It's never a good sign for society when a breastfeeding mom is told she has to stop nursing in public because some prude has their panties in a twist. But this one may be the worst yet. A Colorado mom was breastfeeding her 10-month-old son in the kiddie pool at a water park, and other parents wanted her to cover up or get out.
Let me get this straight. A nursing mom can't get some respect at a facility built specifically for parents and their kids. Is it any wonder they're getting picked on out at the courthouse or in the mall?
Charlotte Dirkes says she was breastfeeding 10-month-old Cillian in the kiddie pool at Pirate's Cove, a city-owned water park in Englewood, Colorado. The park attendant who told her to cover up or get out said they were responding to complaints from other patrons.
But who would those other patrons be? Wouldn't they be ... other parents? I mean, this was the kiddie pool, after all.
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As much as the whole thing makes me angry, considering nursing in public is a legally protected right, I'm even more sad.
Of all people, other parents should understand exactly how silly the anti-nursing prudes are. Of all people, other parents should understand how important it is that a mom be able to feed her kiddo in public. Of all people, other parents should want to support ... other parents!
This is one of those infuriating cases that really drives home why the mommy wars end up helping no one in the end. If moms are so busy sniping at each other, we are too disorganized and distracted to fight injustices against momkind.
And you better believe that it's a smack at all parents when one mom is denied her legal right to breastfeed her child in public. If we can't even give our kids nourishment in a way that nature provides for, then every other choice WE want to make as parents is up for public debate ... and public punishment.
What do you make of these others parents getting Dirkes in trouble?
Image via Fifth World Art/Flickr
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Comments 246
Also, in many states (New York for example) it is legal for ANY woman to be topless, regardless of if she is breastfeeding or not. But I get that some people are really uncomfortable with the female body for whatever reason, especially if she is using her body in a non-sexual way, and I have a really good tip for you if you see someone nursing and she is making you uncomfortable, just follow this guide http://i2.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/002/686/Deal_with_it_dog_gif.gif
I would think that it's personal and would want to cover-up
You know...I"m usually infuriated by these type of stories....and being asked to go somewhere private or cover up is NEVER okay, however, I don't get why she would bf IN the pool.... I'm all for the right to bf anywhere you want, but c'mon....IN the pool? I wouldn't....ever.
@ Darin Walker... you are an utter moron to think that a woman who breastfeeds is a pedophile. Breasts on humans, much like on other mammals, were created for nurishing our young... NOT for men to play with. Learn some facts before you speak as you made yourself look very ignorant.