Last week, a Facebook user named Carol Lockwood shared a photo and story of Melanie Dudley nursing her 4-month-old baby in a hotel restaurant, with a blanket totally covering her head. Why on earth would she cover her head up? Because in 2018 people (in this case a man) are still asking women to cover up when they nurse their babies and yet not the least bit upset about lingerie shows on prime-time TV or half naked pictures of women in the mall.
“Dudley, 34, a stay-at-home mother from Austin, Texas, who also has 4-year-old twins, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that the move was spontaneous. ‘I was on vacation in Cabo San Lucas with my entire family and a man asked me to cover myself,’ she says. ‘I’m usually discreet but we were seated in the back of the restaurant.’”1
(They were in Cabo? Can you imagine the floss called a bathing suit that man likey saw on the beach? Suppose he asked anyone to “cover up”?)
“Dudley’s response is perfectly appropriate given that August is National Breastfeeding Month of which the first week is reserved for World Breastfeeding Week. Both observances highlight the benefits of nursing and generate support for women who choose to do so.”2
Sadly, she’s not the only woman ever asked to cover up and she likely won’t be the last. In fact, just after we finished writing this story, People published the story about New Jersey nursing mom, Michelle Ayala.
While feeding her daughter Daisy at Franklin Pond Beach on July 31, a woman from the park’s recreation committee walked over and asked her to cover up. However, when Ayala responded that she was legally allowed to nurse wherever she was, the official called the police! Luckily the officer who arrived was well-versed on breastfeeding laws and said to her, “I support you completely. Thank you for your time, thank you for your patience. I know this is silly, these are your rights and are you okay?”3
Breastfeeding is totally natural and the best thing for baby. And bonus, no one is making you look!
Remember, public breastfeeding is legal in all 50 states. Know your rights.
