Montreal mother Melodie Nelson says she was stunned when she was asked to stop breastfeeding her son at a Rosemont pool earlier this week.
So stunned, in fact, that she decided to organize a nurse-in at that same pool to send a message – there’s nothing wrong with a feeding baby.
Nelson had brought her two young children to the pool at Lafond Park on Wednesday.
“It was a hot day, I just wanted to cool down,” she explained.
She kept her eye on her 2-year-old daughter while nursing her 1-year-old son.
“It was right here he was taking my boob. When he decides to let it go, sure we can see a nipple, but it's just normal while breastfeeding,” she said.
Nelson wrote about the incident on her blog and decided to organize the nurse-in. About two dozen mothers showed up for the impromptu protest Friday.
This isn't the first local controversy over breastfeeding in public. Three years ago, a Montreal mother was told to stop breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter at a children's clothing store at a downtown mall.
Jennifer Welch is a lactation consultant and a volunteer leader at La Leche League Canada.
She says public breastfeeding shouldn't be taboo.
“I think breasts are still very much sexualized in our culture, and the idea of seeing a baby attached to them for some people it's uncomfortable. The reality is that breasts are multifunctional and they have a very important role in feeding children,” she said.
The borough of Rosemont -- La Petite Patrie says it "permits and encourages mothers to breastfeed anywhere in public space, including at our facilities."
The moms at the nurse-in say that's the way it should be, and if people don't like seeing women breastfeeding, they should simply look the other way.
