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life guard told me to breast feed elsewhere today  

post #1 of 35
6/27/08 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Today my friend and I were at H2Oasis, an indoor water park for toddler play. She was breastfeeding her 8 month old and a life guard came up and said " you need to do that upstairs where theres less kids" she's like uh? ok. And I'm like, no way. So I breastfeed my daughter no one says anything. Theres other parents bottle feeding their babies everywhere! Afterwards we went to the manager and told her and she was furious at the life guard that would tell anyone not to breastfeed! She got the owner who came out and said that we had to breastfeed upstairs! I said no we don't, thats not what the law says, it says...he cuts me off and says don't tell me what the law says. Your just trying to make this a big deal. We say, no we just want you to inform your lifeguards that we can breast feed anywhere we please. He said you'll need to go upstairs. I say you can not make me breastfeed upstiars, I can bf anywhere. He says go ahead and serve me with papers! you can be discreat! I say, I was being descreat, not that it matters because I don't have to! I said if you want to make bfing moms feed upstairs then you also have to make the bottle feeding moms feed upstairs. Theres a man feeding a bottle right over there. He says Bottles are fine! So I said fine, then you'll be hearing from my lawyer and walked away

I'm LIVID! But now I realize I can't even do anything legally because he didn't actually kick me out. So I"m planing on going there and bfing everytime (I did anyways) and when someone asks me to go upstairs I"ll say no. Thats my story...what you you mama's do? No better place to get advice than on MDC's lactivism board!
post #2 of 35
6/27/08 at 6:50pm
Sounds like a nurse-in is in order...too bad I'm not in Anchorage or I'd be in for sure!
post #3 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:05pm
that's awful!

I like your plan.
post #4 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:25pm
that sucks. You have a good plan though. Sometimes it pays to be stubborn, lol!
post #5 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:26pm
Wow, sorry you had to deal with that guy. He really made a UA of himself. I'd be inclined to do just what you are, a peaceful protest that goes on and on all summer, lol. With a big smile and a cheery wave whenever the owner goes by.
post #6 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:40pm
Do you have a LLL chapter near you? Sounds like time for a nurse-in!
post #7 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by velcromom View Post
Wow, sorry you had to deal with that guy. He really made a UA of himself. I'd be inclined to do just what you are, a peaceful protest that goes on and on all summer, lol. With a big smile and a cheery wave whenever the owner goes by.
Yeah. that!

I am so sorry you had to deal with such a UA violation !! Wish I could be t here nursing my 18 month old with ya .
post #8 of 35
6/27/08 at 7:46pm
That is horrible. Well as I am not longer nursing my 15 month old I couldnt take part but I could next summer with my 6 month old (pregnant right now). Were on Kodiak island and we will be passing through Anchorage next summer when we transfer so just let me know and I would def. take part!
post #9 of 35
6/27/08 at 10:00pm
Call LLL. Call your local Reps.
If you are protected, you should let them know-- just imagine what that kind of confrontation would do to a less confident woman.
post #10 of 35
6/27/08 at 10:33pm
OP....I am up north (FBKS) and I cannot believe this happened to you! I am usually so proud of AK and NIP acceptance. Good for you for standing up to him! I think a letter to the editor of the Anch. Daily News citing breastfeeding laws may be good idea.
I would come to a nurse-in with my little, but we never go to Anch. too crowded for me!
post #11 of 35
6/27/08 at 11:10pm
Nurse-in!
post #12 of 35
6/27/08 at 11:56pm
http://llli.org/Law/Bills10.html

Please be sure you know your law. I don't know what your lawyer can do to help you in this situation given the lack of any real public breastfeeding protection in Alaska. I don't practice in Alaska but I don't know what you could do if the owner did throw you out.

Completely support your nursing there anyway just please be prepared.
post #13 of 35
6/27/08 at 11:56pm
Quote:
Alaska Stat. § 01.10.060 (Michie 2000) provides that in the laws of the state, “lewd conduct,” “lewd touching,” “immoral conduct,” “indecent conduct,” and similar terms do not include the act of a woman breastfeeding a child in a public or private location where the woman and child are otherwise authorized to be.

Alaska Stat. § 29.25.080 (Michie 2000) provides that breastfeeding does not constitute indecent exposure or other similar offenses in any public or private location. A municipality, borough, or other local government unit cannot implement ordinances banning breastfeeding, or making it a violation of a municipal ordinance.
I would see if she can make a case of being harassed. The lifeguard implied that she was being lewd and/or indecent, and told her to move, even though she was authorized to be right where she was.
post #14 of 35
6/27/08 at 11:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Equuskia View Post
I would see if she can make a case of being harassed. The lifeguard implied that she was being lewd and/or indecent, and told her to move, even though she was authorized to be right where she was.
She can't be charged with the crime of lewdness or indecency. Nothing illegal about a lifeguard implying she is. Nothing inherently illegal about harassment.
post #15 of 35
6/28/08 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
yeah, we just found out we don't really have that much protection here so we're writting to the legislation and the newspaper. Hopefully get some law changing going on here. fortunatly, or gov. is very ap friendly
post #16 of 35
6/28/08 at 5:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamajake View Post
http://llli.org/Law/Bills10.html

Please be sure you know your law. I don't know what your lawyer can do to help you in this situation given the lack of any real public breastfeeding protection in Alaska. I don't practice in Alaska but I don't know what you could do if the owner did throw you out.

Completely support your nursing there anyway just please be prepared.
so he can just kick us out for bfing?! thats allowed? what can i do then?
post #17 of 35
6/28/08 at 8:35am
Well done for standing up for yourself!
post #18 of 35
6/28/08 at 12:41pm
you need to post something about this on the AK board to let other moms in our area know.

I wish I had a nursling to take there and nurse.
post #19 of 35
6/28/08 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danielle13 View Post
so he can just kick us out for bfing?! thats allowed? what can i do then?
Sadly, this depends on Alaska law concerning public accommodations. An Alaska lawyer would have to look that up for you. Usually state law is very specific about what reasons owners can NOT use to evict someone - like race. Usually they can evict for any reason not listed as a reason they can't use. You can be tossed out for having blue eyes usually. It is best to ask an Alaska lawyer so you can make an informed choice about what you want to do.
post #20 of 35
6/28/08 at 5:31pm
i live in homer, but i'm frequently in anch and often take my nephew to the toddler swim at h2oasis. now i have a three month old, so i'll definitely go back and nurse there. i think we'll be there in a few weeks...let me know if you want to join me!
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