Mothers and More groups

[SashaBear]

This is a organization that helps mothers deal with the change in their careers due to having children. Whether they become SAHMs, part-timers, or WAHM. Whatever.
The organization allows each chapter to decide their rules on allowing children 6months+ come to meetings.

http://mothersandmore.org/Membership...drenatmeetings

My local chapter does not allow children over 6months to attend regular monthly meetings. So my SIL and one friend cannot attend because they both have 1 year olds that must nurse to sleep and I won't attend because I just hate this rule. That and we all planned to attend together. I have a 3 month old now but nursed my son until 18 months.

I know they are entitled to make their own rules but because of this rule they have lost 3 potential members. Later we decided that if they have this type of mentality then we don't want to be apart of their group. They don't care enough about the attachment we have to our children and what we feel is best for our children.

This is my first true lactivism act. Should something be done about this?

[melissakc]

Did you bring up the issue with your local chapter? Maybe they don't realize how you see it. Many "mainstream" moms honestly have no clue what these kinds of rules mean to BFers.

I had a mom's group turn ugly over AP issues too. I had to leave with a bunch of my friends and we started our own group. Sweet freedom!

[SashaBear]

No we haven't brought it up with the local chapter. When my SIL called asking about the meetings they told her she could not bring her son. They said the same to my friend.

Yes it would be best to bring it up at the local level then if necessary work up.

After I wrote this I realized they are breaking the law. At least in this state. I am allowed to breastfeed my child anywhere I am allowed to be. I am allowed at this meeting as it is open to the public so I am allowed to breastfeed there. If they prevent me from being my child, they are preventing me from breastfeeding as well. Or am I just taking it to far? LOL

[melissakc]

I just meant that they may not realize that it is about BF. Maybe if you explained to them that under those rules you cannot BF your child and attend the event and said, "Certainly that's not the intent of the rule, is it?"

My hunch is that they will say it is your choice not to attend and BF or not to BF and attend.

[sonrisaa29]

According to the website you posted "Mothers & More encourages our members to view chapter meetings as opportunities to focus on themselves as individuals, apart from the demands of family. For some mothers, this is a rare opportunity to spend time socializing away from home without children"

Is she going to want to bring her child to the Mother's Night out too? I think many things too depend on the mood of her child. Is he/she able to sit through an hour or two meeting or is he/she going to be extremely fussy.

[siobhang]

I don't think this is a breastfeeding issue, but rather an "active children not welcome" issue. I have had plenty of invitations to parties, weddings, etc which welcomed "babes in arms" but not older children, just because of the fact that many babies and toddlers require more attention and distraction than babies do.

Neither of my babies could sit through a meeting at age 6 months plus unless they were already asleep.

If your babies aren't eating any solids and won't take bottles (mine didn't with any regularity), this time period is kind of a PITA, unfortunately.

Siobhan