Posted on 04/30/2005 5:56:16 AM PDT by tuffydoodle
Nursing mom gets unwelcome reception
FW mall says security firm made a mistake
10:37 PM CDT on Friday, April 29, 2005
By KARIN KELLY / WFAA-TV
For many mothers, breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world.
But it turned into an embarassing situation that angered a North Texas woman this week after she said a mall security guard harassed her.
Adrian Sparks was shopping at Hulen Mall Thursday, and decided to discreetly nurse her eight-month-old baby under a blanket in the food court.
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Karin Kelly reports "The security guard came over and asked me to stop, and either go to the restroom or to leave," Sparks said.
The guard told Sparks a food court customer had complained, even though Sparks was covered with a blanket.
"I told him it was perfectly legal for me to nurse my child," Sparks said. "And that they sell clothes more revealing that what I was doing right here."
Of course, it is legal - but soon another manager approached.
"He said, 'well those rules don't apply because we're a private facility,'" she recalled.
Friends who breastfeed have rushed in for support.
"The human race wouldn't exist without breast milk," said nursing mom Rachel Tarbutton.
Some are members of La Leche League, an organization that supports mother's milk for health and bonding benefits..
"To know that she is getting everything she needs from me, from my body, is (important)," Sparks said.
Mall officials said the incident was not normal procedure, and that t heir new security company made a mistake.
"That is not a Hulen Mall policy," said manager Kevin Davies. " We support what she was doing, we support moms and all of our customers, and feel badly this occurred."
That's not all that reassuring for Sparks, though.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to shop there again, because I was just so upset about it," she said.
I agree with her need and right to breast-feed her child, and I greatly appreciate that she did it discreetly.
BUT I'm really sick of everyone dugging at my heart strings.
Couldn't she say, "I'm never shopping here again cuz there a$$holes!"
Are people's emotions really that fragile?
If she's at our house, in front of strangers, she'll say loudly, "Well, time to pop a boob." She take one out and starts feeding in a room full of people."
It's the most natural thing in the world, but because the breast is also a sex object for men, I would think women would want to be more discreet.
Do they really want all those men staring at their breasts?
If I 'talked' to their breast. (Ladies you know what I mean,) you would be angry, but it's ok to pop a boob in public? We men are supposed to pretend were not looking?
Sex is the other most natural thing, but do you want to see people screwing in the food-court at the mall? NO.
Isn't the big joke, when they're kissing, "Get a room, already!"
Public restrooms are filthy. I would NEVER nurse my baby in one - the thought of sitting on a dirty toilet, touching my baby with my hands that have handled the contaminated door latches and sink handles, makes me physically ill.
It is ludicrous to even suggest that women feed their babies in public restrooms.
I could feed my fussy babies in church, and no one was the wiser. Strategically placed blankets and well-designed clothing for mom make it impossible to see anything. I think people who object to breastfeeding in public have some sort of weird problem.
"When my wife was breastfeeding, when it became necessary to do so in public, I would put my arm around them both and stare down any disaproving looks."
You sound like a wonderful dad and husband.
"If the scene is so objectionable, then why do some try so hard to see what is going on?"
LOL Great point! So they can whine, I guess. Some people just aren't happy unless they are complaining about something.
But mall security seems to have a problem pleasing everyone. I was warned that wearing a scarf on my hairless scalp was "a gang symbol."
I cannot understand how a society that is absolutely obsessed with breasts (just walk by a magazine stand) can get so bent out of shape when they are used for their ORIGINAL INTENDED PURPOSE.
You sound like a good man. I bet your wife is a happy lady.
"If she's at our house, in front of strangers, she'll say loudly, "Well, time to pop a boob." She take one out and starts feeding in a room full of people."
I can't explain that one. Your neighbor is either very comfortable with her body and doesn't care about anyone else's feelings, or she's an exhibitionist and does that on purpose to get attention. Or both.
This says more about the security guard and the manager than about the nursing mom.
As for me, a gentleman learns to avert his gaze a little when he realizes a mother is breastfeeding her child.
"I cannot understand how a society that is absolutely obsessed with breasts (just walk by a magazine stand) can get so bent out of shape when they are used for their ORIGINAL INTENDED PURPOSE."
The winner!!!!
I doubt that a security guard would have taken it upon himself to challenge her, unless she was flaunting it. But since some fool complained, he had to do his job.
Well of course the way this woman does it is unacceptable. She's clamoring for attention.
A lady would ask you to direct her to another room in your home, excuse herself, AND still keep covered with a blanket.
What?
Feed your baby at home. If your baby must eat while you have it out, use a bottle.
Do NOT take yourself out of your bra in public and expect people not to notice, or to be grossed out. If I wanted to see your snoobage, I'd ask you.
It's the woman's equivalent of young boys showing butt-crack.
So many females are running around half-naked and someone is offended because a mother is doing something completely natural. Go figure.
Women are delicate flowers that must be allowed to bloom unmolested by you cruel male oppressor tools of the patriarchy.
Did I get all the feminist cliches in there?
Yo Cy, FRFM ping!
No, the reason this is a problem is that 95% of women have no concept about keeping their children on a schedule and a routine.
If your neighbor were mine, she wouldn't be invited to bring her baby to the house.
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