There have been four incidents in the news recently regarding nursing in public, one each in New York, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts. Three of the four states have statutes protecting nursing in public. See if you can guess which one does not.
In Florida a mother was told to stop breastfeeding at her older child's school.
Outcome: The school's principal "later looked into Florida law on breast-feeding, and found he was off-base... He has since told staff members that breast-feeding is allowed at school."
In New York, a mother visiting a museum stopped to nurse her baby - under three blankets. She was told to move to a bathroom or leave. Area mothers later held a group show of support for the mother.
Outcome: The museum director stated "the museum has no such policy prohibiting breastfeeding anywhere." He believes that the person involved was not a museum staff member, and stated “We know that our staff is well aware about rule, regulations, about rights to breast feed anywhere.”
In Texas (video is worth watching), a mother getting her haircut at a salon was told that she couldn't breastfeed her child. There were no other customers in the salon at the time, and the mother was had tried to nurse under a shawl and the salon's smock. She left with her hair half-cut.
Outcome: The salon chain issued this statement: "We welcome mothers and children. We do not have a policy against breastfeeding. This employee acted incorrectly."
In Massachusetts, a mother eating with her family at a restaurant was told she couldn't breastfeed in an adjoining empty banquet hall. She asked if she could have a private space to nurse, and was told no by the manager.
Outcome: Restaurant management stated that they never heard her mention breastfeeding. A waitress stated that the mother was told she could nurse in the banquet hall, but not eat there.
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