Breast-feeding mom takes on Applebee's

[ieffinhatecardio]

Saw this on Bill Maher tonight. I wouldn't want to see that while I was eating either.

http://www.parentdish.com/2007/09/02/breast-feeding-mom-takes-on-applebees/

Brooke Ryan claims all she was after last June was an anniversary lunch with her husband and baby at an Applebee's restaurant in Kentucky. What she got was a battle with the restaurant chain over her right to breast-feed her son in public.

She says she was discretely nursing her 7-month-old son Michael in a booth in the back of the restaurant when a waitress told her she would have to cover herself with a blanket. Kentucky is hot in June and Ryan didn't have a blanket. When the waitress again insisted that she cover up, Ryan asked to see the manager. When he arrived, Ryan handed over a copy of the 2006 Kentucky law that prohibits interference with a breastfeeding mother in public.

The manager claimed he knew about the law, but because someone had complained about Ryan's indecent exposure, he said she must cover up. Ryan ended up feeding her son in the car, but couldn't let the matter drop. She had her lawyer send a letter to Thomas and King, the company that operates Applebee's in central Kentucky. In response, the restaurant chain said it would consider keeping blankets on hand for breast-feeding women to cover themselves. "That's like telling Rosa Parks she still had to sit in the back of the bus, but we'll give her a blanket to make her more comfortable," Ryan says.

Mike Scanlon, president of Thomas and King says Applebee's has no policy against breast-feeding, but feels it should be done discretely. "It is perfectly legal to breast-feed in public and we support that," Scanlon said. "I'm not sure the manager said cover the baby's head, I think he said cover yourself modestly. This was by no means intended as interference, but a request to do it modestly, which I believe is an appropriate response."

Ryan and her husband Michael are not happy with that response. "Some women think it's fine to cover up with a blanket, but a woman shouldn't be forced to," Michael said. Ryan is planning some public events in Kentucky to raise awareness and is asking Applebee's to institute some training for employees about the rights of breast-feeding mothers. "I'm not trying to be provocative," she said. "I want to teach."

[columbusdude82]

What a cow! It's never the hot ones who want to show their boobies in public...

[Eyeball Chambers]

All I can say is L O L !

[rockyfortune]

wtf..that kid looks like he's 10 years old..

[youandme]

wtf it sounds like she intentionally went to incite this, who in the hell carries a copy of a law unless they want to start something.

Disgusting.

[CQ]

Her reference to Rosa Rarks was insulting to Rosa Parks. There is no comparison to an entire race being not allowed to have the same rights, as some overweight sloppy gross looking lady wanting to whip out her boob and breastfeed in a restaurant and gross out other patrons.

Yeah, yeah I get it is the law, and its natural and all that but just my opinion, I don't see why women want to. I would NOT breastfeed in a restaurant if I had a baby. Just me...but I do think some things are private.

[ieffinhatecardio]

The thing I don't get with these Breast Feeding Zealots is that they think it's their absolute right to breast feed whenever and wherever they like. As if the right to breast feed supersedes everyone else's rights. Also, the fact that some of them are so militant about it is amazing.

[Hedgehog]

What's the big deal with a woman breastfeeding her baby?

Of course it should be allowed anywhere.

But then, some people need to learn some manners, and not take advantage of that.

[Tre]

Agreed with CQ.

This ___ isn't fit to clean Rosa Parks' house.

[Eyeball Chambers]

Breast Feeding Zealots

HAHA

What's the big deal with a woman breastfeeding her baby?

Of course it should be allowed anywhere.

But then, some people need to learn some manners, and not take advantage of that.

Agree

[JBGRAY]

I bet if she were hot a complaint wouldn't have initially been lodged.  Just my .02

[ieffinhatecardio]

What's the big deal with a woman breastfeeding her baby?

Of course it should be allowed anywhere.

But then, some people need to learn some manners, and not take advantage of that.

Europeans are more enlightened about certain issues than we are. The issue isn't that she can do it the issue is her flaunting it. Some of these breast feeding zealots love to openly feed their children.

Don't people in a restaurant have the right to eat the meals that they are paying for without having to see a woman openly breast feeding her child?

If this woman were more discreet this particular situation wouldn't have become an issue.

I bet if she were hot a complaint wouldn't have initially been lodged.  Just my .02

I agree but that's they way it is with nearly everything. I'm willing to bet there aren't an abundance of beautiful women breast feeding their children in an Applebee's.

[Hedgehog]

Europeans are more enlightened about certain issues than we are. The issue isn't that she can do it the issue is her flaunting it. Some of these breast feeding zealots love to openly feed their children.

Don't people in a restaurant have the right to eat the meals that they are paying for without having to see a woman openly breast feeding her child?

If this woman were more discreet this particular situation wouldn't have become an issue.

I agree but that's they way it is with nearly everything. I'm willing to bet there aren't an abundance of beautiful women breast feeding their children in an Applebee's.

Is it the "nudity" or something that is the problem?

My problem with babies and their fcuking moms are usually how they take for granted that everyone will somehow think a baby screaming is "cute".

You'll have this nutjobs at sports events, at seminars, et al. They will show up, and once the baby starts screaming, they will give the rest of the audience this "Oh, I am a mommy, how wonderful it is" type of look.

I fcuking hate it.

Those fcukfaces need to either shut their babies up or stay the fcuk away.

Or in a movie theatre (!), or a cafe. Same shit.

Question: is it such big fcuking hassle to get outta the room while the cry-baby is going off?

[Camel Jockey]

Take the kid to the restroom or out back to the car.. God. 

[CQ]

Also, to get all motherish on you guys there are so many options nowdays, apart from the obvious of excusing yourself and covering up...

-Express the milk with a pump and bottlefeed when in public
-Keep baby on tight 3/4 hr feeding schedule and arrange outings with that in mind
-There are large baby bonnets available for the purpose of fully hiding the mothers breast while feeding, they are like $3
-There are special feeding bras and shirts that serve the same hiding purpose.

Basically, with all options, the only reason to blatantly breast feed in public nowdays is because you want to.

[youandme]

Also, to get all motherish on you guys there are so many options nowdays, apart from the obvious of excusing yourself and covering up...

-Express the milk with a pump and bottlefeed when in public
-Keep baby on tight 3/4 hr feeding schedule and arrange outings with that in mind
-There are large baby bonnets available for the purpose of fully hiding the mothers breast while feeding, they are like $3
-There are special feeding bras and shirts that serve the same hiding purpose.

Basically, with all options, the only reason to blatantly breast feed in public nowdays is because you want to.

Exactly, but did you read the story this lady is dying for attention. Who in the hell carries around a past court case, stating it's her right to breastfeed anywhere she wants. Her and the husband sound like perverts that were either engaging in some f'ed up sexual devient public stuff with their child or just wanting a reason to sue Applebee's to get some money, I say it's both.

[Dos Equis]

Also, to get all motherish on you guys there are so many options nowdays, apart from the obvious of excusing yourself and covering up...

-Express the milk with a pump and bottlefeed when in public
-Keep baby on tight 3/4 hr feeding schedule and arrange outings with that in mind
-There are large baby bonnets available for the purpose of fully hiding the mothers breast while feeding, they are like $3
-There are special feeding bras and shirts that serve the same hiding purpose.

Basically, with all options, the only reason to blatantly breast feed in public nowdays is because you want to.

Or they could do precisely what this lady did.  Doesn't look like a big deal to me.  From the looks of the picture, it's not like her boob was hanging out.  I don't see what all the fuss is about.  If people don't like watching a mother breastfeed her kid, they shouldn't look. 

I don't know why this lady was carrying a copy of the law with her, but it's possible she experienced problems in the past.  Looks like she needed it.   

[24KT]

wtf it sounds like she intentionally went to incite this, who in the hell carries a copy of a law unless they want to start something.

Disgusting.

Probably someone affected by the law on a daily basis, and wants to make sure those who may be in a position to possibly interfere with her were aware of it as well. Afterall, it's not like this particular law would be common knowledge compared to laws pertaining to guide animals.

[24KT]

The thing I don't get with these Breast Feeding Zealots is that they think it's their absolute right to breast feed whenever and wherever they like. As if the right to breast feed supersedes everyone else's rights. Also, the fact that some of them are so militant about it is amazing.

It is their absolute right to breast feed whenever, wherever. That is what they are there for.
Problem is Western society has "sexualized" and "objectified" the female mammarys for so long,
...people now see them as sexual organs rather than the feeding organs they were intended to be.

Many women are adamant about not going to a washroom to feed their babies, and I don't blame them.
How would you like to be told that you have to eat in a bathroom surrounded by the scent of other people's feces.

I personally think that if someone can stomache the sight of a Mom spoon-feeding her baby in a high chair, they should be able to handle the sight of her discreetly breast feeding her baby. If they can't, ...they should simply not look. Suggesting a woman put a blanket over the child's head is also improper IMO, because breastfeeding time is prime bonding time between mother & child. Baby needs to look Mom in the eyes, and mom needs to look baby in the eyes at that time. if you've ever seen the look of love in a baby's eyes, as s/he looks into Moms eyes right after emptying the boob, it would melt your heart. Personally I'm more offended and grossed out by people who chew with their mouths full, or who blow their noses at the table, than I am by a woman feeding and bonding with her baby. JMO.

Thankfully we don't have those issues here in Ontario. The law requiring women to cover their breasts in public was struck down, and women in the province of Ontario have the right to go topless if they choose.

[columbusdude82]

What a cow! It's never the hot ones who want to show their boobies in public...

!!!

[youandme]

Probably someone affected by the law on a daily basis, and wants to make sure those who may be in a position to possibly interfere with her were aware of it as well. Afterall, it's not like this particular law would be common knowledge compared to laws pertaining to guide animals.

  Yeah ok someone wanting to get all badass thinking their civil rights were at stake while they violated others.

No it's not particular knowledge it's common sense, and being respectful of others. Who wants to see a fat bitch's saggy wrinkly tit when they are paying for a meal? By all means go ahead, and spruce up your coffee.

And no those that carry around a court case are looking for trouble, because they have found a way to carry on theur intrusive behaviors.

[Dos Equis]

There is no right not to see a woman breastfeeding her child.

[youandme]

There is no right not to see a woman breastfeeding her child.

it's defined by the courts as obscenity. Look it up Juris Doctor...I have a right not to turn my cheek to not look at a fuzzy nipple in a public place right?

I just threw up my steak, applebee's now owes me $25, right after I pull out my law book and show them...haha

[Hedgehog]

it's defined by the courts as obscenity. Look it up Juris Doctor...I have a right not to turn my cheek to not look at a fuzzy nipple in a public place right?

I just threw up my steak, applebee's now owes me $25, right after I pull out my law book and show them...haha

About that...

Why are men allowed to be topless at beaches, but not women?

[ieffinhatecardio]

It is their absolute right to breast feed whenever, wherever. That is what they are there for.
Problem is Western society has "sexualized" and "objectified" the female mammarys for so long,
...people now see them as sexual organs rather than the feeding organs they were intended to be.

Many women are adamant about not going to a washroom to feed their babies, and I don't blame them.
How would you like to be told that you have to eat in a bathroom surrounded by the scent of other people's feces.

I personally think that if someone can stomache the sight of a Mom spoon-feeding her baby in a high chair, they should be able to handle the sight of her discreetly breast feeding her baby. If they can't, ...they should simply not look. Suggesting a woman put a blanket over the child's head is also improper IMO, because breastfeeding time is prime bonding time between mother & child. Baby needs to look Mom in the eyes, and mom needs to look baby in the eyes at that time. if you've ever seen the look of love in a baby's eyes, as s/he looks into Moms eyes right after emptying the boob, it would melt your heart. Personally I'm more offended and grossed out by people who chew with their mouths full, or who blow their noses at the table, than I am by a woman feeding and bonding with her baby. JMO.

Thankfully we don't have those issues here in Ontario. The law requiring women to cover their breasts in public was struck down, and women in the province of Ontario have the right to go topless if they choose.

Perhaps that's the law but I don't agree with it. I don't see how a mother breast feeding her infant in a public place supercedes everyone else's rights to not be uncomfortable. Those people that complained at the Applebee's were eating, food that they paid for btw. I happen to think that if you pay for your food you should be able to comfortably sit and eat it without having to look at a mother breast feeding her infant.

Why does a breast feeding mother have the absolute right to breast feed wherever she wants and why do these women want to do something in a restaurant that clearly makes some people uncomfortable? Other than stirring the pot it makes no sense.