Last week my mom and I and my two younger LO's went to Long Beach to inspect our rental home. We decided to go to lunch in Belmont Shore. We decided on French food so we went to a place called --?--'s (forgot, momma brain) Creperie. It's very fancy and nice in there and I thought "what a great place to breastfeed with all these couches and chairs." We ended up against the wall, next to a young 20-something couple on one side and a group of ladies on the other. When the waitress took our drink order I ordered milk for the 2yo, and when she asked about the 5-month old I said "no his milk is on tap!" She laughed. I thought "good, she knows I'll be breastfeeding so no biggie."
Well of course little Dash started to fuss and I cradled him into my breast, discreetly latching him. The women next to me could care less. The couple on the other hand had heard my milk-on-tap comment and started to become visibly agitated even before I cradled my little guy. They were talking in hushy yet irritated tones saying things like "oh no she's NOT going to is she?" "That's disgusting." "I can't believe she would do that here." Blah blah blah.
My mom, who bless her manipulative, drama queen heart, finally used her powers for good!
She knows DARN WELL the laws in California with this being her FOURTH breastfed grandchild and nearly ten years of NIP experience with an outspoken lactivist daughter. So mom says out-loud, no really rather clear and loud: "So what's going to happen if you are asked to quit breastfeeding? Is that it? Do we have to leave? Not get our lunch?"
(YES! You go MOM!)
"Oh no Mom, it's illegal in the State of California to ask me to quit breast feeding in any place public or private where I otherwise have the right to be! There is no way I am leaving or moving, nor am I going to put him under a blanket in this oppressive heat. If people don't like my feeding him, they can eat under a blanket or sitting on a toilet seat. I'm staying right here."
Mom: "Well do you know the number of the law, so if we are challenged you can quote it after we call the police? I would hate for things to get ugly, but I know how that can be. It's so funny really, in such a progressive town, that people would have problems with breastfeeding. It's just milk. You see more breasts on the beach than you do when you're feeding your babies. I mean really."
"Of course I do, it won't be a problem I suspect."
She knew the law, as stated, but she totally plat-formed the conversation in order for me to avoid an uncomfortable situation. The couple next to me were very quiet when I responded and they quit their griping after I stated the law. However, and this is strange, I think the baby felt the tension and got really fussy in there. I did end up leaving early. He wouldn't even settle with nursing!
I high-fived her when we left, I was so proud of her steering that entire situation into an educating experience and not a confrontational one.
Oh and of course the staff were fine with it.
Well of course little Dash started to fuss and I cradled him into my breast, discreetly latching him. The women next to me could care less. The couple on the other hand had heard my milk-on-tap comment and started to become visibly agitated even before I cradled my little guy. They were talking in hushy yet irritated tones saying things like "oh no she's NOT going to is she?" "That's disgusting." "I can't believe she would do that here." Blah blah blah.
My mom, who bless her manipulative, drama queen heart, finally used her powers for good!
She knows DARN WELL the laws in California with this being her FOURTH breastfed grandchild and nearly ten years of NIP experience with an outspoken lactivist daughter. So mom says out-loud, no really rather clear and loud: "So what's going to happen if you are asked to quit breastfeeding? Is that it? Do we have to leave? Not get our lunch?"(YES! You go MOM!)
"Oh no Mom, it's illegal in the State of California to ask me to quit breast feeding in any place public or private where I otherwise have the right to be! There is no way I am leaving or moving, nor am I going to put him under a blanket in this oppressive heat. If people don't like my feeding him, they can eat under a blanket or sitting on a toilet seat. I'm staying right here."
Mom: "Well do you know the number of the law, so if we are challenged you can quote it after we call the police? I would hate for things to get ugly, but I know how that can be. It's so funny really, in such a progressive town, that people would have problems with breastfeeding. It's just milk. You see more breasts on the beach than you do when you're feeding your babies. I mean really."
"Of course I do, it won't be a problem I suspect."
She knew the law, as stated, but she totally plat-formed the conversation in order for me to avoid an uncomfortable situation. The couple next to me were very quiet when I responded and they quit their griping after I stated the law. However, and this is strange, I think the baby felt the tension and got really fussy in there. I did end up leaving early. He wouldn't even settle with nursing!
I high-fived her when we left, I was so proud of her steering that entire situation into an educating experience and not a confrontational one.
Oh and of course the staff were fine with it.
Go mom!
That's grand, your mom is cool!
