Tag Archives: breastfeeding

Now it’s breastfeeding …

WT

West Texas A&M University officials say they’re going to “review” their policy on mothers who are nursing their infant children.

Why? Because a young mother who was visiting the Canyon campus decided to breastfeed her child in the Virgil Henson Activities Center swimming pool.

It sparked a bit of a tussle at WT over the school policy.

From where I sit, I do not believe the school needs to tweak its policy, which appears to be quite reasonable, logical and appropriate. It fits with community standards.

The young mother in question, Alicia Pino, most interestingly, acknowledged that feeding her child in the pool was inappropriate. She left the pool and went to a private room to continue feeding her baby.

As NewsChannel 10 reported: “They said no you don’t have to leave, but we prefer you be covered and if you’re not covered, then you need to go into a room,” says Pino. “And I told them you are walking on very thin ice telling me that I need to be covered or that I need to be in the room. I said it’s my civil right to feed my baby wherever I want to.”

Thin ice? Really?

WT officials say the school policy, which provides private rooms if the mother requests it. If not, then the school asks young mommies to cover themselves.

I must ask: Is that so unreasonable?

http://www.newschannel10.com/story/32250652/wt-reviewing-breastfeeding-policy-after-pool-incident

Let’s all be clear about something. We live in an urban society that over many, many years has imbued in us a sense of modesty. Women generally don’t expose themselves — even to feed their children. And yes,  I understand fully why women have breasts in the first place.

WT, though, isn’t being overly prudish with its requirements on women who have to feed their children. Any parent — mother or father — knows that when a child is hungry, then it’s time for the child to receive nourishment.

Should the school revamp or retool its policy?

No. If it complies with state law and guidelines, that’s good enough.