Breastfeeding is not only natural, it is also an important, sometimes challenging process that allows babies to get nutrients that are incredibly important for their growth and development.
However, the actual act of breastfeeding is still very much stigmatized by some, who view it as lewd or inappropriate for onlookers.
In addition to the fact that no mother is trying to explicitly cause a scene while feeding her child, we are also already exposed to many images that are just as female body-centric every day.
The fact that people can walk by purposefully sexualized ads each day and not even blink eye, but still condemn breastfeeding, is an irony that was not lost on Wittney Hope.
While out shopping with her daughter, Hope began to breastfeed her when she got fussy.
But one employee insisted that she couldn't continue to feed in the store and kicked her out to find a restroom.
Though Hope was upset by the incident, she definitely got the final word when she posted a photo online that perfectly exemplified the strange double standard that breastfeeding mothers must face.
Check below to see her important post detailing the incident.
[H/T: Distractify]
Happy mother Wittney Hope learned firsthand that some people still can't accept breastfeeding as a perfectly innocent, natural act, with no trace of lewd intent.
While shopping at Dillard's, she stopped to tend to her daughter by nursing her — and she even asked for permission prior to taking a seat.
But the same employee asked her to leave when they saw what she was doing. Hope did not walk away without making a point.
After finding a store manager to relay the incident to, she left the premises — but not before taking a picture that perfectly proved her point about backward breastfeeding double standards!
On the Dillard's Facebook page, she posted her picture as well as a detailed account of her getting kicked out of the store, which prompted many internet sympathizers to come to her defense.
Check out her story below, along with the photo that proves breastfeeding is no more sexualized or explicit than many ads that we walk by every single day!
This afternoon while shopping in your store… my daughter got really fussy.
I searched for a quiet secluded area to nurse my child. When I found a place I asked if it was okay for her to eat here.
The employee at customer service nodded.
I then began to nurse my child. I didn't use a cover up (I did that in the pic to prove the irony). I discreetly pulled my shirt down and her head covered me up.
The same lady then told me I could not "do that" here. She told me I would need to go to the restroom.
I was completely shocked as I have never had anyone comment on me breastfeeding in the whole 18 months I have been nursing.
Yet alone, another woman, possibly a mother herself. I repeated her to make sure I understood.
Annoyed, she began to tell me the directions to the restroom again. (Down the hall, take the elevator, then around the corner.)
I'm sure my hungry child would understand that we have to take a journey to somewhere more secluded where she can eat… NOT.
I immediately went and asked for the manager so I could file a formal complaint (which I did online).
As we were leaving the store I passed by this advertisement for bras.
I mean seriously the lady's face is not even in this.
Why is it acceptable for a giant picture of BOOBS to be on the wall but I cannot feed my child?
Sincerely,
Pissed off Mommy who will never be shopping at Dillard's again.
Along with the wave of support that Hope received on the internet, she also got a response from Dillard's, apologizing for the incident and advocating for mothers' right to breastfeed wherever they like.
In a world that still stigmatizes something as natural as breastfeeding, photos like these remind us to separate the natural act of breastfeeding from any other explicit implications.
If you believe that mothers deserve to breastfeed publicly, make sure to SHARE with friends and family on Facebook.
