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.
Also Online
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.
Blame the offender, not the offendee.
Well, that I agree with. I have fed my children in restaurants and church (Only in a darkened, mostly empty balcony) and I don't think anyone ever noticed.
Hello - have you ever heard of a bottle???
Also, there are many drivers who are not good at it, even though they have cars...and many employees who are not good at it just beacuse they have jobs...
Maybe you should start a Breaking News thread?
It still isn't fashionable.
It's a fringe movement for the mommy-first crowd.
I can't think of one dinner or one trip to the mall that is so critical that a mother has to drag her hungry baby out of the house for several hours.
Please.
I have to admit your Udder nonsense! remark had me laughing my butt off.
I think you are putting us on....
Well, my sister was the one most recently giving me instructions on what the schedule was that I was to use, and telling me that I was to do exactly as the schedule said because it's doctor-approved.
The babies, having been fed on the schedule, are hungry on the schedule.
That's the beauty of the schedule.
But then, what do I know? I don't have any kids and am not allowed to voice an opinion about anything relating to parenting.
"So bring it on, mama. You're just mad that I don't celebrate the glory of motherhood because I don't want to see hoots in public."
I bet you fart in public and try to cover it up with a well-timed cough.
Do you say the same thing when Liberals are offended by Christianity?
Or vegans are offended by BBQ?
Aaahhh - for the return of common sense.
Schedule=You don't eat until I want you to. What does that have to do with a bottle?
Then by definition you were discreet, and I have absolutely no problem with you.
Bless your heart.
I would never do something like that in public. I don't even do that in my own house unless perfectly alone.
MLC, I'm sorry.
I meant to say your post gave perfect examples of militant Feminazis blah, blah, blah.
I'm never good at Flame wars.
I just don't think it's right to let a baby go hungry. But that is of course just my personal opinion. Other parents are free to let their baies scream with hunger as long as they wish - hopefully with the babies at their own homes and not out where others have to put up with it.
BWAHAHAHA!....That's my response to most predicaments.
FMCDH(BITS)
After YOU have tried to run errands with just one itty bitty baby
Gee, my friends and I must have been superwomen then. Somehow we managed to run errands and never had to nurse in public. I repeat, never.
You have been told that to your face.
What we say behind your back is different.
Believe me. I've shamefully done this myself.
Thanks for explaining that - I've been sitting here scratching my head trying to figure out how I was a feminazi! lol
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