues can cause them to lose their branding, meaning can no longer be called a Holiday Inn. If the hotel and waterpark aren't owned by the same people, then I really can't see how that makes the HI a guilty party too, unless there were other issues that were hotel specific.

[velcromom]

You could post the information here and ask MDC moms to write also... I do think it's worth cc'ing the letters to coporate headquarters just so that Holiday Inn is aware of how that particular Inn is breaking the law.

[geek_the_girl]

Originally Posted by velcromom

You could post the information here and ask MDC moms to write also... I do think it's worth cc'ing the letters to coporate headquarters just so that Holiday Inn is aware of how that particular Inn is breaking the law.

Yeah that!
Ill sign it!

Wecome to MDC mama

[CoriandSami]

Thank you for the warm welcome. Well, I emailed the letter at 1:26 p.m. and received a response at 1:48 p.m. They asked for my phone number to contact me. I haven't receieved the call yet but I'm waiting!

Thanks again ladies!

[lilsishomemade]

Keep us updated!!

[CoriandSami]

Well, the manager called me and apologized and said that he was going to talk with their HR person and have a class for the lifeguards of the pool. He said he was flabbergasted that this even happened as they are a family facility with breastfeeding moms all the time. He did say he would keep me informed of the class and what happened with it.

I don't know if this will actually happen but at least I was heard. He also took the time to call me.

There are some moms on another board who are wanting to write and express their concerns on my behalf. I would appreciate anyone writing to him to express your concerns. I think this would make the situation more serious because often times, and I kind of got that impression today, I feel like maybe he was just saying things to please me so I wouldn't go further with the situation. He said he wasn't going to let this slide but who knows how honest he is being with me.

If anyone else wants to write to him and I encourage you to do so, his email is:
[e-mail]

Let me know if you do! Thanks!

[rmzbm]

Good job for following through & not letting it drop. Things like this make me so angry that I sometimes actually WISH it would happen to me so I could "unleash" on these people. :
It's JUST a boob!!

[theresa_caine]

Hi!!

I already answered you on another forum Happy to see that you've also posted here!!