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Cross-Country Nurse-In of VS JULY 1ST 1pm!! Update #166 - Page 5  

post #81 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:28pm
I'm in, and I'll spread the word here (Maryland).
post #82 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by firstkid4me
If those able to go to their local VS for the nurse-in would be willing to call their local LLL, that would be a great help. I only have a cell phone, and I don't have that many minutes. I know I'm not going to be able to make all the calls I can over this weekend (I'm going to try, but I'd need help.)
Not to burst your bubble, but your LLL leaders can't really do anything to help. It's against their mixing causes policy.

As a local member tho, feel free to send out an email blast to your group newsletter list (I believe that they don't bcc all the names for a reason...).

Yes, I know some groups are different than others, but following a strict interpretation of the mixing causes policy, a leader would not be able to send out anything political in nature on behalf of LLL or representing herself as a leader. If a leader wants to send it to her personal email list, that would be fine, but they cannot send it out as a public service announcement, kwim?
post #83 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaki
So, just to clarify...
We're saying Sat July 1 at 1pm (people's local time) at whatever VS you can get to?
Yup, sounds that way! Head over to Finding Your Tribe and your state and there is info posted there.
post #84 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
Just wanted to second what JamesMama said, for all those that said they're in, please head over to your local tribe section for more infor on your area and possibly getting connected with other moms. Spread the word to any mommy playgroups you belong to. Remember, you don't have to be nursing a child/ren in order to participate.
post #85 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by anniej
Not to burst your bubble, but your LLL leaders can't really do anything to help. It's against their mixing causes policy.

As a local member tho, feel free to send out an email blast to your group newsletter list (I believe that they don't bcc all the names for a reason...).

Yes, I know some groups are different than others, but following a strict interpretation of the mixing causes policy, a leader would not be able to send out anything political in nature on behalf of LLL or representing herself as a leader. If a leader wants to send it to her personal email list, that would be fine, but they cannot send it out as a public service announcement, kwim?
I absolutely understand this. They don't want activism to deter any mothers who are simply there for the breastfeeding education. Part of me wonders though (I'm not suggesting they change their stance at all...more just thinking outloud) if NIP was protected or rather made to feel more protected, would more mothers nurse? I've heard that some moms choose to not breastfeed because they're afraid of NIP.
post #86 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:47pm
I am going to go out on a limb by asking a question and hope I don't get flamed. I've visited the links and read what has been happening. Victoria's Secret employees do need to have training to understand that breastfeeding is not unhygienic. They should also understand the laws in their states as they pertain to breastfeeding. However, another issue I am seeing, that does not seem to be mentioned, is the fact that the women in question were asking to use a dressing room for other than trying on clothes. I do not have a problem with a store having a policy that you cannot use a dressing room for other than trying on clothes. It would be nice if they would make exceptions. I was once shopping in Mimi Maternity with a pregnant friend and when my infant fussed, the sales girl immediately offered the dressing room for me to nurse. But, I do not think stores should be obligated to provide dressing rooms for mamas to nurse in. If they do that, they will have to provide dressing rooms for everybody else who wants some privacy - people making phone calls, people wanting to read a book, people wanting to change clothes (not clothes bought at the store), people wanting reapply makeup - I know these sound silly but my point is that a business does not have to let people who are not customers use their facilities. Stores don't let non-employees use their restroom or breakroom. If I were in the position of these women I would have assumed that I needed to be trying on lingerie to use a VS dressing room, grabbed a few bras, and headed for the big stall. I would have planted myself on the bench and nursed my dd to her heart's content. I did that many times when my dd was still nursing.

So, my point is that I am wondering what the point of the nurse-in is? What is being asked of VS? Are you asking for them to retrain their staff as to the laws supporting breastfeeding? Or are you asking them to let anyone use the dressing rooms for breastfeeding whether they are a customer or not? Because I don't see where, legally, you can ask the latter.

Please don't flame me because I am totally supportive of the idea to send VS a message. I just think it needs to be the right message.
post #87 of 352
6/23/06 at 12:57pm
Thread Starter 
I most certainly am a customer of VS. In my post I stated that I had planned on shopping at VS, but shopping with an upset infant who won't nurse in a crowded area just won't work. Then look at Firstkid4me's post. She actually wasn't using a changing room. She was just nursing where she was and she was offered a changing room (or bathroom) and was told when she called Corporate that she shouldn't nurse on the sales floor as it was akin to changing in the middle of the store. So they're sending mixed messages. No one seems to be clear on their policy and I'll bet dollars to donuts that it's because they don't see it as a serious issue.

Also, like I said earlier, on a state level this needs to be addressed. We need state laws on our side for the future.

Baby waking up more later!

Furthermore, VS had just recently been in the news for such an issue and had said they are breastfeeding friendly. The problem is that they aren't getting this info out to their employees.
post #88 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:01pm
Quick question, is there any legal steps we need to take to 'assemble' outside a VS in the mall? Can security ask us to leave? Do we need to get a protest permit? Right at this moment I'm just looking at it being me and a friend of mine but if we get more mama's is there anything we need to do? Are we protected since the mall is technalley owned by someone and not really 'public' property??

Thanks!
post #89 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:02pm
Oh, and is anyone writing a mini-press release I can foward to the news stations? Thanks!
post #90 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:03pm
subbing
post #91 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:12pm
To add to JamesMama -- I'm assuming we're congregating outside of the VS? Not inside, correct?


If no one is willing/able to put together a press release, I'll give it a shot & let everyone critique it...
post #92 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:15pm
I don't know, VS is in a mall, I could go inside VS or I could sit on the benches outside...what is everyone else doing?
post #93 of 352
6/23/06 at 1:34pm
has anyone let the militant breastfeedinf cult know whats up? they have a forum and i am positive you can get more mamas with them
post #94 of 352
6/23/06 at 2:18pm
I'd be happy to do it, but I just have a question.

Are you sure the problem is company wide? Could it be specific to certain areas? Because I used to work for Victoria's Secret for some time; and we NEVER were like that. I helped many breastfeeding mothers find bras, and we always followed CA law (and common decency!) when it came to nursing in public. The store manager of my local VS nursed all her children as well.

Just sayin' the actions of one shouldn't color the whole thing. What is the story on this? Have they refused to aplogoze/reprimand any employee who spoke badly about bfing?
post #95 of 352
6/23/06 at 2:54pm
The problem is that both mamas were directed to the *bathroom,* and one was told that she was asking to do something "unsanitary." VS has not responded adequately. They need to be taught that when mamas are treated this way, there will be consequences for the *whole chain.* They need to get serious about making sure that *all* of their employees are educated about this.

We also need to bring attention to these incidents as a demonstration of the need for state legislation.
post #96 of 352
6/23/06 at 3:19pm
Hello Mothers,
My name is Kim Newton and I work at the Breastfeeding Center at Boston Medical Center. We have had several phone calls from the Boston Herald. A nurse-in in the Boston area would definitely get press. I'm more than willing to help out. Just let me know what you want/need.
~Kim
post #97 of 352
6/23/06 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaki
So, just to clarify...
We're saying Sat July 1 at 1pm (people's local time) at whatever VS you can get to?
Yuppers!
post #98 of 352
6/23/06 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kim.newton
Hello Mothers,
My name is Kim Newton and I work at the Breastfeeding Center at Boston Medical Center. We have had several phone calls from the Boston Herald. A nurse-in in the Boston area would definitely get press. I'm more than willing to help out. Just let me know what you want/need.
~Kim
AWESOME!
post #99 of 352
6/23/06 at 4:43pm
has anybody let promom.org know about this so they can list it on their site?
post #100 of 352
6/23/06 at 4:58pm
How's the press release coming?
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Mothering › Forums › Breastfeeding › Lactivism › Cross-Country Nurse-In of VS JULY 1ST 1pm!! Update #166