Sign in bathroom-...for breastfeeding moms

[Janice in Canada]

For some reason, I was finally inspired to write a letter to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, that I had been meaning to write for 2 years.

Below is the letter, I hope it is self-explanatory. Make sure you click on the photobucket link, to see a picture of the sign I'm reffering to. I'll let you know what response I get.

Janice


----- Original Message -----
From: Janice Reynolds
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 10:50 PM
Subject: Breastfeeding sign in bathrooms


Royal Tyrrell Museum

Dear Ms. Dekeyser,

I hope you are the correct person to address this to.

Two summers ago (summer of 2005) my family and I visited your museum. We very much enjoyed the experience, and I'm sure we will return again.

During our visit, I used one of your ladies bathrooms (a small one off an exhibit - it only had 2 stalls).

I noted a sign posted there, beside the sinks and hand dryer.
I took a picture to remember it, as I had never seen a sign like that:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...throomsign.jpg

I have some comments and questions.

1.) Thank you for acknowledging the existence of breastfeeding mothers. Also thanks for acknowledging that they sometimes, for a variety of reasons, seek out bathrooms to nurse in.

2.) I am curious as to why you posted that sign in this bathroom. I am wondering if it is because it is so small - I would imagine that if breastfeeding women were using the stall to nurse in, that would tie up the bathroom for a long period of time, and inconvenience those who require the toilet for its intended purpose, (defecation and urination).

3.) Thank you for providing a private space to accommodate breastfeeding mothers. Some women, because they may be inexperienced in breastfeeding in public, or who have easily distracted babies, or who need to supervise other children while they are nursing, do appreciate the offer of a safe, clean, private space to breastfeed in.

4.) I assume that you did not intend to imply that ALL breastfeeding women should retire to the private breastfeeding space. I assume that you meant that breastfeeding may be done anywhere in the museum, and that perhaps the bathroom was NOT the best place to do it.

5.) In order to be clear that you did not intend to imply that all breastfeeding women should utilize the private breastfeeding space, may I suggest a small change in wording (such as below) be added.

"Mothers are welcome to breastfeed in all areas of the museum. If you prefer a private space, please inquire at.... etc"

6.) May I bring to your attention a newly-launched international symbol for breastfeeding and mothering. You might want to post it around the museum.

(see information and symbol below)

I hope you find my comments of assistance. I have breastfed two children, and have worked across Canada and North America to assist breastfeeding mothers to be aware of their rights to breastfeed their child. Canada is very progressive in their support of breastfeeding, and your sign, to me, was another visible symbol of how we can support and acknowledge breastfeeding. Thank you very much for making this effort to accommodate breastfeeding mothers and children.

Sincerely,
Janice
(edited out my address)



International Symbol for Breastfeeding
The purpose of an international symbol for breastfeeding is to increase public awareness of breastfeeding, to provide an alternative to the use of a baby bottle image to designate baby friendly areas in public, and to mark breastfeeding friendly facilities.

Of course, breastfeeding does not require a special place and is appropriate—as the Canadian government's slogan says—"anytime, anywhere" The purpose of the symbol is not to segregate breastfeeding, but to help integrate it into society by better accommodating it in public.

(see link below for full article)

http://www.mothering.com/sections/ac...on-winner.html

The breastfeeding symbol is available copyright free. Matt has signed it over to the Public Domain. You can download a PDF of the International Breastfeeding Symbol here.

[Bartock]

Great letter, I really love it!! I hope he uses the symbol #2 should have won!

[wannabe]

I remember you posting about the sign. I'll be interested to hear what the intent was.

[nevaehsmommy]

I go back and read old post everynow and than.....what ever happened?

[Janice in Canada]

my goodness, you do like to go back to OLD messages!!!!

Good point, I never did update this. Luckily, I am an email "packrat" and save every email I send or receive, so I could still find the answer.


I did receive a response back, just a few weeks later, from the Assistant Director of the Museum.

I would post the whole letter, but that is against MDC rules.


Anyhow, to paraphrase, they said they had received a request some years ago from a mother who was looking for a quiet area in which to breast feed.

Their front staff happily opened up their first aid room and then relayed the message up the line that this had occurred. They were pleased with the front staff’s initiative and ability to meet the mother’s needs – at that point they decided they should in fact let mothers know that the Museum can meet their needs – thus the signs. They selected the women’s washrooms in which to post these signs because they assumed that most mothers would, at some point during their visit, spend a moment in one of the washrooms.

They said they obviously welcome breast feeding anywhere on their premises and only offered this quiet space for those feeding offspring who might be easily distracted by noise or other stimuli – or for those mothers who might require a more comfortable option than a public bench. They said that a few of their galleries do have quiet out of the way spaces that are favourites among feeding mothers.

They thanked me for the comments, as well as the symbol, and said they will revisit their existing signs and make some appropriate modifications.


So if anyone goes there again - report back to us as to whether the signs are changed, or if they are using the International Symbol.

Janice

[AmyJayne19]

I was there this past summer and plan on going back again this summer so I will definitely look around more closely and see if they have the new signs posted.

[Karamom]

Thats good to hear!

[MyBoysBlue]

I don't live too far from there and I usually go to the museum once a year. I'll have to check for the sign too.