Why can't we all just get along?!

ONE closed-minded person came and told a nursing mother to nurse somewhere else and that started a storm of us nursing mothers everywhere!!!

This is my view on Applebee's.

I don't appreciate it and I would say something calmly and nicely to whomever told me.

Here is a website that discusses the breastfeeding law in the state of Texas.  (I live here)
This one actually explains it a bit more in depth with workplace breastfeeding AND pumping!

My experiences have been more or less okay.  At my local Wal-Mart, I chose what I thought was a "secluded" location (by the bathrooms and employee entrance to the back areas).  So I was getting looks.  I was uncomfortable too.  An employee who had gone in and came back out, told me that next time if I wanted to I could use the handicapped dressing room, if it wasn't being used.  And I did twice. I've nursed in a mall, various airports, stores, restaurants, and churches.  No one has said anything. I do cover up, I have mentioned that before.  My daughter does NOT like to be covered, so I have a drape and at least one blanket.

There is a nationwide "nurse-in" at Applebee's on Saturday 1 p.m. local time.  This would be a great time to pass out pamphlets to those who don't know. Educate, don't scare.  This is something that is natural, and it is safe.

I will say it over and over, if you can and are willing to breastfeed please do it. If you can't and you are willing to pump, do that.  I know women who wanted to do both and weren't able to due to certain medications they were given or HAD to go back on.  If you don't want to breastfeed, it isn't for you.  You thought about it, that is AWESOME!!! 

Yeah, I am all for breastfeeding but seriously, I am more for the mother!  All you breastfeeding-only-and-if-you-don't-you're-hurting-your-baby people maybe the moms that can't or won't nurse they might have had something negative happen to them when they were younger.  They don't want to be judged for not nursing just as much as you don't want to be judged for nursing in public.

A public thanks to Applebee's

Yeah that's right I said Applebee's, as in the restaurant. 

I don't get out much, with 2 kids and being on a budget, it's a lot of eating at home.  Well, I needed to find shorts for Lil Man to play soccer in and a good friend of mine really needed to get out just as much as I did. So, I dropped off my son at her house so he could play with her oldest 2.  Then her and I and the babies headed to Killeen, TX.  Got the shorts in like 5 minutes and we headed to walk around other places. Wasn't even ready to head back home.

Dinner time was coming around and we decided to eat at the Killeen, TX Applebee's.  For those of you who actually read what I post, I was a bit apprehensive at going into an establishment that is normally packed on the weekend due to negative fallout for moms who nurse in public places.

Well, my friend's youngest is a month younger than mine and he eats more solid foods than Lil Miss.  She's picky to say the least, so I didn't bring any jars. She got fussy and I pulled her out of the seat, covered up and eventually started feeding her. I don't know if anyone had any glances or anything to say, because no one said a thing to us or any of the staff.  We enjoyed our dinner and our conversation.

I went to the Applebee's website and sent them a message of thanks because there are way too many negative articles and something positive happened that day.

Thank you Applebee's, specifically the Killeen, TX location, for good food and service. And a big THANK YOU because you all made us feel comfortable and if there was any negativity we didn't see or hear it.  That means a lot nowadays and it doesn't happen often. 

With Much Appreciation,
Amanda