>From:    Monique Schaefers <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Interesting Peds receptionist response to BFing
>
>I have permission to post this story from the mom.  This happened in
>Vermont (Kathleen - the pregnant mom I tried to send to you who was
>concerned about being able to BF this time around).  Have any thoughts
>for her??  Please send them directly to her as well as the list.  Let
>her know your a LACTNET person, OK?  Thanks.
>
>> I was discriminated at the docs office yesterday the receptionist wouldn't
>> let me bf Noah in the waiting room she made me go in the back room and feed
>> him then she wouldn't check me in until I was done bf him, by that time I
>> was done feeding him I was late for my appointment. I got there at 8:00am
>> and didn't leave until 9:30am. I was very upset. When I was leaving the
>> receptionist told me that to make things easier I should bring a bottle next
>> time. I told her he doesn't have a bottle he is strictly a BF baby no
>> bottles!!!! She said women shouldn't breastfeed in public its just not
>> right. I was so upset I cried all the way home. I met my dh at work for
>> lunch and I told him about it and he said he's going to call the hospital
>> and complain.
>"Charmaine" <[log in to unmask]>

Monique -- I have several comments about this situation.  (1) WHY did the
woman go in the back room?  She says the receptionist "made me go in the
back room" -- What?  The receptionist held a gun to the mother's head?  The
receptionist had a knife?  Why did the mother go to the back room?  Why
didn't she tell the receptionist to mind her own f***ing business?  As Ann
Landers always says, people treat you as poorly as you let them treat you.
Why didn't the mother stand up for herself and her child?  It takes two
people for this situation to happen -- the stupid receptionist and the meek
mother.  (2) What did the doctor have to say about this?  Was this really
the pediatrician's office, or the mother's doctor (the original post doesn't
say)?  Why didn't the mother raise bloody hell with the doctor (either way)?
Why is the *husband* going to *call* the *hospital* and complain?  I realize
the mom was upset at the time, but that is still no excuse for pawning the
job off on her husband.  The woman *should have* taken care of the issue
then and there, but since she didn't, SHE should now *write a letter* to the
*doctor* complaining about the receptionist's attitude and actions.  She
should also go back into the doctor's office when she is calm, without her
baby, and give the receptionist a copy of the AAP recommendations, the WHO
recommendations, and Marsha Walker's articles on the dangers of infant formula.

I remain amazed, in the year 2000, at women who won't stand up for
themselves.

Kathy Dettwyler

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