Applebee’s Nurse-ins Get Positive Responses
September 8, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, breastfeeding, breastfeeding photos, nursing in public
What a wonderful impact the 99 Applebee’s nurse-ins in 44 states have had so far today (more continue on the West Coast as the some activists avoid the heat of the day with night nurse-ins). I just read an Applebee’s corporate statement quoted by WTVQ in Kentucky:
Our goal as restaurant operators is to provide a great dining experience for all our guests. This situation has provided an opportunity for us to work with our associates to ensure we’re making nursing mothers feel welcome….we will also accommodate other guests who would be more comfortable moving to another area of the restaurant.
It’s not an apology but it is a huge improvement over previous statements from Applebee’s corporate and franchisee Thomas and King that its policies comply with the law and that Thomas and King would provide nursing mothers with blankets to cover up.
Individual participants across the country report that the nurse-ins were very well received both by the local Applebee’s management and the general public! There are many stories of Applebee’s restaurants graciously providing water or lemonade to participants and better yet, restaurants sharing copies of their newly adopted breastfeeding-friendly policies and displaying “breastfeeding-friendly” stickers in the restaurant windows.
For more positive press see:
About 200 Demonstrate for Breast-Feeding at Lexington Applebee’s, Lexington Herald-Leader
Protesters March Outside Lexington Applebee’s Where Mother Had to Cover Up, WAVE3
To see photos from some of the events, check out:
Indianapolis, Indiana nurse-in photos from Tattoos & Drool
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylania from Photography by Hollis
Madison, Wisconsin uploaded to flickr by afole4
A video has already hit YouTube, compliments of “Georgiasmartypants.” Enjoy her photo story of her attendance at two Georgia nurse-ins:
With several locations yet to report their nurse-in attendance numbers, it is amazing that the count already stands at 1,424! Stay tuned to Breastfeeding 1-2-3 for continuing coverage and a final count.
This is a great example of how one person can make a difference through grassroots publicity and activism. I’m proud of this community and your participation in promoting it!