Houston-area woman organizes breastfeeding flash mob at Target stores

SFGate: Hot Topic ^ | 12/28/11 | Jillian Cohan

[SmithL]

Breastfeeding moms gathered around the country today, including about 50 in the Houston area, for “nurse-ins” in support of a Texas woman who says she was harassed last month while nursing her infant son at a Webster Target store.

The nursing flash mobs were planned in 35 states after women heard about the case of Michelle Hickman, who says employees made her feel uncomfortable when she fed her son at the store while Christmas shopping last month.

“I’ve gotten way more support than I imagined,” Hickman said today outside the Webster store.

The beauty of the protest, she added, was that nursing moms around the country could easily join in the action.

“This is something they can participate in from their own home, their own town. They don’t have to travel with a brand-new infant. They can go to the Target right up the road and support me.”

[SmithL]

Brittany Hinson breastfeeds her 4-month-old son, Kennedy, during a nurse-in in front of the Super Target store Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Webster. Hinson participated in the event in support of breast feeding and in support of a local woman, Michelle Hickman, after she was approached by Target employees for breastfeeding in the store. "It's not like she was walking around topless, " Hinson said. "She was sitting down covered up." The nurse-in was one of more than 100 planned in at least 35 states.

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Nursing a child is natural. Breastfeeding a child in public as part of an organized protest is exhibitionism.

[Reddy]

Agree.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

This suckles.

[WOBBLY BOB]

what a bunch of boobs

[american_ranger]

I am fed up with obnoxious people who insist that they be allowed to do anything in public. My wife breastfed (in private.) At family functions she would excuse herself and find a private room.

[dblshot]

“I’ve gotten way more support than I imagined
And she'll probably be needing more support from now on.

[dfwgator]

Life imitates ‘Married With Children.’

[tsowellfan]

Liberal democrats in Targets? No biggie. They’re singing to the choir there.

Now if they did that at Walmart... that’d be something we could call bold.

Walmart and their shoppers tend to be more conservative

[GSWarrior]

I was once escorted out of Nordstroms for nursing a beer in public.

[Mr. K]

I could see being disgusted with people who scratch their privates in public or fart in elevators... but I dont understand the objections to breast feeding in public.

In fact I would encourage others to do it (especially you, Megan Fox)

[rfreedom4u]

Udderly ridiculous!

[RockinRight]

TTIWWP

[tumblindice]

Target: Not Just A Store, A Tiddy Bar. Expect More, Pay Less.

[mrmeyer]

...after women heard about the case of Michelle Hickman, who says employees made her feel uncomfortable when she fed her son at the store while Christmas shopping last month.

I guess Michelle never heard of a pump.

[VA40]

My two cents: I hate Walmart - nothing political, just personal. I love my Target.
If I had run into this trying to get into Target, I would have HAD to light up a cigarette.

Flame away!

[Daveinyork]

The babies’ heads get in the way. (I’m sick. I admit it.)

[Kozak]

It’s never the ones you would want to see. Like a supermodel breastfeeding protest....

[VA40]

Exactly, and did they harass her or just make her feel uncomfortable? Which is it?
If she was being so discreet no one would have noticed!

[jessduntno]

what a bunch of boobs

Tit for tat.

[PGR88]

Americans think this is “freedom.”

They also think freedom is being able to choose between Medicare Part B or D.