In a surprising turn of events, a mother from Limerick, Pennsylvania, has voiced her frustration after being asked to leave a YMCA toddler gym class due to breastfeeding her son. Despite the growing acceptance of breastfeeding, this incident highlights that there is still work to be done.
In a now widely-shared Facebook post, Sarah Thompson recounts her experience during a weekly gym class with her 19-month-old son. When he grew hungry, she found a quiet corner and began to breastfeed. However, her moment of nurturing was interrupted when two employees approached her and requested that she relocate to a different area for an astonishing reason.
“I sat on the balance beam against the wall, surrounded by storage shelves filled with toys and balls,” Sarah detailed. “As I nursed my son, two upper management staff entered and informed me I had to nurse on the benches outside because there were ‘men in this class who might be uncomfortable.’” It’s hard to believe that these men had never seen a nursing baby before.
When a friend of Sarah’s inquired if there was a designated nursing area, they were told that mothers could nurse in the locker room—an area frequented by men, women, and children. “I made it clear that I wouldn’t be nursing my son in the bathroom,” Sarah explained. “She insisted I couldn’t nurse in the class and argued that it wasn’t illegal to ask me to leave.” In fact, it is illegal in 49 states to require breastfeeding mothers to move to a private area. Although the employees later verified the law, they continued to suggest the locker room.
“I spoke with the class instructor and the associate director, who confirmed it’s illegal to ask a nursing mother to leave,” she recalled. “Yet, he still said they would prefer I nurse with a cover or go to the locker room. When I pointed out that the locker room is co-ed, he mentioned there were curtained stalls available.”
The associate director claimed that the YMCA supports breastfeeding mothers, yet Sarah did not feel that support in her encounter. “It’s unbelievable that in 2023, at a family-friendly facility, women are being discriminated against for how they choose to feed their child,” she concluded.
This incident sparked a debate, with YMCA CEO Mark Johnson stating that the employee meant no harm and that the request stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding Sarah’s location in the gym. “After speaking with our staff, it seems she was sitting on a balance beam that was part of the class, and the employee simply asked her to move, which was misinterpreted as a request to stop breastfeeding,” he told reporters.
In response to the incident, Sarah received two apologies from YMCA representatives, and a group of mothers organized a nurse-in to show their solidarity. Regardless of the underlying issue, Sarah’s experience illustrates the discomfort many breastfeeding mothers face. It’s unfortunate that such discrimination exists, and it’s our hope that her story helps raise awareness about the rights of nursing mothers.
For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, you can visit this excellent resource. If you’re looking for tools to assist with home insemination, check out this authoritative site on the topic.
In summary, a mother was asked to leave a toddler gym class at the YMCA for breastfeeding her son, sparking controversy and highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by nursing mothers in public spaces.