Don't Hassle Nursing Moms

Many moons ago, when I was young and naive and super-self-centered, nearby breastfeeding made me uncomfortable. I admit it.

But time passed, and I became married. And my betrothed became great with child.

And as new parents, one of the first things you learn is that the kid's gotta eat. My wife decided that breastfeeding would be the way to go. I was also consulted. I'm pretty sure.

It turns out breastfeeding happens - everywhere. In stores and museums and parties and at the College World Series.

Our second child did not take to breastfeeding, but we did not give up. My poor, sainted wife pumped and pumped and bottled like a very small commercial dairy.

We even had a portable car pump, that she freely deployed on the open road. So that's why they call it an expressway.

It was hard, thankless work for my wife, inconvenient, time-consuming and even painful. But she did it because she loves her kids dearly, and virtually every expert in the land says it's the best, healthiest thing to do.

I thought about all that as I read this week about a Cedar Rapids woman, Bonnie McCall, feeding her son at Lindale Mall. A security guard informed her of a family restroom where she could breastfeed in private. There were complaints, you see.

She resisted and persisted, as is her right under Iowa law. It caused a medium-strength stir locally. Sigh.

Based on my experience, the solution is simple. Do not hassle breastfeeding mothers. Period.

Don't politely offer directions to a restroom, where you would not think of eating, or gently inform them of others' discomfort or delicately ask them to leave or carefully try to hide them using a potted plant, tarp, etc. If they're at all like my wife, they're not interested in your suggestions. Don't whisper words of wisdom. Let them be.

They want to feed their child, burp their child and maybe feed their child some more. Dinner. No floor show.

Maybe you're uncomfortable. Perhaps you think it's some feminist political statement. But guess what? It doesn't matter what you think. It's not about you.

Mind your own business. Keep it to yourself. You really, really should. The Iowa Code, chapter 135.30A, says you must.

It's not about sex or indecency. It's about parenting and nutrition, health and hunger.

The new federal health care bill includes a provision requiring many employers to provide a place for working mothers to pump other than a restroom. So, it seems, government gets it. Now it's time for the rest of us.

Mother's Day is a good place to start.

Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@gazcomm.com