A co-LLL Leader of mine in Buffalo, NY is wondering how to publicize the following breach of New York State's breastfeeding law, which permits breastfeeding anywhere the mother is otherwise authorized to be.  Any ideas?  We here in NYS have an endless series of little scuffles like this with public entities, but this one was right in a courthouse!  Always, of course, the other side ends up having to apologize, but it gets tiring, and it's really hard on the mothers involved.  Hey, we have a good state law; how do we publicize its existence in a way that will stick better?  Ideas, anyone??  

 

The woman's story is here in 2 versions, both in her own words - one for those who don't want the details, one for those who do.

 

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY  USA
www.wiessinger.baka.com

 

Condensed version:
On the morning of Thursday, January 10th I was nursing my daughter at the YWCA Children's Center at the Family Courthouse in downtown Buffalo.  I was given the choice to move to a private area to breastfeed my daughter, who is 17 months old, or to leave.  I stated my legal right to breastfeed anywhere I am otherwise authorized to be.  I was eventually escorted out of the center by three security guards.

Unabridged version:
My name is Traci.  My daughter's name is Ruby.  She will be 17 months old on Monday.   We were harassed for breastfeeding in public today.

 

We arrived at the courthouse on the morning of January 10th at approximately 9am.  I was going to the 4th floor to file a petition in an area where they do not allow children.  I checked Ruby in to the Children's Center that is run by the YWCA there in the court building.  About 45 minutes later I received a call from the center on my cell phone.  A woman stated that Ruby was upset and having a hard time.  I told her I would be right down.  When I arrived a few minutes later I was relieved to see that she was being held as she cried by a woman sitting by the inner door of the daycare room.  The woman stood up and gave Ruby to me.  I sat down in that chair with Ruby and began nursing her.

 

A woman, who I believe was the supervisor of the center, glanced over from the other side of the room and asked, "Are you breastfeeding?"

 

I answered, "Yes, I am."

 

Pointing to a side room she said, "You need to go in there if you are going to do that."

 

I replied, "Actually, I have a legal right to breastfeed right where I am."  I pulled out a laminated card I have that quotes New York State Law; NY CLS Civ R (superimposed capital S's) 79-e, and began reading it to her.  She would not listen and restated her "need" for me to go to the other room adding, "You can't do that here, there are children present."

 

I replied, "Yes. Children are breastfed.  It's normal!"  She headed out the door and returned with three men in uniforms, security guards I believe.

 

The first in line said I could go in the other room or leave.  I restated my right to remain where I was.  I read part of the New York State Law out loud again, asking, "Haven't you heard of this?"  He didn't have any idea what I was talking about and replied, "Well, we can't have THAT here!"  Then repeated in a loud and stern voice my options and what would it be? 

 

Not satisfied with either choice I replied that, "I would rather be arrested."

 

He said, "Fine.  Do you have anyone to call to come and pick up your child?"

 

I said, "No, she couldn't stay with me?!"

 

He said, "She would be placed in child protective services until someone came to get her."  Not wanting to be separated from Ruby I said that I would leave.  I gathered our things and asked where I could file a complaint.  He said I would have to ask out in the hall.  As I was going past the security guards I looked them in the eyes and said, "Breasts aren't just for sex, they're for breastfeeding too!"  Nobody responded.  I looked at the women and children waiting to check in to the center.  They had heard everything.  I wish I had said something to them about standing up for our rights but I just walked out.

 

Another security guard escorted me back up to the 4th floor so I could tell them I would return tomorrow.  By this time I was crying from the stress of the situation and from the thought of being separated from Ruby.  They were ready to help me file the petition right then so Ruby ended up staying with me for the next two hours it took to finish.  We nursed about five more times without incident.  When someone glanced our way I just smiled until they looked away or smiled back.

 

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