Boobies Are For Babies

I’m not a very controversial type of person.  I’m a peace keeper.  I don’t like to blog about stuff just to create drama or get attention.  But when my sister-in-law told me about an experience she had this weekend, I just had to say something about it.  If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve already heard me say a few things about it and I just want to say thank you to everyone who retweeted on my behalf and encouraged me to speak up about it.

My step-brother and his family attended King’s Island in Ohio on Saturday.  He and his lovely wife are parents to two little boys and one adorable baby girl (no, I’m not jealous…much).  While at the park, baby girl got hungry.  The poor little thing was hot, hungry and tired.  So, naturally, my sister-in-law did what any good Mom would do and found a place to sit down and feed her baby.  She discreetly nursed her hungry baby in an outdoor pavilion where they hold shows and such.  The place was empty and there was no show going on at the time.

A woman who works for the park came up to my SIL and said, “I’m sorry, you are going to have to find somewhere else to do that. WE DO NOT ALLOW THAT HERE.”

*deep breath*

My SIL is like me. Quiet. Keeps to herself. Doesn’t like to rock the boat.  So she asked the woman, “Excuse me? What did you say?”  Thinking surely she misunderstood.

Nope. She didn’t.  The woman asked her to stop nursing the baby and leave the area.

So she did.  My SIL now says that she regrets leaving and not dealing with it immediately, but she was so angry and upset that she just walked away instead of causing a scene.

Sorry.  BUT I’M CAUSING A SCENE.

BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NOT INAPPROPRIATE!

I can bet money that there were boobs hanging out all over the place at the theme park that day.  I will also bet not one of them was asked to cover up or leave the area because of it.

Since when is letting it all hang out ok but discreetly feeding a baby is not?!

Did you hear about Kim Kardashian tweeting about being appalled at a woman breastfeeding her baby in public?  (Which I read about at Her Bad Mother, by the way, another great article about this subject!)

UM HELLO?!  Pot calling the kettle black much?  That woman has her stuff out for there everyone to see!

Now, let me just say, I don’t think breastfeeding women should be whipping their breasts out for all mankind to see all in the name of breastfeeding.  I think modesty and discretion are important.

But when it comes to my boys being flashed with a booby so a woman can feed her hungry baby or the baby left for hungry so as to not “offend” anyone, I choose to feed the hungry baby.

WE SHOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE TO FEED THE HUNGRY BABY.

I’m not calling for a boycott of King’s Island or anything dramatic like that (though I do believe they need to make this right with my SIL).  From what I understand, others have had no problem nursing their babies there and King’s Island even boasts a Baby Care Center where Moms can tend to their little ones.

What I am doing here is taking advantage of an opportunity to EDUCATE.

BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NOT INAPPROPRIATE!

 It is not always convenient for a Mother to “go find a different spot.”  Do you think we like to nurse our babies in the glaring sun in 100 degree heat with a blanket wrapped around us?  Don’t you think we would rather sit in an air conditioned room with privacy?

DUH.

When a baby is hungry, YOU FEED IT.

You have the right to a vending machine around every corner.  So breastfeeding babies should be allowed to eat whenever they like as well.

Does it make you uncomfortable to be around a breastfeeding woman?

SORRY.  TOO BAD.


BOOBIES ARE FOR BABIES.

P.S. – I didn’t even mention the fact that it is ILLEGAL to ask a breastfeeding woman to stop and leave.  You can read all about that HERE.

*AHEM*

I rest my case.


Many thanks to my dear sweet sister in law for letting me rant about her injustices. 🙂

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