A mother recently shared her distressing experience after facing harassment for breastfeeding her child in a gym café. The incident, which took place at a fitness club in Ohio, highlights the challenges many mothers encounter when trying to nurse in public spaces.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Laura Bennett recounted how she was attending a meeting at her local gym when her eight-month-old son became hungry. As she began to nurse him, a gym employee approached her with a suggestion to move to a more private area. Laura declined the offer, feeling uncomfortable with the employee’s persistent requests. She wrote, “The employee kept insisting that the gym supports breastfeeding and wanted to ensure I was accommodated. I said no thanks, my son is fine right here.”
Frustrated by the employee’s insistence, Laura decided to call her husband for support. When he spoke to the gym manager, who ironically shared the name Jim, things took a turn for the worse. “Jim told my husband that we were both acting like victims,” Laura explained. “He even admitted to sending HR to talk to me after witnessing others staring and making comments.” When her husband mentioned Ohio’s breastfeeding laws, Jim shockingly responded that he was “legally allowed to ask her to cover up.”
Feeling hurt and embarrassed, Laura expressed her anger about the situation, stating that it only reinforced her commitment to breastfeeding in public for the sake of other mothers. “There’s a reason we have breastfeeding advocates,” she noted, “It’s because the struggle is still very real.”
The president of the Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club later released a statement emphasizing the gym’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers, asserting that they are welcome to nurse freely during their visits. However, Laura’s experience starkly contradicted this claim, as she felt anything but comfortable while trying to peacefully feed her child.
This incident raises an essential conversation about the treatment of breastfeeding mothers in public spaces. It’s disheartening to think that, even in 2023, there remains a need for advocacy for breastfeeding rights. The best way to support mothers like Laura is to respect their choices and allow them to nourish their children without fear of harassment.
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In summary, the experience of Laura Bennett serves as a reminder that breastfeeding mothers deserve understanding and respect in all environments. The ongoing fight for their rights continues to be critical, as the misconceptions and stigma surrounding public breastfeeding still persist.
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