Babys First Year Blog
Milk Truck Mobile Breastfeeding Unit Takes to the Streets
Did you all hear about the Milk Truck Mobile Breastfeeding Unit? Jill Miller had an idea that was one part performance art and one part breastfeeding activism. She wanted to revamp an ice cream truck with a giant breast on top to provide a safe place for nursing moms to feed their babies. The idea got plenty of news coverage (including here at Strollerderby) when it was first proposed, but now a real Milk Truck has hit the streets in Pittsburgh.
Here’s how it works: When a woman publicly nurses her baby and is asked to leave, cover up, or feels like the environment is hostile to breastfeeding in anyway, she can tweet the Milk Truck. She sends The Milk Truck her location and the details of the situation, which are then posted to Facebook, Twitter and The Milk Truck website. The truck arrives at her location and offers a private and comfortable space in which to breastfeed.
Do I think the idea is pracitcal? No. Do I love it anyway? Yes. And here’s why.
Jill explains,
When a woman finds herself in a situation where she is discouraged, harassed, or unwelcome to breastfeed her baby in public, she summons The Milk Truck … The woman feeds her child, the shopkeeper who harassed her feels like a dweeb, and the truck does what it does best – creates a spectacle. (Which is, incidentally, the very thing that the shopkeeper thought he was trying to avoid. Alas, some people have to learn the hard way.)
So what do you think? Is the idea too ludicrous to be given the time of day? Or, like me, do you love the idea of people wishing to cover up a nursing mom, having a real spectacle parked outside their place of business?
If you’re in the Pittsburgh area, you can follow the truck on Twitter @PghMilkTruck, or visit the Warhol Museum to see the truck on display.
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8 Comments
Amanda commented on Nov 07 11 at 12:14 pmI love it!! I follow the page on Facebook. I think it’s a great idea and it raises awareness. Plus, that truck just looks awesome!
chelsey commented on Nov 07 11 at 3:39 pmthis is seriously amazing.
Jbj commented on Nov 07 11 at 6:46 pmMy company is Pittsburg based and I am proud to say they 100% support working moms and breastfeeding. Yay for Pittsburg – who would have thought they’d be leading the way? PA isn’t known for being progressive.
Amy commented on Nov 07 11 at 8:07 pmThe only thing that could make this more awesome is if it could double as a cold store & transport for mothers who want to milk share.
hmmm commented on Nov 08 11 at 1:31 pmI get the idea behind it – but it sort of makes breastfeeding look crazy.
Kimberley commented on Nov 08 11 at 5:16 pmWell done :) I just dont care what anyone thinks! I feed my baby anywhere and everywhere…the way I see it is if you can eat here so can my baby! Keep up the good work!
Tammy M. commented on Nov 09 11 at 8:09 pmIf it takes creating a spectacle to get stupid people to get off their high horses, then that’s what it takes. I have nursed both my children…the 1st 16 years ago and the 2nd earlier this year…and I will nurse my 3rd next Spring. It’s natural. It’s what boobs are for. I don’t care if someone is offended because my baby is getting the best nutrition there is. If they don’t like what I’m doing, quit staring! I use a nursing cover (most of the time…depending on what I’m wearing) for my own comfort level. I’ve had people tell me I had to stop (usually in a restaurant while I was also eating) but I told them no…there wasn’t anything on the menu my infant could enjoy as much as she was enjoying the meal I was providing.
Nicole commented on Nov 14 11 at 5:36 pmSorry, I just think that if a woman wants to breastfeed in public, she should keep herself covered up! I am 100% for breastfeeding in public, as long as the woman is covered- otherwise I am against it.
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