Breastfeeding in public is a legal right, yet many businesses still fail to educate their staff on this important issue. This lack of awareness can lead to unfortunate encounters for mothers trying to feed their children. Last week, a mother named Jenna Miller found herself in such a situation while visiting a mall in Virginia with her family.
While their infant became hungry, Jenna began breastfeeding discreetly on a bench. However, a security guard approached her and insisted she move to a nursing room, which was occupied at the time. Feeling compelled to stand up for her rights, Jenna decided to live-stream the moment. “My baby was crying because she was hungry, and I was just trying to feed her in peace,” Jenna said. “I informed the security that, in Virginia, breastfeeding is allowed in public spaces, but they insisted I had to find a designated room.”
After finishing their visit with the Easter Bunny, Jenna and her family reported the incident to guest services. She noted, “The staff at guest services were very apologetic and offered us some train tickets for my older child, who loves trains.” Despite the incident, Jenna expressed no hard feelings toward the mall or the security guard, acknowledging that the guard thought she was doing her job.
It’s essential for businesses to recognize the challenges breastfeeding mothers face. The stress of being reprimanded can significantly impact a mother’s confidence in public breastfeeding. Jenna was fortunate to know her rights, but many mothers may not be as informed, which could discourage them from nursing in public spaces.
In this instance, the mall took the right steps by apologizing and pledging to improve their staff training regarding breastfeeding laws. With the majority of states, excluding Idaho, having laws that protect public breastfeeding, it’s crucial for companies to ensure their employees are educated on these rights. “I am frustrated that there is such a lack of training regarding the rights of nursing mothers,” Jenna shared.
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In summary, this incident spotlights the ongoing issue of public breastfeeding harassment and the need for businesses to train their staff adequately. Education on breastfeeding rights is essential to empower mothers and create a supportive environment.