District Security Officer Prohibited Me from Breastfeeding at DMV, Accusing Me of Indecent Exposure

[Anonymous]

I don't think this incident had much to do with breastfeeding. The first contacts by the security weren't about breastfeeding - they were about the OP sitting on the floor. the security officers may well know the rights of breastfeeding mothers.

It sounds like in the heat of the argument the security officers said some pretty stupid things. I am inclined to think these were more due to the conflict and breastfeeding became the issue because of how OP escalated the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this incident had much to do with breastfeeding. The first contacts by the security weren't about breastfeeding - they were about the OP sitting on the floor. the security officers may well know the rights of breastfeeding mothers.

It sounds like in the heat of the argument the security officers said some pretty stupid things. I am inclined to think these were more due to the conflict and breastfeeding became the issue because of how OP escalated the situation.

Yes, this.

The nursing question is a secondary issue and OP is indignantly trying to make this case about it.

Perceptions matter more than intentions. The guards perceived a threat and an uncooperative person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How was OP supposed to go find a room when her case could have been called at any time (and was)? Would you have a problem with her standing in the corridor feeding her child from a bottle (assuming that was not against building regulations)?

Red herring. What if DB was latched on when the case was called?

OP was wronged, but she was also in the wrong and contributed to the wronging. Being able to nurse in public is an absolute right, as it should be, but it doesn't come with a set of entitlements to behave badly to public servants, even if they are in the wrong.

She went out of her way to be confrontational, probably because she thought she was being harassed. But at the end of the day all that happened to her was:

1) She was told not to sit on the floor in the hallway (rightly)
2) She was told subsequently she can't nurse in the building in public (wrongly).

Contrary to the premise of the complaint, she was not THREATENED with anything. She also escalated a situation needlessly. THEN she came here expecting, I think, an amen chorus. Which, you'll notice, she isn't getting, because at the end of the day, this isn't akin to some of the more egregious examples of restrictions on nursing mothers. It involves ignorant employees who were put on the defensive by a person who 1) Didn't initially comply with the instruction to get off the floor, which can be perceived, rightly, as uncooperative. 2) Was belligerent and condescending and threatening. ("I'm going to call my lawyer! MY LAWYER!")

Just to add point 1.5: OP said she told the guards she would get up and then continued what she was doing, ignoring the guard's first demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am relaying the details of an incident that occurred last week at the DMV to make all of you lactating moms know what we are sometimes up against and publicize what rights we have. I was not aware of the DC law until I faced this situation.

You lost me with that line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this incident had much to do with breastfeeding. The first contacts by the security weren't about breastfeeding - they were about the OP sitting on the floor. the security officers may well know the rights of breastfeeding mothers.

It sounds like in the heat of the argument the security officers said some pretty stupid things. I am inclined to think these were more due to the conflict and breastfeeding became the issue because of how OP escalated the situation.

Yes, this.

The nursing question is a secondary issue and OP is indignantly trying to make this case about it.

Perceptions matter more than intentions. The guards perceived a threat and an uncooperative person.

This. But amazing how people like OP will make it about something else and get their 15 minutes of fame. I imagine the guards would have asked anyone doing anything to "move along, you can't sit in the hallway." Maybe that's why there aren't chairs?

[Anonymous]

Another breast feeding mother here who thinks OP sounds like a nightmare.
You started the confrontational nature of this entire situation by REFUSING TO MOVE from sitting in the midst of a busy hallway.

Piece of work.

[Anonymous]

to any formula feeders and men who are reading this post:

the VAST majority of those of us who breastfeed are not this hostile or this crazy.

signed,

yet another breastfeeding mom.

[Anonymous]

Regardless of what you think the OP did wrong, the DMV violated her rights by demanding she stop breastfeeding because of indecent exposure laws. We don't need to lose that - she's still a victim here.

Signed, a bf mother who has also been challenged in public but who politely declined to stop or to cover up.

[Anonymous]

OP was this a troll post? No follow up since. You sound like you will be imparting some very sketchy values to your newborn.

[Anonymous]

When did all this happen anyway? You filed a complaint Dec. 2 and you're just now writing about this here?

I can understand heat of the moment indignation, but you sound like you're on some sort of jihad and want your piece of flesh. You'd better be sure all of your own actions and behaviors were above reproach. I don't think they were.

[Anonymous]

OP I hope you contact the washington post. And I think it was the officers on a power trip, not you.

Clearly the officers missed the whole cupcake controversy.

[Anonymous]

The security guards in this situation gave false information about DC law. Either they lied or they don't know the law. That's a pretty big problem, in my book. Folks who are supposed to protect public safety should know what's actually permitted and what's not, rather than just inventing rules as they please.

[Anonymous]

OP, I hate women like you. I say this as someone who BF three kids well into their twos. You may be will with in your right to whip out your boob in public but you shouldnt. How hard is it to use a nursing cover? While you expect others to be respectful of you and your choices you seem to have no respect for those around you.

Signed mother of 3 preteen boys who would rather not explain why your flashing people like it mardi gras

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God I hate entitled self absorbed liberals like the OP.

You are strange. I agree with the OP. Why would you NOT agree with the OP? you think that public officials should be able to tell a woman to stop breastfeeding in a public place? I don't understand how someone could say they think that it's inappropriate or wrong to FEED YOUR CHILD.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I am a former BF mother who has BF in public on many many occasions.

I have a problem that you didn't stand up when asked. I have BF while walking around, standing around, etc.

Also, I don't understand why a coverup cannot be used. Just because you can do something in life, doesn't mean you always should. It does not take away someone's right of BF. I understand the law allows a woman to BF without a coverup. But, I think we need to look outside our personal little universe.

I think some women are so keen on making their point and taking 100% advantage of their rights, that it can be off-putting to others who might actually support the overall concept - if there was a little bit of consideration. There are people who are uncomfortable seeing a breast exposed - even if a child is BF. The courteous thing seems to me to just use a coverup.