# Women push for public breastfeeding policy at Starbucks, stage "nurse-in" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 11, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378 "2004-08-11T16:35:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/1 "2004-08-11T16:35:57Z")
Breast feeding in public has been a pretty hot topic here before. I ran across this interesting editorial today in The Washington Post concerning an effort to get Starbucks to enact a national corporate policy to allow public breast feeding in their stores. One woman recently organized a “nurse-in” at a local Starbucks. Article here: [**Do Me a Favor, Keep a Lid on Your Double Latte**](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55338-2004Aug10.html) Some excerpts: > [@](#): > > The latest assault on the right to a peaceful cup of Joe comes courtesy of Lorig Charkoudian, a Silver Spring woman who not only wants to breast-feed her daughter at Starbucks whenever she likes but expects me to avert my eyes or leave if I don’t share her enthusiasm for double breast milk latte. It’s not enough that a new Maryland law supports her right to lactate in public – no, she wants Starbucks to issue a nationwide corporate policy supporting her position. > > Speaking for the school of not letting it all hang out, let me say: Don’t. Please, please please. Just don’t. > > Charkoudian’s goal is to liberate women and advance the cause of nursing as a public health issue, which is why she staged a nurse-in at her local Starbucks on Sunday. > > As a former baby snack bar, let me say upfront: I’ve been there, done that. But not at my neighborhood coffee bar. > > Charkoudian, 31, began her coffeehouse crusade last month while nursing her 15-month-old daughter, Aline. A store clerk who had received complaints about other nursing mothers in the past asked her to go in the bathroom or cover her breast with a blanket – suggestions Charkoudian rejected. Feeding her daughter in the bathroom was disgusting, she said, and covering her would be uncomfortable. > > She had Maryland law on her side: An act passed last year prohibits restrictions on public nursing, and a Starbucks spokeswoman has instructed employees to inform any complaining customers of the new law and suggest they move to a different seat. > > But Charkoudian, a conflict resolution trainer, is pressuring Starbucks to enact a national corporate policy stating that mothers will “never be asked to leave, cover, move, or hide” when breast-feeding, that it will train employees that nursing is different from offensive behavior such as loud music or obscene language, and that offended customers should avert their eyes or move. > > … > > But overt public breast-feeding makes lots of people uncomfortable, so this is less about nursing than about imposing a belief system on those who do not share her views. It’s about who offends whom, for what reasons, in what settings. It’s not about rights, per se. It’s about taste and prevailing social norms. > > We are an uptight, prudish lot and in general believe large expanses of flesh, personal grooming and breast-feeding are not spectator sports. “In America, breast feeding is done only among intimates,” writes Judith Martin in “Miss Manners’ Guide for the Turn-of-the-Millennium.” > > The “it’s natural, it’s beautiful” lobby says nursing is nothing to be ashamed of and the rest of us just need to get over it. Let’s talk natural. Scratching in inappropriate places is natural. Clipping toenails is natural. Passing gas is natural, as is picking one’s nose. None poses a health threat to those around us, and we probably all have a legal right to do so in public. But we don’t because we have decided, in our arbitrary, old-fashioned way, that some things are not done in polite society. > > In most states, private businesses have the right to say “No” – as in “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” No bare chests. No bare breasts. Customers who don’t like it can take their business elsewhere. Personally I have to say I totally agree with the editorial. I know this opinion has gotten me flamed here before, but I think the article brought up some good points and I thought I’d throw it out there for your opinions! I was going to put this in Great Debates, but I think it would be more fun to discuss it here. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/2 "2004-08-11T16:41:06Z")
Yeah, I have no problem at all with women breastfeeding in public, but they should be discreet enough that their whole breast isn’t hanging out. My mom breastfed three kids and I don’t remember anyone having a problem with it because she always covered up with a light blanket if we were in public. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/3 "2004-08-11T16:48:38Z")
Breastfeeding in public never really bothered me, it’s not like I stare at the lady anyway. I must say this lady _insisting_ that Starbucks issue a policy when they have agreed to comply with the law sort of annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/4 "2004-08-11T16:50:40Z")
> [@](#): > > But Charkoudian, a **conflict resolution trainer** , is pressuring Starbucks to enact a national corporate policy stating that mothers will “never be asked to leave, cover, move, or hide” when breast-feeding, that it will train employees that nursing is different from offensive behavior such as loud music or obscene language, and that offended customers should avert their eyes or move. She’s either a hypocrite, or unemployed. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/5 "2004-08-11T16:59:07Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > She’s either a hypocrite, or unemployed. How do you figure she could be unemployed? There’s nothing in there about her not having a job. Hypocrite, I’d buy. The problem was resolved. She’s decided to take it national, thus un-resolving it. Are there any states in the Union that have laws prohibiting breastfeeding? Fat chance that Starbuck’s will issue a corporate policy telling some of their branches to break the law if there are… ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/6 "2004-08-11T17:00:35Z")
Of course, there’s also [this:](http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZNIUQXQ7C&sub_cat=20) > [@](#): > > Try to avoid caffeine or at least reduce your intake while you are breastfeeding. Caffeine tends to build up in babies’ systems because their bodies cannot get rid of it very easily. A morning cup of coffee is not likely to harm your baby, but too much caffeine can cause problems such as poor sleeping, nervousness, irritability, and poor feeding. Try using decaffeinated coffee and tea and avoid colas and other carbonated drinks that have added caffeine. But really, what’s the big deal about titties in public. I couldn’t care less if they’re out there for either sex. ---
**Author:** ![light\_strand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@light\_strand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/light_strand)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/7 "2004-08-11T17:01:02Z")
I find it amusing that the author of the article listed a whole bunch of icky behavior, none of which would cause a waiter to ask you to move. I don’t have any children, so I have to ask: Isn’t a 15 month old a bit old to be breast fed? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/8 "2004-08-11T17:04:32Z")
> [@](#): > > and covering her would be uncomfortable. Please. Like infants just hate to be warm, dark, and cozy while nursing. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/9 "2004-08-11T17:04:58Z")
I disagree with the OP and believe that we, as a nation, need to get over the fact that infants get their food from boobies. Many of you are here today only because you sucked on your mom’s breasts as a baby. Deal. However, I have to ask: If she’s breastfeeding, what’s she doing at Starbucks? Shouldn’t she be avoiding caffiene while breastfeeding, especially since coffee has much more caffiene than most soft drinks? I suppose it’s possible she’s only getting biscottis and ice water, but let’s just call it unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/10 "2004-08-11T17:06:08Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Breastfeeding in public never really bothered me, it’s not like I stare at the lady anyway. I must say this lady _insisting_ that Starbucks issue a policy when they have agreed to comply with the law sort of annoys me. She wants Starbucks to issue a _nationwide_ policy, which would necessarily include states where there aren’t already laws prohibiting restrictions on public nursing. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/11 "2004-08-11T17:06:25Z")
And, of course, **stpauler** beat me to my point. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/12 "2004-08-11T17:08:44Z")
They have herbal tea and decaf, too. Breastfeeding trauma, and breast exposure in general, is one of those things I think it is High Time We Got the Fuck Over ™. If you can deal with a man showing his tits, you can deal with a woman showing hers. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/13 "2004-08-11T17:10:08Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > Breast feeding in public has been a pretty hot topic here before. I ran across this interesting editorial today in The Washington Post concerning an effort to get Starbucks to enact a national corporate policy to allow public breast feeding in their stores. One woman recently organized a “nurse-in” at a local Starbucks. Starbucks? What happened to [McDonald’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266517&highlight=nurse+burger)? ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/14 "2004-08-11T17:11:02Z")
Starbucks has decaf coffee, teas, and non-coffee blender selections, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/15 "2004-08-11T17:17:43Z")
Gotta go wtih the OP here(or at least the arcticle quoted), I have no desire to sit at a Starbucks and watch breasts! No matter who or what is attached. I wouldnt want to sit in a Starbucks and see a mans chest either!! And dont give me crap about it being “natural”. Farting is natural too, but I don’t go to my local Starbucks to do it!! There is a time and place for everything, Starbucks aint it. If you knew your baby would be hungry, take 5mins and pump some milk before you go out! Now, if this same situation was in a public park, I wouldnt have a problem with it. But in small places I think its rude. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/16 "2004-08-11T17:23:37Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > If you can deal with a man showing his tits, you can deal with a woman showing hers. Actually… one of the things that crop up in the news from time to time is the possibility of hormone treatments that might allow men to breasfeed babies. If this were to come to pass, would those people who have expressed the opinion that women breastfeeding doesn’t bother them change their votes? Anybody got an objection to a man whippin’ one out and feeding a kid at a restaurant? Hypothetically-speaking, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/17 "2004-08-11T17:32:30Z")
Can someone remind me again of the biological purpose of breasts? Kidding aside, I can see how an infant human eating from the gland evolved for that purpose might traumatize people. I say we ban eating in public altogether! All that licking and masticating ::Shiver:: I mean isn’t the argument that breasts have a secondary sexual purpose and therefore should be hidden? Well so to mouths! You can lick or suck naughty bits with them! Won’t someone please think of the children?! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/18 "2004-08-11T17:34:49Z")
I have to admit that comparing farting with breastfeeding is leaving me aghast. I agree with **matt\_mcl** that we need to get the fuck over it already. As for the following: blankets: it can get really hot under one. Have you ever felt how hot a baby is? With a blanket, even a light one, I feel like I am suffocating. I can only imagine what it’s like for the baby. As for pumping? In my case, my daughter refuses a bottle. Flat out refuses. As for the age? The world organization (I forget it’s exact name, sorry!) recommends breast feeding to 3 years. While I do not breast feed in public (I would rarely go out when she was a baby), I support the right of those that do. Breast feeding in a bathroom is a horrible thing (I had to do it once). ---
**Author:** ![Apricot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Apricot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apricot)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/19 "2004-08-11T17:39:50Z")
15 months is not too old to be breastfeeding. Babies still need milk at that age, and while cows milk is an option after 12 months, mother’s milk is a superior option. Also, while some babies like dark warm places to nurse, a 15 month old is likely old enough to have developed a preference that is perhaps NOT dark and warm. You can’t put a blanket over the head of a child that doesn’t want it. They will move it with their little arms or squall until you move it. I don’t think starbucks needs a national statement. But I think that people need to get over it. If it would be okay for her to bottle feed the baby, it should be okay for her to breastfeed it as well. They are totally equivilent acts. There is no equivilent allowed public act for farting or peeing. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378/20 "2004-08-11T17:45:39Z")
I’m very pro-breast feeding but don’t think we should elevate it to a spectator sport. The baby should be able to nurse at Starbuck’s but the mother should make every effort (and extra effort if required) to do so discreetly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-push-for-public-breastfeeding-policy-at-starbucks-stage-nurse-in/259378.md?page=2)