Cedar Rapids mother upset after breastfeeding incident at Lindale mall

A Cedar Rapids mom is upset after she said a Lindale Mall security guard gave her guff for breastfeeding her child in the mall.

State law defends women who want to breast-feed, and they can do it essentially anywhere.

Bonnie McCall, 24, Cedar Rapids, was feeding her five-week-old son Nolan at Lindale on May 2.

“It's our legal right to nurse, where ever we want.  Even if it offends people.  It's not our problem, we're feeding our child.”

And yet, McCall said a security guard at Lindale Mall hassled her when she went shopping.  She had Nolan with her and since he was hungry and fussy she breast-fed him at the child play area in the mall.

“And he told me that there's a family restroom for that,” said McCall.

She says that restroom was at the other end of the mall.

“He told me he had to say something to me because people complained and they were afraid for their children,” said McCall.

This isn't the first time McCall said she got looks or grief from others, but she said this is the first time an employee at a store said something.

Lisa Rowe, a spokesperson for the mall, said sometimes they let parents know that the mall has a special spot they can use, if they want.

McCall said the guard didn't make it sound that way.

“Its that he very clearly wanted me to go to the family restroom,” said McCall.

McCall isn't only upset at the mall, but also at the people that complained.

“It would be nice if people understand it, because breast-feeding is not the easy choice, it really isn't,” said McCall.  “It's the free choice.”

In response to this, McCall said she and other mothers are planning a nurse-in for May 8, which happens to also be Mothers Day.

Statement from Lindale Mall

Lindale Mall fully supports mothers rights in every capacity.  Our overarching goal includes perfecting the customer experience at Lindale Mall, which is evident by providing such amenities as the soft-play area and family restroom for our family focused customers.  Action has been taken to address this issue and we appreciate the passion of our customers that make Lindale Mall a special place.