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Nurse Advises Breastfeeding Mother to Seek Privacy ‘For Her Dignity’
In a bizarre encounter at a UK hospital, a nursing mother faced unwarranted shaming from a nurse while visiting a patient. The mother, who was there to see her grandmother, was told to find a private space to breastfeed her baby for the sake of her “dignity.” Seriously? Can you even fathom that?
Lila Thompson shared her experience on the Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s Facebook page. During her visit with her four-month-old son, Max, she realized he was hungry. As she attempted to feed him, a nurse approached her in an overly authoritative manner, insisting that she needed to move to a private room because her breastfeeding might make other visitors uncomfortable. To which we say: who cares? A baby’s need for food outweighs some random person’s discomfort at the sight of a breastfeeding mother, which, let’s be honest, is a natural and normal part of life.
Determined to assert her rights, Lila stood her ground. She settled down in a recovery room closer to her grandmother, only for the same nurse to return and “slam” the curtains shut, claiming she wasn’t allowed to nurse there due to the presence of male visitors who might be “uncomfortable.” Lila pointed out that the man in the room had his back turned and could easily close his own curtain if he was bothered.
When she questioned why she was being singled out, the nurse claimed she was protecting Lila’s dignity. When asked if she would have received the same treatment if she were bottle-feeding, the nurse stated, “bottle feeding isn’t sexual.” Wait, what? Is there a new definition of dignity that we’ve all missed?
Why is it acceptable for the nursing mother to feel pressured to cater to the discomfort of others? If someone finds breastfeeding offensive, they can easily look away. But instead, this nurse’s actions potentially undermine a mother’s confidence and might deter new breastfeeding moms from nursing in public.
Lila expressed concern for those who might not be as confident. “If I wasn’t so passionate about breastfeeding, this encounter could have made someone else feel like they were doing something wrong,” she noted. Rather than supporting nursing, the nurse’s behavior was discouraging and damaging.
According to The Telegraph, the hospital’s deputy chief nurse, James Hartley, later apologized, affirming the hospital’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers. He emphasized that breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the hospital. There are private spaces available for those who prefer them, but Lila was within her rights to nurse wherever she chose.
It’s disheartening that stories like this continue to surface, highlighting the stigma that breastfeeding mothers face in public. Perhaps if more women like Lila share their experiences, we can help shift societal attitudes and normalize this beautiful act of nurturing.
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In summary, it’s time we collectively chill out about breastfeeding in public. It’s a natural act, and mothers shouldn’t have to hide away or feel ashamed.