Note: For those that haven’t had their morning coffee yet, the subject line is a double entendre.
I’m a man and I get very offended when people downtalk breastfeeding and particularly upset when they suggest that breastfeeding should be done in a bathroom. I think every person that suggests a baby eat in the bathroom should be forced to have their lunch on the toilet!
Rebecca Cook of Burlington said she tried to use a dressing room at the store [Victoria’s Secret Burlington, Wis], but when one wasn’t available, she prepared to breast-feed in the store. An employee said no, pointing her toward the mall’s restrooms.
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Jessie Chandler of [Quincy,] Massachusetts entered a Victoria’s Secret store on June 22 to shop. Chandler asked if she could use the dressing room to nurse the baby and was directed to a bathroom outside the store instead.
[Source]
My wife was recented pictured in Pathways magazine along with a wonderful article of breastfeeding in public. Her picture shows how descreet breastfeeding can be, how important and nurturing, and how natural. Our society has to get over the hysteria surrounding breasts! Breastfeeding should never be assumed to be offensive. Breastfeeding should be admired and respected!
Cook said the store manager told her the employee probably thought the "sight of her breasts might offend a customer."
We need to pamper the offended less (those who are doing wrong) and commend the breastfeeders (those who are doing right). The more common public breastfeeding becomes, the more it will become "acceptable." Taboo is reserved for that which we keep hidden.
In response, the two moms have organized a national “Nurse-In†at the Victoria’s Secrets across the country, not to protest the business but to make people aware of women’s legal right to breast-feed in public.
It is very humorous that Victoria’s Secret would imply that breasts are offending.
"I find it especially absurd that Victoria’s Secret of all places is freaking out about exposed breasts, since it’s pretty much what they sell," Branco said.
Corporate of course has decided to put some spin on the incident.
At corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, spokesman Anthony Hebron of Limited Brands, which owns Victoria’s Secret, said the incident was an unfortunate mistake.
Breast-feeding in public is legal, he said, adding, “We have a long-standing policy which permits mothers to nurse in our stores. We regret that recently our policies weren’t adhered to, but that did prompt us to make sure to re-educate our associates and let the public know.â€
The AAP recommends "Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child."
See also (call for nurse-in), also (discussion), also (abc news with opinion poll), also (Suntimes), also (rant/discussion), and ProMom (promoting breastfeeding awareness). [Primary Source].
