A mother recently shared her upsetting experience after she faced shaming for breastfeeding. It’s disheartening enough to be criticized for nursing in public, but it’s even more frustrating when those who should support you accuse you of playing the victim. This is precisely what happened to Lisa Harper in a gym cafe in Dublin, Ohio.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Harper recounted a meeting she was having in the cafe of her local Premier fitness club when her eight-month-old son became hungry. Deciding to nurse him, she was approached by a gym employee who insisted on “accommodating” her by moving her to a more private area. Despite Harper’s polite refusal, the employee persisted, saying the gym supports breastfeeding and that she herself had breastfed.
Harper expressed her discomfort with the aggressive approach, stating, “My son is clearly fine,” but the employee continued to pressure her. Feeling frustrated, she called her husband, who decided to speak with the gym manager, a man named Mark. Unfortunately, Mark didn’t handle the situation well. He told Harper’s husband that both of them were acting like victims, despite witnessing people staring and commenting. When her husband mentioned Ohio’s breastfeeding laws, Mark responded, “Well, I’m legally allowed to ask her to cover up.”
With more than 30 months of breastfeeding experience, Harper is understandably hurt and outraged. She feels this incident underscores why public breastfeeding advocacy is essential, stating, “People get so offended by breastfeeding advocates. But why do we need them? Because there’s a problem.”
NBC4 reported that the president of the Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club affirmed their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers, allowing them to nurse comfortably during their visits. However, Harper’s experience suggests otherwise, as she was repeatedly disturbed under the guise of being “accommodated.”
It’s astonishing that in 2023, mothers still face such hurdles while trying to nourish their babies. Advocates for breastfeeding exist because there are still too many people who don’t understand that the best way to support a nursing mom is simply to offer kindness and respect, giving her the space to care for her child.
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In summary, Lisa Harper’s experience at the gym shines a light on the ongoing challenges breastfeeding mothers face in public spaces. It’s a reminder of the importance of advocacy and the need for support and understanding from the community.