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 can't imagine the phrase "a landslide of angry lactaters" has ever appeared in the English language, or ever will again.
LOL
Being a happily engaged straight woman myself, I don't make it a practice to stare at women's chestal regions.
Ergo, when I notice a woman breastfeeding, she is doing it in such a way as to call attention to herself . . . otherwise, I would not notice. I have no doubt I pass a nursing mother every week and do NOT notice.
It's the women who make sure I notice to whom I object vehemently, loudly, and stridently.
Dude, time to upgrade your attitude from troglodyte to neanderthal..
You are a brave woman.
If you need me - I'm here - for now.
(PS...let's turn the tables, if we saw something we felt was objectionable and we alerted a manager or security guard - how pissed would we be if they did nothing? Can't have it both ways.)
YOU suggest that to the wife while I go hide in a safer place, like a cage full of hungry tigers.
Just for point of reference...
Male, 57, oldest of 9 kids..
I practice what I preach..
I have no objection whatsoever to breast feeding, anytime, any place..
Unless there is an allergy to breast milk, all children that CAN be breast fed Should be breast fed..
The security guard and the manager should have been forced to eat their next meal in a bathroom stall. Morons...
So, stop looking, weirdo.
Have any trouble getting people to go out in public with you? LOL
"Breast feeding is a natural function.. All non-participating individuals should just mind their own business.. "
Hear hear. You kind of have to laugh a little though. It's always funny when someone with absolutely no experience tries to tell me how they think I should be doing this.
Neither did the nursing mother. She had a blanket for modesty.
The other piece of equipment I have that differentiates me from you . . . I think we'd all object to me using that in public for its original intended purpose.
breast is best :-)
Not at all. I am quite pleasant to be around. I'm funny and quick, and people say I'm attractive. Just don't Janet Jackson me, and we'll all get along. ;)
You and me both. No one messed with my wife while she was discretely breastfeeding.
It's been awhile since I got in a good flame war!
Not to even mention, breast pumps are not near as efficient as a baby. I had a hard time trying to express milk, either manually or with a breast pump. I always fed my son in public and I would bet that the only people that realized what I was doing were other parents of breast fed children, and not because anything was exposed.
Do I dare say I have twins? I wonder what that would have looked like if I were out in public and chose to nurse.
LOL
You sound like you've not had kids of your own.
I, too, at one time would have said many of those same ignorant statements.
Four kids later (my wife nursed all) I know better.
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