Posted on 07/30/2005 8:15:50 AM PDT by Asphalt
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Never mind officials voiding a $50 ticket for indecent exposure, or an explanation from county officials that a ranger who issued the citation to the breast-feeding mother was inexperienced.
Dorian Ryan said she wants an apology for what she called a "humiliating and degrading" experience.
"This isn't right. Women shouldn't be harassed for breast-feeding their children," Dorian Ryan said.
Colorado lawmakers agree. A law passed last year gives women the right to breast feed anywhere she's allowed to be in public.
Ryan, 43, was ticketed for indecent exposure July 14 when she breast fed her son at the Carter Lake swim beach in Larimer County. She was shielded from view by two umbrellas and a towel.
An inexperienced park ranger mistakenly issued the ticket, said Dan Rieves, manager of the Blue Mountain District, which oversees the beach. Park officials have voided the ticket.
Rieves, who has been in contact with Ryan, said a written apology would be sent Friday.
Exactly...their position is that breast feeding is an appropriate public activity, not a private one.
It's their position that they can do what they please in public, sensibilities of others be d@mned. I propose we return the favor.
True, it is for times of separation, like mothers returning to work. For me, I had to rent the super pump (the medela lactina, my personal torture divice) from the hospital because I had a low supply. For the first two weeks, something was always on me. The pump is artificial, it doesn't create the same letdown that a baby does when latching on, so it takes longer. It also is a different kind of sucking, and it really, really hurts. I hated it, but I really wanted to breastfeed. After that, I only expressed for her first few months of cereal, so I could use the BM to mix the cereal with. So, she came everywhere I did, which since I am a stay at home mom was no biggie. The only time I am without her now is some saturdays my husband will watch her so I can "do something for myself".
The area I live in breast feeding is the exception not the norm.Most people know breastfeeding is better than formula feeding.Few people are successful at breastfeeding.Part of this failure is due to the dependence of dual incomes and daycare.The pump can only keep milk at a minimal level.In order to insure an abudant supply of milk, the baby must be put to the breast.Some people think because they used formula everyone should use formula.I say leave even the sloppiest breast feeders alone .If we allow police to attack those people, they will attack all mothers who breastfeed publicly.
That explains why my doctor, female no kids, had such bad acdvice. Our area has a few lactation consultants, who were WONDERFUL.
Yes that is the general idea however using a pump long term is not sufficient to keep up a mother's milk supply. Also (speaking from experience) it is much more difficult to get the milk to let down and it hurts.
My grandmother told me that in from the mid 1800's on, breastfeeding was considered unsanitary, and the formula companies claimed their product was not only more sanitary, but also had more nutritional value for baby. "better living through science". She nursed because her mother did, and all the other ladies told her she should. I'm glad she did. My mom nursed in the 70's, and got a lot of *crap* from her friends for nursing and staying at home. That was not the way of the modern woman at that point. Most of my friends nurse our children to at least a year (all have tried, but there are always obstacles). We all stay at home, making sacrifices to do so. We all also hold Masters degrees or higher. Why? Because we feel that breast is best, we know that our children will be raised with our morals and values, not the daycare(ie state's).
My point with ours was that had she been weaned, her allergies to foods and other substances were so extensive she would have been much worse off nutritionally.
I agree with you, but it was ridiculous to give her a ticket.
Certainly. Peeing on a Bush and taking a reasonable amount of effort to shield the eyes of the public is perfectly ok. It is my opinion that those who take great offense at minor things illustrate that they have significant control issues. I think its a waste of time to be offended by someone clandestinely peeing or breastfeeding when today's society is so full of public displays of truly offensive behavior.
I was at the post ceremony reception when I graduated from Engineering school and one of my professors came over to talk to me and my family and I noticed one my teachers (a woman) was looking at my sister and I turned to see my sister was breast feeding my niece. LOL!
Most the women I knew in CA if, having to use breast pump, had massive success with breastpumps. Maybe it's dietary? Genetics? I don't know.
Some people think because they used formula everyone should use formula
The reverse is also true in re breastfeeding. There was a huge pro-breastfeeding movement within the UN bodies and feminist circles regarding 3rd world countries. Problem was -- many of the mothers were so malnourished themselves, their "breastfed" babies were starving. Formula saved their children.
Yes, there are jerks on all sides of the aisle on this particular matter. But I still think for sake of discussion, a calmer approach is best.
Where I'm from, there were pro-breastfeeding movements DEMANDING that private businesses be forced into catering to the public breastfeeding movement. See, now you understand my own bias against being so "boldly", publically-breastfeeding. These groups came across as totalitarians demanding what they wanted because they wanted it. There was no "respect" given to a private business's decision or opinion; nor any civil PUBLIC respect. Some people are not going to see breastfeeding in public the same way. Pro-public breastfeeders say: So Look Away. Anti-Public Breastfeeders say, in reply: Don't you dare dictate my choices to me. Around and around the further into the non-communication mode the debate usually goes...
These pro-pub breastfeeding movements in my old locale -- demanded every accommodate their own person choices. That's rude. These groups threatened everyone with "bad press" -- should the businesses not cave into those demands.
That anyone who disagreed with their perspective on public-breastfeeding were... ANTI-CHILDREN. ANTI-MOTHER. blech.
Point is? The rhubarbs can fly on both sides of the aisle. It's usually a case, as witnessed in these threads? Of people (posters) talking PAST each other. Very unfortunate, IMHO.
Were I to not realize how different things are elsewhere in this country (in re breastfeeding), and I assumed the rest of the nation were JUST like where I lived in CA? I'd probably view the ardent pro-breastfeeders in these threads as "radicals".
I recognize two things: 1. Those still breastfeeding and/or new to breastfeeding are doing some serious life-alterations in order to feed their young. Breastfeeding is a "life change" -- babies are such miracles!!. 2. Not all parts of the country are experiencing the same things in re "public or not public breastfeeding. 3. Those who encourage "discrete breastfeeding" or even "non-public breastfeeding" are not prudes, no matter how some might want to spin the matter. It's about choices in public we EACH decide to make.
You are lucky to live in an area where breast feeding is accepted and wide spread.I am sad that people put their dignity above the well being of their children.I've hidden nothing from you or anyone else.Why haven't you taken to task the people who compare nursing mothers to cows?
I think reason I'm so fixed on my position on breast feeding is because of all the misinformation I was given the first time I tried.I suspect the people who push formula want to negate the influence of the mother in the family.Billy really can't have two dads because two dads can't breast feed.The left want people to believe anyone can step in to the role of mom.The puplic chastisement of breast feeding mothers is an attempt tomake women quit breast feeding.I expect to see more to see more of this.
Cool! Do it then! I want to see. Find a hot little teenager on the beach in a bathing suit “doing what they please in public” and start taking photos. Maybe hunt down one of those nubile little post pubescent cuties playing soccer in those flimsy short shorts. Make sure their dad, boyfriend or coach is around. Tell us how it goes! ;^)
Yes, it was.
Because: 1.) the talking past each other in re "breastfeeding in public" still continues to NOT BE MADE CLEAR in these "lactation" threads, and 2.) I've myself have seen exhibitionist nursing mothers (usually at anti-America protests; and mostly commonly in San Francisco and Berkeley), as resembling cows, too! However, most nursing mothers I know are discrete, polite, considerate -- and they do not resemble COWS; but rather, loving mothers.
I tend to avoid crowds when ever I can.I can count on the fingers of my hand the number of times I have had to put the baby to the breast in public.I try to be modest in those situations. Only once did a strange woman walk up to me and spew a diatribe about how women should only nurse at home.I'm sure she would have loved to report me to the police.By the way had a blanket over myself and the baby.I hope the protesters, you saw nursing bond with their babies.Love of their children may force them to back away from socialist principals.I don't find their nursing as offensive as the vitriol they spew at our soldiers.
OTOH, your mother's version of history is partially wrong, on the larger scale of things. The hippies/counter culture pushed breast feeding, from the late '60s onward, as did the Le Leche League. Women who used bottles were sneered at and put down as much as those women who stayed home to raise their children; if not more so.
Like you, I have a Masters and was a stay at home mom. But I'm also a history buff and revisionist history/factual errors, drive me crazy.
I'm shocked that a little exposed nipple sends people into caniption fits, the sky is falling and the world ends tomorrow.
Europeans have every right to tell Americans that we are prudish and uptight becuase guess what, WE ARE!
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