Moms Unite in Support of Breastfeeding in Public
Photo Credit: WMUR 9Breastfeeding moms, can you relate to this story? Jane Healy, a New Hampshire mom, was enjoying dinner at Tooky Mills Pub earlier this week. During the meal her 10-month-old started fussing for food and Healy fed the baby. Since in New Hampshire public breastfeeding is legal and Healy had dined at Tooky Mills before, she had no problem lowering her shirt and feeding her child. Unfortunately, others had a problem with it and complained to the manager, who then asked Healy to “use a little bit of coverage, so everybody is comfortable.”
Insulted and embarrassed, Healy left the restaurant without finishing her food. She returned on Wednesday night, however, along with dozens of other local moms to participate in a protest against Tooky Mills actions that night. The moms gathered outside the restaurant and nursed their babies to show their unity.
“It is to raise awareness that you can breastfeed in public, and you’re covered by New Hampshire state law,” Healy told a local TV station. “What they did was wrong by asking me to cover up.”
Sean Burt, owner of Tooky Mills, said the restaurant has supported public breastfeeding since it opened 14 years ago. He added, however, that the restaurant also looks out for the customers’ best interests.
Do you think Healy had the right to breastfeed in the restaurant? Join us on August 15 for Public Display of Breastfeeding Day!
How do you feel about public breastfeeding?
Plus more from The Bump:
Mark Your Calendars: August 15 is Public Displays of Breast Feeding Day!
Should Hospitals Really Lock Away the Formula?
Tips for Breastfeeding In Public
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
Breastfeeding is not the issue here like many people are trying to make it. This restaurant did not tell this woman that she does not have a right to breastfeed. She was simply asked to cover up. In my opinion, as a mother who breastfed her child, this should be obvious. Not covering should be considered indecent exposure. I should not have to explain to my child why he’s staring at naked breasts while he’s trying to eat his dinner.
Your son is not looking at naked breasts, a skimpy bikini exposes more than a women breastfeeding ever does. It is an attitude like this that is the problem. Breastfeeding is natural and if your kid doesn’t have to eat under a cover then neither should a breastfeeding baby.
Ok, I live in New Hampshire, and saw this story on my local news… I will preface my statement by saying that I am pregnant with my first child, and do plan on breastfeeding.
That being said, the actual text of the law is “Title X:132:10-d. Breast-feeding a child does not constitute an act of indecent exposure and to restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child is discriminatory.”
I don’t feel like the restaurant/waitstaff was discriminatory towards the mother… like “cover up or leave” but more or less was trying to satisfy the other customers in the establishment, to the effect, of, for the comfort of our patrons, would you please consider covering up?
I don’t believe the restaurant/waitstaff broke the law, discriminated against the mother, restricted or limited her, I just feel like they were trying to help the situation and make everyone more comfortable by asking her to cover up.
I absolutely think that she has a right to breastfeed in a restaurant, however, if asked to, she should cover up (and not be offended by it). Not everyone is as open as some of us and that should come as no shock to any of us.
I totally agree with you. I have an 8 mo old and breast feed in public all the time. I always try to stay decent as a courtesy to those around me.
Indecent exposure, really?? If the mother wanted not to wear a top or bra when breastfeeding because she found it easier, then that’s up to her and nobody should have the right to say anything.
Yes she has the right to breast feed in public but I don’t think to ask someone to cover up is wrong or rude. There are other people around to consider and it just seems like common sense to me if I was the Mom feeding, I would have a nursing blanket around. The manager was just doing his job as he received complaints from other customers.
The customer isn’t always right. If a customer complained about another customers shoes, should the manager go over and tell them to change them? If one had long hair and another didn’t like it, should the manager have told them to get a haircut. The manager should have simply said “sorry you feel offended by it, but if you don’t like it, leave”
Don’t be ridiculous, shoes and boobs are very different things. People need to have some consideration for others if they expect to be shown the same courtesy.
It seems like society is jacked up! Everyone wants to see a womanish breast until they are nursing. Get over it. Babies that are bottle fed done have to be covered , i sure don’t want a blanket over Mr head while eating. I have nursed both My kids and sometimes i cover sometimes i don’t.
I have seen enough cleavage hanging out of clothing to offend me on a regular basis (and none of those women were breastfeeding), but if I ever had the nerve to ask someone to ‘cover up’ I think I would get punched. How is that any different if there is a child eating? You may not want to see breasts in public, but in our society it only seems acceptable to tell or even insinuate that the display is not appreciated when there is a baby enjoying a meal. If you don’t enjoy the view, look at something else. Some women and some babies are uncomfortable covered. My sister’s first was breastfeeding throughout the hottest summer on record and refused to eat when his head was covered- I don’t blame him!