Babies R Us unsupportive of breastfeeding moms

I went to the Sunnyvale, CA store Saturday to pick up some stairway gates and to try out gliders - my son needed to nurse, so I decided to multitask and nurse and try out a glider at the same time. Within a microsecond, an employee [name withheld] came over to me and told me that if I needed to "do that", that I had to use the mother's room in the store (mind you, I was COMPLETELY covered by a nursing cover). I told him that I did not want to nurse my baby in a room that smelled like baby poop. He stood there, shaking his head at me in disgust, and told me that it was store policy, and that if I needed to "do that", it had to be in the mother's room. He stared me down, and I have no question in my mind whatsoever that he would have called security if I hadn't gotten up and left. I attempted to feed my baby in the parking lot (impossible since he is very wiggly and easily distracted at this stage), and ended up driving home with a hungry, sobbing baby.

Quoting California Civil Code 43.3: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, except the private home or residence of another, where the mother and child are authorized to be present." A cramped and smelly room hardly counts as "any location". I will no longer support this store.

that disgusts me when people want us to feed our babies in some stinky bathroom or something of the like. i bet they wouldnt like to have their lunch break in there! and its a baby store, how can you be so mean towards a nursing baby theyre overpriced anyway lol

I am sorry to hear that you went thru that. There will come a day (although not soon enough) that bfing mama's can nurse their baby ANYWHERE without someone making them feel like they are doing something wrong.

I personally would follow up with that person's manager and this is the perfect opportunity to do breastfeeding education to that store. If you are not satisfied with the manager's feedback, then go up the chain of command.

Yes, it's a total PITA but at least you are educating them.

Just because they offer a nursing room does not mean they are complying with California law. Florida has a similar law and i've never had a problem walking around babies r us here and nursing at the same time. it sounds like a personal problem with the employee, not with store policy. some stores here offer mother nursing rooms (like the mall has one) but it is only available for mothers that are modest and do not feel comfortable nursing in public. I've gotten tired of covering my baby when she's nursing. She just gets too hot, and other than getting some dirty looks from employees at wal mart, I have very little problem. I just dare them to try and call the police, so that they can report themselves for breaking the law. That would be just fine with me. Sorry you had this terrible experience.

That sucks... ppl and their ignorance! Here in NYC the Babies R Us has a mother's room but I swear its so uncomfortable. It has no A/c and its stuffy/hot! Horrible!

That's awful! I haven't been in BRU in ages, but I used to go quite regularly when DS was a baby/toddler. I nursed him in those gliders pretty much during every visit. People did notice me but all I ever got were some sweet smiles - and I never wore a nursing cover.

I am sorry you had this experience. The mothers room at my local BRU is wonderful. Free diapers, a nice love seat, two rockers... I thought of BRU as being the most BF friendly place I have ever been. I took all of my pregnancy classes there, even the breastfeeding class.

The BRU here has a stinky, stuffy room too. But I haven't been there since CHloe was born so I haven't nursed her there.

Sorry you had a bad experience.

I am sorry that you had to go through that.
I have nursed while I was shopping at a BRU and a couple of employees thought that I was doing so good for her.
I only had one of the employees say something because I think I was looking uncomfortable, and she said that they had a nursing room. I told her It was busy and she said I could use one of the gliders.

I want to commend all of you who nurse in public. I havent yet, and am not sure if I ever will. I don't go too far from home with DD, and if I go out for any length of time, I go with my mom just in case, and end up nursing her in the backseat of my mom's car (I know, its dangerous, but if she's hungry, she gets fed). I hope that someday (soon!!) I will be comfortable NIP, especially since I have a gift card from Xmas to a mall about 45 minutes away that will start losing its value soon!