An amazing mom posted this today on Facebook and I wanted to share. Feel free to share it on any forum you would like. We need to educate people and change the cultural norm.
"So. I did a bad ass breastfeeding mom thing today. I take my 21-month-old to Early Intervention class on Tuesdays through DPS. We were in our fine motor skill portion when the supervisor asked to speak with me in the hallway. I KNEW it was because my son was nursing during circle time. She congratulated me on breastfeeding and then asked me to use a cover. I looked at her with a big smile on my face (and trepidation in my chest!) and said, "No." She looked at me, smiled back and said, "No?"
Me: by Michigan law, I am allowed to breastfeed anywhere my son and I are allowed to be. By law, you cannot ask me to cover or to leave."
Her: Really? I am so sorry. I did not know that.
Me: Yes. I am happy to send you the information about the law that Governor Snyder signed awhile back.
Her: I would appreciate that. I believe in breastfeeding, but I had no idea it was the law. I am so sorry.
Me: No worries. I understand it isn't the cultural norm, but it is my right and the law.
Fifteen minutes later, she comes back and shows me the Free Press article about the law. She apologized again, and said she would educate her staff.
I told her that if we keep hiding our babies when we nurse, we will never normalize breastfeeding. Rock on, mamas. Breast feed or bottle feed your babies anywhere and everywhere. It's their needs that come first."
"So. I did a bad ass breastfeeding mom thing today. I take my 21-month-old to Early Intervention class on Tuesdays through DPS. We were in our fine motor skill portion when the supervisor asked to speak with me in the hallway. I KNEW it was because my son was nursing during circle time. She congratulated me on breastfeeding and then asked me to use a cover. I looked at her with a big smile on my face (and trepidation in my chest!) and said, "No." She looked at me, smiled back and said, "No?"
Me: by Michigan law, I am allowed to breastfeed anywhere my son and I are allowed to be. By law, you cannot ask me to cover or to leave."
Her: Really? I am so sorry. I did not know that.
Me: Yes. I am happy to send you the information about the law that Governor Snyder signed awhile back.
Her: I would appreciate that. I believe in breastfeeding, but I had no idea it was the law. I am so sorry.
Me: No worries. I understand it isn't the cultural norm, but it is my right and the law.
Fifteen minutes later, she comes back and shows me the Free Press article about the law. She apologized again, and said she would educate her staff.
I told her that if we keep hiding our babies when we nurse, we will never normalize breastfeeding. Rock on, mamas. Breast feed or bottle feed your babies anywhere and everywhere. It's their needs that come first."
