KFDX News Channel 3:

Thank you for asking for responses on this issue. Here is the letter I wrote
to the McDonald's in question:

2-10-97

McDonald's Corporation
150 South Warner Road
King of Prussia PA 19406

Manager:

I am writing to protest the way Mrs. Eileen Hernandez was treated when she
breastfed her baby
at your restaurant in the Marlton WalMart in January.  Since breastfeeding is
the natural and
normal way to feed a baby, I am astounded that anyone would be treated in
such a way!

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective and economical ways to promote
good health.  The
American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, the World
Health Organization, UNICEF, WIC, the US Dept of Health and Human Services
and many other
organizations all actively promote breastfeeding as the best method of infant
feeding.  Even in
your McDonald's web site, the "Healthy Kids" Educational programs and efforts
to promote
vaccination are addressed.  Breastfeeding IS baby's first vaccination and
certainly one of the
most important ways to optimize a child's health!  Breastfeeding should be
encouraged
everywhere!

Now let me address the issue of forcing a mother to meet someone else's
standard of discretion.
Have you ever thrown a fat man out of McDonald's because his pants were
hanging so low that
you could see the crack in his behind (not a pretty sight to me)?  Personally
I would much rather
see a baby or child at the breast.  Several states have enacted legislation
to protect a mother's
right to breastfeed anywhere that she herself has a right to be, regardless
of any incidental
exposure of the mother's breast or nipple while nursing.

This family deserves an apology and the rude employee should be fired.

Sincerely,
Laurie Wheeler, Rnc, Mn, Ibclc
LA Breastfeeding MediaWatch Coordinator
3408 Acorn Drive
Violet LA 70092

cc: McDonalds Corporate Office
      One McDonalds Plaza
      Oakbrook IL 60521

       Wichita Falls, TX news station
       KFDX, channel 3
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