A mom in Ohio named Jennifer Mancuso is trying to raise awareness about normalizing breastfeeding in public by showing a photo of herself in the process while recounting an ugly experience she had at her children’s daycare.
“I started to nurse on one of the chairs and the director said, ‘Hey Jenn, I’m gonna need you to nurse in the back. The employee break room (which is no bigger than a closet) is where you can nurse from now on,’” wrote Jennifer. “She said her boss (the district manager who was in the day prior and witnessed me nursing inside my girls room, away from almost everyone) said that I am not allowed to nurse my babies in any of the public spaces and that it has to be in a private space — the s—y little closet break room.”
Then she went IN!
“I responded saying that I don’t think that’s legal, what they’re telling me,” she continued. “She said, ‘It’s company policy because we have school age children.’ Pause — SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN?! As if implying what I’m doing is inappropriate for older children to witness?!”
You go, Jennifer! Read more here:
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It finally happened to me in real life. And it happened at one of the places I feel most safe with my children: our daycare. . Because of my schedule with my older two, it works best for me to breastfeed the twins at drop off and at pick up. That way they are still getting mostly breastmilk through the day and maybe a little water or formula with their lunch. . For years, my children have gone here and I have made wonderful relationships with this 100% female staff. I’ve breastfed in the infant rooms rocking chairs as well as on the floor in the twins room and even a couple times in the lobby area. . Each time I am *always* discreet while not using a cover. . Tuesday morning I dropped the girls off like normal and began to start nursing Asher briefly before I left as she had not had any yet that morning. I started to nurse on one of the chairs and the director said, “Hey Jenn, I’m gonna need you to nurse in the back. The employee break room (which is no bigger than a closet) is where you can nurse from now on.” . Dumbfounded, I said “Wait, what?” She said her boss (the district manager who was in the day prior and witnessed me nursing inside my girls room, away from almost everyone) said that I am not allowed to nurse my babies in any of the public spaces and that it has to be in a private space – the shitty little closet break room. I responded saying that I don’t think that’s legal, what they’re telling me. She said, “It’s company policy because we have school age children.” . Pause – SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN?! As if implying what I’m doing is inappropriate for older children to witness?! . She continued that not only is it in their company handbook but because they are “private sector” that the Ohio Law of being able to breastfeed in public does not apply here. . The manager of the location chimed in and stated that also it’s to protect other parents who may find it offensive, because of their religious beliefs. . I literally scoffed out loud and said, wow, this is going to be great Instagram content. I will be sharing this. . #normalizebreastfeeding #breastfeedinginpublic #nursingmom #nursingmama #nursingmamaproblems #breastfeedingproblems #breastfeedingprobs
A post shared by Jennifer Mancuso (@jennifer.mancuso) on Aug 30, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT
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Starting of the New Year with a great accomplishment! . We always talk about how important breastfeeding is for the health of our babies, but it’s just as important that we acknowledge all the benefits to mothers as well. . • We recover from childbirth more quickly and easily because the release of oxytocin acts to help the uterus return to its regular size and also reduces PP bleeding. • Reduces rates of getting breast or ovarian cancer later in life. • May reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. • Creates a unique very powerful physical and emotional connection for us and our babies, making bonding much quicker, easier, and stronger. • It’s saves us a ton of money! Kellymom.com says the cost of exclusively formula fed SINGLETON is up to $3,163 (depending on brand). Breastfeeding my children just through their first birthday has saved me up to $12,652, just since Apr of 2014. . Cheers to an amazing new year of breastfeeding mamas! 🥂 . (Swipe left to see how excited Asher was of our accomplishment! 🤣) . . . . #breastfeedingmommy #pregnantmum #normalizebreastfeedinginpublic #lovebeingamom #postpartumrecovery #pregnancylife #newmum #wahm #maternitystyle #doulalife #babyiscoming #midwifery #crunchymom #babyledweaning #birthdoula #breastpump #worldbreastfeedingweek #breastfeedingisbeautiful #inspirepregnancy #breastfeedingjourney #pregnantlife #postpartumbelly #breastfeedingmum #motherssupportingmothers #liquidgold #breastfedbaby #bumpie #lactation #mommyhood #badassbreastfeeder
A post shared by Jennifer Mancuso (@jennifer.mancuso) on Jan 3, 2019 at 5:37pm PST
