Earlier this year, a 27-year-old mother of two was told to go breastfeed her baby in an alley when she requested the possibility of nursing her baby in an Austin, Texas Victoria’s Secret store. She politely asked if she could nurse her 4-month-old baby in an empty dressing room; however, her request was denied.
The young mother was shocked and embarrassed that she was being asked to leave the store and go breastfeed her baby in an alley. This particular instance highlights the discrimination that nursing mothers face on a daily basis. Cases like this only result in a hostile environment for nursing mothers, who are often made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.
Alright, so let me get this straight. A store that sells bras and lingerie tells a woman that she can’t breastfeed in public? Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things for a mother to do. You can bet that SNL had the perfect response in their Weekend Update segment.
A Victoria’s Secret store in Texas banned a woman from breastfeeding her son in the lingerie store.
“A Victoria’s Secret in Texas banned a woman from breastfeeding her son in the lingerie store.”
SNL had the perfect response…
“Apparently, they don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about what breasts are for.”
Shortly after the incident, Victoria’s Secret issued a formal apology and indicated that they would inform their associates about their policy that welcomes mothers in their stores. While it is encouraging that Victoria’s Secret has taken steps to be more welcoming to nursing mothers, no woman should be made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable when they are simply trying to do what is best for their children.
H/t: Upworthy and Consumerist
“Nursing?! This is a shopping mall! We can’t allow women to brazenly display their breasts!!”
Please share SNL’s response to Victoria’s Secret banning a nursing mom with your friends and family.
