One More Example How Anti-Family Our Culture Is

We keep hearing about it. Breast is best, try to breastfeed. We know all the studies that show children will be healthier than their formula fed counterparts. Yet in our country, working moms rarely are supported in their quest to pump their breast-milk, or liquid gold. Moms are routinely harassed when they nurse their hungry kiddos in public.

Oh, breast is ONLY best when it is done in a closet, away from other people, or under blankets. By the way, I never ever used blankets. If people were offended that was their issue, not mine. I was too busy caring for my child. But you know what? Most people would look away if they were uncomfortable, others were so happy and supportive that I openly nursed my baby.

Here is the latest story about a woman who was being a good mommy. She nursed her hungry child in public at an Applebee’s Restaurant in Kentucky. For that, another patron was SCANDALIZED, SCANDALIZED, because she saw *gasp* the woman’s breast in a baby’s mouth. Oh my goodness! Imagine that! A boob doing what it was specifically designed to do.

The manager of this Applebee’s Restaurant, knew exactly what to do. He requested the nursing mother cover herself. The mom, being an educated woman who knew the harassment nursing mommies receive ALL THE TIME, was prepared for the ignorant man. She had a copy of Kentucky’s State law that says, nursing in public is not indecent exposure. She proceeded to give him a copy of the law.

Afterwards, this awesomely dedicated mom spent TWO MONTHS working the Applebee’s chain of command. This is the letter CORPORATE sent to the woman. Be prepared:

After a second letter, a Thomas & King lawyer said the restaurant chain would consider keeping blankets in the restaurant so that breast-feeding women could cover themselves.
“It is perfectly legal to breast-feed in public and we support that,” Scanlon said. “I’m not sure the manager said cover the baby’s head, I think he said cover yourself modestly. This was by no means intended as interference, but a request to do it modestly, which I believe is an appropriate response.”

Oh yes. Some man gets to decide what is “appropriate” for a mother trying to do what is right by her child. Love it. Never mind that what is “appropriate” for the man, is completely ILLEGAL!

There will be a national nurse in at your local Applebees on Saturday, September 8. If I were still nursing my kiddo I would go in a heart beat. Nursing families unite! We HAVE to make the culture change and the only way to make change is to force change.

For the full story go to The Lactivist.

For other stories about the challenges and successes of working mothers pumping at work go here.

Thanks to MommaSteph at Momsquawk for the head’s up on this ridiculous story.