Moms Hold "Nurse-in" After Breastfeeding Woman is Hassled at Elitches

About a dozen mothers breastfed outside Elitch's amusement park in Denver on Saturday in a peaceful protest. "It's not meant to be anything sexual, it's meant to just feed your child," said Tammy Lantz, Colorado Breastfeeding Task Force.

They came to show their support for a woman who says she was harassed while breastfeeding her 5-month-old son at the theme park. Kristin Skrydlak-Simlai wrote to a website that features issues of motherhood, saying "I was approached by a security guard who told me that complaints had been made and that I would have to breastfeed elsewhere or cover up; go to the restrooms and nurse or use a towel."

Skrydlak-Simlai says she was hassled for several minutes while her baby screamed. The security guards then got two Denver police officers who work at the park. "The issue was not that she was breastfeeding," said Lori Kaupp, a spokesperson at Elitch's. "It's that she was exposed while doing so, making a lot of our guests uncomfortable, enough to bring it to our attention.

Colorado law says women can breastfeed anywhere. The 2004 law also encourages breastfeeding, saying it's a healthier option for both the mother and baby. "A woman's body is very sexualized in our culture," said Ruth Rolland, an accredited leader with the La Leche League in Colorado Springs, a group that supports women's right to breastfeed. She says covering up is not required by law either.

A spokesperson for the Denver police says the two officers told the woman she has a right to breastfeed, but they also said people have a right to complain.

Elitch's says Skrydlak-Simlai has not filed a law suit, and they have written her a formal letter of apology.

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