A young mother called me today from California (go figure, I live in Va.)
> to tell me she had asked to use a dressing room in Walmart to nurse her
> baby and was was told emphatically, "no." She left, embarrassed and mad.
> Now she wants to "make an issue out of it" and asked me what to do.
> I know they haven't passed the legislation in California yet. We NEED
> national legislation and we should ALL write our congressmen.
> Anyway, any ideas?

I, too, came into a similar situation in a Walmart here in Canada.  When I
could not find a "nursing room" in the store, I approached a sales clerk and
asked for directions to the nursing room.  I was responded to with an
apology by the clerk but they did not have one and was told that if I would
like to nurse my child in private that they could put a chair in the
restroom for me.  I kindly explained to the sales associate that I would NOT
like my daughter to eat in a restroom. I was then directed to a bench in the
store.  There I sat and enjoyed a "moment" with my daughter in the middle of
the store at the invitation of the staff.  Mind though, when we were
finished, I approached the Manager On Duty and pointed out that I thought it
was rather strange that the compnay would be so kind as to save me a "Parent
With Child" parking space OUTSIDE of the store but had neglected to save me
a quiet place INSIDE where I could sit without distraction and nurse my
child, feeling welcomed to spend more time and likely, more money.  I
explained that such an addition to the store would most definately keep many
other women, more private than myself, in the store to shop longer as well.
Perhaps they could make their effort a cross-border mandate?  Being a
"family" oriented company, one would think that breastfeeding would be a
non-issue ... funny how parking convenience has become more of an importance
than a child's health and right!  Note, too, that a Mc D's facility is
available on-site for those not being nursed!

Now, there .. that's my two cents worth for the second time today! :o)

Jodi Barnard
Ladner, British Columbia, Canada
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