Breastfeeding Mom vs. Toys R Usby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 17 Sep 2006 05:44 PM Here's one for all you breastfeeding moms out there (and you moms who have successfully weaned your children from the breast): Nearly a week after a Brooklyn mother alleged that she was harassed by employees at a New York City Toys R Us, when she breast fed her infant son, proponents of breast milk are planning a "nurse-in" outside the flagship Times Square store. According to the Daily News, Chelsi Meyerson, contends she was ordered to go to the store's basement after a female employee caught her breastfeeding her 7-month-old son during a family trip to the store last Monday. "I was harassed, hassled and embarrassed. It was very humiliating," Meyerson told the newspaper. "It was a big deal for me. They treated me like a criminal." Meyerson told news reporters that she was just about to leave the store when the incident occurred. She said her son was "getting cranky" so she sat down in an "out of the way" place and started feeding him (which, by the way, is permitted by New York state law). A few moments later Meyerson said she was approached by a female store employee who said, "You have to go down to the basement to do that." Meyerson went on to say that when she didn't move additional female employees appeared to tell her she had to move because there were "children around," and then the store's security was called in. According to the paper, the incident so enraged Meyerson that she called the New York Civil Liberties Union, which has asked the toy retailer for an apology and "appropriate compensation." For their part, Toys 'R' Us claims they "simply asked Meyerson if she would be more comfortable in a private area" (they have one specifically for breastfeeding moms). The store manager told the Daily News, "We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to nursing moms." The store manager went on to reiterate that Meyerson "was never asked to leave or threatened, and was allowed to continue feeding without interference." Now, if this incident happened to me, I would likely rant about it to friends and family members, but in Meyerson's case, those toy store employees didn't realize who they were messing with. Turns out that Meyerson's mother is apparently a "high-ranking official" in La Leche League, a well-known breast-feeding support group. As for the planned "nurse-in," it certainly wouldn't be the first time New York City has been the target of one. About a year ago, members of the La Leche League participated in a "nurse-in" outside ABC's studio where "The View" airs live each weekday. That time the breast-feeding advocates were protesting a comment made by the show's creator Barbara Walters. The legendary journalist caused outrage in the breastfeeding community when she announced that she was "very disturbed" by a mother who was breastfeeding her baby during a flight Walters happened to be on. Personally, I was outraged by Walters' comment. I breast fed my baby well after her first birthday and did so in public on a number of occasions. But, I was very discreet about it, as I believe most mothers are. I think it's safe to say that no breastfeeding mother wants to draw attention to herself; she simply wants to calm her fussy baby. If you live in New York and have time to attend the "nurse-in" please keep feel free to share your experience with all of us. And, to learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding check out our resident "breastfeeding guru" Valorie's blogs. Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantpopular culture tags User Comments  Valorie Delp (49340) 17 Sep 2006 06:26 PMYou know I've been watching this one--right Michele? As a mother who has been breastfeeding for golly gosh--forever. . .and one who has breastfed numerous (and as in numerous I mean more fingers than I have on my hands numerous), at TRU--they have been nothing but nice to me. (And for those of you who don't know me--I mean this particular TRU--is there another???) When I had to nurse one of mine and went to sit on the floor a woman approached me, asked if I wanted to use the nursing mother's room--and I didn't because it was too crowded to get down there quickly (you would likely only understand this if you've actually been inside there) and she came back to me. . .to harass me? To bother me? No--to bring me a stool because she thought it might be more comfortable for me. I honestly wonder if this woman wanted to make a mountain out of a mole hill in promoting her agenda. I am sure that there might be some uneducated employee that works there but I have a hard time believing they asked her to go to the basement (which is not where the mother's room is by-the-way) when they have a room specifically for that purpose. And while I can believe that one person may work there that doesn't know TRU is very pro-bf--I highly doubt that there are several. I for one, will NOT be attending this "nurse-in". (LOL--not that I've attended any others.) I am all for bf-ing, and I have and will continue to bf anywhere my babes need it, but let's not make a big deal out of being asked to move. I feel badly for TRU who I suspect is getting a bad rap from a bf-ing guru wannabe. Hmph! And that's all I have to say about that! Valorie Delp (49340) 17 Sep 2006 06:29 PMI'm totally laughing!!! Am I really? Do I get a title of "official breastfeeding guru"? Yippee! Can I have that instead of "senior blogger?" You totally crack me up Michele--I just read the last line of your blog.  Tracy Woods (772) 17 Sep 2006 11:22 PMI agree whole heartedly with Valorie. EVEN if a store employee was NOT pro-BF, an employee knows the layout of the store. They would know what the Mother's Room is, and where it is. A Store with a room for BF-ing, feeding, and whatnot, would certainly include that in training. Frankly, unless there is merchandise is in the basement, I doubt an employee would ask her to go there. Most likely customers aren't even allowed in the basement. Her story just sounds fishy...and oh what a surprise that her mom is "high up" in the LLL. Sounds like she's desparately trying to promote the cause, and with this sort of attention, perhaps that could "earn" her a prominent position?  Michele Cheplic |
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