UPDATE – 7:09 P.M. – Updates correct date for Mother’s Day.
Bonnie McCall holds her 5-week-old son, Nolan Sullivan, in their Cedar Rapids home on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. McCall is upset that a Lindale Mall security guard told her to breastfeed her son in the family restroom instead of the children
By Justin Foss
CEDAR RAPIDS – A Cedar Rapids mom is upset that a Lindale Mall security guard gave her guff for breast-feeding her child at the mall.
State law says women who want to breast-feed can do so essentially anywhere.
Bonnie McCall, 24, of Cedar Rapids, said she was feeding her 5-week-old son, Nolan Sullivan, at Lindale Mall on May 2.
“It’s our legal right to nurse, wherever we want. Even if it offends people. It’s not our problem, we’re feeding our child,” she said.
McCall was breast-feeding her son in the children’s play area when a security guard “told me there’s a family restroom for that.”
That restroom, she said, was at the other end of the mall.
“He told me he had to say something to me because people complained and they were afraid for their children,” McCall said.
This isn’t the first time McCall said she’s received looks or grief from others while breastfeeding her child. But this is the first time, she said, that an employee has said something.
Lisa Rowe, a spokesperson for the mall, said sometimes mall personnel will let parents know that the mall has a special spot they can use to breastfeed, if they want.
McCall said the guard didn’t make it sound that way.
“He very clearly wanted me to go to the family restroom,” McCall said.
McCall isn’t only upset at the mall but also at the people who complained.
“It would be nice if people understand it because breast-feeding is not the easy choice, it really isn’t,” said McCall. “It’s the free choice.”
In response to this, McCall said she and other mothers are planning a “nurse-in” at the mall on May 8 9, which happens to be Mother’s Day.
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STATEMENT FROM LINDALE MALL — Lindale Mall fully supports mothers rights in every capacity. Our overarching goal includes perfecting the customer experience at Lindale Mall, which is evident by providing such amenities as the soft-play area and family restroom for our family focused customers. Action has been taken to address this issue and we appreciate the passion of our customers that make Lindale Mall a special place.
Iowa also has a state law that allows breast-feeding mothers exempt from serving on jury duty if they can prove they also are responsible for their child’s daily care.
She was supervising her toddler in the play area, people. And yes, she had a legal right to do so. The article doesn’t say if she “covered up” or not, but that doesn’t matter. As someone who has breastfed two kids, I can tell you that using a blanket tends to accomplish two things: 1) draw attention to the fact that you’re nursing and 2) give the baby something to play with, thus driving you crazy.
I get a lot less attention, personally, when I DON’T use a blanket, because no one can tell the baby isn’t just sleeping or cuddling.
Grow up.
hello there, i have a 4months old daughter,I have been trying to introduce formular to her but she seems not interested in the feeding bootle. She wont event taste or lash on the nipple instead she scream as if i cut her with a sharp object. Could you please advise me on what to do as i will be going back to work soon and she is spending too much time on my breast.
Was this breastfeeding mom covered or was her breast fully exposed? I breastfed both of my children but ALWAYS had a blanket over my shoulder. There is a way to breastfeed in public discreetly! I haven’t heard or read what the circumstances were but I’m guessing there was no blanket. And the comment that she can breastfeed anywhere, anytime and doesn’t care if she offends anyone…that is so much a part of the problem with our society today!
Comparing breastfeeding to going to the bathroom is more than slightly odd. It’s just bad logic. Breastfeeding is feeding. Would you eat a snack out in public? Yes. So why wouldn’t you give a tiny newborn who needs to eat every two or three hours what they need to thrive?
Why would you need to go to a specially designated area? Mothering shouldn’t have to be so isolating. If you want to have a private area, I’m glad they have them. But nobody should feel pressured to use them just because they have them.
If you have a child that would be traumatized by seeing a woman breasfeeding than you aren’t raising your child right. You are raising them to see the woman’s body as primarily sexual. And you are raising them to be either turned on or ashamed of their own and other people’s bodies. There are more ways to feel about the human breast than sickened or sexually turned-on. The breasts are mammary glands. We are mammals. This is really basic science.
If breastfeeding makes you uncomfortable it’s probably because you haven’t seen it enough because as a society we are overcoming a sexist and shame-based view of the body. You need to change your mind. The mind is wonderful. It can open up just as wide and wonderfully as the heart.
There is nothing combative about nursing your baby. Ever. It is one of the most nurturing, loving things that you can do. (Also – is there a way to be combative while bottle feeding a child? Do you see how ridiculous and illogical this stuff is?)
Go Iowa Mamas with your lucky, lucky nurslings!
The point is, she legally had the right to do what she wanted, there are many people who do things a few puritanical people may consider offensive, but the law protects them.
Breastfeeding in public is NOT up for debate since the law CLEARLY protects the mothers right, God forbid people have to see a breasts normal function, I bet all you nay sayers have no problem when breasts are used to sell beer and cars.
How ridiculous. Good for her for not backing down.
This is never a problem where I live, I am shocked some weirdos still find it offensive.
Okay, my deepest apologies! I’m not yet a breastfeeding mom and do not live in Iowa, so I spoke out of turn! Who knew that y’all really ARE allowed to do it where and whenever you want!
Iowa Code § 135.30A (2002) a woman may breastfeed the woman’s own child in any public place where the woman’s presence is otherwise authorized.
Holy crap! In that case, I say, cover your naked breast a bit, and go for it on the playground!!!
Who knew Iowa was so progressive?
My apologies again, for being ill-informed!
You do not have a right to breastfeed your child anywhere, anytime you want. I personally don’t have any problem with breastfeeding moms, as long as they’ve covered to where I’m not staring at their naked breasts — sorry, don’t want to see that. But by the same token, don’t cling to the argument of “it’s natural” and it’s best for the baby as being a defense to whip out your boob in a place where you’ve been asked not to, and there are places close by where you can go. Because you know what, going to the bathroom when the need arises is natural AND good for your body — doesn’t mean I’m going to cop a squat on the playground and claim it as my god-given (or constitutional) right! Get a grip!
To stand on the platform of respect is laughable. One must ask oneself do you respect everyone around you. Do you wear long clothes to cover your legs & arms? What about covering your face? By not covering yourself you are disrespecting certain people and their beliefs. One must realize that “we” can not make everyone happy and respect every single person’s views no matter how hard we try. The fact remains that the only person that needs to be respected in this situation is the precious baby and their NEED to eat. We also must remember the majority have spoken and have clearly stated that we (as a state and country) believe a child should be able to eat (breastfeed) wherever mom is allowed to be. It is so said that basic decorum has to be dictated by law but as we can plainly see some still need that guideline.
To fake rox_b
The mall in question has 3 womens lounges and a family restroom, all with seating and privacy. 2 are in close proximity of the play area. She chose to flaunt and make a spectacle of herself. When approached and asked to cease she could have very easily gone to a designated area and continued. She however chose to make a fuss about something that should have not been. To put it plainly. She had options. She had choices. She chose to do what she did.
To Sara:
It’s called respect for others Sara. There are at LEAST 3 other places in the mall that are private that she could have done this (Im not even mentioning the bathrooms). She chose to make a public spectacle of herself because she could. All in all just because you CAN doesnt mean you SHOULD…
The mall in question has 3 womens lounges and a family restroom, all with seating and privacy. 2 are in close proximity of the play area. She chose to flaunt and make a spectacle of herself. When approached and asked to cease she could have very easily gone to a designated area and continued. She however chose to make a fuss about something that should have not been. To put it plainly. She had options. She had choices. She chose to do what she did.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
Hey B, not every mother in the world feels the need to pump ahead, since they have a natural alternative. The area provided is on the opposite end of the mall, away from the play area where she had her toddler playing. She wasn’t flaunting her breast, and wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary.
Besides, do YOU eat in a bathroom?
It’s called respect for others Sara. There are at LEAST 3 other places in the mall that are private that she could have done this (Im not even mentioning the bathrooms). She chose to make a public spectacle of herself because she could. All in all just because you CAN doesnt mean you SHOULD…
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
i would love to know what time the nurse in is!
and just because you can give a baby of pumped milk does not mean she should have to. breastfeeding is natural and the healthiest choice. I dont bottle feed my newborn my milk if i’m with her thats just plain silly!
There are two sides to every situation. Yes she is entitled to feed her baby where she wants but she should also respect others by not doing it wherever she pleases because she can.
You can premake bottles that prevent the stares and complaints. She chose not to do this. The mall offers a family area specifically designed for this.
She had options. However she chose to be combative and to be in peoples faces about it.
As for the sit in? Remind me not to goto the mall on Sunday.