I bet you think this song is about you, don't you, don't you, don't you

[primroseburrows]

Apparently Starbucks employees in Maryland are asking breastfeeding women to cover up or go in the restroom. And the women are fighting back!!

Here's emmagrant01's take on things: What she said.

I hate Starbucks so much.


Oh, and wtf? Why are my hands all dried out even when I've been using gloves to clean all day? Hmph.

Comments

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

And if you're too poor to afford a light sheet to cover up with, then you're probably too poor to be in Starbucks in the first place.

Yeah, but it's not just about Starbucks. Women probably aren't allowed to breastfeed in Wal-Mart, or at the post office or grocery store or DMV, either, and there are plenty of poor women who go to all those places. Breastfeeding is feeding--providing nourishment--and when my babies were hungry, I fed them. Most women who breastfeed in public don't flash their breast anyway; even non-nursing clothing can be used discreetly. If someone takes her shirt off to breastfeed, yeah, sure, tell her to stop being stupid and put it back on. But for the average woman, you have to be looking pretty close to even see a nipple when she's nursing her baby. It's not like she has to expose her entire torso, or even an entire breast. Starbucks patrons can enjoy their lattes in peace (although, bleh, their coffee SUCKS).


This is a civil liberties issue, IMO. And a feminist one.

[dejaspirit.livejournal.com]

Most women who breastfeed in public don't flash their breast anyway; even non-nursing clothing can be used discreetly. If someone takes her shirt off to breastfeed, yeah, sure, tell her to stop being stupid and put it back on. But for the average woman, you have to be looking pretty close to even see a nipple when she's nursing her baby.

I agree completely, so I must be confused. Did Starbucks ban breastfeeding in their shops - beacuse that's stupid - or ban women from exposing their breasts while doing it...two different things? I have preggo brain tpday.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

A woman was asked to cover up or go in the bathroom to breastfeed. She complained and it took weeks for a (weak, IMO) response. Here's what the original post said:

A mother was asked to breastfeed in the bathroom or cover her child with a blanket at a Maryland Starbucks store in violation of Maryland law which protects the rights of mothers to breastfeed in public. In response to a letter and the threat of public action, Starbucks has agreed to advise all Maryland store employees that Maryland law prohibits any person from limiting or restricting a mothers' right to breastfeed in public. Compliance with state law is a wonderful first step.

Unfortunately, Starbucks does not have a national policy which prevents staff from asking nursing mothers to leave, cover, move, or hide in response to a customer complaint. Instead, Starbucks' policy is that in response to a complaint about any behavior, the staff will ask the person who is being complained about to change their behavior.