In a world where breasts are celebrated in countless ways—photographed, admired, and flaunted—the moment a mother tries to nurse her child, things get complicated. A breastfeeding mother recently took to social media to address the hypocrisy she faced in a store that sells bras.
On a mundane Monday, Sarah Mitchell shared a striking image on Facebook of herself breastfeeding her 18-month-old daughter in front of a massive bra advertisement at Dillard’s. The backstory? She had been told by a store employee that she needed to take her baby to the restroom to nurse. “Why is it okay to have a giant image of breasts on the wall but not to feed my child?” she posed, perfectly capturing the absurdity of the situation.
Sarah recounted how her little one began to fuss, prompting her to seek permission to nurse in the store. An employee at the customer service desk gave her the green light, only for another staff member to later insist she relocate to the restroom. Shocked and frustrated, Sarah found herself wrestling with the ridiculousness of having to stop feeding her baby mid-meal and traipse to a bathroom—a place typically reserved for, well, less appetizing activities.
Dillard’s has since issued an apology and clarified their stance on breastfeeding in their stores. While it remains unclear if this particular location offers a designated nursing area, it’s important to note that in Tennessee, where Sarah was nursing, laws protect a mother’s right to breastfeed anywhere, public or private.
The most baffling aspect? Dillard’s is a bra store, selling everything from lacy undergarments to nursing bras. So, let’s break it down: it’s perfectly fine for an employee to measure a woman’s breasts for a fitting, but witnessing a mother feed her child? Not so much. This disconnect has not gone unnoticed, as many mothers across the internet have rallied behind Sarah, pointing out the absurdities surrounding societal views on breastfeeding.
While most comments were supportive, a few critics suggested that mothers should be more discreet. But, really, isn’t it time we stopped sexualizing breasts? After all, it’s all about nourishing our little ones. Sarah expressed her disappointment over some harsh comments she received, including one that suggested her daughter should switch to cow’s milk. “Why do people think animal milk is better than human milk?” she questioned. In the end, Sarah reminded us all that every parent has their own journey and that we should support one another in raising our children with love and health.
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In summary, Sarah Mitchell’s experience shines a light on the double standards surrounding breastfeeding in public spaces, especially in places like Dillard’s, where it feels utterly absurd to be shamed for feeding a baby among bras. It’s time to embrace a more accepting attitude towards breastfeeding and recognize that every mother’s choice deserves respect.