Editor’s note: Since the following story has been posted from TribLocal contributor SkyYogaStudio, Brookfield Zoo has addressed the contributor’s story by posting a response and apology on triblocal.com. Read “Response to the Unhappy Mother, skyyogastudio” for the zoo’s response. And click here to read SkyYogaStudio’s response to Brookfield’s apology.
Brookfield Zoo Anti- Breastfeeding
I have been a Brookfield Zoo Member on and off since my older son was born. This year I made a resolution to spend more quality time with my boys so every Sunday we go to the zoo. We visit the different regions, see the animals, stop at the Hamil Play Zoo or the petting zoo and then get a bite to eat. The zoo is a wonderful place to take long, interesting, animal filled walks with your family.
This past week I was light on my class schedule at my yoga studio so we decided to take our zoo day early. We rented a covered stroller and s
et out on our daily zoo adventure. The favorites at the zoo always seem to be the newborn babies who look so cute cuddling with their mommas, nursing or sleeping – everyone loves to see a baby.
It was 96 degrees, hot and muggy so we hit the water play area and after we made our way through The Living Coast we decided to stop at the Bistro at the Grotto for some lunch. We were the only customers having a late lunch so we sat where we wanted and looked at our menus. Right on cue my youngest decided it was time to eat so I set about breastfeeding him. This isn’t a flamboyant task. He’s at the point now where he gets to business, calms down from any screams that indicated his belly wasn’t full, and I discreetly slide the top of my shirt down. I don’t use a cover because he point blank hates blankets – when he sleeps, when he eats – whenever. Couple that with the fact that it was 96 degrees out and way too hot to subject a baby to no circulation of air – The Bistro at the Grotto is al fresco.
Our waitress came to take our order, and left as usual. A tram went by and my older son pretended to be a lion in a habitat looking out at the passengers, a favorite game of his. After the tram pulled away we were met by a surly faced female supervisor staring down at us,
“You can’t do that here. We have bathrooms that you need to use for that, or you need to put some type of cover on. People walking by are offended”.
I was shocked. I have read countless breastfeeding blogs, support sites, and newspaper articles about ignorant folks who don’t know breast is best. I have glanced at stories of harassment that women have faced at places such as Target, and Cost Plus World Market and shook my head in disbelief but never once in all the time I nursed both my boys have I ever been face to face with confrontation around breastfeeding my babies.
We left the restaurant, hungry and angry. We stopped at the Membership Office to file a complaint. The young ladies were very sympathetic and called to have a supervisor come over to talk to us about our experience. In the meantime I filled out a comment card. As I looked up, the same supervisor was headed our way. I explained this predicament to the Membership Office staff and left them with my comment card and they gave me their assurance that someone would call me right away. That never happened.
I am extremely disappointed that the Brookfield Zoo of all places, an institution full of mammals nursing their young, a family tourist attraction that proudly sponsors a Mommy Shower, would support anti-breastfeeding sentiments. Not only is it ironic that they feel public nursing, something that other mammals engage in freely while being stared at during Zoo hours, would be offensive. In the state of Illinois it is also illegal for them to insist a woman can not breastfeed where she wants.
Another pro-breastfeeding friend pointed out to me that in 2004,
“Illinois now joins [43] other states in declaring that mothers have the right to nurse their babies,” said Sen. Harmon. “This new law will protect and promote the rights of breastfeeding mothers and their children by allowing them to nurse anywhere, public or private, that they are authorized to be.”
The law, which is effective immediately, includes a provision giving nursing mothers the right to bring legal action against the owner or operator of a public facility who denies a woman the right to breastfeed. For more information Google: (740 ILCS 137/) Right to Breastfeed Act. This act also states that a woman does not have to cover her breast or nipple while breastfeeding.
The legislation clearly states its purpose. “The General Assembly finds that breast milk offers better nutrition, immunity, and digestion, and may raise a baby's IQ, and that breastfeeding offers other benefits such as improved mother?baby bonding, and its encouragement has been established as a major goal of this decade by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. The General Assembly finds and declares that the Surgeon General of the United States recommends that babies be fed breastmilk, unless medically contraindicated, in order to attain an optimal healthy start. (Source: P.A. 93?942, eff. 8?16?04.)”
Amazingly enough the Zoo has about a hundred signs warning not to feed the animals, that their diets are constructed to be the best for them, yet they fail to support a woman’s right to give her baby the best possible meal – breastmilk. Although I could sue this worker and the Brookfield Zoo for denying me the right to nurse my youngest – I am more focused on educating others about their rights. I am an experienced, breastfeeding veteran at this point in life and don’t let small minded people influence my decision. I had the strength to reply back, “I don’t have to go to a hot bathroom, I know my legal rights.” But what about all of the new moms out there, women who are afraid to try breastfeeding because they fear failing, they don’t want to sit in a bathroom to feed their babies, who are mislead to believe that breastfeeding is somehow taboo, or makes them “less fun”? If we don’t start educating people about the benefits of breastfeeding we are doing a huge disservice to our women and children.
Visit http://www.motheringfromtheheart.com for a complete list of benefits from breastfeeding:
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Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
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Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the US (20-35 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under the age of 5, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 400-500 deaths in the U.S.)
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Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),
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Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
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Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
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Breastfed infants develop higher IQ’s, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18. (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development…there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development)
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Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life
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The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby’s blood
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There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus….and many others
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Less risk of childhood obesity
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Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
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Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
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Helps the mother’s body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster – promotes weight loss…1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores… can burn from 500 – 1,500 calories per day.
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Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
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Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)
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Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalization
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Breastfeeding reduces the cost of healthcare by promoting healthier children and mothers……….If all WIC babies in the U.S. were breastfed, our economical savings would be $33,000,000 per month ……….In 1993, 90,000 babies were hospitalized for RSV at a cost of 450 million dollars. Currently, the U.S. spends over 1 billion dollars a year on Otitis Media (ear infections)
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Reduced insurance premiums for both parents and employers
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Breastfeeding reduces global pollution by decreasing the use of resources and energy required to produce, process, package, distribute, promote and dispose of materials created by the manufacture and use of artificial baby milk
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Reduced tax burden on communities and government to ensure children are properly fed
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Reduced absenteeism in the workplace due to children’s illnesses
Health Benefits to Babies Who Breastfeed
Health Benefits to Moms Who Breastfeed
Benefits to the Environment and Society
I just wanted to let you know that I got a great reply from the zoo already (regarding a comment I left on their public guest book). In part, it states: “On behalf of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, I want to let you know that this was an isolated incident and we have immediately addressed it with our entire staff that all zoo employees understand and support a mothers right to breastfeed at Brookfield Zoo. Our CEO has been in contact with the family and has apologized on behalf of the zoo for the unfortunate situation in which the mother was asked to cover herself up or move to another location while nursing her child.
Brookfield Zoo works hard to accommodate families and defends a mothers right to breastfeed in public. As a matter of fact, in 2008, the zoo was the site of the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge that celebrates breastfeeding, promotes and educates about the benefits of breastfeeding, and provides support for breastfeeding women and their families. Again, we are sorry for what this family experienced at the zoo, and assure you that we will continue to strive to make Brookfield Zoo the most family-friendly zoo.”
amazing. illinois state law provides that any place the mother can legally be, she can breastfeed her baby. period. the more amazing part is the response of some women to the article… feeding a baby in the bathroom, in a stall is ever appropriate? take your own damned lunch in there and have at it! cover your baby with a blanket in this heat/humidity? go ahead and cover your own head. moron. time to de-sexualize this. if nursing in public is a sexual act, then bottle feeding must be the equivalent of whipping out a dildo.
@Hovawwart “Generalizing that the zoo has an anti-breastfeeding “policy” is probably a bit strong. Probably like saying the zoo has a “policy” of stupidity” – thank you for pointing this out.
The problem was, there are signs posted about smoking policies, not feeding the animals, etc. but none regarding breastfeeding or where to find suitable accommodations. The Children’s Museums have specific signs spelling out their policies that nursing areas are provided for comfort, but women are invited to nurse anywhere. This is a completely transparent policy.
My experience was that no-one knew the policy at the Membership Office, they called to complain and the same offending supervisor was sent to handle the situation, and nowhere was their policy printed. I have been to many other attractions that show clearly outlined mother/baby nursing signs for comfortable nursing areas, and specifically in print welcome women to nurse.
You are right that I should not have expected the worst. But how strong is a company’s policy and efforts if even one employee harasses someone?
Thanks everyone for your replies.
@chelen – I wouldn’t worry if my children were in the presence of a nudist – there is nothing sexual about being nude or breastfeeding. There is a difference between bearing your breasts for beads, and discreetly nursing your child in public. As a woman I am a little ashamed to read your comments, I am not sure why women tend to bash each other. Would you like to eat your meal in a filthy bathroom? Have you ever been to the Zoo’s Bathroom?.
Thanks to all of your replies and efforts, this article was forwarded to the CEO of the Zoo and he has contacted us. This was the action of one employee, not the Zoo itself thankfully.
I just left a link to this post on Brookfield Zoo’s Google rating page:
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=brookfield+zoo+chicago+il&fb=1&gl=us&hq=brookfield+zoo&hnear=Chicago,+IL&cid=1972756268800593813&pcsi=1972756268800593813,1
@BreastIsBest– Even though my 2 year old self-weaned 2 months ago, I would be proud and happy to stand alongside my breastfeeding sisters in support. I will check out the FB group. Thanks!
@livsmom–not sure if I know you already or not, but would you mind contacting me through the Facebook group and we can coordinate efforts?
Hi all, for anyone who is interested I have created a Facebook group to band together and make sure Brookfield Zoo addresses this appropriately! The group is titled “Brookfield Zoo Nursing Protest”
@SkyYogaStudio–I hope this is ok, please let me know if it is not!
I have never been to the Brookfield Zoo but have wanted to go for about three years now. I would not mind making my first trip there for a Nurse in! And never fear if I am harassed I will pursue ALL of my legal options! I can’t believe that a fellow breastfeeding mom would want some one to go feed in a bathroom….eww how can she even think about feeding her baby in a shower of feces! WTG SkyYogaStudio for not letting them shame you!
Generalizing that the zoo has an anti-breastfeeding “policy” is probably a bit strong. Probably like saying the zoo has a “policy” of stupidity. More correctly, some random employee (who has the responsibility of being a supervisor and should know better) imposed her own made-up rules on the spur of the moment. One supposes she has had the chance to think through other civil rights issues in advance and won’t make the same mistake in barring people of color, people of different religion, people of different ages and physical abilities from eating in the restaurant. As it stands, the zoo needs to quickly accept culpability for her error and redress the situation. If it does so with speed and grace, maybe something good can come out of a bad situation.
I am 100% game for a nurse in. This is absolutely unacceptable. I think I honestly would have started laughing in the managers face. Hysterically! I have plenty of local mamas who would absolutely support a nurse-in!
Your opinion, rude poster above me, doesn’t matter. What matters is that the law is on this mama’s side.
I have been a member of the zoo for over 5 years now and have nursed my babies and toddlers all over it. I hope this was just one isolated incident with an ignorant supervisor and the zoo issues this mama an apology right away!!
Wow–shocked at Brookfield and shocked at some of the comments. I have been a BFZ member for about 8 years now (just completed Zoo Camp for 4 of our 5 kids a couple of weeks ago) who has breastfed 5 kids at the zoo and planned on breastfeeding #6 there too someday after he arrives.
First of all, most experienced breastfeeding women do NOT use a cover–they don’t have to–they can actually be more discreet without one. Babies usually do not like blankets over their faces and are known to pull them up at the worst time. I don’t think I have ever used a cover, and trust me, no one has seen any skin. I am sure the author was similarly discreet.
Additionally, if you have a screaming baby, your first instinct is to sit down and nurse–wherever you are. Can’t imagine having to look for a “designated area”–save that task for the smokers. And feeding an infant in a bathroom? Heck, I don’t even like to go to the bathroom in a public bathroom–let alone feed a baby! WOW! We have made so much progress in IL that we do not HAVE to nurse in a stall anymore.
I am so sorry that this has happened. Please keep us posted. I will certainly think twice next year about spending close to $1000 on Zoo Camp again for my kids if they won’t let me breastfeed the newest member of my family on their properly.
I am absolutely shocked by chelen’s response! How, as a woman, can you possibly think it’s okay to take your child into a public bathroom to FEED them!?! Would YOU eat your lunch in a bathroom stall? I would guess not.
I was in the same position just a few months ago, visiting Brookfield with my two children. My baby decided he needed to eat while we were walking through the safari area. I sat in an alcove area, gave my oldest his sandwich that we packed and I breastfed the baby. Several families walked through the area and none expressed any concern over what I was doing. A couple hours later we were in the Hamill building where I found a Mother and Baby room which made it much easier.
However, the author is completely correct, it is illegal for anyone to refuse you the opportunity to breastfeed in public. What was she supposed to do with her older son, have him sit in the stall next to her?
Eventually everyone will stop seeing breasts as merely sexual objects and realize that feeding your child is a natural part of life.
Wow, chelen, you honestly don’t see the different between nursing in public and urinating in public? Let me see if I can explain it to you, then. There are very clear health and sanitation reasons to not pee everywhere. There is no negative effect of breastfeeding on anyone else in the immediate proximity. In fact, I would go so far as to say there’s a clear public benefit when a baby is quieted and nurtured in a natural and loving way, and a terrible public loss when artificial milk feeding is encouraged and those who breastfeed are treated as pariahs and freaks.
If a discreetly breastfeeding couple offends you, I’ve got a really simple solution: don’t look at it. If you don’t want to see young mammals acting like mammals, then may I suggest that you stay the heck away from a zoo.
I am going to contact Brookfield tomorrow. If they do not have a nursing-friendly policy in place at that time, I am cancelling my membership and encouraging my friends to do the same. We’ll see who they would rather cater to: those who are offended at mothers taking excellent care of their children, or those who are offended by ham-handed supervisors who don’t know the law and try to force their own twisted values on other people.
I am a Mom who breastfed. The one point this woman is missing is that no one questioned the benefits of breastfeeding. No one questions that it is a natural and beneficial way to feed your child. What comes into question is consideration for the general public of bearing a particular part of the body. After all, we are talking about being in public – not her living room or backyard.
I wonder if this woman would be as tolerant if she or her children were in the presence of nudist colony members. Being nude is natural and I’m sure there are people who could argue it’s benefits but, there are places set aside for that. As there are and should be for breastfeeding.
You would take your child into the bathroom or a private area to change his/her diaper. Why would you think whipping out your breast in public is any different? When I breastfed my daughter, I stood in a bathroom stall and didn’t complain at all. At least these days, they have nice rooms and/or chairs to accommodate Mothers.
Urinating is a natural act as well and quite beneficial but, that doesn’t mean you get to do it in public. Let’s keep things in perspective. This isn’t an argument against breastfeeding. It’s an argument for consideration of the general public on public property.