In a jaw-dropping video that has since gone viral, a mother named Sarah Jenkins recorded a shocking confrontation while breastfeeding her one-month-old baby, Lily, at a Target café in Hartford, Connecticut. As she was feeding her child, an irate older man approached her and exclaimed, “Can’t you do that somewhere else? That’s absolutely disgusting. You’re just nasty.”
Jenkins responded firmly, stating, “I’m feeding my baby, and I have every right to do it here. Just walk away and leave me alone!” But the man persisted, getting louder and more aggressive, declaring, “You are disgusting… you whore.” [sic]
In a moment of bravery, Jenkins decided to whip out her phone and record the encounter, capturing the man’s tirade as well as the support that soon rallied around her. Shoppers and Target employees quickly came to her defense, with one customer assuring her, “You shouldn’t feel ashamed for feeding your baby. If he doesn’t like it, he can just leave.”
The best part? Around 1:38 in the video, a group of Target employees stepped in, placing themselves between Jenkins and the irate man until he finally walked away. It’s worth noting that Target’s policy explicitly allows customers to breastfeed anywhere in the store, and these employees clearly upheld that standard.
Since Jenkins shared the video on Facebook, it has garnered over two million views and more than 34,000 shares. It’s a stark reminder of the breastfeeding stigma that many mothers face, and Jenkins’ decision to document the incident sheds light on the reality of these confrontations. As we continue to push for the normalization of breastfeeding and protection against judgment, this video serves as a call to action for more people to support mothers in similar situations.
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In summary, Sarah Jenkins’ recorded confrontation highlights the ongoing issue of breastfeeding shaming and the importance of community support in such moments. By sharing her experience, she not only stood up for herself but also made a powerful statement about the need to normalize breastfeeding in public spaces.