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Public Breastfeeding


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#1 Koru

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 07:24 AM

Katherine Dedyna, Times Colonist
Published: Monday, July 28, 2008

More than 200 nursing mothers are expected for a mass latch-on Oct. 11 at the SilverCity theatre after organizers of the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge failed to find a mall to accommodate the event.

In early February, organizer Julie McCracken began approaching just about every shopping centre in the region, with some discussions going on for weeks.

"It went nowhere," she says, adding she heard everything from "we don't rent our mall to political groups" to fears that it would offend regular shoppers. While some malls were too small or had already been booked, it's a pattern that's been repeated now for several years.

"I don't think a medical health officer in Canada would see this as a positive indicator," says Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical officer of health for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, which sponsors the Breastfeeding Challenge. "We are desperately encouraging moms to breastfeed to at least six months of age."

Society needs to recognize that breastfeeding mothers are giving their babies the best nutritional start, he says.

"Whether it's 120 or two moms breastfeeding, it should be considered something that's totally within the public norm, rather than something that needs to be sequestered."

The theatre is a "great" space, but the public won't be there on a Saturday morning, thwarting a key reason for the nurse-in -- to normalize breastfeeding in public, McCracken says.

Last year, 120 breastfeeding women turned out to Centennial Square for the internationally celebrated event in 11 C weather and a threat of rain.

McCracken finds it "really sad" that after supportive conversations, particularly with Tillicum Shopping Centre, there was so much worry about negative reaction from regular customers.

"The Breastfeeding Challenge was just not something we felt was conducive to business," acknowledges Anne Marie Kenwood, manager of Tillicum Shopping Centre, who says she was not involved with discussions.

Town & County Shopping Centre is under construction and University Centre wasn't big enough. The Bay Centre indicated it didn't cater to families and suggested the event was too political, McCracken says.

Once babies are latched to the breast, nursing is hardly noticeable, she adds.

Mayfair Shopping Centre first suggested the too-small area in front of Toys R Us because its central square is used for revenue-generating events, McCracken says. A further request met with a e-mail thanking them for their interest but saying they could not be accommodated on that date. Hillside had a previous booking with a community group for Oct. 11.

Mayfair Shopping Centre and the Bay Centre could not be reached for comment.

"I think if the malls were interested in advocating for breastfeeding families and breastfeeding in general, then they would have made a space," says Victoria Coun. Sonya Chandler, who is breastfeeding her daughter and supports the event.

She's disappointed at what she sees as unwillingness to take small steps in favour of supporting huge health benefits -- breastfeeding reduces infections and allergies in babies and cancer in mothers.

"We need the community to stand behind us, ask why we wouldn't be welcome and find out who really would be offended by seeing a group of moms nursing their babies," McCracken says.

#2 amor de cosmos

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 07:33 AM

I thought this thread was going to be full of photos :confused: Anyway Mayfair has an open area next to the Purdy's which I think is much bigger than the area in front of the Toys R Us.

#3 G-Man

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 07:45 AM

Can we please move out of third grade in this country?! I mean it is a baby eating. Anytime anyone mentions a part of the body that is normally covered with clothes we either start giggling or proclaim the apocalypse.

#4 Caramia

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:08 AM

In America Parents magazine got a storm of angry letters after it showed this front cover. Apparently it was obscene. I was boggled by this. I've seen more breast on a spice girls poster. Apparently breasts are perfectly fine when used to fuel male sexual fantasies, but feed a baby with them and it is just gross... a crime against nature I am sure.



#5 martini

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:09 AM

The Bay Centre indicated it didn't cater to families and suggested the event was too political, McCracken says.


I didn't realize breastfeeding was political. :confused:

The centre doesn't cater to families?

*shaking my head*

#6 G-Man

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:11 AM

The Bay Centre will not allow you to breastfeed there.

#7 martini

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:16 AM

The Bay Centre will not allow you to breastfeed there.


You're kidding right?
Is there a sign on the entrance or something?
Will security escort you out?

#8 Caramia

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:17 AM

Really?! What other semi-public places ban mothers from feeding their infants?
Honestly, while I doubt I would ever boycott a business for any environmental or political reason, this one issue would make me walk a few more blocks to find whatever I was looking for. People who would turn on motherhood are violating something that should, regardless of religion, be held sacred.

#9 martini

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:20 AM

Really?! What other semi-public places ban mothers from feeding their infants?
Honestly, while I doubt I would ever boycott a business for any environmental or political reason, this one issue would make me walk a few more blocks to find whatever I was looking for. People who would turn on motherhood are violating something that should, regardless of religion, be held sacred.


I feel the same way.

#10 G-Man

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:28 AM

There was a mother that was asked to leave recently and there was a story on CBC on how they are not allowing it anymore. Apparently the customers were going to be offended.

#11 martini

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:34 AM

There was a mother that was asked to leave recently and there was a story on CBC on how they are not allowing it anymore. Apparently the customers were going to be offended.

:mad:
Thanks for that. I had no idea!

#12 Koru

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 08:58 AM

Been interesting reading people's comments so far, they are all more or less to one side of the debate, I'm now going to be put my two cents in...

While I recognize breastfeeding is one of the natural processes of a baby growing up, becoming healthy and receiving his/her nutrition I also at TIMES have issues with breast feeding in public places such as malls, downtown streets and restaurants...Now before everyone crucifies me and starts coming up with ways to topple my crane, listen to what I have to say...

There are a couple different types of mothers out there. The ones that give breastfeeding a good name, they tastefully feed their children without making a big fuss or production about it and most of the time you don't even realize it, in fact I can't count how many times I may be in the mall or walking down the road and I see it and have no problem with it... and there are the mothers that make a public exhibition about it, flaunting their breasts for all to see because it is their "right" to feed their child wherever and whenever...That is when I have a problem with public breastfeeding. Yes the child needs to be fed and nourished but it does not need to be a Hollywood size production like many of these "free spirited" or whatever you want to call em women tend to do. There are public decency laws for a reason, and flaunting you're business to the world for the purpose of feeding you're child is unnecessary.

I'm not coming at this with a "grade three mentality" and ewwwww ideal I'm coming at this with a common respect for other human beings around us. I have no problem with breastfeeding, if thats how the mother chooses to feed their child and NEEDS to do it in public than so be it, do what you have to do, but do it TASTEFULLY and don't make a big production out of it...

If the malls wish to ban women from breastfeeding, thats their opinion and right, its private property and perhaps they feel that it is detrimental to their business or the ambiance that they are attempting to create, just as with a restaurant. REMEMBER it is PRIVATE PROPERTY, not a public square or bench... What everyone needs to remember that while breastfeeding is a natural process there are people that have to take everything to an extreme and cause problems for those that are respectful to other people's feelings and beliefs. As we do live in a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-faceted society individuals beliefs and opinions do need to be respected.

I find it offensive when a women makes a big production of feeding her child and has her breast just hanging out in the wind (do it tastefully in public and I have no problem, just as I find it offensive for women of any age to be walking around down the street in an outfit that is appropriate for the privacy of you're own home or a gentleman's club (women can look attractive and beautiful in outfits that don't make them look like a hooker as I'm sure you all know), not a city street just as I find it offensive when people are talking like common street trash on a daily basis and when I am bombarded at the grocery checkout of scantily clad women all over the place (no I'm not a prude, yes I have a more conservative outlook on how people should act and dress in public) what you do in the business of you're own home, provided it encompasses the laws of the land is you're business, what you do on the city streets with little regard for others feelings, beliefs and religion becomes my business....

#13 martini

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 09:11 AM

There was a mother that was asked to leave recently and there was a story on CBC on how they are not allowing it anymore. Apparently the customers were going to be offended.


I haven't had any luck googling this.

So am I to understand that because it's private property they can override legal rights?

#14 Zimquats

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 09:19 AM

I can't get behind this. Perhaps I'm alone in my thinking, or it could be due to the fact that I don't have (or want) kids, but I just really don't want to see this when I'm out.

It's far from the only thing I don't want to see; fat guys with no shirt, and couples making out as if they're performing for Showcase Television Without Borders Friday being another. However, when I go out to have a nice dinner at a nice restaurant, I really shouldn't be forced to sit through a public breastfeeding any more than I would have to sit next to a fat guy with no shirt or the soft core **rn couple.

Yes, breastfeed your children. It's your right. It sounds like the responsible thing to do as a parent. Yes, make out with your lover. Be with them. Ya, take your shirt off and tan those man-boobs.

Just do these things in the appropriate venue.

Flame on...

#15 Koru

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 09:43 AM

I can't get behind this. Perhaps I'm alone in my thinking, or it could be due to the fact that I don't have (or want) kids, but I just really don't want to see this when I'm out.

It's far from the only thing I don't want to see; fat guys with no shirt, and couples making out as if they're performing for Showcase Television Without Borders Friday being another. However, when I go out to have a nice dinner at a nice restaurant, I really shouldn't be forced to sit through a public breastfeeding any more than I would have to sit next to a fat guy with no shirt or the soft core **rn couple.

Yes, breastfeed your children. It's your right. It sounds like the responsible thing to do as a parent. Yes, make out with your lover. Be with them. Ya, take your shirt off and tan those man-boobs.

Just do these things in the appropriate venue.

Flame on...


I do tend to agree with you to a certain point...there is a time and place for everything...

#16 G-Man

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 10:35 AM

^^ I would argue that breastfeeding is far different than a man with no shirt on.

What exactly is offensive about someone with a scarf hanging in front of them.?

I could perhaps conceed on the restaurant piece but certainly not in any other place.

#17 Zimquats

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 10:49 AM

^^ I would argue that breastfeeding is far different than a man with no shirt on.

What exactly is offensive about someone with a scarf hanging in front of them.?

I could perhaps conceed on the restaurant piece but certainly not in any other place.


I think, for me, it's more about appropriateness than offensiveness. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should do it.

I think in our enlightened society we have also come to understand masturbation as being healthy, and unlike in the days of our parents, we realize that we will not go blind, get hairy palms, or end up infertile from engaging in this activity, To the contrary, it can be mentally healthy.

So, since we now know that this practice is OK, does this mean I should head down to the Bay Centre and park myself on a bench outside La Senza? Of course not. Would it make it alright if I wore baggy sweats and made sure no one could see skin, even if they all knew what was going on?

I realize we are not talking about the same thing. But my point is, some things should be done privately.

#18 jklymak

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 11:18 AM

The flaw with your analogy is that masturbation is considerably more discretionary than breast feeding (for most people). By forcing mothers to nurse their children in seclusion you are making it difficult for them to go out in public at all.

I don't see the big deal if discretion is used.

#19 Baro

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 11:56 AM

It will only take a generation at the most to get over things like this and grow up a little, but getting over something often requires a brief period where some people feel uncomfortable (which in our society is a big no no it seems). Get over it, you'll be better for it and we'll all be better for it.

#20 G-Man

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 11:57 AM

^ Exactly. Children require breastmilk not just for food but also to stay hydrated. We might as well say that someone drinking a pop should take it outside.

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