Breast defense - Female sports fans battle for right to nurse at stadiums

August 10, 2005

Women in favor of public breastfeeding are demanding the right the nurse their infants in the stands at sports arenas, but say they feel pressured to leave their pricey seats and feed their babies in bathrooms or first aid stations.

``They've paid for their seat, they have the right to be in that seat, so they have the right to breastfeed their baby there – that's our understanding of the law,'' said Lezlie Densmore of La Leche League in Massachusetts.

None of the area's three major sports venues have written policies on breastfeeding, creating confusion among mothers over what is allowed.


At Gillette Stadium, a spokesman said women can nurse anywhere. But a security official told a Herald reporter inquiring about the policy that mothers must breastfeed in designated areas.


At Fenway, both a fan service representative and a security official said if a fan finds a nursing mother ``offensive'' it is up to park security to decide whether the mother must go to a more discreet area.


At TD Banknorth Garden, public nursing is handled on a ``case-by-case basis,'' said spokeswoman Courtney McIlhenny.

Dorchester mother Patty Daidone-Hardy said she was told by Gillette Stadium officials on Monday that she could nurse her 3-month-old son in a restroom or other area away from the stands.

She said feeding her baby in a bathroom would be ``unsanitary.''

``Breast milk is my son's only source of nutrition,'' she said. ``I felt like I was committing a crime because I had to nurse my son.''

Gillette spokesman Stacey James said women can breastfeed anywhere in the stadium, including the stands. James said he didn't know why a security officer would tell a caller ``we have family restrooms'' for nursing.

``In the stadium, you can nurse anywhere. If that offended someone, we would be as respectful to all parties as possible,'' James said.

At Fenway, a security official contacted by phone said: ``We wouldn't ask you to leave but we may ask you to go to a more discreet location if someone complained.'' A message left yesterday at the ballpark's media relations office wasn't returned.


But advocates of breastfeeding say any policy that dissuades mothers from nursing in their arena seats plays into negative social attitudes.

``We love naked breasts as long as they are jiggling in front of us for titillation, for sexual excitement and for entertainment,'' said women's rights attorney and former Patriots cheerleader Wendy Murphy. ``But put a naked breast in front of them that is providing nutrition to an infant – and that's too offensive. It's almost laughable.''

Joanne Collins, a Hanover mother who nursed her three children, said women shouldn't be ostracized for breastfeeding.

``I don't care where it is. I don't know why a child should be withheld food because someone else's comfort level is being compromised,'' Collins said.

Massachusetts doesn't have clear-cut laws protecting mothers who want to nurse in public although several bills are pending.

Harvey

Personally, I think it's gross and I don't know why people would want to do it all out in the open like that anyway.

It's a natural thing. The baby needs some source of nutrition. In other countries, women breast feed in public all the time and nobody makes a big deal. It's completely normal. I don't want to bad mouth anyone but a lot of this is because of the die-hard liberals. In other countries, most of the people are very conservative and take it as it comes. Die-hard liberals fight everything, including making breast feeding illegal. It's sickening, just let the woman breast feed her kid.

Personally, I think it's gross and I don't know why people would want to do it all out in the open like that anyway.


How is breastfeeding gross?
As long as it is done in a non-distracting manner I say go for it!

I don't want to bad mouth anyone but a lot of this is because of the die-hard liberals. In other countries, most of the people are very conservative and take it as it comes. Die-hard liberals fight everything, including making breast feeding illegal. It's sickening, just let the woman breast feed her kid.

I think you have "conservatives" and "liberals" very mixed up. ;) A "liberal" fights for the rights of all people and believes in equality of all people, therefore they would expect a woman to have the freedom to feed her baby discreetly. No one's boobies have to be flying around like milk jugs flying off a truck! :lol:

I don't know why they'd want to take an infant to a ballgame anyhow.

I don't know why they'd want to take an infant to a ballgame anyhow.
That's exactly what I was thinking.

I don't know why they'd want to take an infant to a ballgame anyhow.


It's less annoying than taking them to the movies or to a restaurant. :lol:

How is breastfeeding gross?
As long as it is done in a non-distracting manner I say go for it!
What I meant was, I know if I was breastfeeding, I wouldn't want to do it all out in the open at a sporting event. I'd want to go somewhere private.

I think you have "conservatives" and "liberals" very mixed up. ;) A "liberal" fights for the rights of all people and believes in equality of all people, therefore they would expect a woman to have the freedom to feed her baby discreetly. No one's boobies have to be flying around like milk jugs flying off a truck! :lol:


Yeah, I mixed the two up. Obviously, I'm not the smartest but o well. I was born to be stupid. But you see my point right? Other countries have no problem with breast feeding.

Other countries have no problem with breast feeding.

Right. People are cool about bodily functions in other countries. We are in such a sexual society here and we see women's boobs used for advertising etc etc. But when a woman wants to use her breasts for what they were put there for, feeding a small human being, she gets flack. Put a bikini top on them: sexy. Put a baby on them: gross and offensive. Makes no sense, does it?

if it's necessary, it should be allowed as long as it's covered up.

I don't know why they'd want to take an infant to a ballgame anyhow.

Are people with little children supposed to stay home ? If you pack a bag with enough diapers, formula and extras along with the ability to know when your child have had enough, I don't see why a parent can't enjoy outdoorsy time.

Are people with little children supposed to stay home ? If you pack a bag with enough diapers, formula and extras along with the ability to know when your child have had enough, I don't see why a parent can't enjoy outdoorsy time.
At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?

At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?

Why can't "you"? If a mother is nursing her baby, she has to be available. She may not like the idea of expressing her milk. So she brings the baby to the game. She may have her whole family there with her, too. She shouldn't have to sit home just because she's breastfeeding. This isn't 1894, after all! I bet the billboards at the stadium show more boobies than any new mother nursing would!

At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?


The same way you would. Just because the mother is nursing or has an infant is no reason to stay at home. We are not in the 1940's.:rolleyes:

At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?

Exactly! I go to see my favorite team play and have a good time.

Infants shouldn't be at ballparks.

Regardless of what is right and wrong at the stadiums, the atmosphere and the situation is volatile and unstable to say the least.

Drinking, smoking, swearing, fighting all occur at every single game.
It's bad enough for children in general, but you want your infant child there?
How about a nice drunk falling on on you and your baby?

The first infant to get killed by a foul ball at a baseball game might change some people's minds.

How about a nice drunk falling on on you and your baby


That happened at Yankee Stadium in 1992 or 93. My dad was at a game and 2 drunk guys were fighting and one of them fell on a woman and her baby. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. In some cases, there is no one to stay home and care for the baby so they have to go to the games.

That happened at Yankee Stadium in 1992 or 93. My dad was at a game and 2 drunk guys were fighting and one of them fell on a woman and her baby. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. In some cases, there is no one to stay home and care for the baby so they have to go to the games.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed.

I'm saying it's not the place for them.

I wouldn't take any infant child of mine there.

Infants shouldn't be at ballparks.

Regardless of what is right and wrong at the stadiums, the atmosphere and the situation is volatile and unstable to say the least.

Drinking, smoking, swearing, fighting all occur at every single game.
It's bad enough for children in general, but you want your infant child there?
How about a nice drunk falling on on you and your baby?

The first infant to get killed by a foul ball at a baseball game might change some people's minds.

The parent's criteria plays a major role here but also there's a chance of something happening at a zoo when an animal breaks down a cage and runs wild. See my point?

The parent's criteria plays a major role here but also there's a chance of something happening at a zoo when an animal breaks down a cage and runs wild. See my point?

Not even close to the problem of a ballpark with the patrons as your major concern.

The same way you would. Just because the mother is nursing or has an infant is no reason to stay at home. We are not in the 1940's.:rolleyes:
Who the hell said anything about the 1940's? :rolleyes: I didn't even give my opinion on whether I was for public breast feeding or not. All I did was ask a question. For your information if the person is discreet I wouldn't give a damn. And I'm not for banning mothers with babies from the ballpark. I just don't know how you're going to have a good time when you would be constantly worried about the baby.

At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?


Exactly, infants don't belong at a crowded sporting event with baseballs zipping through the stands and half drunken fans.

Being a mom that breastfed I wouldn't have wanted to take my son to a ballgame. If I didn't have someone to watch him, then daddy and one of his friends would go.

I feel that if you are discreet about it no one should be able to tell that you are nursing. There were plenty of times that I fed my son and no one could ever tell. I fed him in restaurants and at department stores. The key is discretion!!

The people that annoy me are the ones that think they have to put it out there for everyone to see. Then they get offended if someone says something to them. They are like "It is my right!!" What about my right to not be offended?

Being a mom that breastfed I wouldn't have wanted to take my son to a ballgame. If I didn't have someone to watch him, then daddy and one of his friends would go.

I feel that if you are discreet about it no one should be able to tell that you are nursing. There were plenty of times that I fed my son and no one could ever tell. I fed him in restaurants and at department stores. The key is discretion!!

The people that annoy me are the ones that think they have to put it out there for everyone to see. Then they get offended if someone says something to them. They are like "It is my right!!" What about my right to not be offended?


Well said :thumbsup:

When the guys go to Hooters and the gals are waiting tables in sleazy clothes with a big cleavage and being 'sexy' no one thinks it's offensive but if a boob pops out during a b-feeding session now that's the end of the world.

When the guys go to Hooters and the gals are waiting tables in sleazy clothes with a big cleavage and being 'sexy' no one thinks it's offensive but if a boob pops out during a b-feeding session now that's the end of the world.


Apples and oranges

When guys go to a place like Hooters, they know what to expect. When people go to a baseball game, the last thing they expect is seeing a boob used to feed an infant.

Apples and oranges

When guys go to a place like Hooters, they know what to expect. When people go to a baseball game, the last thing they expect is seeing a boob used to feed an infant.


Not only at Hooters but everywhere; even in the ballpark. ;)
So you rather hear an infant wailing instead of being b-fed discreetly?

Breast defense - Female sports fans battle for right to nurse at stadiums
Wasn't this already discussed some weeks ago? Yes, yes it was. It was in that "Should Women Breastfeed in Public?" poll.

Not only at Hooters but everywhere; even in the ballpark. ;)
So you rather hear an infant wailing instead of being b-fed discreetly?


Actually, I'd rather the baby stay at home where he/she belongs.

Actually, I'd rather the baby stay at home where he/she belongs.
I totally agree!

The parent's criteria plays a major role here but also there's a chance of something happening at a zoo when an animal breaks down a cage and runs wild. See my point?
the chances of someone getting drunk and baligarant (sp?) are a lot higher than w ild animal busting loose from it's cage and attacking a baby. Common sense will tell you that one.

Actually, I'd rather the baby stay at home where he/she belongs.


So are you saying that small children can't go on an outing? I took my newborn 3 days after she was born to the mall and went many places.

When the guys go to Hooters and the gals are waiting tables in sleazy clothes with a big cleavage and being 'sexy' no one thinks it's offensive but if a boob pops out during a b-feeding session now that's the end of the world.
if you walk into a restrauant called HOOTERS you should expect to see tight, clevage barring waitresses. That's like going into a church and being offended by the religious music.

Not only at Hooters but everywhere; even in the ballpark. ;)
So you rather hear an infant wailing instead of being b-fed discreetly?

Frankly, I'd rather not have either. That's when babysitters and baby bottles come in handy. Why on earth would anybody take a child to Hooters? :confused:

Frankly, I'd rather not have either. That's why there are babysitters. Why on earth would anybody take a child to Hooters? :confused:


Not everyone has a sitter but anyone can go to Hooter's.

So are you saying that small children can't go on an outing? I took my newborn 3 days after she was born to the mall and went many places.
No one is saying that kids can't go out on outings. There are just some outings that are more appropriate that others. I took my son to the mall when he was a newborn. His first outing was to Target. That being said, he was 3 months old when our big air show came down here. I wasn't about to take him. So even though I love the Air Show, I stayed home and let my husband and his father go alone.

There is a big difference between taking a child to a ballgame and to the mall. At the mall no one is going to get drunk and act stupid. If they do then I will say something to security.

I go to Disney World all the time. I can't tell you how many newborns I see there. Sometimes it is in the middle of the summer time. There is no excuse for adults to take babies out in the sun and not keep them covered. I am obsessive about using sunscreen for my son.

Not everyone has a sitter but anyone can go to Hooter's.
??

what does that point support?

Not everyone has a sitter but anyone can go to Hooter's.

It's not really a family friendly place.

Not everyone has a sitter but anyone can go to Hooter's.
I wouldn't take my son to Hooter's. When he is 18 he can go to Hooter's if he wants. Even though he is 9 now, there are some things that he doesn't need to see.

We have a local wings restaurant that is family owned. Have been going there since before my son was born. They have watched him grow up. Would never think about leaving him home.

It's not really a family friendly place.
Agreed!!:clap:

It's not really a family friendly place.


It is if your kid is a boy. :p

It is if your kid is a boy. :p

:lol:

His first anatomy lesson.

:lol:

His first anatomy lesson.


Years down the road, the kid's father will be like "Forget the birds and the bees, let's go to Hooters".

Years down the road, the kid's father will be like "Forget the birds and the bees, let's go to Hooters".

LOL...who says learning can't be fun.

Wonder what would happen if someone breastfed a baby at a ball game (while at her seat) and the cameras showed it on the stadium scoreboard TV? Now THAT would be interesting...

So are you saying that small children can't go on an outing? I took my newborn 3 days after she was born to the mall and went many places.


A mall and a sporting event are two completely different things.

Not everyone has a sitter but anyone can go to Hooter's.


If you don't have a sitter, then you don't go. It is called sacrifices. Going to a ballgame is a luxury, not a neccesity.

There is really no right or wrong answer. Everyone does what's best for them. To say if you don't have a sitter don't go is truly unfair. No one can or should tell anyone else how to raise their children. It surely won't stunt the child's growth so if parents are comfortable bringing a infant to a ballgame, so be it. As far as breast feeding in public, again I'm not offended as it's a natural thing to do. Would I be confortable having my wife do it in public?, the answer is no, but am I offended or would I think twice if a female offered her breast to her child? Again the answer is no. But again that's a individual choice and I think it's wrong for anyone to criticize that action.

Harvey

But again that's a individual choice and I think it's wrong for anyone to criticize that action.
It's called debating. Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Some people are ok with public breastfeeding, and others are not. You're obviously not against it. Good for you. Many others don't agree.

So are you saying that small children can't go on an outing? I took my newborn 3 days after she was born to the mall and went many places.

3 days? Did you really feel that was in the best interest of the child?

Actually any doctor will tell you that is a ridiculous risk to a newborn in terms of contracting an illness.

As a parent let me say that is just wrong.

Personally, I think it's gross and I don't know why people would want to do it all out in the open like that anyway.
I agree. I bet a good majority of these women really don't care if they can breastfeed in the stands or not...they're just doing it because it's another argument in their agenda of "no one lets us breastfeed where we waaaaaaaaaant!" They are all loudmouths with an agenda.

And no, I wouldn't breastfeed my baby in the bright sunshine with all those smokers and drinkers and all that pollution around. And you just know a drunk is going to ogle that.

Oh wait....I wouldn't take my infant to a loud sporting event anyway!

At a ballgame? How are you supposed to have fun at a ballgame with an infant?
HERE HERE.

No one said people with children can't go out. That's what babysitters are for. And no one give me that "But what if you can't afford one?" crap because if you can afford baseball tickets, etc. you can afford a babysitter.

When the guys go to Hooters and the gals are waiting tables in sleazy clothes with a big cleavage and being 'sexy' no one thinks it's offensive but if a boob pops out during a b-feeding session now that's the end of the world.
Who said no one thought that was offensive?

So are you saying that small children can't go on an outing? I took my newborn 3 days after she was born to the mall and went many places.
Outing is an awfully broad term, no? The mall...enclosed, no smoking, no drunks, ect. Ballfield....none of the above. Hmm....let's turn on common sense.

3 days? Did you really feel that was in the best interest of the child?

Actually any doctor will tell you that is a ridiculous risk to a newborn in terms of contracting an illness.

As a parent let me say that is just wrong.
lol...I wanted to say that, but I didn't have the guts.

My mom didn't take me out of the house for over a month. I see nothing wrong with that.

HERE HERE.

No one said people with children can't go out. That's what babysitters are for. And no one give me that "But what if you can't afford one?" crap because if you can afford baseball tickets, etc. you can afford a babysitter.
That's exactly what I was thinking. If you can afford to go to a ballgame then you should be able to afford a babysitter.

Why shouldn't a woman go out? Why should she have to stay home just because she has to breastfeed her infant?

She should be allowed to go out and have fun too, even if it is to a sporting event, I woudn't take an infant their, but it's all personal preference.