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.
Where was she sitting in the food court? Right plunk in the middle, or off in a quiet corner -----with her back turned, and having a peaceful time with the babe? If the latter was the case, then the security people over re-acted.
Malls have all sorts of places that have quiet sitting areas. If she found the rest rooms objectionable, then she could have found some private area, or have gone back to her car.
We'll probably hear more of this when she hits the news circuits.
I was going to say something about burping and spitting-up babies in the food court, ------ but I won't.
Same her - but then I tried to put the needs of my babies before my WANTS!!! And I never had the attitude of "if you don't like it, tough" either.
Bet it doesn't stink either.
Maybe there is life beyond what you know or see. Ever live in a town that didn't have a mall and you had to travel hours to get to one? Or have you ever had to travel with children? Your life experience may not represent all of our life experiences.
And you know this how? So my children's teachers are all lying when they put "Pleasure to teach" on their report cards?
My mother lies to me when she says they were really good after she takes them somewhere?
You know nothing about my children.
If it does, you wouldn't catch me discussing it, because I know what's appropriate for a public forum, and that's not.
I'm so glad I saw that, and I appreciate your ignoring that. I have noticed I've been doing that alot lately - missing a word or two, or changing my thought in mid-stream and leaving out the noun.....
15 years ago you lived in a town without a mall?
Tell me. Where is this place that doesn't have a mall and yet didn't stone your wife because she breat-fed in public?
Relatives and teachers don't count.
Teachers get hell with kids. She appreciates the lesser misbehaved ones. Ever hear of Stockholm Syndrome?
I'm being silly now. Ignore me.
"Ok, you tell my (pardon the image, but...) leaking, about-to-explode breasts that I can't use 'em to feed my kid. May I ask where it is that I'm supposed to utilize this breast pump in a public place that would be less offensive to you?"
Thank you for saying this. Those who have never bore children may be surprised to learn that the milk comes into the breast, waiting to be suckled, as soon as "mom" hears her baby cry. There is no controlling it. Unless the breasts are relieved of the milk, mom is left feeling heavy and uncomfortable and yes, leaking.
Let's see, we can't talk about farting and we can't breastfeed our hungry babies in public. Oh, and we can't feed our babies on demand because it turns them into brats.
Easy to see why you feel the need to post how nice of a person you are.
Again, mom feels this and mom feels that.
"Thank you for saying this. Those who have never bore children may be surprised to learn that the milk comes into the breast, waiting to be suckled, as soon as "mom" hears her baby cry. There is no controlling it. Unless the breasts are relieved of the milk, mom is left feeling heavy and uncomfortable and yes, leaking"
There are quite a few non parents here that think they know more than us many-times-over moms.
One of the most important things I've learned about having children is, Never Say Never.
#19 - Well said.
We have five older children and Mrs SLB nursed each of them. Sometimes in public and sometimes not. If the guard or manager did not like it they might trying finding another line of employment.
Yup, you're right, it's all about mom. When my nipples were raw and bleeding from nursing, I was only thinking about me. (people that have never nursed a baby will not understand the "raw and bloody.") It wasn't for the fact that it was best for the baby and breastfed babies are healthier, had fewer ear infections, etc., which is absolutely true, my kids never get ear infections. When I was driving down the freeway and my baby was crying and needed feeding so I pulled off the highway to sit and feed, it was all about me.
That doesn't happen for at least four hours. Surely you don't need to have your infant out for four hours now. Maybe some of these women should think BEFORE having a baby just how much they are willing to sacrifice for their baby.
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