Woman told not to breastfeed at Wyandot Lake

I may be very wrong about this, but can a mother not use a breast pump and feed her child with a bottle? Sure, it is a natural thing, and something that would not offend me in the least. If however you think it might offend somone, wouldnt you just not do it rather than cause a scene even though you are right? We all saw janet jacksons boob at the superbowl, and people were very unhappy about that. What makes anyone think that this would be any different? Keep yourself covered in public, no one has a problem. Case closed.

Yeah, case closed. Way to think it out.

Yes, there are such things as breast pumps, but why the hell should she have to do that? I agree with the above comments that if you're some how offended by a breast, especially when it's giving life, the problem is yours, not the mother's. I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that most people have never really though it out for themselves, and are instead content to abide by what they've been taught or what society deems appropriate.

A woman's body is the single most beautiful thing on this earth, as far as I'm concerned. I mean that in every respect, from the sexual attraction of the form right up through the miracle of reproduction. I mean, why do we demonize the very thing that perpetuates our race on the planet? How did we go from "primitive" cultures that worshiped the female body to a culture that considers it dirty, and something that should be hidden? That's screwed up.

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I swear the world is screwed up. We can watch people get gunned down and blown up every night on TV and that's OK, but when someone sees a nipple it's destined to destroy the moral fabric of society. Stupid

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I see nipples and rejoice.

Unless it's at work and it's really big, ugly, fat women. I work at a hospital.

On second thought... I don't like nipples so much anymore.

Pat K, are you married and do you have kids?

I am, and I do (well 1 kid). Breastfeeding can be supplemented by pumping if a woman has to work and be away from the child. But many (if not all) lactation experts agree pumping is detrimental to the process of long-term feeding of the child. By replacing the mother's breast with a baby bottle which is a completely different sensation for the baby, it can cause problems with the baby "latching on" properly.

Not just that, while pumps do remove milk from the breast it does so in a way that is different than how the baby does and can cause milk production in the mother to decrease.

The case you just closed is a lose-lose for both the baby and the mother.

She is completely within her rights to breastfeed the baby whenever and wherever she wants based on the laws in the state of Ohio. As was stated above - yes the park can have rules, but they cannot supercede the "rules" of the state.

Now, the case is closed.

I guess you've never heard that expession Jeff.

I don't think anyone in any of this topic above has litterally come out and say they were offended (heck just to post in some of these topics you have to have a pretty opend mind.) I do think I was the closest to saying it. But I am/was in no way offended. I just think it was, overall, inappropriate. And this situation like mentioned, got out of hand when it could have been handled better.

Do I believe people are VERY close minded, absolutely.

I would back any public nudidy law in the states 100%.

I think the Janet Jackson thing got WAYYYyy out of hand. And only those with DV-R's got the full effect :)

Problem is (or to some people Good thing is...) that we live in the USA. We do have a form of morals, ethics, laws etc. And every freakn' day we are adjusting them and trying to make all walks of life happy. Yeah, it sucks.

Part of my job is trying to give 10000's of people the most magical moment they can have. I might not agree with a ton of things, but I have to go with the norm.

As for the one person complaining, it's basically the reason these "dumb" laws get created, one person complains and the world has to bend over backwards for them and people accept that.

That's why I see this both ways, I know the lady has full rights, but at the same time I think she should be respectful to others (but as mentioned above, she might have been covered...who knows.) And people who can't be respectful to others and think the world revolves around them and they don't have to think about others is the people we don't need.

BUT for fun...I called GL yesterday, the lady on the phone said GL "...has family restrooms with feeding areas. And if you can't make it to one of them, We (GL) ask that you use a blanket." On the note of the changing rooms (we all know how SFWoA ran them a couple years ago) but does anyone know how Wyandot Lake's are? I've been in the men's restrooms and I though they were exceptionaly clean for a public bathroom.

Questions about the parks judgement for a few who know:

Yes, we all know that it is Ohio law for the breastfeeding thing (though I admitely have yet to look at the law or all the wording) Can a park make there own call on this situation legally? Reason I ask this, because almost all wording by parks almost always states they have the final say in almost any situation. Does that give them the right since they are on private property? I'm assuming know park can overrule any state, or national law though (for obvious reasons) so I'm wondering what SF exact stance besides thoughs mentioned above are.

Can the park get in trouble from the lady breast feeding? Can they say they had to say something because a guests complained (thus taking away their atmophere)?

Speaking/Typing of weird things:

I was heading a meeting, were we had a lady (somewhat overweight, but not to bad) join in. She smelled SOooo bad that it was making people's eyes water in the room. To this day I still can't describe how bad it was. We had to ask her to step out unfortunately because of it (which is why I found Jeff's statement so funny, strange...yet SOOoo true) I don't know of any laws about smelling, but none the less because of the others we had to ask her to leave.

Since their are many good points from everyone topic is back open

Now where are all the ladies joing in on this one ;)

Maybe the park was worried about having to build a Q for that ride! :>) But isn't the park private property? So they would have the right to tell her to stop right?

Redman, I do not have kids and of course, I do not know much about caring for a child. I can see your point as valid in every respect.

I would like to say again that I would not be offended about a woman breast feeding in public, nor do most other (serious) people in this thread. With that said, we understand your view, Jeff, that a womans body is okay and they have a right to breastfeed in public.

Here is where I find an issue however - Wyandot Lake Policies

and all other actions that negatively impact our guests or staff will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the park without refund.

There ya go. She negatively impacted some guests, she was asked to make a change in location of the breast feeding, she refused and probably caused a scene.

Sorry to say it, but the reason that line is in park policy is to allow employees to make a descision in regards to what may be offensive to guests. If the law states that woman have the right to breastfeed anywhere without restriction, she has a case. If there are restrictions as there are in many states maybe not.

*** This post was edited by Patrick K 7/10/2004 5:59:20 PM ***

Okay RollerCoasterGod, I'll speak up since I am a lady - and a mom who breastfed. From my perspective, if the park (or any other public place) doesn't provide a clean, comfortable, private place to breastfeed (like a family restroom with feeding areas), then a mom has no other option but to breastfeed in public. I would think it if were of any concern to the park, they'd make a provision -- and no, a regular public bathroom does not cut it; nor does a folding chair stuck in a supply room. And of course, if you've made some sort of provision, for heaven's sake, let people know.

And contrary to what many on this thread seem to think, those who possess the bravery to breastfeed in public (I admit to being an errant coward -- never could manage the blanket trick) are not trying to flaunt anything or draw attention to themselves -- the baby is the focus and really not much else registers. Why do I call it bravery, because of that rigid "every nipple is sexual and thus evil" attitude. What do people think babies did before science and commerce created baby formula?

As to the immediate situation, can anyone explain to me why FIVE security guards surrounded this poor woman -- I mean for heavens sake, what kind of fight were they expecting, about all she could have done was squirt them?

By the way, anyone looking for the Ohio law on this should check under public accommodations -- to cloud the issue, look for the Derungs v. WalMart decision which granted summary judgment to WalMart because customers' sex discrimination claims under the Ohio Public Accommodations statute did not amount to discrimination based on sex.

I checked into Ohio law, and there are no restrictions. She had the right to Breastfeed in the park. No blanket trick is required, she has the right to show her breast and nipple to anyone curious enough to look :). Good for her for standing up for her rights, and god help the park.

-Patrick (who can admit when he is wrong).....

The park is private property. They have the right to tell her to stop. They didn't tell her to stop however, they asked her to move to a rest room.

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Here is where I find an issue however... Wyandot Lake policies [state that] "all other actions that negatively impact our guests or staff will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the park without refund."

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That's total BS. Certain people are negatively affected by smokers, people who stink, fat people, twelve year olds dressed like strippers, and there are many idiots out there who consider themselves "negatively affected" if someone of another race is near them.

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...can anyone explain to me why FIVE security guards surrounded this poor woman -- I mean for heavens sake, what kind of fight were they expecting, about all she could have done was squirt them?

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Okay, that may have been your first post, but that's friggin' brilliant!

And quit it with the Janet Jackson thing... for the last time, there's a difference between sexual exhibitionism and nurturing your child.

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The park is private property. They have the right to tell her to stop.

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No, they don't. That's the point of having a law. If people could do whatever they want, it would just be a suggestion. If you think laws are suggestions, call a cop to your house and punch him in the face... then tell him it's your private property and you said it's okay.

*** This post was edited by kpjb 7/10/2004 10:20:51 PM ***

ROFLMAO at the comment about punching the cop...I have a sneaking suspicion that wouldn't fly... ;)

What do you mean thats "total BS"? Thats what it says on the website. Thats park policy. It gives the park discretion as to what they deem offensive. Like I said, state law has no restrictions to a breastfeeding woman, therefore the park was wrong, but what don't you understand about that specific park policy?

*** This post was edited by Patrick K 7/11/2004 12:04:28 AM ***

What I am guessing he meant is that that statement is Total lawyer BS.

Dropping vague BS statements like that is a lamea** way of trying to defend themselves from getting sued.

Besides, you posted that statement out of conext - they were - in my opinion targeting the "rowdy" crowd.

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Disrespectful conduct or behavior, such as vulgarity, hanging out in groups, loitering, intoxication, theft, excessive rowdiness and all other actions that negatively impact our guests or staff will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the park without refund. There will be no throwing of any objects and no running.

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There's a Jerry Seinfeld quote out there somewhere that was printed in an editorial in my local paper just after the Janet Jackson incident (which was complete bulls**t, by the way) that, roughly paraphrased, said, "When we're born, the first thing we see is the nipple. Then, once we reach a certain age, we're just not allowed to see it anymore."

I have no grounds to argue on any legal or Ohio-specific topics here, but as a reflection, I agree with those who have mentioned how ridiculous our disgust at the female form is. Hell, even the male form isn't as horrendous as it's made out to be (though I will absolutely agree that femininity is just naturally more attractive). I'll never understand when we as a people became embarrassed of what we are. It's just staggering.

--Dave (who can't help but continue quoting comedians, this time Lewis Black: "You're not allowed to show a vagina on TV, or a penis...but you can show a guy spray-painting hair on his head?! That's pretty G--damn damaging, isn't it?!")

I see a lawsuit in Wyandot Lake's future and deservedly so. If you've got a problem with breastfeeding look away but that child needs to eat and breastfeeding is the way that mother nature intended it with babies. If Wyandot Lake has a problem with it do what several other parks have and build a place for nursing mothers. I seem to remember during that time in Bond's life that PKI had a fantastic place for that which included changing tables and rocking chairs.

Have Fun!

Paul Drabek