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
I'm also torn. Sitting in a kiddie pool where there are children around - yes I'm sure some of the other children/parents were breastfed/mothers who nursed, but like someone else said, no one wants to see someone elses boobs. And before you can say anything about people not wanting to see my boobs - already done. I have never been topless in front of anyone besides my doctor, my parents during baths, and my husband. Personally, I would have at least gone to my chair. Not only for my comfort, but for my childs as well. I think the issue is the fact that she was nursing in the pool. We're trying to bring positivity to the beautifulness that is breastfeeding, but when mothers do things that makes them look like a hammer in the sharp tool shed of life, and then runs to the media and then in turn brings out breastfeeding in a negative light, how are we supposed to get anywhere?!
Wait a second, was she sitting in the pool? I don't think I'm ok with that either.
The sad part is that there were probably women there who were revealing more of their boobs in their bikini tops than this mama did feeding her baby/ Bet no one told those women to cover up or leave...
I don't mind people feeding their babies in public being DESCREET!! I wouldn't want my kids walking by and seeing this ladies titty hanging out with her baby sucking on it!! HELLO?? why do people think this is normal?? and really I'm on my 4th kid. I really don't have enough guts to show my private areas to people in a resturant or a pool or anything...if I'm in public...I will go sit in a bathroom stall until my baby is ready. or at the very least COVER UP!!! yes it's beautiful and natural and blah blah. but that is a private moment for you and your blessing...not for the world.
And again, I don't understand why people can't just look away. Those of you who stare and can't possibly continue going about your business until the evil boob is put away are the problem here NOT the mothers trying to feed their babies.
And I'm not even a mom yet!!!
And if your children don't know what breasts are, you've failed as a parent.
I can't believe how scared everyone is of a breast feeding mother when there are near naked people running around in string bikinis @ the pool. Like it or not, if she was in the pool, not even breast feeding, her milk probably already leaked into the pool. Your little angels already had a swim in it. Has anyone ever considered she had another child or children there she was trying to keep an eye on? It would be much easier for her rights to NOT be violated & her to sit there & feed the baby. As opposed to taking everyone out of the pool so that people wouldn't feel uncomfortable around her. Everyone is saying do it discreet, cover up. SHE DOESN'T HAVE TOO!! That's the point.