Breastfeeding And Bathrooms?

Recently, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens published an article about children and restaurants and gave 10 “commandments” which “every parent should know” about taking their young children into nicer restaurants. Well, this article has generated a LOT of back lash. Not only was it written in a very condescending tone (by someone to apparently doesn’t have children) but the “commandments” are either obvious or ridiculous. The one “commandment” that I am going to address here is the one about breastfeeding at the dinner table. The article states:

THOU SHALT NOT BREAST FEED AT THE TABLE
Yes, I have seen table-side breast feeding at a four-star restaurant. If at all possible, take it to the ladies room. (Note: most upscale restaurants have really nice restrooms!)”

Now, not only is this offensive to me as a breastfeeding mom – but it isn’t SANITARY! Many bloggers have posted responses to this article, some of which can be seen here, here and here, amongst others. The one that really struck me the most is this one from the blog Code Name: Mama.

After reading her post, I did a little investigating and found out the following disturbing fact about bathrooms:

Bacteria and viruses not only exist on toilets, but they are sprayed about the bathroom every time you flush!

This is actually from a scientific study done in 1975 by Gerba et., al. You can read the full-text article here.

Basically Gerba measured the amount of bacteria and viruses found on the floor and sinks of public restrooms and the results are astonishing! Not only should you not be hanging out in a public restroom any longer than necessary, you certainly shouldn’t be feeding your baby in there. Some of this fecal matter or bacteria can get onto your breast and/or into your baby’s mouth.

For those of you who don’t know it, there are laws in place in 47 states which protect women from any type of discrimination against breastfeeding in public. So ladies, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! And don’t let some restaurant manager send you to the bathroom to feed your baby.

Just for the record – I have breastfed my son in at least 200 different restaurants and have NEVER been asked to go to the restroom! In fact, he was probably the quietest baby in the restaurant…since a happy, well-fed baby is a quiet baby – most people didn’t even notice he was there – every mother should be breastfeeding at the table!

Would you like to tell Better Homes and Gardens how you feel about their post?
You can do it here.

BHG.com
Meredith Corporation
1716 Locust Street.
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
E-mail: support@bhg.com
Their Facebook Fan Page

NOTE: Better Homes & Gardens has since issued an apology and has actually removed the offensive breastfeeding comment from their article – but they still have a long way to go to show their support for breastfeeding moms

13 comments to Breastfeeding And Bathrooms?

  • […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Judy Masucci and Annika Bjerke, Terri Olenski. Terri Olenski said: RT @MommyNews: Breastfeeding & Bathrooms? http://bit.ly/9roRx9 […]

  • MamaBennie

    I actually did write to BHG and told them I think their staff should eat off of a public toilet seat, because that would probably be how sick my baby would get. I know it was a little harsh, but I was fuming mad at the time.

  • I think it is great that you wrote to them. The more people who write in the better. I always try to give constructive criticism, as I think it is received better and more likely to be listened to – but I totally understand your frustration with them! I’m sure they go MANY messages like yours. — Judy

  • If anybody is offended by my feeding my child at the table, where people, you know EAT, then he is welcome to go eat his dinner where people poop. That is really all there is to it. How the sight of a child having his dinner bothers anybody is beyond me. I chalk it up to the pornification of the culture. We’ve so far removed the female body from its useful and natural life-giving role that men (and way too many women) are incapable of seeing breasts as an innocent thing.
    .-= Cindy´s last blog ..Contests Today =-.

  • Joanna

    Hi there,

    I just wanted to let you know we read your post and the comments following it and totally understand your concern with our blog post. You are right–it was silly, insulting, and erroneous and we are sorry we published it. We are so sorry we offended you and your readers. If you like, please see our full and official statement here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/better-homes-and-gardens/statement-on-shine-story/397816569478

    Best,
    Joanna

    Joanna Linberg
    Assistant Editor
    Better Homes and Gardens

  • Well said ladies!!! I will make sure to send them an email.

  • As you said, the apology is a START, but they have a long way to go to be considered SUPPORTIVE of breastfeeding.

    Speaking of the bathroom issue, this is a hilarious PSA on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_2v6a6ybaI
    .-= Tiffany (As For My House)´s last blog ..Prayer Day – Cancer Surgery =-.

  • Thanks for the link to that video Tiffany – that was great! Now I just wish it was shown on TV!! — Judy

  • ShanD

    My 2 cents is a little late but I must say my favorite bf quote “if my breastfeeding bothers you, stop looking”. Simply said :)

  • Mom of two

    I am sorry but I would not breast feed my baby in any restaurant. I always excussed myself to the bathroom. I never put my baby down, I just stood in the stall and let her feed while I held her in my arms. I just think it is disrespectful for other diners to be pulling up your shirt in a restaurant.

  • @Mom of two I am so sorry that you have felt the need to excuse yourself to the bathroom to nurse your child. I completely understand a mother not being comfortable breastfeeding in a crowded place, but it saddens me that the only place one has to go is the rest room. I have breastfed my son in hundreds of restaurants and to be honest, most people never even knew what I was doing. I always wore nursing tops, which helped me to be discrete and when my baby was little and it was difficult for me to get him latched on quickly, I used a nursing cover – but that was for my comfort – not for the comfort of the people in the restaurant.

    One Christmas, I was sitting on the couch at our family party and my elderly aunt was sitting next to me. My baby was 5 months old and I knew he needed to nurse, but wasn’t sure how she would respond to me nursing him there. I was wearing one of my nursing tops and I was able to latch him on without her even noticing. A few minutes later, she said to me “Is he nursing?” and I said “yes” and she said “you can’t even tell”. It was the best complement I could have ever received from her!

    I always recommend that moms look at themselves in the mirror when nursing – you would be surprised at how little skin is showing – especially if you have a top with nursing friendly access. While it is your decision to leave the room to nurse your child, I hope that you won’t go into the bathroom.

    Thank you for your comment. — Judy

  • In order for moms in Indiana to know their rights, I have added the Indiana Law that protects breastfeeding moms to the back of my new business cards!! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?pid=348657&id=116288008387799
    .-= The Verve Path´s last blog ..Lust lives in stolen moments =-.

  • That is so awesome!! What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing. – Judy

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