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Strollerderby
Nurse-In Protest Ends in a Draw
Melissa Taylor of Tampa Florida organized a nurse-in at a school board meeting last night, after getting called into the principal’s office a few weeks ago. Her infraction? Breastfeeding. (Of course!)
On one side of the meeting room were women nursing their babies. Across the room were moms in blue T-shirts feeling oppression on behalf of the children, who bore witness to Taylor and her daughter’s uncovered nursing, thereby prompting the kids to ask questions. (Questions? At a school!)
According to Taylor, while she waited in the lobby of her daughter Lily’s elementary school, her 2-year-old Addison wanted to nurse. So they did.
The principal called her in and, depending on whose story you’re going with, either offered her a nice, private place to nurse or scolded Taylor and called her actions “inappropriate” for a school lobby.
Teachers who showed up at the board meeting said the nursing was disruptive. And that some kids tried to act out what they had seen. Breastfeeders argued they’ve got their rights (and they do, as Taylor says she pointed out to the principal and then repeated to the Board). The opposition said, sure, just not in front of their children.
The Board made the wise political move in opting to satisfy no one. They told the breast-feeders and the modesty police to go work it out amongst themselves.
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[...] Nursing Mom Criticized for Making Kids as Questions [...]
Diet Changes Won't Improve Autism Symptoms | Strollerderby commented on May 20 10 at 2:32 pm[...] a couple of days ago, a Florida mom staged a nurse-in at a school board meeting protesting the fact that she was asked to stop nursing her 2-year-old in the lobby of her [...]
Breastfeeding in Public: Natural or Gross? | Strollerderby commented on May 20 10 at 3:26 pm[...] a couple of days ago, a Florida mom staged a nurse-in at a school board meeting protesting the fact that she was asked to stop nursing her 2-year-old in the lobby of her [...]
Breastfeeding in Public: Natural or Gross? | Strollerderby commented on May 20 10 at 3:26 pmSamantha commented on May 19 10 at 3:41 pmHmmm… should we really have the right to breastfeed our children in public as they get older? Babies, of course! But 2 year olds? 4 year olds? 10 year olds?
Sichling commented on May 19 10 at 3:49 pmBreastfeeding is recommended to age 2 and beyond as mutually agreeable. I’ll take a quick nursing session for comfort any day. Extrapolating randomly to beyond the point that humans can even nurse (physical limitation at 7 or 8, I believe) is absurd. Breastfeeding is normal and how long it continues is up to the family!
cheri commented on May 19 10 at 4:06 pm2 year olds are babies Samantha. If they are still peeing in plastic pants, they can still suck boobies. Gimme a break.
Laura commented on May 19 10 at 4:11 pmCheri – that is awesome.. love it! Great come back. :)
Amy commented on May 19 10 at 4:40 pmMy 2-year old does not pee in plastic panties, diapers or anything but a toilet and she does not breast feed either. I cannot imagine her coming up to me and saying, “I need to feed, mommy” but that is just me and I applaud all of those moms who are not creeped out by the whole thing. There is a mother at a school where we used to live that would go in everyday at lunch time to breast feed her son who attended kindergarten there. Sorry – but that is weird for me!!! My mother came from a poor family and she always told us that the kids were breast fed until they were old enough to ask for something else – usually around 3- or until the next kid came along. I think in today’s society, breastfeeding a toddler after age 2 is just not necessary. You have to cut the cord sometime!!!
GtothemfckinP commented on May 19 10 at 4:57 pmSorry, Amy, it’s not really for you to say what’s “necessary” or not. Breastfeeding at all is not “necessary” in “today’s society”…after all, we have formula now, right? The school should have just left this woman alone. What’s so hard about explaining to the other kids? Get over it. That said, though I nursed til right before age 3, I stopped doing it in public right around 2. Not because I was ashamed, just as part of the weaning process. She didn’t need to be having breast milk at any old time of the day when we were on the go. But that was my personal decision and I wouldn’t force that on anyone else.
DeerMama commented on May 19 10 at 8:33 pmWhy was she feeding her kid in a school office? this is not a newborn in need of instant gratification this is a toddler. Wait till you get out of the school lady.
LindaLou commented on May 20 10 at 1:12 amThis is such bullsh*t. The more children who see women nursing, the better, IMO. And anyone who doesn’t want see it can vert their eyes. No way on earth I’d keep my kids at a school with an administrator like that.
LindaLou commented on May 20 10 at 1:14 am*avert
Manjari commented on May 20 10 at 8:56 amWhy do kids need to be protected from the sight of nursing? I think that’s insane.
Mark Smith commented on May 20 10 at 3:29 pmyou need the full story not just hers.My son goes to this school and this is what a teacher had to say”Bellamy teachers who spoke at the meeting said Taylor’s nursing has grown into an event for some students, including a group of fifth-grade boys who congregate at the office when Taylor is expected.”
Come there is a time and a place and its not in a public school.Story posted at http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may/19/mom-capitulates-after-complaints-about-school-brea/c_14/#comments
Snarky Mama commented on May 20 10 at 7:15 pmWow, pre-teen boys like boobs?! Now that’s news Mark.
Manjari commented on May 20 10 at 8:50 pmMaybe if boys saw more mothers nursing openly, they would grow up to understand that breasts are not just sexual objects? Or should we keep up the charade that they exist strictly for male pleasure? I have no problem with my son seeing a nursing mom’s breast. That’s what breasts are for. There is nothing shameful or sexual about nursing, so it doesn’t need to be hidden.
LindaLou commented on May 21 10 at 3:43 amYup. I have a boy that age and a nurnsinf mom is just a giant yawn to him. Gee, do you think maybe someone needed to talk to those boys about their nosy behavior and rudeness. Just a thought.
JBoogie commented on May 25 10 at 7:54 amI hear ya, LindaLou!! Why were the teachers allowing the boys to congregate anywhere, especially the front office?
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