Laws regarding public breastfeeding

[Hrhpd]

Don't know why-just stating what I read. I'm guessing they will state their actions were considered lewd by the manager? I"m just guessing. Here is the state law:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111/Section221

But the article you quoted in the first post says that Mass. law has a specific section on breastfeeding, so no lewd laws can be used in this situation.

The Massachusetts General Laws include a section on breastfeeding, which reads in part: "A mother may breastfeed her child in any public place or establishment or place which is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public and where the mother and her child may otherwise lawfully be present."​

 

[Bluestars]

I think the majority of people who breast feed are discreet and the majority of people who are near them while they are doing it are respectful. There are extremists who get attention, but that's not typical behavior. Several of my family members breastfed their babies. They were discreet and respectful. They didn't make a big scene out of it.

 

[Hrhpd]

I guess I don't get it. In most states, I gather from reading this thread, women can legally go topless so how is this even an issue? Why should women be ashamed of their breasts when men can walk around topless?
I always hid away feeding my kids like it is something shameful. I love seeing women breastfeeding in public because I think they are brave to do so. So many people judging you for doing something good. Just look at this thread.
I guess I just think that a breast isn't that big of deal.

There are only 3 states where it is illegal to go topless,
Utah
Indiana
Tennessee

In all other states, one could conceivably just take their entire shirt off to feed their baby.
http://gotopless.org/topless-laws

Didn't Scout Willis (Demi Moore / Bruce Willis) go walking around NYC topless last year? If I recall, it was perfectly legal.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

The woman at the mall was making a show of it. Both breasts fully exposed. She stood up a few times and turned around. While sitting, her head was constantly turning from side to side to see if anyone was looking. Her expression changed from a neutral one to a frown or even a pout. Our eyes met a few times, and I would describe her expression as "challenging." It doesn't take a mind reader to tell she was peeved about the lack of reaction from other people. Part of her goal was accomplished; people noticed, but quickly looked away and walked on.

This woman didn't bother me at all. Her performance was rather amusing. But we left before the Grand Finale. Maybe she got her wish and someone confronted her.



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Thank you! I appreciate your help with the quotes.

I can easily think of other reasons for that woman's behaviour. Perhaps she was waiting for someone, and looking around, even standing up, to see if her friend was arriving - and she started to frown/pout because her friend was late and not there. I am not sure what a "challenging" expression would be - did she just look you in the eyes and not look away?

What if the same woman had been bottle-feeding her baby, and you saw the same movements and expressions? How would you have interpreted that?

I have worked with, literally, thousands of breastfeeding mothers in the past 35 years. I do not know of even one who was trying to get attention, flaunt her breasts or expose herself for her own pleasure. Honestly. They are mothers try to take care of their babies.

 

[tvguy]

A previous boss said that she always understood that was was important to be flexible with employees who were new mothers. She had her first child at age 40, and said that experience gave her first hand experience how necessary that flexibility was. But she added, as a manager, dealing with the needs of new mothers was the biggest challenge she faced.
I think the scaling back of staffing certain contributes to it. We have worker going on maternity leave at the end of March, and that leave will totally disrupt the work hours and work days of 5 other people. So I think that may be why some are a little sensitive about it.

 

[Laura66]

Oh baloney! We've all seen people who are looking for attention or trying to challenge.

I'm sure that lady was looking to start something.

The majority of women do fB discreetly. But there are others looking to push the limits and make others ucomfortable. There's nothing wrong with bf in public and sometimes you can see everything. But there's no reason to let everything hang out that doesn't need to.

 

[Hrhpd]

A previous boss said that she always understood that was was important to be flexible with employees who were new mothers. She had her first child at age 40, and said that experience gave her first hand experience how necessary that flexibility was. But she added, as a manager, dealing with the needs of new mothers was the biggest challenge she faced.
I think the scaling back of staffing certain contributes to it. We have worker going on maternity leave at the end of March, and that leave will totally disrupt the work hours and work days of 5 other people. So I think that may be why some are a little sensitive about it.

What in the world does somebody going on medical leave have to do with breastfeeding?

And is it different from any other leave? If a guy is out for 6 weeks for surgery, isn't it just as disruptive to the work place?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Very interesting thread. I'm always amazed at what a hot-button issue this is. I totally did not realize it was legal for women to go topless in so many states. I don't think I would but I think the law is great.

Just a grammar police aside
Discrete-separate, distinct
Discreet-subtle, careful

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh baloney! We've all seen people who are looking for attention or trying to challenge.

I'm sure that lady was looking to start something.

The majority of women do fB discreetly. But there are others looking to push the limits and make others ucomfortable. There's nothing wrong with bf in public and sometimes you can see everything. But there's no reason to let everything hang out that doesn't need to.

Well I know that.

And you know that.

But apparently a few others here don't seem to.

 

[MickeySP]

I could honestly cares who breastfeeds or not or where or when.

My ridiculous is the lawsuits because their wittle feelings were hurt. Poor snowflakes I pity their children, they are about to get caught in helicopter blades.

 

[SirDuff]

A previous boss said that she always understood that was was important to be flexible with employees who were new mothers. She had her first child at age 40, and said that experience gave her first hand experience how necessary that flexibility was. But she added, as a manager, dealing with the needs of new mothers was the biggest challenge she faced.
I think the scaling back of staffing certain contributes to it. We have worker going on maternity leave at the end of March, and that leave will totally disrupt the work hours and work days of 5 other people. So I think that may be why some are a little sensitive about it.

As a PP said, how is maternity leave any different from any other leave? And what does it have to do with breast feeding? Why would maternity leave make some "a little sensitive" about breast feeding (the topic under discussion)?

Admittedly, I come from a place where year long maternity leave is normal.

And a place where woman are legally allowed to go topless (though it isn't something one generally sees), so the issue of "hiding" when breast feeding is a moot point (i.e. there doesn't have to be any specific law about it, since one can be topless regardless).

 

[tvguy]

What in the world does somebody going on medical leave have to do with breastfeeding?

And is it different from any other leave? If a guy is out for 6 weeks for surgery, isn't it just as disruptive to the work place?

Most mom's here take 3 or 4 months, not 6 weeks. So it is much much more disruptive time wise. That's not a problem, or a complaint, that just the reality. And I can't think of any work place accommodations being required for a guy coming back from surgery.

 

[Hrhpd]

Most mom's here take 3 or 4 months, not 6 weeks. So it is much much more disruptive time wise. That's not a problem, or a complaint, that just the reality. And I can't think of any work place accommodations being required for a guy coming back from surgery.

Then you need to talk to your HR department to better inform their employees. The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees job security for leaves up to 12 weeks, if you qualify, to both MEN and women. From what you have posted about your company, your company must offer FMLA.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

FMLA applies to all public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees. These employers must provide an eligible employee with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for any of the following reasons:

• for the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
• for placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care;
• to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
• to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

And again, what does FMLA have to do with breastfeeding or how does FMLA make one more sensitive about breast feeding?

 

[aristocatz]

And again, what does FMLA have to do with breastfeeding or how does FMLA make one more sensitive about breast feeding?

FMLA has alot to do with working breastfeeding moms. Under FMLA, places of employment must provide break time for moms to be able to go to a private location to express/pump their milk

 

[Hrhpd]

FMLA has alot to do with working breastfeeding moms. Under FMLA, places of employment must provide break time for moms to be able to go to a private location to express/pump their milk

Yes, that is true, but that is not what TVGuy was saying.

He said women going out on Maternity leave and then coming back after 3 months makes people more sensitive about breastfeeding. Then he said there were no similar leave safeguards for men.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Most mom's here take 3 or 4 months, not 6 weeks. So it is much much more disruptive time wise. That's not a problem, or a complaint, that just the reality. And I can't think of any work place accommodations being required for a guy coming back from surgery.

Where I live, most mothers get a year's maternity and parenting leave (although it can be shared with the other parent, if they choose). But it's rarely an issue, as usually the company hires someone else to do the work during that year. I guess there is some disruption, because the new person has to be trained, but it's not ever been a big deal where I've worked.

 

[aristocatz]

Yes, that is true, but that is not what TVGuy was saying.

He said women going out on Maternity leave and then coming back after 3 months makes people more sensitive about breastfeeding. Then he said there were no similar leave safeguards for men.

Oops sorry! Ironically, I was reading/skimming these while bottle feeding my daughter at the same time lol

 

[NJlauren]

I am pro-breastfeeding, but more then anything I am pro-Mom. I think 'some' women are not that nice to each other. Mom's need to help out other Mom's, and need to stop being so judgmental of each other. I personally feel like 'some' people want to push their beliefs on others, this comes up a lot with breastfeeding and it comes out when talking about breastfeeding in public. But I think the conversation should be more about how can I help this other Mom be a better Mom. I breastfeed my daughter but because of some issues with her health and latching we didn't last long, so I pumped and feed her breast milk from a bottle, and that only lasted 3 months. I can't stand when people make me feel bad about this. I have gotten these comments from people 'isn't formula bad for your baby' 'don't you want to do whats best for her' among others. You know what I did what was best for my family as a Mom, and other Moms should support that no matter what I chose to do.

I think everyone needs to be more respectful and supportive of each other, especially Moms, being a Mom is hard, and even harder if you don't have a good support system. So to all the Moms out there, you're doing great, congrats on all your hard work, breastfeeding, bottle feeding or any other choice you make that works for your family!

 

[rharper1496]

Actually I'm comparing what society considers private and intimate parts of the body. Breasts, nipples, penises, vaginas, testicles, anuses. Take your pick. If it is ok to show one it should be ok to show all. If it is frowned upon to show one, it is frowned to show all

Female breasts and nipples you mean. Walk around on a hot summer day and you will quickly realize that male breasts and nipples are apparently excluded from that list.

Legalities aside, that is possibly the stupidest policy to enact when you run a business aimed at mothers of young kids. When I was a parent of babies that would have guaranteed we never went there simply because it's a pain to round up the toddler who is presumably using the play space and probably not ready to stop playing and drag him to the party room every time his sister needed to eat (which was often, the girl was a cluster nursing champ). If we were using it as a play date opportunity (as the name implies) it's not a whole lot of fun to have to keep interrupting the conversation every time someone has to go feed a baby.

 

[disney4us2002]

Thank you! I appreciate your help with the quotes.

I can easily think of other reasons for that woman's behaviour. Perhaps she was waiting for someone, and looking around, even standing up, to see if her friend was arriving - and she started to frown/pout because her friend was late and not there. I am not sure what a "challenging" expression would be - did she just look you in the eyes and not look away?

What if the same woman had been bottle-feeding her baby, and you saw the same movements and expressions? How would you have interpreted that?

I have worked with, literally, thousands of breastfeeding mothers in the past 35 years. I do not know of even one who was trying to get attention, flaunt her breasts or expose herself for her own pleasure. Honestly. They are mothers try to take care of their babies.

If the woman were bottle-feeding and standing up with her breasts exposed "waiting for someone" you can bet I'd have a whole other opinion. As would anyone. I cannot believe there are people that can find reasonable explanations for unreasonable behavior. There are no reasonable explanations for just exposing yourself in a mall. What about those who expose themselves and don't even have a baby? Is that okay? How is that any different than a man wearing a raincoat and flashing people?