Homepage / Family
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story
Mall Breastfeeding Nurse-In
BREAST-FEEDING

Breastfeeding Mothers Stage 'Nurse-In' At Mall

Woman Asked To Feed Baby In Bathroom, Car

POSTED: 2:41 pm PST February 24, 2007

Hundreds turned out Saturday at a Pennsylvania mall. They were not there to shop, but to support a mother ordered by security to stop breastfeeding in public at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing.

The crowd gathered to support Leigh Bellini, who was asked by mall security last Saturday to go to a bathroom or her car while she breastfed her 6-month-old son, Enzo.

On Saturday, dozens of mothers staged a "nurse-in." Nearly 50 women breast-fed their children in the mall's center court. The women said they should be able to feed their children wherever they want.

Bellini said in the past she's received stares and some rude looks, but never before had she gotten into a confrontation over breastfeeding.

"I thought it was the most natural thing in the world. I can't imagine that somebody would complain," said Bellini.

But someone did complain when Bellini fed her baby at the mall. Bellini said she stopped to feed her son after a day of shopping with her family. She said that she found a bench under a tree and put her stroller in front of her when security approached, and asked her to cover her son with a blanket.

"Nobody could see anything. There wasn't one (part) of my breast showing," said Bellini.

Her husband, Tony, said the situation got ugly when police suggested that she feed their son in a public restroom or the car, which they refused to do.

"They threatened to call the police on us, or have us physically removed by the police department," he said.

Tony Bellini said they even threatened to have the couple banned from the mall permanently.

The mall's manager said there is no policy banning breastfeeding at the Berkshire Mall, and that security should not have threatened to call police. She said the matter is being investigated.

Protestors said they fear that having no policy could cause more problems for nursing mothers.

Almost every state in the country has a law allowing women to breastfeed in public, but not Pennsylvania. Currently, there is legislation being introduced in Harrisburg, Pa., to protect the rights of women who want to publicly breastfeed.

Back To School

Get ready for the new school year with tips on back to school shopping, safety tips, study suggestions and more. More


Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Great sex doesn't happen without some effort, especially in long-term relationships. Find fun ways to add passion to your relationship. More

Which companies are the most dishonest when dealing with you, the consumer? Here’s the list. More

Do you want the look of a quality paint job without the hassle of having to redo it over and over? Spray on siding could be the answer. More

The first step in reducing debt is recognizing how much you have. Let us help you with the rest and get out from under your debt in 12 months. More

Sponsored Links

Your Family

Some Dangers That Lurk In The Playground And Tips On How To Avoid Them.  More

This Week, The Fuchs Talk About Telling The Kids That The Economy's Recovering. He Says The Kids Deserve To Know. She Thinks It's Better To Keep Mum.  More

The Government Is Requiring Manufacturers Of Products For Infants And Toddlers To Create Programs To Keep In Touch With Customers.  More

As You Unwrap Christmas Gifts, Beware Of These Potentially Dangerous Toys.  More

Hundreds Of Thousands Of Swine Flu Shots For Children Were Recalled Because The Vaccine Doses Lost Some Strength.  More

For Many Young Girls And Boys, Race Does Matter.  But Are A Couple Of Dolls Of Different Ethnic Backgrounds Enough?  More

This Is Not A Joke. A New Version Of Twitter Is Trying To Lure Infants.  More

Some Of The Season's Hottest Toys Cost Close To $200. But You Don't Have To Empty Your Bank Account To Make Kids Happy This Holiday Season.  More