Breastfeeding in public
Breastfeeding in public can be a tricky ordeal. But did you know that in Maryland a mother has the right to breastfeed wherever she goes with the child?
A few weeks ago, The Baltimore Sun got a call from Michael Sonn, who was visiting family in Maryland with his wife, Kathleen, 11-year-old daughter Marina and 2-year-old Martin. They are from California.
Michael was upset at what he called an infringement on his wife's breastfeeding right during a trip to Six Flags America amusement park in Prince George's County.
While Michael was taking a bathroom break, Kathleen said she was nursing Martin under a shaded area at the park when a security guard approached her and told her to cover up.
Kathleen said she objected to that idea because it was a particularly hot day and she had never had a problem breastfeeding in public.
According to Kathleen, the guard told her that she would have to leave the park if she didn't comply.
Although she was upset, Kathleen said she stopped nursing and decided that the family would stay because it was Marina's first trip to an amusement park.
"I didn't want to ruin the whole day for her," said Kathleen, who's a licensed midwife.
(A side note: Interesting enough, August is National Breastfeeding Month.)
Julia Filz, a spokeswoman at Six Flags, said there might have been some miscommunication.
"At no point was she ever told the choice was cover up or leave. It's outside the letter of the law," she said.
Filz says employees are trained to know mothers could breastfeed wherever they feel most comfortable at the park. On request, the park has private rooms where mothers could nurse their children, according to Filz.
One thing that's clear is the state law:
-- A mother may breastfeed her child in any public or private location in which the mother and child are authorized to be.
-- A person may not restrict or limit the right of a mother to breastfeed her child.
Have you had difficulty breastfeeding in public?
Comments
I think its pathetic that people have a say in how a mother feeds her child. I don't eat my lunch in a bathroom or under a blanket, and I certainly don't think my child should have to.
I also think that if women can't nurse in public, than bottle feeding should be banned too
Posted by: Meg | August 23, 2010 12:15 PM
Never had a problem. No one ever seemed to notice. I did it at the mall, restaurants, parks,etc.
Posted by: Holly | August 23, 2010 3:07 PM
Isn't 2 years old a little too old for breastfeeding? Enlighten me, please.
Posted by: Greg | August 23, 2010 4:06 PM
Greg - The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding children to at least 2 yrs old and beyond.
I didn't nurse in public too often, as my children could also do bottles of EBM (expressed or pumped breast milk) which was more convenient. When I did nurse in public, I looked for private, quiet places and did cover up just because I did not like the staring I would receive if I didn't. But I think covering up a nursing 2 yr old would be very difficult!
Posted by: MadCow | August 24, 2010 8:38 AM
My oldest is 29. I NEVER had a problem breastfeeding in public anywhere. OTOH, I'm pretty good at staring people down and am the sort of mom who would invite the security guard to get a supervisor. It's my general approach to life. If I don't like the way you're doing your job, I'll invite you to get your supervisor.
Posted by: Judy | August 24, 2010 10:14 PM
People get weird when mothers nurse toddlers in public. I say there are tons of legitimately disturbing issues to tackle, and leave the moms and babies alone.
Also, I don't doubt that the guard told her she would have to leave. Employees are frequently undertrained and unaware of the laws.
As for me...when my oldest was only a couple of weeks old, I went to the store and he needed to eat. So I searched out a deserted bench in a deserted area of the store, because I was still getting the hang of it and also didn't want anyone to see my squishy postpartum stomach. And just as I was ready to lift my shirt, some guy showed up and then just stood there. There was no obvious reason why he needed to be there, and I had taken great pains to make sure I was being discreet. So I figured that if he saw something that offended him because he was STARING at me, he could go jump in a lake, and proceeded to feed my baby. The next time I looked up, he was gone.
Posted by: Kayris | August 27, 2010 11:17 PM
I have a 15 month old daughter and I have nursed her and continue to nurse her in public. Basically, whenever she is hungry, I nurse her, no matter where I am. I am happy to report that I have not once been made to feel uncomfortable about that, either through overt comments or sideways glances. I live in Ellicott City, but have had no problems anywhere in Maryland so far.
Posted by: Anne | September 30, 2010 10:51 AM