Breastfeeding is not Obscene CHKD

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We, the following mothers and supportive family and friends, are dismayed and appalled by the recent events and comments surrounding breastfeeding at Children's Hospital for the King's Daughters (CHKD) in Virginia. Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way for any baby to receive nourishment. There is absolutely no reason why a mother should apologize for or be asked to remove herself from any place because she is feeding her baby. CHKD's notion that it is not appropriate for a woman to "expose" herself in front of children at a children's hospital implies that breastfeeding in itself is an inherently sexual act, rather than a function of a woman's body. The published statement,
"It is not our policy to disallow breastfeeding in public areas. As a children's hospital, we do ask that breast feeding mothers take care to be fully covered in public areas."

is neither practical or appropriate for most breastfeeding mothers. Many babies do not tolerate covers and some refuse bottles. If a breastfeeding mother has more than one child with her it is unreasonable to assume that mother, nursing child, and additional children should be sequestered while nursing takes place. CHKD should celebrate and encourage breastfeeding mothers. Implying that it is indecent to breastfeed around children only continues the pervasive and detrimental stigma of breastfeeding in our country.

We, mothers and supporters of breastfeeding, ask that CHKD revise its policy on breastfeeding in its hospital and formally apologize to Mildred Musni for her humiliating experience.

259 Signatures

  • Elizabeth Bickford
  • Shannon Duff
  • Polly Matthews
  • Ashley Brown
  • Lori A Leonard
  • Hope A Thornburg
  • Rachel Hightower
    • Comments
    • You should never feel ashamed of doing what is best for your child!
  • Sabrina Ehlenberger
  • Traci Jefferson
  • Michelle Holmes
  • Victoria Duarte
  • Jenna
  • Dana Robbins
  • Liz Spurlin
    • Comments
    • Breastfeeding is not a shameful act. It's treating breastfeeding mothers like pariahs that is shameful! :( Boo CHKD.
  • Elise Hoffman
    • Comments
    • If Children's Hospital actually asked a woman to leave for no other reason than that she was nursing in the waiting room, this is inexcusable. If I were this woman, I would file a discrimination suit for this outrage.
  • Megan Santos
  • Janet Cofer
  • Elizabeth Hosier
    • Comments
    • As a CHKD mom whom has spent the last 3 1/2 years practically living there for my sons first year I am ashamed to be apart of anything with the CHKD name now. As a hospital you should be prompting Breastfeeding to the fullest, by your actions you are making it even more "not normal". I am sad to say that my sons doctors come from your hospital!!!
  • Dawn Taylor
  • Johanna Coffman
  • April Fleming
  • Rachel Swords
  • Jennifer West
  • April Bauer
  • Rebecca A. Gwin
    • Comments
    • I am very upset that this occurred at all. Much less in a children's hospital of all places. We should be applauding mothers for choosing to give their children the best nutrition they can NOT condemning or humiliating them for feeding their children in public. If anyone feels that breastfeeding is a sexual act, they themselves have problems not the nursing mother. I really hope that the policy will be rewritten and also a written & PUBLIC apology most definitely should be issued to Mildred Musni.
  • Katie Hutchins
  • Amy Rains
  • Melissa Andersen
    • Comments
    • Very disappointing from a hospital that provides such wonderful services to sick children.
  • Jenni Gipson
  • Heather Hutchison
  • Analiese Smith
    • Comments
    • I am very saddened by this whole story.
  • Laura Lilly
  • Barb Parcell
  • Sarah McBride
    • Comments
    • completely concur!
  • Katie Preisser
  • Katie Pratt
  • Melissa Robert
  • Amy Edge
  • kendra
  • Megan Gliebe
    • Comments
    • I completely agree with the author of this petition!
  • Samantha
  • Leslie M Turner
  • megan powell
  • Andrea Summers
  • Amy C.
    • Comments
    • CHKD you are better than this, please realize this was a bad decision and apolgozie that mother and rethink your policy. Breastfeeding is not obscene.
  • Lori
    • Comments
    • One of the few things that nature INTENDED and people have to be unreasonable and ignorant about it! GROW UP! Its not like she's walking around completly topless, she's feeding her baby the way God meant.
  • Donna Long Moritz
    • Comments
    • what is wrong with these people..
  • Melissa Burton
  • Tailina Bennett
    • Comments
    • Breast is Best!!!!
  • Teresa Beebe