Asked to nurse in the bathroom...

needanustart · November 2013

I just have to vent that for the first time in my 16+ months combined nursing my boys I was asked to go nurse in a locker room. At, get this, the YMCA! Isn't that supposed to be like the height of family friendly? And it's not like I was having a blast nursing in the lobby cafe area, I was there because of the timing of G's gymnastics class and the need for him to eat lunch there right afterwards. So I'm supposed to take my two year old into the locker room for lunch? BS. So they sent this poor janitor guy as the messenger and he said some people don't like it. I told him that was too bad and I wasn't moving, but thanks! After being a tough chick and standing my ground I totally got in the car and cried. The whole thing made me feel awful. I feel so bad for women who have encountered this more regularly. I know I should cancel my y membership but I don't know if I can handle the winter with a two year old and no indoor play centers!

WasNotWas · November 2013

Aw sweetie that's terrible. Good for you for sticking to your guns!

LaBellaVida · November 2013

Hell no!!!! I'd call the manager of the place or corporate offices and complain.

I would have told that janitor to go eat his lunch in the bathroom.
Disgusting!!

So sorry you had to go through that and good for you standing your ground.

FordFalcor · November 2013

I am so proud of you for standing your ground. I don't know where you are, but I've heard here in Texas that establishments can be fined for telling a nursing woman to go elsewhere.

I'm pissed for you and definitely think you should contact a manager/owner to complain.

Stef1210 · November 2013

I would hope to have the strength you demonstrated if this ever happened to me. Good for you! I agree with PPs about complaining to the management. It's the YWCA for goodness' sake. Maybe you could look up a nursing-in-public law so you come to the table fully armed. Is there one in your state?

LiLi23 · November 2013

That's horrible. Good for you for not budging though! They would definitely be getting a call from me for sure.

needanustart · November 2013

I'm in MASSACHUSETTS! If not in this hippy dippy state then where?! Where?! I think what stung the most was looking at my boys. Thank heaven g didn't know what was going on because he thinks nursing is so normal and what babies do and it would break my heart to have to explain to him why someone wouldn't like it. And then I looked down at Lo still nursing and thought about how beautiful he was and how someone in the same space as me thought he was being gross or dirty. It was so sad for me as a mom

I'm definitely going to write and call but I need to settle down first. More air punches while plan my attack. I also don't really want to blame the janitor, he was like, it's not me! Total shaggy defense btw. Others where too cowardly to ask me themselves I guess.

amberdt03 · November 2013

Good for you! I'm sorry you had to go through that.

chelsmcl · November 2013

Wow, I'd be so upset, I don't know if I would have been as strong as you were. I've NIP several times and never had any issues, I was hoping people were beyond that nowadays.
I'd definitely complain!

Murphie82 · November 2013

Good for you. It's time for people to grow the eff up about breastfeeding. Definitely complain and take it to the highest level necessary.

lioness13 · November 2013

I am so pissed for you! I hate that we have to hide breastfeeding. This society is so backwards and Fu#$ed up sometimes! Grrrr!

Please complain and let us know what happens!

ilovemarfa · November 2013

That's crazy! I would definitely complain. Id write or call the corporate headquarters as the local management obviously is incompetent.

Jillsee · November 2013

Good for you for standing up for what is right. In our society...it blows my mind that women are made to feel ashamed of breastfeeding ... Like its something we should hide. Proud of you for staying and feeding your LO!

amanda0126 · November 2013

First off, oh HELL to the no.

Second off, good for you standing your ground.

Third off, corporate would be getting a nasty letter from me along with a call to management.

Fourth off, damn this pisses me off. I'm so sorry.

phishgirl29 · November 2013

Stefanie6743 · November 2013

Ugh, im sorry this happened, kudos to you for standing your ground! Im not sure i could have been that strong

ChristyD6 · November 2013

I'm so sorry but way to go standing up for yourself. It's terrible that mothers are treated this way for feeding their child.

JANCANDANCE · November 2013

This pulled me out of lurkdom. I am so sorry. I just second what the other ladies have said. Once you can address it appropriately I would go in person back to the YMCA. An apology is definitely in order. Although nothing may come out of the situation with you, I would use this to educate the staff on the laws of the state. That way no other mothers rights are infringed upon.

KellenHi21 · November 2013

Im so sorry!!! You should definitely complain. You were awesomely strong to hold your ground!!

HeartLikeMine3 · November 2013

Just agreeing with pp's, sorry this happened to you. And good for you for being so strong!

sparklemotion86 · November 2013

I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and your children. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. It makes me feel sad and really pissed off that there are people out there who have a problem with a woman feeding her child. Thank you for setting a good example for your children and other moms.

NicoleReed0324 · November 2013

That is awesome you were able to stand up to him! I'm so sorry that happened to you. I would've cried too!

GalLaura · November 2013

Wow. So sorry you went through that. I would complain at the highest level not just local.

needanustart · November 2013

Thanks everyone! I am so conflicted about this. Although I was at like every protest and rally possible when I was younger, I feel weird and don't like using my kids for a cause if that makes sense. Plus I know that if I make a big deal out if it, I am not going back there- because I just won't want to feel uncomfortable. I really think my best option is to file a complaint and cancel because it won't change the bishes who glare at me's attitude, it will just make it worse.
I wish I felt like I was brave but my attitude was so just coming from a state of disbelief, laziness and over-tiredness that I just kept nursing and said no. Though in retrospect I've now decided that removing my two year old from his friends, food and games while simultaneously stopping Lo's milk flow would have been an amazing perfect storm in the lobby to really teach them a lesson!

TristansMommy6357 · November 2013

Wow! Good for you for standing your ground. There's no way I'd nurse in the bathroom. Gross!

ckettenb · November 2013

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am FUMING for you. So sorry you had to deal with that garbage. Not cool. Not cool AT ALL.

No longer the best · November 2013

Yes I am MAD for you also! How long will it take me to drive from Ontario Canada? 10 hours? Ill come and nurse there too!! We will start a nurse-in!!

I was just at the Y today and I saw a woman nurse her baby while her other child was swimming. Maybe I'm creepy but I always smile at other NIP Moms because I feel thanksful to them for helping me feel more comfortable NIP.

Its the bloody Y!! NOT COOL!! I am so sorry!!

kelseypie · November 2013

What the shit is wrong with people. Good for you for refusing. Let 'em have it!

kriskell · November 2013

That's so awful. I'm really sorry that happened to you. I think I'd have had the same reaction: defiance followed by private tears. Please speak to the manager. There's still a lot of ignorance out there and they need to educate their staff.

manmoonei · November 2013

I am so sorry you went through this!

mrsmichigander · November 2013

I would think the management would WANT to know so their staff can be trained hiw they should have responded. Especially since this is a family oriented agency.

You had guts and I'm proud of you. I encourage you to talk to someone there to make things better for all nursing mamas. I think if you approach it as a need that their staff clearly didn't know how to handle (who sends thee janitor?) then you shouldn't feel weird& quit going. You're helping them out by making them aware. You might also suggest they designate a convenient mommy friendly place should YOU want an alternative to the lobby.

RIngReady · November 2013

Good for you for standing your ground!!! You are stronger then I think I could have been!

I used to work for the YMCA and I would strongly encourage you to talk to the branch director and write a letter to the Executive Board of Directors. The front desk has to provide you with the Directors contact information.

Respect, responsibility, Honestly and Caring are their fundamental beliefs and you were shown none of those character traits.

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