Moms facing backlash for breastfeeding in public is a sadly frequent occurrence. Recently, one mother was even asked to leave a Nordstrom bathroom for nursing her baby in what was supposed to be a private space. Let’s take a moment to reflect on that.
The Incident
In Utah, a mother named Sarah Thompson was shopping at Nordstrom with her infant daughter, Emma. When Emma became hungry, Sarah chose to feed her in the bathroom, believing it to be a respectful choice for both her and other shoppers. “She was crying and needed to eat, so I found an empty chair in the restroom,” Sarah explained to local news outlets.
Typically, stories about public breastfeeding involve mothers being asked to move to a restroom, so you might think Sarah would have little trouble. However, just a few minutes into feeding Emma, a Nordstrom employee approached her, citing a complaint from another customer who felt uncomfortable with a nursing mother nearby. Their proposed solution? Sarah was told to move to a changing room instead.
Reflection on the Situation
Let’s pause and think about the absurdity of this situation. Here’s a mother with a hungry baby, likely juggling a diaper bag and possibly a stroller. And because of one person’s discomfort, she was expected to stop feeding her child, gather her belongings, and relocate? This isn’t just unreasonable; it’s against the law.
“It was a little embarrassing initially,” said Sarah. “I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.” Her partner, Mark Thompson, echoed her feelings, questioning why it made sense to ask a nursing mother to leave the bathroom, where she was trying to be discreet. Upset by the incident, the couple reached out to the store manager, who apologized and promised to educate staff on breastfeeding laws.
Raising Awareness
While Sarah and Mark appreciate the store’s commitment to better training, they also want to raise awareness about breastfeeding rights, particularly for the customer who complained. “As a society, we accept provocative advertisements and clothing, yet many find a nursing mother offensive,” Sarah observed.
Nordstrom is renowned for its exceptional customer service; it’s time for employee training on this issue to be just as impressive.
Further Reading
For additional insights on at-home insemination and parenting, check out our post about the at-home insemination kit. If you’re interested in more about parenting topics, you can visit the experts at intracervicalinsemination.com for authoritative resources. For comprehensive information on pregnancy, refer to Healthline.
Conclusion
In summary, Sarah Thompson’s experience at Nordstrom highlights the ongoing stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public spaces. Despite the laws supporting a mother’s right to nurse wherever necessary, ignorance and discomfort from others continue to create barriers for nursing mothers. As society progresses, it’s crucial to advocate for awareness and support for breastfeeding mothers.