Comments on: Applebee’s To Offer Blankets for Breastfeeding! http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/ The Evolution Revolution Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:30:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.1 By: janaki http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1353 janaki Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:28:52 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1353 Wow that sucks. I was in an Applebee's about a month or two ago and breastfed my baby girl and no one gave me any problems. This was in Michigan. Of course, she was also in her sling, so I think people just thought she was sleeping. Who knows. But no one was disturbed or said anything. Wow that sucks. I was in an Applebee’s about a month or two ago and breastfed my baby girl and no one gave me any problems. This was in Michigan. Of course, she was also in her sling, so I think people just thought she was sleeping. Who knows. But no one was disturbed or said anything.

]]> By: sheepdoc http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1354 sheepdoc Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:02:35 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1354 What is the point of keeping the law with you if you unlatch your baby and send them out of the restaurant to debate the issue? Bottom line this mom should have said "No." while nursing her child. Then it would really be a nonissue, just an annoying coversation that went nowhere with no consequences. Maybe thats why I never had nursing issues - I never asked permission and I ignore stupid people. Rosa Parks is a good analogy. She said no and kept her seat. She didn't get off the bus and then complain about it. What is the point of keeping the law with you if you unlatch your baby and send them out of the restaurant to debate the issue? Bottom line this mom should have said “No.” while nursing her child. Then it would really be a nonissue, just an annoying coversation that went nowhere with no consequences. Maybe thats why I never had nursing issues - I never asked permission and I ignore stupid people.
Rosa Parks is a good analogy. She said no and kept her seat. She didn’t get off the bus and then complain about it.

]]> By: mamaluxe http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1356 mamaluxe Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:55:15 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1356 sheepdoc-- I think mom was in shock. I also think the point is to stop telling moms what they "should" or "should not" do, when they are making good and healthy choices, and support them. It is wonderful that you are confident enough that annoying people shrink away in fear, but I suppose some of us just don't have that sort of presence. You make a good suggestion to just reply, "No." I just wish it were phrased in a manner that would help other breastfeeding moms prepare themselves for potential confrontation so they can react in a way that is comfortable for them...rather than attack this specific mom who IS standing up for her rights and for others' rights and drawing attention to this issue. sheepdoc–

I think mom was in shock. I also think the point is to stop telling moms what they “should” or “should not” do, when they are making good and healthy choices, and support them.

It is wonderful that you are confident enough that annoying people shrink away in fear, but I suppose some of us just don’t have that sort of presence.

You make a good suggestion to just reply, “No.” I just wish it were phrased in a manner that would help other breastfeeding moms prepare themselves for potential confrontation so they can react in a way that is comfortable for them…rather than attack this specific mom who IS standing up for her rights and for others’ rights and drawing attention to this issue.

]]> By: night_nurse http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1357 night_nurse Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:02:20 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1357 I think I also would just have continues breastfeeding. But I do applaud this mum's actions, because after this, not only the manager of this restaurant will never again try to interfere with breastfeeding mum's, I think it will scare a lot of other restaurants and shops too. We need to let people hear we as breastfeedin mum's are people with rights, not afraid to stand up for them. If not, we will have to sit in the back of the busses, restaurants and will have to hide in toilets forever. I think I also would just have continues breastfeeding. But I do applaud this mum’s actions, because after this, not only the manager of this restaurant will never again try to interfere with breastfeeding mum’s, I think it will scare a lot of other restaurants and shops too. We need to let people hear we as breastfeedin mum’s are people with rights, not afraid to stand up for them. If not, we will have to sit in the back of the busses, restaurants and will have to hide in toilets forever.

]]> By: sheepdoc http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1365 sheepdoc Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:06:24 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1365 I don't mean to attack this mom. As I see it, if I were the managaer and the waitress and the offensive patron, I told the mom to stop and stop she did. That is positive reinforcment that BF in public can be stopped. This mothers actions did not benefit her nor her child . As for the manager, if I were him next time I wouldn't offer a blanket - I would just ask the mother to leave my reasturant. Much quicker - same result, customer and manager are happy and "offender" leaves quicker w/ less fuss. Its hard when you are flustered. However, she did choose a corner booth and was faceing into the corner. She was the one who used her body language to show she wasn't comfortable breastfeeding in public and that she could be intimidated. And she was. And the anti-BFers won that round and it doesn't matter what the law says. Its all about actions - not intentions. BTW - the rare objecters haven't slunk away, I IGNORE them. I'm 5ft. tall w/ a very high squeeky voice - I rarely get taken seriously. I simply made the decision when my children were born that I was going to take care of them. Really picture same sceene (except not facing away except _maybe_ for latch on) in Applebees. "You need to cover up." Continue to nurse, "No, I don't. I'll have the chicken fajita thank you." "One of the other customers feels this is indecent." "No, its not." Anyone here have kids? Isn't a child who simply says no the hardest to argue with? -Lori I don’t mean to attack this mom.
As I see it, if I were the managaer and the waitress and the offensive patron, I told the mom to stop and stop she did. That is positive reinforcment that BF in public can be stopped. This mothers actions did not benefit her nor her child . As for the manager, if I were him next time I wouldn’t offer a blanket - I would just ask the mother to leave my reasturant. Much quicker - same result, customer and manager are happy and “offender” leaves quicker w/ less fuss.

Its hard when you are flustered. However, she did choose a corner booth and was faceing into the corner. She was the one who used her body language to show she wasn’t comfortable breastfeeding in public and that she could be intimidated. And she was. And the anti-BFers won that round and it doesn’t matter what the law says. Its all about actions - not intentions.

BTW - the rare objecters haven’t slunk away, I IGNORE them. I’m 5ft. tall w/ a very high squeeky voice - I rarely get taken seriously. I simply made the decision when my children were born that I was going to take care of them.

Really picture same sceene (except not facing away except _maybe_ for latch on) in Applebees. “You need to cover up.” Continue to nurse, “No, I don’t. I’ll have the chicken fajita thank you.” “One of the other customers feels this is indecent.” “No, its not.”

Anyone here have kids? Isn’t a child who simply says no the hardest to argue with?
-Lori

]]> By: Robyn L. Coburn http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1366 Robyn L. Coburn Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:50:50 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1366 Does anyone else think it is bizarre that they kept talking about covering "the baby's head" with the blanket, rather than the woman's breast? Like the manager couldn't bear to say the word "breast", or even "chest area" or "bosom". I agree that the Rosa Parks analogy is a great image, (although the failing of the analogy is that she was challenging existing laws rather than protected by the law as breastfeeding is). And in passing I mention that it is so extremely healthful for a baby's breathing to have its head covered by a blanket! I think the most effective place for the Nurse In would be the restaurant in question, not some other place. Robyn C. Does anyone else think it is bizarre that they kept talking about covering “the baby’s head” with the blanket, rather than the woman’s breast?

Like the manager couldn’t bear to say the word “breast”, or even “chest area” or “bosom”.

I agree that the Rosa Parks analogy is a great image, (although the failing of the analogy is that she was challenging existing laws rather than protected by the law as breastfeeding is). And in passing I mention that it is so extremely healthful for a baby’s breathing to have its head covered by a blanket!

I think the most effective place for the Nurse In would be the restaurant in question, not some other place.

Robyn C.

]]> By: wiffersnapper http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1369 wiffersnapper Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:43:49 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1369 I wouldn't have budged, either. And the fact is, THEY were breaking the law by interfering with the baby's right to eat. I wish I were closer to KY- I hope 2,000 nursing mothers all show up! And what do you want to bet that the original objecting patron was some old biddy who never had kids? They're always the ones who know how everything should be! I wouldn’t have budged, either. And the fact is, THEY were breaking the law by interfering with the baby’s right to eat. I wish I were closer to KY- I hope 2,000 nursing mothers all show up! And what do you want to bet that the original objecting patron was some old biddy who never had kids? They’re always the ones who know how everything should be!

]]> By: sewathomemama http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1370 sewathomemama Sat, 01 Sep 2007 23:44:11 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1370 if this ever happens to me, i will request to know WHO complained. if they're eating meat, i'll tell them that since they're offended by what my son is eating & want him to throw a blanket over his head, then they should put a blanket over their own head because i'm offended by what they're eating! ha! if this ever happens to me, i will request to know WHO complained. if they’re eating meat, i’ll tell them that since they’re offended by what my son is eating & want him to throw a blanket over his head, then they should put a blanket over their own head because i’m offended by what they’re eating! ha!

]]> By: angelohara http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1371 angelohara Sun, 02 Sep 2007 06:21:21 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1371 Ugh I hate Applebees anyway. I admit, I'd be one of those flustered moms. Thankfully I was never bothered when I nursed my son ;) Ugh I hate Applebees anyway.

I admit, I’d be one of those flustered moms. Thankfully I was never bothered when I nursed my son ;)

]]> By: cielymar http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1373 cielymar Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:43:01 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1373 To bad we don't have an Applebees in Puerto Rico. I would really love to do a nurse-in there. To bad we don’t have an Applebees in Puerto Rico. I would really love to do a nurse-in there.

]]> By: tsrainer http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1375 tsrainer Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:37:07 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1375 I don't think targeting Applebee's in general is the way to go. These are privately managed. This was the error of that manager, not the chain in general. When people attack an entire business, it makes all of us NIPers look crazy. That's why we have the image we have. Really, people need to see us as just normal people, doing normal things, like nursing our children. Untill they see us as normal, they will never change their minds about NIP. So, as someone else said, have a nurse in at THAT Applebee's. I will add that I've never, ever had a problem nursing in Applebee's. It's one of our favs, so we are there fairly regularly. I don’t think targeting Applebee’s in general is the way to go. These are privately managed. This was the error of that manager, not the chain in general. When people attack an entire business, it makes all of us NIPers look crazy. That’s why we have the image we have. Really, people need to see us as just normal people, doing normal things, like nursing our children. Untill they see us as normal, they will never change their minds about NIP. So, as someone else said, have a nurse in at THAT Applebee’s.

I will add that I’ve never, ever had a problem nursing in Applebee’s. It’s one of our favs, so we are there fairly regularly.

]]> By: wiffersnapper http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1377 wiffersnapper Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:15:19 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1377 And, if they give out blankets, go ahead- cover the baby's head! (The back part only!) :-) If they ask, just say, "I don't eat with a blanket over my nose... why would anyone?" And, if they give out blankets, go ahead- cover the baby’s head! (The back part only!) :-) If they ask, just say, “I don’t eat with a blanket over my nose… why would anyone?”

]]> By: The International Breastfeeding Symbol » Blog Archive » Applebee’s Nurse-In, Nurse-Out http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1379 The International Breastfeeding Symbol » Blog Archive » Applebee’s Nurse-In, Nurse-Out Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:04:32 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1379 [...] and many other bloggers, agree with him. See this story on: The Lactivist, Hathor the CowGoddess, Women’s Health News, and Breastfeeding 1-2-3 (contains a Google map of Applebee’s [...] […] and many other bloggers, agree with him. See this story on: The Lactivist, Hathor the CowGoddess, Women’s Health News, and Breastfeeding 1-2-3 (contains a Google map of Applebee’s […]

]]> By: thordora http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1381 thordora Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:42:04 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1381 Any updates on the nurse-in? I found open mouthed gum chewers offensive-can we get them blankets? Or loud talkers? Any updates on the nurse-in?

I found open mouthed gum chewers offensive-can we get them blankets? Or loud talkers?

]]> By: amyphilo http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1393 amyphilo Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:45:28 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1393 If corporate supported the actions of that store, then this is about all Applebee's. Nationwide we can show them the impact that this incident wil lhave on their business unless they create a corporate-wide family friendly training policy. See the link to the nationwide nurse-in yahoo group on the front page of www.babywhys.org If corporate supported the actions of that store, then this is about all Applebee’s. Nationwide we can show them the impact that this incident wil lhave on their business unless they create a corporate-wide family friendly training policy.
See the link to the nationwide nurse-in yahoo group on the front page of www.babywhys.org

]]> By: amyphilo http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1399 amyphilo Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:43:58 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1399 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVR_Sg_z7E Check it out.... Applebee's Protest / Nurse In Announcement FYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVR_Sg_z7E

Check it out…. Applebee’s Protest / Nurse In Announcement FYI

]]> By: Online Travel Guide http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1435 Online Travel Guide Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:38:14 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1435 <strong>Online Travel Guide...</strong> I couldn't understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting... Online Travel Guide…

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

]]> By: Popular Science http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1808 Popular Science Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:18:51 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1808 <strong>Popular Science...</strong> I couldn't understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting... Popular Science…

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

]]> By: Latest Book Reviews http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1903 Latest Book Reviews Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:29:10 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2007/08/31/applebees-to-offer-blankets-for-breastfeeding/#comment-1903 <strong>Latest Book Reviews...</strong> I couldn't understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting... Latest Book Reviews…

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

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