I'll take some cookies and wine. Write the email. I would have told him exactly what you stated here. You have a right to nurse wherever baby is allowed to be.
Though he may have been well intentioned, he was wrong to try to get you to leave your spot.
I don't think it was well intentioned. Saying things like, "You don't want people wondering why you're doing THAT here," is intended to shame. He may have veiled it well, but this person wasn't interested in badgermom's comfort. He wanted her hidden and wanted to embarrass her into going into hiding.
I'm sorry that happened, I would write the e-mail. I think you handled it very well. I always get flustered when confronted, even if I know I'm in the right, you did a good job standing up for yourself.
I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Definitely write that email -- hopefully the next nursing mom has a better experience. I agree with katfco that he was trying to guilt/shame you into leaving when he was uncomfortable.
So I sent the e-mail. Now I wait for a response! Thanks for encouraging me say something! I feel much better now.
Hello,
I was a guest at last night's Bucks game and wanted to inform you about an interaction I had with a member of your staff. My family and I were enjoying the game when my baby got a bit tired. I took him from our seats and found a quieter place to try to nurse him. I was surprised when I was approached by a security guard who told me "while what I was doing was natural" and "he was breastfed as a child" he would like to escort me to the first aid room so I could finish feeding my son there. He was quite persistent and insisted that he "was sure I'd be more comfortable somewhere private. Somewhere where I wouldn't have to worry that people were looking at me and wondering why I was doing THAT (with a tone I could only read as judgement/disgust) in public". Up until that moment, I was actually quite comfortable and my son was nearly asleep. I was quite taken aback and eventually was able to end the lengthy conversation by taking the section number of first aid in case I felt it became necessary.
What your staff member might not have been aware of is the fact that Wisconsin state law protects a woman's right to breastfeed her child anywhere that child is permitted to be. It would be advisable that you ensure all of your staff members are aware of this law. The interaction I had with your security guard left me feeling quite upset. While my response to this is e-mailing you such that the Bradley Center update your training practices, the next nursing mother confronted in this way may be more likely to pursue legal options.
I would expect that this will be addressed so your venue can do a better job of creating a welcoming environment for families and so that you can comply with state law.
SECTION 1. 253.16 of the statutes is created to read: 253.16 Right to breast−feed. A mother may breast−feed her child in any public or private location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. In such a location, no person may prohibit a mother from breast−feeding her child, direct a mother to move to a different location to breast−feed her child, direct a mother to cover her child or breast while breast−feeding, or otherwise restrict a mother from breast−feeding her child as provided in this section.
Yes! Don't be afraid to post it on Facebook too it you don't et an adequate response. You have probies that would be willing to back you up there too. I know I am just a crazy BFing nut but nothing grinds my gears quite like stories like this. I am always so appalled people thinking it is ANY of their opinion to say anything about a BFing baby. Or just how a baby eats in general.
Anyways, nice letter and I hope you get a response!
I am impress at how calm & polite your email is. This is a hit button issue for me & I don't think I would have been able to be so cordial. I hope their response is timely & apologetic. I am sorry that you were made to feel this way to begin with.