BF discrimination in California?

[CalBearMama]

I just received the following request for any California moms who have experienced BF discrimination to contact the Attorney General's office:

Wanted: Women’s experiences of discrimination while breastfeeding in public.



The Attorney General’s office is looking for mothers in California who, in the last twelve months, have been discriminated against in business establishments or other public places.

Specific information will be helpful, i.e. where, when, what happened.

Was she asked to leave, to cover up, to go to another location?



This information will only be used for the purposes of research and not for any public use.



Encourage women to contact:



Sunny Sarkis

Civil Rights Enforcement Division

State of California, Department of Justice

916-324-4085

[e-mail]



Please forward this request to your colleagues and to breastfeeding mothers.

[velcromom]

Very interesting. I wonder what they will do with the results of their research.

[gcgirl]

Well, I think it's wonderful that they're being proactive about this.

[earthmommy2]

I'm visiting my fam in Cali...keeping this info handy...just in case an incident occurs.

Today I NIP at the Discovery Center in Santa Ana (in the Elmo's World section) and no one said a word...one little boy pointed at me and said..."Me too!" She plopped down next to me to nurse him...

[smeep]

Last time I was in California all I got were positive comments, and I was nursing a 14 month old. But I'll be there again in a couple weeks, and he'l be 18 months old, so we'll see if I stir up any trouble then.

[blsilva]

I live in California, nurse all over the place, and have never had an issue, beyond a couple of weird glances (and most of these were from the playgroup I belonged to). Businesses, and most people, have been very accepting, and even positive.

[captivatedlife]

Originally Posted by earthmommy2

I'm visiting my fam in Cali...keeping this info handy...just in case an incident occurs.

Today I NIP at the Discovery Center in Santa Ana (in the Elmo's World section) and no one said a word...one little boy pointed at me and said..."Me too!" She plopped down next to me to nurse him...

That is too cute! I want that to happen to me....

[blsilva]

Originally Posted by captivatedlife

That is too cute! I want that to happen to me....

My oldest ds, when he was about 3, saw a woman nursing in our mall, and sat down next top her and started to nurse his Thomas train. It was so sweet!

[frenchie]

Originally Posted by earthmommy2

I'm visiting my fam in Cali...keeping this info handy...just in case an incident occurs.

Today I NIP at the Discovery Center in Santa Ana (in the Elmo's World section) and no one said a word...one little boy pointed at me and said..."Me too!" She plopped down next to me to nurse him...

We go to the Disc. Science Center often, as we have passes. I always nurse my DD there....right on the bench in the middle of the Sesame Street exhibit you're talking about
Last time I was there, I sat in the little kids play area upstairs. Me and another momma (I didn't know her) sat on a bench and nursed our babes.
I have never once been discriminated against for BFing in public. I've recieved looks and stares by strangers, but never asked to leave or cover up.
I walked around the farmer's market in Long Beach today and nursed my DD in the Moby Wrap...nursed her without a cover last night at California Pizza Kitchen with problem. CA is quite laid back.

[earthmommy2]

Originally Posted by frenchie

We go to the Disc. Science Center often, as we have passes. I always nurse my DD there....right on the bench in the middle of the Sesame Street exhibit you're talking about

We got a membership since I live in Maryland and we have one there so I can use the membership in both places...but I think that while I'm here in Cali we are going to go alot...my DD loved mr. hoopers store so she could spend all day in there...lol

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by velcromom

Very interesting. I wonder what they will do with the results of their research.

My understanding is that the Attorney General is responding to a negative airline experience. It appears that the A.G. is trying to get an idea of how prevalant harassment is. The A.G. has the authority to prosecute violations of law where there is no other enforcement. Because CA's public breastfeeding law has no enforcement mechanism, this could be a very good thing.

Jake

[St. Margaret]

awesome... I feel so good about living in ca right now if there is a problem, the people in power are addressing it... right on!

[frenchie]

Originally Posted by earthmommy2

We got a membership since I live in Maryland and we have one there so I can use the membership in both places...but I think that while I'm here in Cali we are going to go alot...my DD loved mr. hoopers store so she could spend all day in there...lol

My son loves Mr. Hooper's Store too....and the Pirate Exhibit they have going now.

[earthmommy2]

Originally Posted by frenchie

My son loves Mr. Hooper's Store too....and the Pirate Exhibit they have going now.

Perhaps we will have to meet up there!!

[mommymaemae]

wow... guess I should move somewhere else in CA. I'm a nursing mom and aside from myself and my friend (who covers up) I have only seen ONE other mom NIP and she was using a cover! Is it a Valley thing? I only ever see moms bottle feeding around here! I was raised in Boulder, CO and saw NIP all time... never imagined that CA would feel so conservative to me. I have never been harassed or even stared at (that I know of), so I'm cool with that. Granted, I don't do a huge amount of NIP since my guys will not get a good eat in when there's stuff going on around them. Even at home it's tough to get them to concentrate

[hunnybumm]

I was born and raised in southern CA (in a valley none the less!) and I go back regularly to visit my family. I have nursed both my children all over the place. Restaurants, Malls, Disney Land, California Adventure, parks, etc. I have never received any negative comments from strangers. I did get a few "Do you have to do THAT here?" from my mom (shes mostly over it now though).

[JessasMilkMama]

Originally Posted by blsilva

I live in California, nurse all over the place, and have never had an issue, beyond a couple of weird glances (and most of these were from the playgroup I belonged to). Businesses, and most people, have been very accepting, and even positive.

Same here, no one has ever said anything to me. I think a couple weeks ago I got some glances from some immature DAY CAMP WORKERS who thought it was funny and horrifying that I was this pregnant and nursing a big 2yo with my breast OUT over the shirt and no coverup at the park. Like I care :P

[JessasMilkMama]

Originally Posted by frenchie

We go to the Disc. Science Center often, as we have passes. I always nurse my DD there....right on the bench in the middle of the Sesame Street exhibit you're talking about
Last time I was there, I sat in the little kids play area upstairs. Me and another momma (I didn't know her) sat on a bench and nursed our babes.
I have never once been discriminated against for BFing in public. I've recieved looks and stares by strangers, but never asked to leave or cover up.
I walked around the farmer's market in Long Beach today and nursed my DD in the Moby Wrap...nursed her without a cover last night at California Pizza Kitchen with problem. CA is quite laid back.

You live in LB and you havent hung out with me?? We have a playgroup :::tempts you::::: see sig!

[lissabob]

I recently heard of a mama who was badgered at storytime in a public library in Cali- going to pass this on!

[frenchie]

Originally Posted by earthmommy2

Perhaps we will have to meet up there!!

That'd be great!