Asked to COVER UP... - Page 2

[Sustainer]

If I were in your position, and it happened again, I would try to find a happy medium between telling the person off and covering up. I wouldn't cover up, I would look the person right in the eyes and smile and calmly and politely say something like, "there is nothing wrong or obscene or indecent about my mammary. It is inappropriate for you to tell me that my mammary is unsuitable for the public eye. It is rude and harmful to try to shame a breastfeeding mother into concealing herself instead of being supportive of her."

[ColeysMama]

My preferred response to that kind of idiocy is something like so:

Person Who Doesn't Know What They're Talking About: Um, you can't do that here.
Me: Actually, North Carolina law says I can. Would you like to see a copy of the law?
Person: Well, this is private property, not state property.
Me: The law states I can breastfeed on any public or private property where I am otherwise allowed. In fact, you are violating my civil rights by asking me to move.

I have yet to have an opportunity to use this... but most people aren't going to care whether there is anything obscene about it. They will care, however, if you tell them they are breaking the law.

[mommaduck]

Question on church and state issue...

Visited friends' churches...

One church, the deacons kept offering me the nursery. I kept turning them down, found a cozy spot in the foyer and nursed.

The other church a lady saw the babe was getting hungry and tapped me on the shoulder to warn me that there were certain men that took issue with a nursing mom even covered in the sanctuary. Not wanting a confrontation that night I did go to the tiny nursery in the cold corner of the basement. But I sooooo would have taken them on any other night.

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by mommaduck

Question on church and state issue...

Visited friends' churches...

One church, the deacons kept offering me the nursery. I kept turning them down, found a cozy spot in the foyer and nursed.

The other church a lady saw the babe was getting hungry and tapped me on the shoulder to warn me that there were certain men that took issue with a nursing mom even covered in the sanctuary. Not wanting a confrontation that night I did go to the tiny nursery in the cold corner of the basement. But I sooooo would have taken them on any other night.

depending on your state, churchs are exempt from the law........most laws will state something like "except for places of worship"

[Sagesgirl]

The usual law that I have seen is that Mama is allowed to nurse whereever she is otherwise authorized to be. And one assumes that you are authorized to be in church.

Here's a quick run-down of breastfeeding laws:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm

I am not seeing anything exempting places of worship from the law. Just ask the twits exactly what they think Jesus ate.

(I personally wish more states would adopt Hawaii's stance that it is discriminatory to ask a nursing mother not to nurse whereever she is; it is actually a civil offense there to do so.)

[Sustainer]

I have never seen a NIP law that exempts churches. That would be bizarre. Churches are not above the law. They have to follow the laws just like everyone else does.

New York was the first state that made it a violation of the State Civil Rights Law to interfere with a mother NIP.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by intorainbowz

If you happen to be at HAFB, I'll nurse in with you....

I nurse all over the base. The only time I got a comment was when they played taps, I was on a bench outside the BX... A captain told me I could remain seated. So I did.

Way to go him!

[wonderwahine]

Section 10. Breastfeeding Location. A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding; however, a mother considering whether to breastfeed her baby in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriatein that place of worship.

that is illinois law

[bri276]

Originally Posted by Meiri

First thought that came to my mind was "we don't do burqas in this country."

and even in AFGHANISTAN I've seen video of mamas NIP outside a mosque!! that made me go "wow, our society is really screwed up." (though, I believe only women were there, I didn't see any men around at all but they were just sitting, NIP on the beautful tiled outdoor area with tons of other women and children walking around).

[Sustainer]

Originally Posted by romans_mum

however, a mother considering whether to breastfeed her baby in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriatein that place of worship.

that is illinois law

Wow, that needs to be changed!! I've never seen wording like that in an NIP law before!

[wonderwahine]

Missouri law is bad to...

191.918. Breast-feeding in public permitted
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a mother may, with as much discretion as possible, breast-feed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.

[Sustainer]

Originally Posted by romans_mum

with as much discretion as possible

I have seen those words, and they anger me to no end!!! We definitely need to get those words removed!!!

[doula mary]

Sometimes when people are rude....you simply CANT BELIEVE it...and you are speechless. The wonderful thing about that, is... it is typically a learning experience for all involved.

I think it is handy to have several replies already "ready" ....when you are in situations where breastfeeding issues might come up.

For example:

"How long are you going to do that?"

~Another 10 minutes.
~Till he wants his gum back.
~When he goes to school.
~Why do you care?
~This is not my baby, this is my sister's baby!

Anyway, in our culture, if you BF for longer than 6 months... you are more likely to have someone question you choice to BF, either exclusively or extended.

Mary

[sharon71]

Originally Posted by ColeysMama

I was active duty USMC for 4 years; my dh is still in. I have nursed all over base and only one has anyone said anything (that was at an office Christmas party). I've gotten a lot of looks, but nothing more.

Agreed with the PP's - that is completely illegal and you should complain. Find out who's in charge of the office you were at, and write a letter. I'd drop a line to the base paper as well, just a reminder that NIP is legal on public property.

Just a side note, after the NIP incident at the Christmas party, I printed out a copy of the NIP-on-federal-property law and posted it on my bulletin board in my office. Never said a word to anyone, but I know quite a few people noticed it. You may want to get a copy and take it with you when you're on base.

So Marilyn was JD. harrasing you about NIP?
If so I'll kick his hiney.