September 21, 2003

Mr. Miletich,

I am writing to you in dismay because in spite of our conversations in
which you assured me that a family-friendly and legal breastfeeding policy
was being developed, another mother was unlawfully harrrassed for
breastfeeding at the Jim Parsley Center today.  I have taken my children
swimming at the Parsley Center a total of 5 times, two of which I was
accompanied by a breastfeeding mother.  Both of those times, the respective
mothers were told they needed to breastfeed elsewhere.   This leaves me to
wonder how many similar incidents have occurred that have gone unreported.

I was with a different friend, Sandy, this afternoon, when she was
approached by two lifeguards who told her she could not breastfeed her baby
while walking in the shallow end of the pool.  The lifeguards informed us
that they had been given an inservice just this morning about this subject,
at which they had been told specifically to disallow mothers from
breastfeeding in the pool for health and safety reasons.  Sandy was told
she could sit on the deck (where there is no chair or bench) or go in the
locker room (which *is* a health and safety issue.)

One of the lifeguards also told us that Sandy was making her
"uncomfortable."  When Sandy informed the staff that she would not be
leaving the pool, under protection of Washington State Law, the lifeguards
attempted to argue, but wordlessly relented when they were provided with a
written copy of the state law.

While it seems clear that the breastfeeding issue is being addressed at the
facility level in terms of rule enforcement, there was no apparent attempt
to rectify the situation with a comfortable bench on which to nurse, a sign
welcoming nursing mothers to nurse at pool-side, or any other visable
attempt to create a family-friendly policy.

Once again, the public health argument for disallowing breastfeeding in or
near a pool is in direct contradiction to both Center for Disease Control
Policy and OSHA standards, and many other pool facilities have dealt with
this issue and created sensible and scientifically sound policies.

When a mother was asked (or told) not to breastfeed in an Edmonton, Canada
pool, Edmonton's public servants were given a lesson in breasts,
breastfeeding, and mother and baby rights by two lactation consultants.
Mothers and babies will now feed undisturbed at Edmonton city pools. I have
attached the full report on this issue for your information.  The response
from the Community Services supervisor says in part:

"The information you provided was an important factor in our review and
subsequent changes to existing procedures.

"Our initial standard was founded in part on general concerns about health
risks associated with breastfeeding while in a swimming pool.  [But we
learned] there is no research to support the speculation that breast milk
provides any greater risk of polluting the water than any other body fluids
(ie: sweat).

"We also revisited the Leisure Centre's Standard related to addressing
public complaints regarding breastfeeding. Our previous practice did not
appreciate the potentially negative effects on a nursing mother of
expressing to her concerns raised by other patrons. Once again we thank you
for the information you provided, as it was instrumental in the changes to
our policy. From this point, we will inform any patrons who complain that
breastfeeding is an acceptable practice in our facilities and does not
contravene any legislation.

"On behalf of Community Leisure Centres, I would like to offer my sincerest
apologies for any embarrassment that this may have caused any of your
organization's members. It is my hope that this change in current standards
will allow all members of the public to feel comfortable in any of our
facilities in the future."

Mr. Miletich, as I wrote to you in an email yesterday, I have not received
the promised update from you regarding the development of such a policy for
Vancouver Parks and Recreation-Managed facilities, nor has Miriam Mason
(the original mother harassed for breastfeeding at the Parsley Center)
received either the free swim passes she was promised or a direct apology
for the treatment she endured.

This issue is too important to allow it to fade from public
view.  Breastfeeding families deserve to know what kind of treatment they
can expect while caring for their children at pool facilities, and
Washington State Law protects a woman's right to breastfeed her baby
anywhere she and her baby have a right to be.  Please let me know how you
intend to act upon this critical issue.

Sincerely,


Lyla Wolfenstein, B.S., IBCLC, RLC
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
(360) 281-4719
[log in to unmask]
www.earlyattachments.com


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