Today's nurse-in: How did it go??????? - Page 5

[maria423]

I was also at Oakbrook Mall in Illinois. I loved it! My kids were at first more interested in the fountains (and throwing their toys into them : ), but eventually Toby asked to nurse, so I latched him on, then carried him around the store.

A very perky and nice sales associate asked me if she could help me, and I asked where the nursing bras were. She explained that while they don't have any, they do have a particular bra (I forget the name of it) that is great for nursing mamas because it has no underwire and is soft. To me, those aren't necessarily the criteria for a good nursing bra, but I give her credit for being VERY friendly and not batting an eye that I was nursing my son while talking to her. He's 20-months-old, and to a lot of people that's a big baby to nurse, so I was glad she seemed very cool about it.

Anyway, I had a great time and felt like the sales associates definitely noticed that we were there. And all the other moms and dads were so nice. Yay!

[ktmama]

We were at Park Meadows Mall, and I know there was a group at Cherry Creek also. How did that one go??

There were six or seven of us there in Denver with various ages of kiddos and some dads too! First we walked around the store bfing, then we sat on the floor in the back of the store, then we sat right outside the store at the entrance. We saw a couple of security guards, but no one said "boo" to us the whole time. There was a reporter there from our local ABC affiliate (Channel 7) who took some footage and interviewed one of the moms. They didn't show the coverage on the 5:00 newscast, we'll see if they add it at 10:00.

[tash11]

I went to the mall by vs hq here in ohio. We had two times planned, the main one was suppost to be 11. I got there first at 10:30. Another mom showed up with her toddler () at 11 and we sat on a bench near the store entrance and nursed for a minute. Both of our babies are distractable though so it didnt last long. Another mom showed up after we were done nursing and hung out for a minute. We then went in and asked for a manager. We told them that we were there and we gave them a copy of the press release with the Ohio bfing law at the bottom. They said that they knew about the event and they welcomed bfing moms in the store and in all the stores (one said that she had worked in 4 VSs and they never minded it when moms nursed).

We hung around the mall and met up with another mom for the 1pm one. In that mall there are two VSs. At 1 we started at the bigger one, then went to the other one that we had been at that morning. We gave the press release/law paper to the big stores manager as well.

on my way home I stopped by a smaller mall near my house. They were nice and seemed like they didnt really know much about it. I gave them the sheet with the press release and Ohio laws on it and the manager said she would post it in the back for the employees.

ok, pics:

11am small store

1pm big store

[ElektroChik]

It went wonderfully today. We had about 10 families total show up. So between mamas, kids, and daddies... 25ish people? Victoria's Secret opened their doors to us and let us sit inside and nurse our babies/toddlers openly. No one even used blankets and half of us had toddlers! We were all sitting in a loose circle and openly discussed breastfeeding, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, placenta eating (wink wink), our opposing views w/ mainstream parenting, etc. We received a lot of stares and more than a few people stopped to ask us questions.

One father pushing his baby in a stroller (with a bottle in hand), stopped and talked to us! Hopefully there was breastmilk in that bottle, but if not, maybe when/if his next child comes around he will be in a better position to support/encourage his wife to breastfeed.

I was very impressed. I just love California!

[whatta_mama]

Nurse in Success...Concord, Californina.....

Nurse in Success...Concord, Californina.....

When I first got there at 12:50, I saw noone so I went into the store wearing my baby... I saw woman with babies, but they were really shopping, and engaged with salesclerks... 2 employees asked if I needed anything, I said I was just looking around (for nursing mommas *wink* I thought to myself) There were SO many customers.. when I got closer to the back of the store, I noticed 2 VERY large men in back shirts with walkie talkies, kinda having a "meeting", is what it looked like.. I thought, oh man they are waiting for us...

I went back outside and approached a mother that was just standing there with her 2 kids and asked if she was waiting to join a nurse in.. Sadly she was looking for her lost little boy (9yrs old) I got a description and promised to keep an eye out for him, as mall security came up to help her.

One by one the momma's started showing up.. I gave them the desciption of the lost boy... We waited for everyone to gather outside the store.

We had 6 moms, 3 Daddies(one who took the day off just to attend!)
and 8 babies & toddlers! One baby was only 3 weeks old, homebirthed and not even named yet! SO sweet & little!!!!!
Another mom and I had collected the free panty coupons and we handed them out to the others.

Then we all went into VS, about 1:15 in a group ...asked where the free panties were, then plopped ourselves right down in front of the display. VS was ready for us... they did not harrass us, or ask us to leave. One asked our member Diana if she would like a dressing room and she told them she was comfortable right where she was. We were told though, that picture taking was *NOT ALLOWED* in the store, but that was after Diana's husband already took 2 pics...

My baby(14mos) was kinda too distracted to nurse for long while I was sitting on the floor, so I followed the lead of one tandem nursing momma, and sat her on a display table, stood in front of her and let her latch on that way... so she was nursing and pulling on a g-string on the manequin next to her! Hillarious! ...

When we were done, we took more pics outside the store, then some of us went back in to get our free panties. They asked if wanted the $10off sports bra and I informed them they need to carry larger sizes & nursing bras.(I went from a 36c to a 36f due to nursing) Then I told her it was guaranteed that they will go back down after baby decides she no longer wants to nurse, then I could shop there... lol.. she kinda looked at me strange... lol

It was nice to meet other nursing mother's from the community.
SO... I think it was a success... simply because it was obvious VS Corporate was aware of this Nationwide nurse in and notified their stores accordingly... the employees barley batted an eye at us and just let us do our thing.

I will try to post pics as soon as I can.

No Media showed up... I had contacted the local paper and the cbs news.

~Cynthia
(OT)
Sorry you didn't make it EVC.. I hope I meet you some other time!
Here is the link for the AP group I co-organise if you want to join....

http://attachmentparenting.meetup.com/275/

We don't have set days and times for playdates.. we are 2 working moms that organise it so we are really flexible and try to do things when it's conveinient for others.

[crissei]

Roanoke VA,
Pretty unventful. Just me, DH, and DS. We sat on a bench outside the store DS kept yanking my shirt up so I'm sure we got a few peoples attention!

[Kimmie213]

San Diego/UTC CA

I was late. I showed up at 1:15pm and there were tons of mamas, papas, and children outside (maybe about 20 plus people). I thought we had made it in time, but they had already finished.
From what I heard they nursed inside and the employees pretty much ignored everyone.
Lots of passerbys wanting to know what was going on.
Everyone hung out for over an hour chatting it up. Fox met us all down at the bus stop and two mamas were interviewed while we all nursed the babes in the background. Should be on tonight at 10pm and also on thier website.
will post pics later.

[coloradoalice]

Originally Posted by ktmama

We were at Park Meadows Mall, and I know there was a group at Cherry Creek also. How did that one go??

There were six or seven of us there in Denver with various ages of kiddos and some dads too! First we walked around the store bfing, then we sat on the floor in the back of the store, then we sat right outside the store at the entrance. We saw a couple of security guards, but no one said "boo" to us the whole time. There was a reporter there from our local ABC affiliate (Channel 7) who took some footage and interviewed one of the moms. They didn't show the coverage on the 5:00 newscast, we'll see if they add it at 10:00.

Oh good, I am so glad the media was there!! I contacted all the stations but no one called me back. I wondered if they would cover Cherry Creek since it's more downtown. I will watch the news tonight to see what they say!

[minkajane]

I went to the Fairfield Commons Mall in Beavercreek, OH. I wore DS in the Mei Tai and wandered around VS nursing him. I wore a cami under my shirt so my belly wasn't hanging out. I think some of the associates were talking about me, but I may have just been paranoid. One of them did keep asking me if she could help me.

Unfortunately, I seemed to be the only one there, but DS sure enjoyed our NIP and it was the first time I've nursed in the Mei Tai, so it was fun for me too!

[Sandy2108]

Originally Posted by annakiss

Nurse-in Cleveland went swimmingly! ...

About fifteen moms showed up with their children/nurslings/families and our local paper with a reporter and a photographer.

My daughter and I attended (even though she weaned about 2 years ago) to show our support. Here are three pictures we took which came out well:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfr...7594183963294/

Anna did a great job with getting people to attend the event, and with getting press attention for it.

The nursing moms sat outside the store on the curb, watching the chalk artists and nursing their babies. At about 1:30, most of the moms went into the store to browse for 10 or 15 minutes. They circulated through the entire store, and several nursed babies in slings or sat down out of the flow of shoppers and nursed babies in their laps in the store.

It was wonderful to see so many moms proudly nursing in public, and delightful that there were no negative reactions observed!

[Hevyne]

Greensboro, NC

Well, only two of us showed up but we nursed there. I wore my "Got Milk" nursing tank and nursed outside on the bench and also inside walking around the store. No one said anything at all. A little disappointing but I am proud that I stood up for this very important cause. GO MAMAS!!!

[Gunter]

Durham, NC

We met at Southpoint Mall in Durham, NC. There were about 7 moms, 3 dads and 8 kids. Sorry if I am leaving anyone out. DH, DD and I showed up around 1:15pm and there were already some people there.

We hung out on the bench directly in front of the VS store. Some moms nursed their babes. Mostly we talked and got to know each other better.

No media attention. No weird stares, that I noticed, at least. But I have never really gotten any negative feedback for NIP. One mom took pics for her journalist friend at the Chapel Hill newspaper.

Some of us went to lunch afterwards. I went to support breastfeeding and enjoyed meeting the families and seeing people I had recently met either at LLL or Babywearers. Hope to see you all, again on Friday for the API playdate!

[snarfywarning]

Palm Desert, CA Here!

6 Moms and 6 babies here! We met up outside, then went inside to nurse. My babe ws too distracted to eat, and my friend pulled out her entire boob! She looked so confident! I almost cried. basically allthe babies nursed but mine (I nursed him later inside of the Pennys photo studio tho. ) We asked about nursing bras, talked about underpants, some of us bought lipgloss, and we were pretty much ignored. There were a lot of people there. I gave a breastfeeding pamphlet to a pregnant mom.

[kdpie98]

Originally Posted by pdx.mothernurture

We had a pretty good turn out, actually, at Lloyd Center Portland, OR. Maybe a dozen or so moms and babies/toddlers. We actually had enough of us to line the whole storefront, where we sat and nursed (if the kiddos were cooperative).

Mall security came by and harassed us about four times, and there were times when there were as many as three security guards standing by, watching us. First, they insisted all of us stand up, that we couldn't sit on the floor. Then, the one momma who brought a very small and tasteful sign that had the OR breastfeeding law on one side and a pro-BFIP message on the other was told it wasn't allowed. Several times we were essentially asked who our leader was, but there really was no leader. He asked if it was a protest, we said that we were just moms, nursing our babies. I joked if he bothered us again we should tell him he was making us uncomfortable and ask if they had any female security guards, lol. I think we stayed out front for about a half an hour (maybe a little longer?) before dispersing.

It was really nice to see so many cheerful MDC mommas, and I think we should try to get together more often for playgroups and such.

Jen

That is so great!! Here is what happened at Clackamas:

Sad to say that the News stations didn't find it important enough to send a crew . My friend who is a reporter was really dissappointed that she wasn't sent. But there were about 10 or so moms and three dads, and a couple ladies from the Oregon Nursing Mother's Counsel. The Oregonian did come but didn't send a photographer??? At least there will be a story. She said to check the Metro section of Sudays paper.

People there were curious, irritated and indifferent. It was really interesting. THe ladies from the nursing mother's counsel talked to the VS manager and let them know why we were there and what we were about and they were super supportive In fact they said they bring up nursing items at their meetings all the time so we will see! Anyhoo that is the report from Clackamas!

Katie

PS I was the mom with the "I Make Milk. What's Your Superpower?" shirt!

[tabs416]

Originally Posted by Hevyne

Well, only two of us showed up but we nursed there. I wore my "Got Milk" nursing tank and nursed outside on the bench and also inside walking around the store. No one said anything at all. A little disappointing but I am proud that I stood up for this very important cause. GO MAMAS!!!

It was nice to meet you today! Your little guy is so cute! I don't think the two of us made much of an impact - but it was nice that the employee working the sidewalk sale offered you her chair (even though there was a bench right there )
I'm glad it went so well in other cities - and every little bit helps. The only way we can normalize breastfeeding is by exposing people to it.

[loving-my-babies]

Originally Posted by tamaranadia

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55.../nursein27.jpg

Sorry, I'm not sure how to post a picture here.

that looks like a pretty good nurse-in to me! good job, mama!

[sophiekat]

ugh, I am SO sad I missed it -- we were going to go to the Cherry Creek (Denver) one but I woke up at 3 am with a nasty stomach bug
I'll watch the news tonight though, yay for all the mamas!

[Rikki Jean]

Originally Posted by maria423

I was also at Oakbrook Mall in Illinois. I loved it! My kids were at first more interested in the fountains (and throwing their toys into them : ), but eventually Toby asked to nurse, so I latched him on, then carried him around the store.

A very perky and nice sales associate asked me if she could help me, and I asked where the nursing bras were. She explained that while they don't have any, they do have a particular bra (I forget the name of it) that is great for nursing mamas because it has no underwire and is soft. To me, those aren't necessarily the criteria for a good nursing bra, but I give her credit for being VERY friendly and not batting an eye that I was nursing my son while talking to her. He's 20-months-old, and to a lot of people that's a big baby to nurse, so I was glad she seemed very cool about it.

Anyway, I had a great time and felt like the sales associates definitely noticed that we were there. And all the other moms and dads were so nice. Yay!

I could see how that could be a good thing....a non nursing bra good for nursing. I mean, a lot of nursing bras aren't exactly attractive...

It was great seeing you carry around that big baby though!


I think we had a great turnout, and I'm anxious to hear about the Victoria Gardens turnout in CA (that's where I would have been had I been home).

[RachelGS]

Everyone rocks!!! I'm so impressed.

[wonderwahine]

i actually liked one of their new bras that feels sooooooooooooosoft and silky, and had no wires, but they dont make it in a 40DD, they didnt carry anything in the store in a 40D or DD, which was a shame, i used to love their bras before ds.