Why You Won't Catch Me at a Nurse-Inby Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 18 Sep 2006 09:36 AM Maybe I'm just not a good lactivist. I have the golden opportunity to participate in a "nurse-in" downtown in Times Square and I'm not going. It's not because I'm too busy or don't have the time. It doesn't even have to do with the fact that I'm nursing twins and doing so outside of the Toys R Us in Times Square would be a nightmare. Rather, I'm actively participating in my own "nurse out". I know, if you follow my blogs some of you are probably shocked. I actively promote breastfeeding every chance I get because I believe it's that good for your baby. I will educate about breastfeeding, I will talk about it until I'm blue in the face, I will nurse my own babies. Hey, I'll even nurse my own babies in public--anywhere. But I draw the line at a nurse in. Maybe some of you have already heard the story. If not, you can read Michele's blog. Basically a woman says that she was asked to move while she was nursing her son at the TRU in Times Square. She says they were rude, they called security and the whole nine yards because it was "inappropriate." She was embarrassed and humiliated. And now, her and her LLL lackeys are planning a nurse in. (In case you're not familiar a nurse in is where a bunch of breastfeeding women sit outside a store all day and nurse their babies.) I am a skeptic of her story personally. I have been to that particular Toys R Us on numerous occasions. I have breastfed at that store in numerous occasions in just about every department as is feasible. The fact of the matter is, TRU has a pro-breastfeeding policy--period. That's part of who they are as a company. If you think about it, it would be dumb for them not to be that way. So let's say that one employee missed the training day where they showed everyone the nursing mother's room and talked about how to treat breastfeeding moms. I have a very hard time believing that a whole crew of employees, including security at a children's store would be completely ignorant. Maybe they are and I just don't know better. But when I was nursing there--the nice clerk brought me a stool; she didn't shun me into the nether regions. But I digress. . . Here's my problem with a nurse in. I cannot figure out for the life of me what a group of breast wielding mothers might accomplish in Times Square or anywhere else for that matter. TRU is already breastfeeding friendly. Even if it weren't, a mother's right to breastfeed in public(with nipples showing by the way) is protected under New York State law. What else is there to accomplish? I guess, like I said, I am not a good lactivist. I will consistently help nursing mothers. I will seek to educate and if you're a friend of mine. . .I will likely tell you to get rid of the free formula they give you in the "breastfeeding support bag". I never buy a friend bottles for her baby shower--because I am that convinced that everyone should breastfeed. I will nurse in public as long as I need to and I will not apologize for it nor will I go nurse in the bathroom. But you will not see me at a nurse in as long as it is legal for me to nurse in public. Related Articles: Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  PamalaLauren (6497) 18 Sep 2006 09:58 AMI was all with you until the very end where it seems you went on a tiraide against formula feeding. What happens to mothers who can't breastfeed? Kaylee was very sick after dilivery and had to be feed through a feeding tube and given formula as well. Needless to say once we got her home she wouldn't take breastmilk at all. I thought maybe it was the nipple confusion so I pumped and put it in bottles. Nope, wouldn't do it. So I'm glad the hospital gave me the powder they did. It saved me a lot of running around because she wouldn't take to breastfeeding. But you know I like that women have a choice about it as well. Sometimes things don't work out but I like what was said to me by a nurse "If you're not happy, she's not happy and you can't continue to do something that makes both of you unhappy." As for the rest of the article I think you're spot on. Perhaps this woman is just looking to get the group into the media again? I find it hard to believe any of the TRU chain would do something like that.  mommytotwo (526) 18 Sep 2006 10:16 AMOur first son was a preemie and was fed with a hazelbaker until I could nurse. I hated nursing, and I had so much milk it was ridiculous. He switched from nursing to bottle with no problems and weaned really easily from the breast. Our second son, I had planned on nursing for as long as he would let me, just because I felt that I needed to try it a lot longer than I had with my oldest son. However, I had some pretty big complications after his birth, had to have a second surgery and my milk just never came in very well, top that with a high fever from an infection as a result of the surgery and my milk dried up altogether, and I ended up formula feeding him basically from day one. I don't think Valorie is on a tirade against formula feeding, I believe I have seen her comment before that not every mom can nurse for various reasons. What I think is that Valorie is very obviously passionate about nursing a child and will not keep that a secret. I wasn't offended by the end of her article, and I was essentially a formula feeding mom with two healthy kids to show for it. She feels everyone should nurse, but I am sure that she knows that it isn't always possible for that to happen..for whatever reasons. I have been reading these blogs about TRU with great interest. I was never a mom who could nurse in public discreetly, when I did nurse. I had to the boppy pillow, my shirt off, the whole nine yards. LOL! I am always impressed with nursing mom's who can nurse like it is nothing. I never felt that way. I also feel that something is fishy with this TRU claim. After reading Michele's blogs and Valorie's, I am certain that something isn't right here. Add to the fact that the woman who claims she was discriminated has a mom who is high up in the LLL, that really makes me wonder. Something is off with this claim. Great article, Valorie!  Lessly (57396) 18 Sep 2006 10:29 AMI paticularly would not want to "nurse out" either just to make a point that doesnt need to be made. I'm wondering if this woman gave the store a 2nd chance? I always give a store a 2nd chance...you never know if you got someone on their bad day or if someone just didnt know how to deal with the BF mother and did what they though best..even though I would never agree with shunning her. Who knows maybe the next time she will be treated a million imes better. Also why would you do that to your baby? Its not good for them to be outside all day like that...Esp since its starting to get cold.... There are always 2 sides to a story...I just hope people in the future do as you did and post both sides so they can form their own opinion.  Valorie Delp (49340) 18 Sep 2006 10:49 AMOh Pamela I'm sorry! I was just trying to make the point that it's not that I'm against breastfeeding--I'm very for it. If you're desparately curious read some of my other blogs--you'll likely find a much more balanced perspective. I'm not at all against formula feeding. I was just writing in response to this one particular mother. . . Valorie Delp (49340) 18 Sep 2006 10:51 AMThanks Kaye--and yes, you're right I've commented and written several blogs about pumping, not being able to nurse etc., etc. LOL--and just so you know in New York State it is specifically stated in the law that you can nurse with your shirt off! (Not saying I would do it. . .LOL)! Valorie Delp (49340) 18 Sep 2006 10:55 AMAlejandros Mommy--I can't imagine nursing in Times Square. . .it is a nightmare and incredibly crowded. Think wall to wall people and then trying to fidget with nursing in a sling or whatever. . . And I'm not really doing a "nurse-out". I just mean I won't be going although I could easily. I also don't know that every mom stays all day? But I've seen them where they will--like they did to Barbara Walters after she made what I thought were very offensive comments about breastfeeding in public. Anyhow, thanks for your comments ladies.  Anna Glendenning (4234) 18 Sep 2006 10:03 PMI completely agree with you. I breastfed both of my older children in the 80's when it was just returning as an accepted way.... I never had a problem in public because even in San Diego I could cover myself and baby enough to not make a scene. Besides I never really liked the idea of other people's "stuff" falling on or around my baby.... No one ever asked me to stop because I didn't ATTRACT attention about it.... And personally I don't know why it is so important to make an issue of it. It is natural but, I feel there is no reason to turn it into a movement....  Pattie Hughes |
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