When you think of the Boy Scouts, camping and merit badges likely come to mind—not breastfeeding disputes. However, a Tennessee mother recently found herself at the center of an uproar after sharing her experience of being shamed for breastfeeding at her son’s Boy Scout meeting.
In a post on the Facebook group Breastfeeding Awareness, Sarah Johnson recounted attending a meeting with her son, who is on the autism spectrum, along with her two other children. When her one-year-old became hungry, she began nursing him in the back of the room using the well-known two-shirt technique for coverage. Everything seemed fine until a female scout leader approached her afterward.
“I was told multiple times how inappropriate my behavior was,” Johnson recounted. “I was informed that other parents would be upset and that I needed to either leave or cover up completely with a blanket from now on. I was left in shock and ended up leaving in tears.”
Johnson, a survivor of childhood trauma who has faced challenges with breastfeeding, felt deeply disheartened by the encounter. After reaching out to her local council and learning she was within her legal rights to breastfeed, she anticipated receiving an official letter that would clarify this right to leaders. Instead, she received a message from Tom Rivers, the Director of Field Services for the Middle Tennessee Council, which stated:
“While you certainly have the legal right to breastfeed in public, some members of your Troop feel uncomfortable. When you choose to nurse in the same room as the Scouts, it can create disruption. Many young boys may not fully understand breastfeeding, and their families might not be prepared for such discussions.”
The letter continued, suggesting that she consider using a cover or relocating to another room to prevent discomfort among some troop members. This sparked outrage from many who felt that breastfeeding should not be stigmatized.
Since the letter’s release, it has been shared widely, prompting numerous comments on the Boy Scouts of America Facebook page advocating for better education on breastfeeding rights. While the organization has stated they are “continuing to evaluate” the situation, they currently lack an official policy on the matter.
Larry Green, the executive director of the Middle Tennessee Council, acknowledged that the letter could be perceived as isolating and expressed a desire to facilitate discussion among all parties involved. He plans to meet with Johnson and the troop leaders to address the issue more constructively.
This incident could serve as a pivotal moment for the Boy Scouts to adopt policies that support breastfeeding mothers, contributing to a healthier dialogue about normalizing breastfeeding in various settings. After all, teaching respect for personal boundaries is a vital lesson for young boys to learn.
For more insights on topics like this, check out our blog post on home insemination techniques at intracervicalinsemination.com. Additionally, if you’re looking for expert advice on artificial insemination, Make a Mom has a wealth of information available. For general information on fertility treatments, Healthline is an excellent resource.
In summary, the Boy Scouts’ letter to a breastfeeding mother has ignited significant controversy, highlighting the need for better understanding and support for breastfeeding in public spaces. This situation could inspire meaningful changes in policies to promote acceptance and education.