SarahScoot
Member Profile
This is in reference to a deleted thread, so I'll be vague, but I was curious about what their general food and drink policy is, so I walked by on my way home from the market.
As it happens, there's a prominent and professionally-printed sign on the way in requesting no eating/drinking while in the store.
Just thought it was relevant to the aforementioned thread-that-shall-not-be-named.
transplantella
Member Profile
Why would someone be browsing a furniture store eating and drinking anyway? Seems odd. Isn't that what restaurants are for?
Transplantella - The deleted thread was some mom bitching about being booted from the store because she was breast feeding.
SarahScoot
Member Profile
transplantella - the original poster and a defender in the deleted thread said they bet that Sleepers allows people to eat and drink ("their $4 Starbucks," according to the reply) without saying anything, so obviously the store was just discriminating against breastfeeding mothers.
I had a feeling that, like most furniture stores, SiS probably discourages all food and drink, since there's a chance of something being spilled. That's all. ;-)
Gee, too bad the originally thread got deleted because then maybe someone could actually see that Sleeper's Food and Drink policy has NOTHING to do with my original thread.
I feel sorry for you that you interpreted my post as a "bitching". I am only guessing that you have never breastfed a baby and if so have conveniently had a baby that likes to have hoods over her head, because you feel the need to hide this act (like some mother suggested to me).
I am sad to have missed some of the thoughtful replies I know viewers have posted since I went camping (Sunday), for now on my return I am left with only the handful in my memory of which I saw upon leaving. My biggest reply is to point out the obvious misunderstanding of the objective of my original posting.
Understand this for starters: Breastfeeding is not an easy deal. Some mothers struggle and give up soon there after. Some mothers never attempt it at all. Some mothers have it easy the whole way. And some mothers struggle very hard to find their way in their new breastfeeding relationship with their child and get over the hurtles, in hopes to continue out of the best and most innate interest of their child. This being said, it is not always easy to go outside the home and breastfeed your child in public places; for there is distractions, loud noises, a lack of room, etc. So in the midst of a very busy parade, crowded streets, filled cafes, and bustling shops it should be of no surprise that I sought the shelter of an empty furniture store to sit for 5 minutes and feed my child. Oh, and to answer another writer's comment: I don't feel like I need to "purchase" something every time I use some stores facility in general. I'd be broke if I bought something for every store I sat down in.
And a reply to another viewer's comment, Yes, some babies do spit up after feedings (more bottle-fed babies ironically), but I don't have that baby. And Yes, the Hooter Hider is a very great invention for all the new moms who feel uncomfortable feeding in public. I don't feel that this is necessary for anyone to cover up (hell, our society is more comfortable seeing as much cleavage as one can squeeze out of their shirt rather than the tiny bit of breast they can see when one breastfeeds ; ) ), but did attempt to use this a long time ago and found my baby just won't put up with the cloth hanging over her head while feeding.
Like I said, breastfeeding isn't always as easy for everyone as it is some. Sometimes you have to just do what your baby needs or wants if you want to get some food in her.
Getting back to the point, I never wrote a thread about Sleepers in order to slow their business or attack their food and drink policy so you can lay those assumptions on someone else if you'd like. I too saw their sign and had I thought to leave my breast out the door I might have (obviously jk). I never made a comment about Starbucks coffees in this store, but you seem a little mixed up in your interpretation of this, so I thought I'd point that out.
Also, I still can't find the place where it says I need to write or approach their management before posting a thread about the service I received there. Is this true? I can't imagine there would be so many blogs if we all had to write a letter to management before commenting on our experiences in a pubic forum.
My point was to show how important it is to sometimes put your views/discomforts aside and accommodate others at times, especially when it is really important (like feeding a hungry baby). I made the statement more than once in my post that I just needed A PLACE to sit and nurse. It didn't have to be on that couch or in view of the parade,etc. I just needed to share a space for 5 minutes that would allow for the abandonment of loud noises and crowds, in order to feed my child. If you have breastfed, you know that MOST older babies get distracted VERY easily. And yes, Sleepers (although privately owned) IS indeed a "Public" space as far as the rights to Breastfeed in Public are concerned. So, NO this posting was not about being able to lounge on the furniture and possibly "spray" my milk (FUNNY btw, whoever was concerned with milk-spillage). I might not be the best at conveying a situation in writing, but the situation I encountered at this store was not about "spills." It was about a discomfort for the act of breastfeeding going on in that store. As a human right and soon to be if not already (not sure about the exact bill passage, etc.), breastfeeding cannot be discriminated/turned away ANYWHERE public. SO maybe I don't need to be worried how uncomfortable that 30-something year-old man is with breastfeeding. Maybe HE needs to become better acquainted with human nature (funny how nature can shine through all our comforts of a modern society).
For those of you who find it "uncomfortable," or "too intimate" seeing a mother breastfeed her child in public I feel sad. Your replies (minus a few) has reconfirmed my beliefs that there truly is a sense of discomfort and aire of burden around public breastfeeding for many out there in this country. It is disturbing that in a country and culture so advanced in many aspects, our ideals and values on what is "acceptable" or not can be so backwards.
On my way to Lake Wenatchee this weekend I picked up the newest subscription to Mothering Magazine and ironically read a story pertaining to this cultural perplexity around breastfeeding. Pick it up if you might. I found it very informative and inspiring. Maybe if we could go outside our comfort levels and understand more about others there would be less confrontation and more understanding. I guess understanding was what I was looking for when I posted my concern. I was hoping that pointing out my bad experience might help others to realize just how far from a good understanding and acceptance of public breastfeeding much of our society really is.
Thanks.
Magpie
Member Profile
So, have you bothered to discuss this with management at the store or are you just using this as another opportunity to make your point known? The rules for rants are at the VERY top of the forum. It is the part that says STICKY, rules..........
If you are posting a rant about a business, YOU MUST SAY WHAT STEPS YOU TOOK FIRST TO NOTIFY ITS OWNERSHIP/MANAGEMENT. If you took those steps and still want to tell the world, fine, but this is NOT the place to come just to rag on a business without having let them know directly.
If you tried but could not get through - include that info, because that's a helpful part of your story.
From here. Hope this helps.
It's too bad you didn't read the original replies Junebug, there was some good feedback. No one denies your right to breastfeed anywhere, only your use of a private business as a resting place.
I'm a card carrying member of LLL. Fed my baby on Calif. Ave. during the parade.
Sorry you're upset, perhaps lay off the Mothering magazine for awhile...:)
TheHouse
Member Profile
JuneBug, sorry to tell you this but you're 100% in the wrong on this one and don't have any room to judge Sleepers In Seattle.
I am completely in favor of women breastfeeding in public. Both of my children were breast fed and I completely understand the challenges associated with finding a place that is comfortable for you and the baby.
The wrong turn you made was entering a private business and assuming that you can utilize their inventory as a place to feed your child. I've debated similar issues like this in the past and my stance is that it is unethical to use a private businesses resources without purchasing something. I think a better decision would have been to enter Coffee To A Tea, Husky Deli, or a slew of other restaurants in The Junction, order up a soda and feed your little one.
Your little line about the bill passage would most likely not apply to this situation. You were not in a "public" place, you were in a private business.
Just imagine if my wife walked into your house, sat down on your couch and began breastfeeding.
SarahScoot
Member Profile
Junebug, the first reply to your thread was someone up in arms about the whole thing who said something about how outrageous it is that SiS denied you your right to breastfeed wherever you may please, oh, and she was sure the store wouldn't take issue with someone eating/drinking food or a "Starbucks coffee" in there, so asking you to leave was truly unfair.
So I was just pointing out that, true to my "hunch," Sleepers does indeed have a policy against *anyone* eating or drinking in the store.
Also, I'm the person who made both comments you mention regarding the potential for the baby to spit up after/during feeding and that I feel the need to at least purchase something (or ask, if purchasing isn't an option) before using a business's restroom. I don't feel I have the right to walk into any business i wish just to "relax" or use a restroom. This is why I seek out a coffee shop; for the price of a cup of tea (song lyric, if anyone catches it...) I can use the restroom and sit for a while knowing I am not "using" the business.
PlaneGuy
Member Profile
I gotta go with TheHouse on this one, too. To be perfectly honest, you could have probably just taken a small break on a sidewalk bench and conducted business. When my wife was breastfeeding, she just "whipped it out" during the West Seattle Parade years ago, and simply put a receiving blanet over the baby's head ~all while wandering in/out of different vendor canopy/tents.
TheHouse is right in that other establishments likely would have been more welcoming. Even SiS would have been, if you had bought something. If I was working that day, regardless of whether you were a "real customer" or not, I would have let you stay inside and breastfed. Irregardless of any food or beverage policy. Baby's hungry. You're backed up. Come in. I would welcome you no matter what. But that's just me, and I don't own/run the place.
Junebug - The only person that seems uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public is you because you're the one that ran away from the crowds. And pushing your insecurities on the rest of us by saying the world is against you doesn't seem to be working for you either.
How bout next time just asking the business if it's okay?
As for the public, just whip it out, we can deal.
I think a point to be made here is if Sleepers has a marked policy on the door saying no eating or drinking in the establishment then why didn't the sales man Junebug run across just let her know there was no eating or drinking instead of getting all weird about the breastfeeding?
Its him getting wierd about the breastfeeding that bothers me personally.
Right or wronge that she was going to do it on the couch that they may be trying to sell her originally post showed how awkward the sales man was toward her because it was the act of breastfeeding she was going to attempt.
Erik-Some babies need a place with less distraction to eat. Every noise or pretty shiny thing passing by used to have my baby yank his head with my nipple still in his mouth thank you toward the distraction.
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile
Isnt a baby breastfeeding eating/drinking? so JuneBug15 you were breaking the rules. And none of us where there so personally I am going to assume that the salesperson didnt have a problem with the breast feeding but the rule breaking.
I guess I'm with Erik her in that perhaps before you sat down you might have explained that your baby needed to eat, and was there a quiet corner that you could use for about 5 minutes. What gets us in trouble is when we assume things...maybe you shouldn't have assumed that it was OK to sit on their couch to breastfeed. The gentleman in question may have found you a nice corner away from distractions.
and...yay for breastfeeding !!
I got a note from the O/P overnight saying where did the original thread go and I explained the rules. Re: "can't imagine there would be so many blogs," that's one thing that sets this site - which has blog in its name but is NOT a blog, it's a commercial news/information/discussion website - apart ... we have rules. Very few. Most media-operated sites do have rules. I told the O/P in my e-mail reply to her that if she could say what she did to discuss it with the ownership/management, she was welcome to post again. Apparently she's chosen to disregard that, so we're giving one more chance here and then this is coming down around 10:30.
WSMom
Member Profile
I think a little kindness is always in order and an infants needs should trump all other concerns. IMHO, if a mother asks politely for a quiet corner in a building to discreetly nurse her baby she should be given that small gift of kindness and respect without question. Offering her a glass of water to stay hydrated would just be lovely as well. I nursed all three of my children, mostly at home or in my car, but sometimes out and about (moms and babies need sunshine and parades too). I remember being treated with deference and kindness by nearly everyone, even with my colic burdened first born with lungs of an opera singer. I think that's the way it should be. Sweet babies become toddlers who become mouthy teenagers before you can catch your breath. Let the new mom care for her baby the best way she knows how...give her the benefit of the doubt and a moment of your kindness, where is the harm in that?
Of course it would be nice if Sleepers would allow nursing moms to sit on their merchandise and breastfeed. But they don't have to, and they shouldn't be expected to. I think I see where some children learn their overdeveloped sense of entitlement.
SarahScoot
Member Profile
WSMom, yes, that would be lovely, but in this specific case Junebug just walked into the store, sat on one of their couches for sale, and started feeding. That, as many people have said, is the problem. She did not ask to use their facilities in that way. Even if she had, I don't think they would have been out of line in saying that they don't allow food or drink in the store, therefore breastfeeding (and its potential spit-up mess) is not allowed as well.
WSMom
Member Profile
Ahh Sarahscoot, I see your point. I must admit, permission asked for gives an opportunity for generosity to be bestowed.
Hello, all--my name is Meryl and my family owns Sleepers In Seattle. I would like to express my gratitude for all of the support we have received in this thread on the West Seattle Blog.
First of all, I would like to state that Sleepers In Seattle is in no way anti-breastfeeding. I own the store and I nursed all three of my children. Sometimes I did so in our store.
I think that it is unfortunate that Junebug15 did not approach one of our employees and explain her need to feed her baby. We always try to accomodate customers' needs, whether that be to open the door for a customer who needs assistance, offer a drink of cold water or provide toys for children to play with while their parents shop.
But I think that we need to remember that Sleepers In Seattle is a business--a local, family-owned business yes, but it provides our family's livelihood. No one will purchase a worn or dirty sleeper sofa. So every day we must ask people to finish their Husky ice cream cone outside and keep their children from jumping on the furniture with their shoes on. A nursing baby could potentially spit up on a sofabed. Would you purchase that sofabed?
I have spoken to my staff and we all agree that if a mother needs to feed her baby, we will provide a quiet corner and a chair for her. We have often had nursing mothers in the store, but usually they ask for permission and we find an appropriate spot.
I thank everyone for their input and I encourage Junebug15 to visit our store again and, please, just let us know you need to feed your baby, and we will provide a quiet corner for you.
MeryAlc..
a very compassionate policy.
there is a difference between rights and privilege.
and appropriate and inappropriate places to host nursing mothers...
thank you for providing an appropriate and nurturing space for them.
now.. about that restroom :))))
We purchased a bed from SiS last month, and they were great. Pleasant, helpful and efficient. Needed to get that in there.
flowerpetal
Member Profile
Glad to read Meryl's reply and also glad that the thread didn't get killed before that.
Now maybe we can put it to bed?
WSMom
Member Profile
Thanks for the silly pun flowerpetal! Made me smile!
MerylAlc: Excellent post and good policy!!
Now let's "give it a rest".
i can't put
this thread to bed..
but i can and will
go soak my head:)
Class act, Meryl!
Thanks for all the replies. I only replied to this new thread because it was giving the wrong impression and intentions about the original post, which I wrote. If a post is to be deleted based on a lack of representation to management Datamuse, then SarahScoot shouldn't have been allowed to continue the conversation using a different thread concerning the issue. Especially if the original poster is not allowed to comment on her attacks.
No, I did not approach management about this. As far as it looked to me that day, I was talking with management. I originally posted because I wanted to reach out and identify a situation that exemplifies a problem in this culture that is all-too under-looked and downplayed. Although most educated and liberal adults value breastfeeding in the importance in raising a child, it is still seen by many as an act which requires some sort of discretion or privacy.
I think it is already difficult to find a good place to breastfeed in public because of the distraction issue and lack of private places. I pointed out so many times already, that placing more blame on someone for going into a furniture store rather than a cafe seems like making a mountain out of a mole hill. Some of you missed my original thread, but I DID attempt feeding in the street more than 3 times. I tried Husky (filled), Elliot Bay (busy) and Cafe Nouveu(sp?) (super busy and all chairs taken). Like I was saying, a super busy place is not going to work for MY BABY, simply because she is easily distracted and won't even latch with other big noises and children running around. That being said for the 3rd time now, busy streets, bustling cafes, and benches wasn't an option.
I am definitely envious of those who have less-distractible babies, although I don't know many moms with older babies, such as mine, who don't have the same issues. So does having a distractible baby make me the one having issues with breastfeeding in public Erik? I think you are obviously not paying enough attention here. Of course I am not having issues with BF in public. Without going into a big list of planes, restaurants, streets, parks, etc. of where I've "whipped it out" as some of you seem so grossly-descriptive in calling it, I can say I have NO issues having to feed my child in public.
I don't feel like I have to lay out my LLL card either to feel ok in saying so. I am certain you will find plenty of LLL members siding with the importance of making breastfeeding more commonplace. I hardly want to involve such a great organization in such a banter of opinions right now, but glad to hear your a member, Shihtzu.
Oh, and before I forget to reply on your suggestion PlaneGuy, putting a blanket over my baby's head isn't an option, for she WILL NOT nurse like that. She isn't a newborn anymore. She is an older baby and wouldn't let me walk around while nursing either. Sounds luxurious though!
So thanks for all the comments. I am hoping to end this here for I can't keep up with computer blogging all the time. I am hardly on a computer outside of work requirements and don't want to waste any more time trying to prove anything to people who are looking to breakdown ever wrong move I made. This was a great example of the illusions of breastfeeding convenience, the difference in challenges among BF mothers, and the variety of opinions of what is acceptable and WHEN and WHERE. I know some of you are still stuck on the INVENTORY crisis and need to Purchase a Pass, but try to see the light this issue has shun upon us. Look at all the varying opinions and defensiveness for keeping BF in a "proper" business,etc. It has been an eye opening experience for me to see just how Heated some of you can get about the issue. For me I'm not mad. I never was mad or using my "Momma Claws." I was am just disappointed in all the close-mindedness and barriers around BF in Public. In my opinion, it should be a right to all Whenever, Wherever, and Whoever. As a first time mom, guess I am finding out that is not the case. It is funny to me the simple act of feeding your child could have so much politics around it.
I was simply trying to point out the lack of comfort and acceptance of BF in public in some parts of society. It's not everywhere obviously or everyone, but like racism or homophobia, Discrimination about BF in public isn't as black and white. It is harder to put a finger on who is right and who is wrong, but the general moral here is that it obviously isn't accepted as well as it should be. BF is hard and like some of the posters have said, Moms need support through these transitions.
I will repeat myself for the 10+ time that, I DIDN'T NEED AN INVENTORY ITEM to nurse on. Just a space...a floor space even. I needed a quiet "space" to discretely nurse my baby, which I WAS NOT ABLE to find the day of the parade very easily. I did forget about Georgia Blue and Coffee to A Tea, bc. I was already running out of places to turn after making SO MANY other attempts. I guess I was a bit desperate and my baby was really fed up with waiting. I should have described this whole scenario to the store manager upon arrival so that he could use his discretion as to whether or not we could use his floor or couch or chair. I didn't. I just sat somewhere in the back hoping to not be bothering anyone.
I will look into Breastfeeding Law and the most recent bill that was passed. There are some grey areas around "Public" spaces, etc. I know that restaurants and private resorts are not allowed to discriminate any more via this bill...but I do not know about stores. I would think they would be the same as those, but I could be wrong. Maybe they DO still have the right to deny you. I didn't think they could anymore. Seems silly that they have to make laws about these rights, but I guess I thought Moms and Babies were more represented than this. I'll look into it. You should too though, because I have a hunch that from my understanding, I am right about the Right to BF in Public (restaurants, stores, movie theaters, resorts, etc.). And that IS different than your Personal House, THE HOUSE, unless you were a B&B maybe. If I'm not right, guess it IS up to the store's discretion.
We will have to look into the particulars of the bill HB 1596. I got this in a LLL newsletter as a short description of it:
"HB 1596 The Breastfeeding Bill has passed and was signed by Governor Gregoire on April 22, 2009. You have a civil right, protected by law, to breastfeed your baby anywhere you are otherwise allowed to be in Washington State!!"
SOunds like furniture stores selling to the public fit this bill! Like I said, doesn't have to be on the inventory. Just a space on the floor in a corner is fine.
HOpe this last post leaves you all feeling a bit more informed about the politics of BF in Public and the little struggles one mom went through. Sorry to not have contacted management. I don't really have a goal to achieve concerning the store itself. Next time I will approach management first before posting, but I don't plan on this being a common occurrence. I hope at least this made others who work in public more understanding of the struggles of BFing can be when out and about, and maybe they will find more sympathy. We don't want moms to feel like they have to stay at home all the time because we are going to knit-pick them about how they go about feeding their baby when they are out. Even the moms with babies who are more difficult to feed.
Thanks to all those supporters of BFing and supporting those who are trying their best to have a successful time at it. I hope more people can appreciate the importance of making more welcome spaces and accommodations for it.
thanks again.
June -
I apologize for any perceived insensitivity, perhaps I wasn't paying attention.
I generally doze off after a paragraph of reading any post...z
Good day.
Thank you Meryl! I apologize for not replying in the post I just put up. I was busy writing it while others where posting, including you or I would have approached you and not Sarah Scoot and those others who have attacked my concerns so directly.
It is funny; I never realized posting about an incident that made me feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, and alienated would leave me feeling like I needed to defend my every word. I never originally planned on that. I just wanted to make it known just how awful your sales person made me feel that day because I was trying so hard to do things in a right manner. That is why I put myself in a farther back location that seemed away from attention.
Of course I would never want to risk the potential for spit-up on your furniture, (I realize now that you are concerned for that), but I didn't even think of that during that day, for my one year old has NEVER spit up after a feeding (call me lucky).
My original post had little to do with your store and more to do with the way the salesman treated me. He was very cocky and to me, demeaning about the situation. I will give him the benefit of the doubt now and appreciate your reply.
Thanks for making a spot for nursing moms. It is great to hear that other moms have found a sanctuary for nursing in your store before. I love that you are reaching out a hand to them. I would have explained my needs more to the salesman who approached me, as I thought to do at the time,...but he was so expressive and snickery about the situation that I didn't want to be begging from someone who had already made me feel so bad. Next time I will DEFINITELY be approaching the front first (as I honestly usually do, unless in a cafe).
Thanks for your time. I am at rest with your reply. I can't change the negativity of some others, but am happy to hear that your store has made a proper attempt to better the situation. Sorry I didn't approach you directly with the situation. Guess my goal wasn't about your employee, but to point out how hard BF can be in public when there is still some discomfort around it for others. We have all learned something here.
Sincerely*
Oh my, the sense of entitlement on this thread is mind-boggling. Junebug, I seem to be in virtually the exact same situation as you and have absolutely no sympathy for what you encountered. I could go on and on, but won't bore others. If you started another thread about nursing in public then I might pipe in.
To all the BF mothers out there, do you ever think that you MIGHT just be making others around you uncomfortable bearing your breast to feed your baby? Sure, it's natural, but some of us just don't want to see it so please make more of an effort to be discreet about it. I know it's no big deal to you since you have to nurse so often, but it's a little too much for some of us to handle in public places. While I'll admit that Sleepers was probably a better choice for nursing instead of a cafe or restaurant, at least ask the business owner if it was okay first. Common courtesy.
I will look into Breastfeeding Law and the most recent bill that was passed. There are some grey areas around "Public" spaces, etc. I know that restaurants and private resorts are not allowed to discriminate any more via this bill...but I do not know about stores. I would think they would be the same as those, but I could be wrong. Maybe they DO still have the right to deny you. I didn't think they could anymore.
Well...there's public and then there's public. I went and looked at the bill after you mentioned it yesterday, and it says public without really explaining what that means.
Something I learned in library school (of all places, though you'll see why in a minute) is that there are degrees of public space. It might be okay to do something on a street corner that it isn't okay to do in a public library, which is why SPL can enact all of those rules that they did recently about things like how big your bags can be and the like.
A store is open to the public, but it's private property. So it might be legal to walk down the street without a shirt, but a business could have a "no shirt, no service" policy and enforce it.
Since the breastfeeding bill modifies a law prohibiting discrimination, that does change the rules a bit. But since I am not a lawyer I'm not going to speculate.
I read it as the store employee could have dealt with you more civilly than he did. Not to excuse him, but he was probably flustered. No matter how thorough an employee's training, it can't cover every conceivable scenario and he'd probably never even thought before about what he'd do in this situation.
EmmyJane
Member Profile
JuneBug- I wouldn't take the disection of every word you wrote personally or think that this level of scrutiny only pertained to your topic. Any time anyone writes anything on this blog it gets picked apart in this way, which is why I stopped starting threads with any perceived level of controversy.
CMP, if you have an issue with seeing mothers breastfeeding in public, then don't look at them. Although I think if you were to actually watch women breastfeeding you might be surprised to learn that you will rarely see anything more than you would see on prime-time television shows in terms of exposure. Breastfeeding isn't about showing off your boobs to strangers. We don't nurse our babies in public in order to be stared at, we nurse them because they are hungry and I guarantee a hungry baby is going to be a lot more noticeable and unpleasant in public than one who is being fed. If you're uncomfortable with breasts being used as nature intended, that's your issue, not mine or my hungry baby's.
bottom line..
you child.. your responsibility..
if your child doesn't feed well in public spaces then it is your responsibility to find a private space where you can feed them... or to avoid taking them to a public space during expected mealtimes.
it is not the responsibility of any private individual or business owner to provide you a space to nurse your child.
being a nursing mother doesn't excuse anyone from the basic courtesy of asking a business owner if they have an appropriate space you could use.
No food, no drink... is a reasonable policy for a store with inventory that is devalued once soiled... accidents do happen you know.
My sister is nursing right now and I still don't really want to see it, although I've gotten used to it. And we're twins, for gods sake. It's like watching myself nurse and it still seems weird to me. I don't think I'm in the minority on this one. For a lot of people, breasts are a thing of pleasure, not function. I'm sure that when I have a baby I'll change my tune, but for now, that's my opinion. And if/when I have to nurse, I'll be forcing my kiddo to tolerate those boob coverup cape contraptions. That was a brilliant invention.
For a lot of people, breasts are a thing of pleasure, not function.
And that perception is the responsibility of their owners? Really now.
datamuse...
and we wear bras for our health?
let's face it.. they aren't just milk jugs no matter how we look at it :)
I am glad to see us finally legally acknowledge that breasts have more than one function.
Public perception will follow in time...
I'm breastfeeding an 11 month old and I actually don't like seeing other women BF their children. I cover up with a shawl, even though it can be a struggle with my daughter to keep it on. I do this because I know breastfeeding makes a lot of people uncomfortable.
I was a breastfeeding mom for 2 years and I have to say the way some women do "whip it out" (seriously) and nurse like saying "HEY EVERYONE I'M FEEDING MY CHILD HERE" does bother me sometimes. It's not everyone, some folks are discreet about it - like turning away a little when you're at a table full of folks having a conversation.
Some folks - like me, use a cover up because -they- want to and their kid is OK with it. That's not everyone and to each their own.
But people are uncomfortable, they're human, it's not going to change. Yes, you have to feed your baby - they're human and hungry. But there has to be compromise and acceptance of the fact that some people -will- be uncomfortable. Sometimes they can't communicate that in a polite and understandable manner. So maybe while the BF moms are asking for understanding and compassion they can reciprocate and understand there are folks around them that might not want to share the joy of their baby having a meal.
Manners and civilty seem to be traits we are losing. To JuneBug: "Hello. I'm hot and tired, my baby is hungry and I need a quiet place to sit and nurse for awhile. Do you have somewhere I could do this?" HOW DIFFICULT IS THAT? To Meryl: Your response is as I expected it would be from a responsible business owner and I would expect your employees would follow your lead. I've learned something about you from your comments and I want to support your business. I have some things I need and will come to shop soon.
and we wear bras for our health?
I do...
Here's the link to HB 1596, the new law concerning breastfeeding in public in Washington state. Entitlement seem threatening? Well read this and take it as you may.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1596.PL.pdf
The interesting bits are:
the definition of "any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement" is open to interpretation
and
"PROVIDED, That behavior or actions constituting a risk to property or other persons can be grounds for refusal and shall not constitute an unfair practice."
So whether or not a private business is worried about 'risk to property' could apply.
datamuse...
ok ok.. i admit I have a lot less pain these days if i hold them up in a bra... gravity has not been my friend:(
but i still try to find one that looks as good as it works... some habits die hard.
wanting nice looking milk jugs is one of those for me:)
JimmyG
Member Profile
Minor point of order here for Junebug15.
The BF law was signed on April 22nd, to take effect in 90 days.
So it's not a law until tomorrow.
Tomorrow you can go commando on all the private businesses that refuse to let you BF.
I like JoB's answer:
"bottom line..
your child.. your responsibility.."
If you know your child won't BF in noisy, crowded, public places, why pick the extremes of that scenario to attend, and then complain when it doesn't work out?
Of course parents and babies need to get out, but there must be a million other places which might provide what you seek. Missing a parade one year is not the end of the world if your baby needs a different environment.
Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, a furniture store containing clean fabrics for sale is not an appropriate place. Who cares if you might buy something some day. You admit you weren't shopping. They have a no food or drink policy. What else would you consider milk?
For the moms: I have always found a sympathetic smile and gracious host at Georgia Blu's when needing to feed my baby at the junction! As an added bonus, they have a play area that keeps my older child entertained.
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