In a world where laws exist to protect breastfeeding mothers, it seems that some folks just can’t resist sticking their noses where they don’t belong. The latest episode of “Let’s Shame a Mom for Feeding Her Baby” unfolded at a Piggly Wiggly, where a deputy reportedly told a mother she needed to “cover up” while nursing her infant because it might be “offensive” to others.
Enter our hero, Lisa Thompson, who was simply multitasking like a pro—feeding her one-month-old baby, Alex, while also trying to navigate the grocery aisles. Most of us would applaud such a talent, but instead, a few disgruntled shoppers decided to call in the law. In a Facebook post, Lisa recounted her shocking encounter:
“A deputy approached me just as I was about to leave and said I needed to cover up because someone might find it ‘offensive.’”
Oh really? Knowing that the law in Georgia protects her right to breastfeed, Lisa stood her ground. “He told me, ‘I can see your areola, and if he unlatches and shows nipple, that’s indecent exposure.’ He said trying to cover up would also be considered indecent exposure, and he didn’t want to arrest me.”
Seriously, folks, a little common sense wouldn’t hurt. The deputy’s job is to know the law, not to let a few complaints from nosy onlookers dictate his actions. “It was absolutely horrifying that someone who’s supposed to protect me threatened to arrest me when I hadn’t done anything wrong,” Lisa told reporters.
Sheriff Mark Wilson chimed in on social media, expressing his support for breastfeeding mothers, stating, “My wife and I have four kids, each of whom were breastfed, and I fully appreciate a woman’s right to feed her child wherever she feels comfortable.” His post reassured the public that proper training would be provided to ensure all officers understand the law.
At the end of the day, this incident serves as a stark reminder that mothers have the right to nourish their children in peace, without being subjected to judgment or harassment. Let’s hope the deputies in Muscogee County get the training they need so that mothers can focus on what really matters: feeding their little ones without fear.
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In summary, the Piggly Wiggly incident shines a light on the ongoing challenges breastfeeding mothers face when simply trying to care for their children. Respecting their rights should be a no-brainer, and it’s time society catches up.