Nurse-in at Hirshhorn on 2/12 from 10-12

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I BFed my DD for over a year, in lots of different places--admittedly not the Hirshhorn but in other museums, restaurants, park benches, etc. I didn't use a nursing cover but I did use a scarf or position my shirt in such a way as to keep most of my boob out of sight. I got a few sidelong glances once in a while but that was it. I just don't think the general public cares about your breasts nearly as much as many of you would like to imagine. I honestly think that many of the women who are so militantly into stuff like this "nurse-in" actually are seeking MORE attention, rather than less. It is hard to be a new mom and feel frumpy and like nobody looks at you anymore, believe me I know. But this is a stupid way to get attention.

I think the point is to not get attention for this. You enjoyed everyone pleasantly ignoring you whenever you breastfed. This poor woman did not. She was harassed. She got attention that she did not want. It is not her fault that so many in this country are self hating prudes. (It amazes me how many of the prudes got knocked up in the first place!) The idea is that if everyone breastfeeds where ever and when ever the babies need it and no one scampers away like they've been caught wanking off in public, then it will become no big deal. I have heard stories from my grandmother that back in the day, country women really would just whip it out and feed the kids and in mixed company no less! It was no big deal. We need to get back to that state of it being no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They are not promoting the cause of breastfeeding. Yes, I hope they look foolish because their 'nurse-in' is foolish. Re-read the rest of the thread if you don't understand by now.

Yes, I have read this entire thread and, like everyone else, have to put in my two cents. It seems that in an attempt to demonize Jennifer for all of her many posts, all of which were defensive responses to other posts, no one actually read what the event was about it. It is NOT a protest. It is an education event that consists mostly of handing out literature. Yes, the Smithsonian has apologized and are even supporting the event itself.

Seriously people, what is the problem?

The problem is that handing out literature is not allowed. The organizers didn't even check on this fact.

The more I read about this, the more I'm coming to the conclusion that perhaps I don't really care if other people breastfeed their kids. If they would rather have the dumber fatter kid with perpetual ear infections and allergies, then who am I to disagree. I just get to have the adorable, smart, normal BMI, non crusty eared and can eat peanut butter sandwiches kid. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They are not promoting the cause of breastfeeding. Yes, I hope they look foolish because their 'nurse-in' is foolish. Re-read the rest of the thread if you don't understand by now.

Yes, I have read this entire thread and, like everyone else, have to put in my two cents. It seems that in an attempt to demonize Jennifer for all of her many posts, all of which were defensive responses to other posts, no one actually read what the event was about it. It is NOT a protest. It is an education event that consists mostly of handing out literature. Yes, the Smithsonian has apologized and are even supporting the event itself.

Seriously people, what is the problem?

The problem is that handing out literature is not allowed. The organizers didn't even check on this fact.

The more I read about this, the more I'm coming to the conclusion that perhaps I don't really care if other people breastfeed their kids. If they would rather have the dumber fatter kid with perpetual ear infections and allergies, then who am I to disagree. I just get to have the adorable, smart, normal BMI, non crusty eared and can eat peanut butter sandwiches kid. Cheers!

...with a snotty, narrow minded, judgmental mother, no less! I feel sorry for your kids and hope you don't have a daughter.

[Anonymous]

All great points AP.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with AP. I support those organizing the nurse-in and support nursing and nursing in public unequivocably. But I do think AP makes very good points and has some great ideas.

[Anonymous]

How about shifting the effort away from a pointless but high profile demonstration to a high impact but low profile demonstration. Maybe use this incident to arm nursing mothers with the information they need by taking the laminated cards that cannot be handed out at the HH to area hospitals and leaving a large supply with the bf nurses to provide to patients. That would actually raise awareness on the part of the mothers and arm them to cite legal provisions should they be questioned.

But it wouldn't get anybody on the news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about shifting the effort away from a pointless but high profile demonstration to a high impact but low profile demonstration. Maybe use this incident to arm nursing mothers with the information they need by taking the laminated cards that cannot be handed out at the HH to area hospitals and leaving a large supply with the bf nurses to provide to patients. That would actually raise awareness on the part of the mothers and arm them to cite legal provisions should they be questioned.

But it wouldn't get anybody on the news.

This is a really, really good idea. I don't support this nurse-in but I would be happy to take the cards to the hospital and ask the nurses to hand them out. I have a good friend who is a L&D nurse in DC; she's a huge supporter of breastfeeding. If anyone is up for this, please let me know and I think I can get them distributed at at least one hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about shifting the effort away from a pointless but high profile demonstration to a high impact but low profile demonstration. Maybe use this incident to arm nursing mothers with the information they need by taking the laminated cards that cannot be handed out at the HH to area hospitals and leaving a large supply with the bf nurses to provide to patients. That would actually raise awareness on the part of the mothers and arm them to cite legal provisions should they be questioned.

But it wouldn't get anybody on the news.

This is a really, really good idea. I don't support this nurse-in but I would be happy to take the cards to the hospital and ask the nurses to hand them out. I have a good friend who is a L&D nurse in DC; she's a huge supporter of breastfeeding. If anyone is up for this, please let me know and I think I can get them distributed at at least one hospital.

agree. me as well.

[Anonymous]

It baffles me how this is even a big deal. A bunch of women are going to nurse at the Hirshhorn at the same time on Saturday. Big deal. Nobody is going to disrupt anything. Nobody is going to hate on the Hirshhorn. The Hirshhorn is hardly bleeding from the barbs of public opinion on this.

A.P., I don't know why you think you have it all solved. Your points were already made by others but have been shot down. But I'll take the bait again:

While the "decisionmakers" may or may not be in audience on Saturday, (how do you know this, by the way? And do you know anything about grassroots politics and how influence works?) they'll read about it and hear about it. So will the "decisionmakers" at other museums and institutions across the country.

And as for awareness goes: If one person in charge of personnel at another institution takes note and adds nursing rights to their training manual, that could translate to dozens of employees better educated the next time they come face to face with a nursing mom (or face to the back of a baby's head obscuring a boob, perhaps). Score a point for awareness.

if one nursing mom or teenager who may eventually be a nursing mom sees coverage of the event and says "oh, wow, I didn't know you could just breastfeed anywhere" and stores that away for future reference, score another point for awareness.

If another teenager sees the nurse-in and asks a question about nursing, score a point for awareness. Many kids don't know that babies are fed in any other way than a bottle. Can I get another point for awareness? Double score for the fact that we're not hiding it like it's dirty or weird. So more people will grow u knowing that breastfeeding is culturally relevant.

If someone sees me, a normal, non-crunchy, politically moderate, working mom, nursing my 18 month old, perhaps they'll think "I thought it was only granola types who nursed past one year. That woman doesn't fit the mold," then let's score a half a point for awareness.

I could go on, but you get my point.

I am a lobbyist by trade. If you really think that an event like this cannot be influential and cannot raise awareness, I find that surprising. I think, however, you just think you're invested in your opinion and won't consider the fact that you're wrong. That's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It baffles me how this is even a big deal. A bunch of women are going to nurse at the Hirshhorn at the same time on Saturday. Big deal. Nobody is going to disrupt anything. Nobody is going to hate on the Hirshhorn. The Hirshhorn is hardly bleeding from the barbs of public opinion on this.

A.P., I don't know why you think you have it all solved. Your points were already made by others but have been shot down. But I'll take the bait again:

While the "decisionmakers" may or may not be in audience on Saturday, (how do you know this, by the way? And do you know anything about grassroots politics and how influence works?) they'll read about it and hear about it. So will the "decisionmakers" at other museums and institutions across the country.

And as for awareness goes: If one person in charge of personnel at another institution takes note and adds nursing rights to their training manual, that could translate to dozens of employees better educated the next time they come face to face with a nursing mom (or face to the back of a baby's head obscuring a boob, perhaps). Score a point for awareness.

if one nursing mom or teenager who may eventually be a nursing mom sees coverage of the event and says "oh, wow, I didn't know you could just breastfeed anywhere" and stores that away for future reference, score another point for awareness.

If another teenager sees the nurse-in and asks a question about nursing, score a point for awareness. Many kids don't know that babies are fed in any other way than a bottle. Can I get another point for awareness? Double score for the fact that we're not hiding it like it's dirty or weird. So more people will grow u knowing that breastfeeding is culturally relevant.

If someone sees me, a normal, non-crunchy, politically moderate, working mom, nursing my 18 month old, perhaps they'll think "I thought it was only granola types who nursed past one year. That woman doesn't fit the mold," then let's score a half a point for awareness.

I could go on, but you get my point.

I am a lobbyist by trade. If you really think that an event like this cannot be influential and cannot raise awareness, I find that surprising. I think, however, you just think you're invested in your opinion and won't consider the fact that you're wrong. That's fine.

[Anonymous]

I think breastfeeding in public is gross. I do not want to see that at the museum. Why do you hippies have to take something used to nourish your child to make a stupid statement?

Go away, and I hope no one shows up.

[Anonymous]

The facebook page indicates that the event is canceled. Is that the case?

[Anonymous]

I hope so! My boyfriend and I had plans to go to the Hirshhorn tomorrow because we like the calm nature of the museum. We have changed our plans to avoid the noise.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if event is still on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think breastfeeding in public is gross. I do not want to see that at the museum. Why do you hippies have to take something used to nourish your child to make a stupid statement?

Just because you were a dick about it, that's why.