Last week, Kristen George was visiting Science World in Vancouver with her two young children when her eight-week-old baby got fussy.
To lull the babe's cries, she stuck a boob in his mouth; this, it seems, offended a teenaged volunteer for Science World, who approached the mother and suggested she use the nursing room available for patrons.
When George said she was fine where she was, the volunteer insisted she use the room, calling her natural act "immoral."
According to the Vancouver Sun article "Nursing mother 'humiliated' by Science World volunteer's comment," the volunteer continued to harass her by reprimanding her loud enough so others could hear; she was "laughed" at, she said, by people "from a culture that values being covered up" — whatever that means.
George was further offended by Science World's reaction, which was — according to the article — minimalist, offering her a three-month extension on her membership.
When contacted by the Sun, the president of Telus World of Science promised an apology was also on its way and said they have added breastfeeding guidelines to their orientation packages.
Why this is even a story is beyond me; this was obviously one young volunteer's opinion, someone who probably isn't even there anymore. Science World has revised its policy to include handling nursing mothers and they also have rooms previously available for moms.
The fact this woman came forward to cause this stir suggests she either has something against Science World or is trying to "milk" the situation for attention.
Granted, I may not be a mother; but if I was breastfeeding a baby in a populated area, (which I don't believe is wrong but not sure if I would do), and someone accosted me like that I may complain to management — but go to the press?
This "Breast Gate" just causes unnecessary attention for Science World, a family-oriented organization, and its other workers. That George thinks she is entitled to more than what she has received is greedy on her behalf.
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