[Janice in Canada]

When breastfeeding conflicts with morés in the mall

By DANIEL STURM

Vanessa Vicknair moved to Lansing from Seattle five years ago. She thought both cities were progressive - until recently.

On June 12, she went shopping with her sister-in law Kelly Vicknair and friend Jessica Chapman-King at the Lansing Mall. The three mothers were tired, and their children hungry. They spotted a comfortable couch in the mall's designated family area. When Vanessa began breastfeeding her 8-week old daughter, a security guard approached and told her she should use the nursing room at the end of the hall, or otherwise stop breastfeeding. "He told me I was on private property and breaking indecent exposure laws," Vicknair said.

see link for rest of article:

http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/0406...res/index2.asp

 

[Anguschick1]

Besides my outrage at the mall security (and why is it always the security guards who feel the need to police public indecency?) that was a great article including this quote,

"Babies who are not breastfed have higher rates of death, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, allergies, obesity and developmental delays. Breastfeeding also has health benefits for the mother, including delayed return to fertility and decreased risk of cancer of the breast and ovaries."

Good for that paper for explaining the benefits of the normal feeding of infants and children in such a positive light.

 

[Geofizz]

But the article never really spelled out what the laws are. It didn't say that, in fact, no one had a right to tell her to move or cover up. By instructing the rent-a-cops to approach nursing women to tell them about a "nursing room" is effectively telling them they can't NIP with or without making a statement with regards to indecent exposure.

I love the picture. The editor evidently felt like the caption needed to explain that she was nursing the baby in the picture. Point made!

 

[TiredX2]

I thought this was pretty clear:

Quote:

Legislation protecting a woman's right to breastfeed wherever they go with their baby exists today in more than half the states, including Michigan. In 1994 Michigan legislators amended various sections of the state criminal code to expressly state that public nudity does not include a woman's breastfeeding of a baby.

 

[Anguschick1]

I wanted to add that I thought it was great how they point out that the one lady nursed her dd until 3 1/2. You and I know that's normal, but it's nice to see it "out there" so to speak.

 

[BetsyPage]

I'm sorry this happened- it sounds like the guard was poorly-trained and allowed to spout his own opinion in the most generous interpretation of the situation... it is a great article though!

Dh and I have talked about visiting Lansing, and if we do we would probably end up at a mall for dinner or something... if so I would definitely go to this one and NIP and DARE anyone to say something to me!

:

 

[Meiri]

Even in states without laws, breastfeeding does NOT violate the indecent exposure laws.

And here I thought I was maybe overreacting the first time I saw one of those "family bathrooms" with a sign designating it for nursing as well. I called that mall to ask about it and was told that it was available but not required. This was 10 years or so ago.

Obviously that guard was dozing during the part of the training when they specified that its use is not a requirement.

 

[nonnymoose]

Quote:

Babies who are not breastfed have higher rates of death, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, allergies, obesity and developmental delays. ...

Damn...I knew breastfeeding was good, but I didn't realize it was that good. Immortality? I assume they left out part of that particular statistic

By the way, I wish I were closer to Lansing so we could pay that mall a visit. I've been all ready to bristle at someone for the last six months, and nobody will oblige me by getting offended! We were at a baby-welcoming party last weekend, and one of the older gentlemen made a point of coming over and chatting with me while I was BF.

 

[soccerchic21]

grrrr to that security guard. What is it with some of those guys! Good for those gals and I love that the picture showed her nursing her baby.

I have to say that sometimes I don't like the idea of a "nursing room" because then close minded people feel like we have to use them.

THE WORLD IS MY NURSING ROOM!!!!!

That is good I am going to add it to my signature.

 

[Rach]

Great picture!
Sad that the woman had to go through that. It makes me feel ill just thinking about what I'd do in that situation. I imagine I'd start shaking too....with RAGE!

 

[luv my 2 sweeties]

I live in Lansing and have nursed my child on at least 2 or 3 occassions in the *exact* spot these women were nursing. I've also nursed in the food court of that mall!

Nobody's ever said anything to me, though. (I'm smaller busted, so maybe people just don't know what I'm doing!

) I've also used the nursing room (there's only one, but it's nice enough) when he was at that easily distractable age. But other than that, I purposely do *not* use the nursing room so that it will be free for someone who feels they need the privacy. I was shocked when I heard of this incident -- it's totally outragous, and I will be at the nurse-in! I know the women in question as aquaintances, and oh boy, did that security gaurd pick the wrong women to get huffy with! :LOL There should be another article in our major daily newspaper coming up soon, so hopefully the issue will get a full airing. (The article in the OP is from an alternative weekly.) I heard through the grapevine that a local state rep is researching the possibility of introducing more strongly worded legislation to protect a woman's right to bf anywhere. Hopefully the mall will come to their senses, and all other area businesses will be on alert that they best leave nursing mothers alone!

 

[Raven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anguschick1 I wanted to add that I thought it was great how they point out that the one lady nursed her dd until 3 1/2. You and I know that's normal, but it's nice to see it "out there" so to speak.

I agree

I get so

when I read stories like this! When are ppl gonna see the fact - BREASTFEEDING IS NORMAL!!!!!

:

 

[squintz22]

Can somebody up there let us know when the nurse-in is? I'm not too far away and would LOVE to come up for it! (And maybe post links to any other articles on the topic?? PLease!!)

 

[wawoof]

A friend talked with the mom who was asked to leave the mall and found out the scoop on the nurse-in:

The nurse-in will be held at the Lansing Mall on Saturday, July 3 at 6 p.m.

I plan to go with another mama from Ann Arbor and our babies, and hope to see some of you all there

 

[kama'aina mama]

Well hurrah for her that she knew her rights and stood her ground!

I bet that quote was supposed to be about sudden infant death, or perhaps simply death as an infant.

 

[luv my 2 sweeties]

Quote:

And maybe post links to any other articles on the topic?? PLease!!)

I'm keeping my eye on the Lansing State Journal for the alleged upcoming article. If/when I see it, I'll post a link to it. Thanks Wawoof for posting the date and time. Hope to get to meet you!

 

[Viola]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice in Canada "He told me I was on private property and breaking indecent exposure laws," Vicknair said.

Damn, that argument always pisses me off.

 

[TigerTail]

argh! i wish i could go-my nearly 4 year old would *love* a chance to nurse at a mall, lol, where he's usually told to wait! i could tandem with the nearly two yr old. bah! (the 17 yr old could be recruited if i felt particularly feisty- jk, jk!)

suse

 

[MacKinnon]

Oh, I want to go!! We live near Lansing, DH works there and we live there for years and years. We will be up north next Saturday! I have nursed in the other mall in the Lansing area and never had a comment made, but oh if they had....

 

[wawoof]

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and your nursing babes too