Updated: September 8, 2017
Originally Published: April 19, 2017
In a bold stand for breastfeeding rights, a mother recently decided to live-stream herself nursing her baby after being confronted by mall security. It’s baffling that in this day and age, there are still misunderstandings about public breastfeeding, which is legally protected in many places. Businesses need to ensure their staff is properly trained on this topic to prevent harassment of nursing mothers.
Last week, Jessica Moore and her husband took their two children to a mall in Virginia to visit the Easter Bunny. As their infant grew hungry, Jessica naturally began to breastfeed. It was during this tender moment that a security guard approached her, insisting she relocate to a nursing room, which was unfortunately occupied at that time.
“I was sitting on a bench, trying to feed my baby discreetly,” Jessica recounted. “And then the security guard told me I had to go to a nursing room. I reminded them that in Virginia, breastfeeding is allowed anywhere mothers have the right to be. Yet, they insisted I couldn’t nurse on a bench in the corner.”
Feeling empowered, Jessica chose to live-stream her experience, sharing her frustrations with her audience. After their visit with the Easter Bunny, she and her family reported the incident to guest services. “The staff was incredibly apologetic and offered us train tickets for my kids to enjoy,” she shared. “I don’t hold any resentment against the mall; they were doing their job, even if they were misinformed.”
Breastfeeding mothers navigate enough challenges without facing public reprimands. Jessica was lucky to be aware of her rights and felt confident standing up against the unwarranted request. However, not every mother may have this knowledge, and such encounters can hinder their comfort with breastfeeding in public spaces.
In a positive turn, the mall acknowledged the mistake and committed to training its security personnel on the laws regarding breastfeeding rights. This is a crucial step forward. Currently, 49 states have laws supporting public breastfeeding, with Idaho being the lone exception. There is clearly a need for more education within companies to ensure mothers can nurse without fear of harassment.
“I’m disheartened that someone would think nursing mothers aren’t allowed to feed their babies in public,” Jessica expressed. “It highlights the urgent need for better training and awareness regarding breastfeeding rights.”
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In summary, Jessica’s experience shines a light on the ongoing misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding in public spaces. With proper training and awareness, we can foster environments where mothers feel empowered to feed their children without fear of reprimand.