Nov. 25 (UPI) — A group of Michigan moms held a breastfeeding awareness event at the Target in South Lansing, Mich., on Sunday in an effort to help erase the stigma that often accompanies the act.More than 40 mothers gathered for about an hour in the store’s food court for “Normalize Nursing in Public.” Many of the mothers breastfed their children during the event, with the hope of “normalizing” the practice.
Target allowed the demonstration to take place without any issues.
“We don’t want mothers to feel ashamed for trying to nourish their child,” said event organizer Lisa King. “It’s hard for a mom to have that courage to feed their hungry child no matter where they are.”
During two recent incidents at the store, Target employees asked nursing mothers to breastfeed either in the store’s restroom or their car, even though the chain’s policy is that women are welcome to breastfeed in store shopping areas.
“We like to raise awareness and remind people that it is really important to be supported in their choice to breastfeed,” said mother Lindsey LaForte. “Part of that support is allowing them to do it when they need to do it.”
Under Michigan law, it is legal for mothers to breastfeed in public.
[Lansing State Journal]
