In a troubling incident that highlights ongoing issues with breastfeeding acceptance, a 25-year-old mom from North Carolina is sharing her experience of being shamed by a judge during a custody hearing. Jessica Miller was attending court in Henderson County, hoping to regain custody of her eight-year-old daughter from her mother. When her eight-month-old son, Noah, became hungry, she did what any loving mother would do—she began to breastfeed him.
Unfortunately, Judge Mark Thompson was not supportive of this natural act. In a recorded exchange, he reprimanded Jessica, stating, “Ma’am, you need to cover up. It’s absurd that you don’t see that. Please step outside and cover up now.” While the judge expressed that he had no problem with the baby being in the courtroom, he deemed breastfeeding inappropriate. “Nursing a child in the courtroom is just unacceptable. Please step outside and button up,” he insisted.
This reaction is baffling. Jessica was simply meeting her baby’s needs, not putting on a display. She later recounted her feelings of humiliation and frustration, stating, “I was taken aback. His tone was so condescending and harsh. I knew my rights allowed me to breastfeed here, but I was too intimidated to speak up.”
After the incident, Jessica decided to stop breastfeeding to continue with her hearing. Sadly, the judge ruled against her, imposing a six-month protective order that prevented her from seeing her eldest daughter. Jessica believes that the judge’s negative view of breastfeeding may have influenced his decision. “He seemed disinterested in what I was saying,” she remarked.
While we can’t definitively say if the breastfeeding incident affected the ruling, one thing is clear: this judge’s attitude was out of line. His comments suggested that breastfeeding was somehow wrong, treating it as if it were inappropriate instead of recognizing it for what it truly is—providing nourishment for a hungry child.
Breastfeeding should never be shamed; it is a natural and necessary part of motherhood. As more stories of breastfeeding discrimination emerge, it’s clear that society needs to shift its perspective. New babies are born every day, and mothers will continue to feed them without apologies. Let’s support nursing parents and normalize breastfeeding in all environments, including courtrooms.
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In summary, the incident involving Jessica Miller and Judge Mark Thompson underscores the ongoing challenges breastfeeding mothers face, even in formal settings. It highlights the need for greater awareness and acceptance of breastfeeding as a normal aspect of parenting.