Good for her!!
Breast Milk is the best and if there is a law stating she should be able to feed or express milk, then the school should be forced to abide by the law.

However, since that may take time, I'd look into homeschooling until she is out of gosh school.

Good Luck though! It's nice to see a young teenage mom truly want what is best and not be selfish. Keep it up and your life as a mother will be rewarding.

Absolutely Rachel! If she's comfortable with it, she should make as much noise as she can! They cannot do a dang thing about it without opening themselves up to a lawsuit!
Jaileyn, good for you for standing up for yourself and for making a great decision for your baby!

Liv (below): I thought we were talking about a high school student being denied the opportunity to breastfeed in a public school system. If this was a post concerning rights being denied regarding homeschooling, and I thought I had something supportive to offer, then I would post as well.

I see you have a lot of accreditation (spell check) I havent been able to get a straight answer about a breastfeeding issue I am having, can I contact you by email or pm?

You GO, Jaileyn! I agree with Rachel, the law protects you, feed your baby on your terms, not some backwards, uneducated school employees. That so called nurse should be ashamed of his/herself, and leave off any letters after his/her name. A nursing education denotes that EDUCATION was conferred upon the individual using a nursing license. If this person was remotely educated, they would have fully supported this mom in feeding her baby in the best way possible.So sorry this is the person is a healthcare authority @ this school. Embarassing for the profession. Breastmilk is in no way infectious or dangerous, and can be safely stored in a soft, insulated cooler kept with mom during the day. Pumps are quiet, if not put a towel over it. Same things we teach moms returning to work. No big deal. Any way we can help with this?

This boils my blood. Ugh. What a horrible staff. And the part about a teacher requesting a place to pump would be given, is soooo true. -__-

As I am sure since the Vice President himself is from Delaware word can be easily gotten to the First Lady about this issue.

The "King and Queen" don't need to get into this problem, it's a local problem and our tiny state needs to jump all over it before we bring in the top, I'm sure with this illegal immigrant/healthcare deal their hands might
Be a little full at the moment. This young mother needs to call Jack Markell, Jacks wife, the AG for The state (Beau Biden) and anyone else in our state govt that she can. Also the Delaware Dept. of ed! that makes much more sense than "call Michelle!". Why not give advice that's actually attainable.

Yelps i was thinking that too mrs Obama and the president supports breastfeeding write to them

Selfish HAHAHA you guys truly dont know this little girl..the father is 18 and she denies him the rite to even see his baby...you all should know the true story because what you see here is not it...The school never denied her the rite to pump. What business establishment would allow a new mom going back to work after 6 weeks to have her baby be brought to the business every 2 hours to breast feed?? NONE..also, if you pump after returning to work don't you do it in private or at the lunch table with the rest of the employees?? and if you do pump at work do you store it in the fridge with the rest of the employee lunches or in a private container??? Come on be real and LEARN the TRUE STORY ABOUT THIS GIRL before posting and getting america all up in arms, Thanks....

You should probably learn the tool called "spell check". Your post makes you sound completely ignorant.

It isn't about the teen, it's about her child and what is best for him. State law provides sanctuary to express breast milk. If she is denied they are breaking the law.

Many jobs allow for this...and this isn't about HER it is about the baby...so perhaps you should not worry so much about America getting upset- we should be...And I DID store my milk with the lunches...it is milk! I was provided a private room to pump, which is her RIGHT according to the new laws. If she is not provided with proper accommodations, she should sue.

It shouldnt matter the age of a woman or whether she is in school or not all that should matter is the physical well being of this beautiful life that God has given to her and her family. Whatever the situation with the "father" or " sperm donor" whatever you want to call him, that is something that should be kept private between the mother and himself. Teenagers typically are not mentally mature enough to understand that. This young woman sounds like she has her head on straight and is trying to do what is right and she should be left alone to raise her child in peace. There are ways for her to be able to breastfeed and go to school without making such a big deal out of it. She ought to be congratulated for going back to school and trying to make something of herself instead of quitting and becoming just another statistic on welfare. Keep up the good work sweetheart. Doing what you're doing says that you are much more mature than the average girl your age who has had a child. Fight for what you believe in and the Good Lord Almighty will see you through every step of the way. Shame on your school system for treating you like they are...you've got a gift from God, not some horrible contagious disease! I'm a mother of three and I breastfed every one of my babies and would do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. It makes your baby very healthy. My children hardly ever get sick and I truly believe that is why. Think about it...that's the way God intended it to be, because they sure didn't have bottles of formula back when God made Adam and Eve! GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!!!♡♡♡

@bunky boo...while we may not know "the true story about this girl", that 's clearly not the issue here. The issue is a mother's right to breast feed her child. And, as a matter of fact, I pumped at work after the births of both of my children. I discreetly excuse myself to the restroom to do so and stored my milk in a lunch bag in the employee refridgerator. Those who did know what I was doing and what was in my lunch bag supported me and were not the least bit bothered by what I was doing.

Really? Home Schooling? What a cop out! That's just ludicrous and frankly offensive. The other students benefit from learning from her! She is standing up for what's right and owning her responsibilities, she's not looking for an easy way out, she's looking out for what's best for her and her son. I commend her for doing the right thing and finishing her education as well as nursing her child. So many have hang ups with breast feeding because of the "breast" as if its something dirty because society as a whole is dirty! The breast is intended to feed your offspring not for sexual pleasure. People need to get their head out of their asses and move on already.

She will not fall behind. This is a myth that perpetuates gender inequality.

Regrettably, this will be my last post on this page, as I am being asked to defend my support for a woman who chooses to breastfeed. Excuses made for/by a woman suggesting that she cannot be successful as a whole person (i.e., exhibiting both her feminine & masculine identities) are limiting, and I am attempting to suggest that we do not have to choose mothering or career, home or the world, etc. We can have both. I wish everyone well on their journey. I am not interested in having a homeschooling debate, and refuse to prove that I am supportive of a topic that I had no idea was part of the issue. Thank you and many blessings!

Eh, I didn't see it that way- the fact of the matter is she's a child with a baby; it's great that she has a good support network, but I don't see it as inconceivable that she would fall behind.

Home schooled students are also favoured by universities.

yes home schooling is wonderful..i wanted to do it w my older too..my ex wont allow it..but in th i case..she is a young woman..she wants to finish it w her class mates..this is the 21 century and the schools want to still brush preggo moms under the rug..thiis is shitty. does anyone if her mom can leave work to home school her??? prlly not..her mom and dad are prolly paying for alot of the clothes and diapers her son uses..and her mom needs her job..

yes, shame all americans...really?? one school makes a bad decision and american culture is to blame. there are actual laws for this and everyone on here, with the exception of one person that knows this girl and has something negative to say are supporting this. please stop blaming america, americans, or american culture for the stupidity of one school, and really the decision of 3 people.

What can we do to help?

Did you speak with someone specifically? Or whoever answers?

What happened to waiting to have children until you are old enough to be able to care for them. What happened to getting your education, and then getting a job, then something really bad, get married, then have children. Maybe if parents would be parents instead of friends, we wouldn't have so many children having children. Why do my tax dollars have to pay to have a child daycare at the local high school? If you want to play as adults, then you have to learn to live as an adult.

The issue here isn't that she had a child, it's that they aren't allowing her to pump for her son who will be at home or in daycare. Your tax dollars are paying for her to pump, no more than they pay for the kids to skip class, vandalize the bathrooms or do drugs during lunch. She is trying to be adult by providing the scientifically-supported best nutrition (and cheapest, she could be on WIC and you could be buying formula) for her son.

Your support for this mother and passion for the issue is invigorating.

I know and what kind of example are we setting for the other students that go to that school. Its no ok to have unprotected sex at 14/15 years old. If the girls mother acted like a mother when she was having sex then this wouldnt be an issue in Delaware right now. Thats why Delaware has a school called DAPA that provides an education and daycare at the same facility for teen moms to help them continue their education along with educating them on how to take care of their babies.

How dare people judge teen moms like this im a teen mom i was 16 and now im 30 and my parents had no dam clue what i was doing they worked and i was hanging out with a really bad people behind there backs and sue you dont know about anything this is about her being able to brestfeed her baby not about her being a teen mom and only god can judge people you do not have athat rite to judge so before you judge teen moms think about it next time

Why should I pay to educate your children when all your going to do is turn around & make them narrow minded bigots such as yourself?

In the country we have certain rights granted to all. Not just to the people who agree with you politically & spiritually. Simple fact is our tax dollars pay for programs we don't like.

For you it is the educations of a teen mother.

For me it is bombs & wars that kill our youth that our government then discards like trash.

And let me guess? Your also against planned parenthood, real sex education in the schools, & free access to birth control by teens & low income people.

I'm right aren't I? Don't like teen pregnancy? Then allow programs that prevent it. Or maybe her religion stated no birth control. Maybe she was another dumb teen who made a dumb choice with the wrong guy but who now has done some serious growing up & is taking responsibility for herself and needs family & community help to achieve her goals of not becoming a welfare statistic.

And before you say you don't get any community help that's rubbish. You drive a car? Stop at red lights? Get speeding tickets? Get a public school education yourself & for your kids?

We are all in this together, it's about time we stopped fighting each other and ask ourselves how can we help each other. How would I want to be treated if this was me? Or my daughter?

If you seriously would wish to be insulted, degraded, marginalized, & bullied by the education system & state government & everyone on FB ~ then by all means continue being a narrow minded ass!

And YES!! If I was being a dumb ass I WOULD want people to call me out on my bs!

Does anyone know the phone number for the Bayhealth wellness center that's on Site there?

I just left a message with the school RN in support of Ms. Belong, and I encourage others to do the same. THIS IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.

msg left for nurse, just stating the facts (not asking for a return call)

http://www.spartansuper.blogspot.com/2013/01/breast-feeding-at-school.html?m=1
You should know your facts before creating drama

I live in South Carolina and I will call the school too. I have family in DE. Actually a lot of family there and one of my cousins whom I grew up with in NY, until her family moved to DE and my family moved to SC, was a teen mom who finished high school with good grades and is now raising five children, three of which are her husbands from a previous marriage, and let me tell you she is one of the BEST MOTHERS IN THE WORLD! All five of those children she treats very equal and loves them all the same. I truly believe being a teen mom made it easier for her to be a good mother to all of her children because she had to go through pure hell with the father of her first child and then she met her husband, with whom she is now living a very happy life raising their five children together.

Right on Sista!!! I wrote a post a little further down because I didn't see this! She has rights!!!

This is a civil rights issue! I'm calling and emailing!

Assistant Principal John Berry: jdberry@lf.k12.de.us
Principal John Filicicchia: jfilicicchia@lf.k12.de.us
Nurse Denise Blades: dmblades@lf.k12.de.us

Staff Directory: http://www.lf.k12.de.us/lfhs/index2.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=147

This is a civil rights issue! I'm calling and emailing!
Assistant Principal John Berry: jdberry@lf.k12.de.us
Principal John Filicicchia: jfilicicchia@lf.k12.de.us
Nurse Denise Blades: dmblades@lf.k12.de.us

Even with the civil rights issue, it's a human rights issue. I couldn't imagine going 8-9 hours without pumping when I breast fed. I would have been in tears from the pain alone. Not only the fact that it would decrease her milk supply and make it impossible for her to exclusively breast feed. It is horrible.

Oh, and thanks for putting this article up. It is a story that deserves to be told.

Way to go for standing up. Thanks, also, to people like Heather Felker, who can stand up with them. It angers me to think of how many other rights of our children get violated and remain unseen, such as, use of the bathroom, use of the nurse's office, hand washing, a relaxed eating environment, a safe place to exercise or play. Thank God my child is finally away from that! You can stay and try to change things and I realize someone has to, but, what a relief to not have to live in it every day anymore! Follow your motherly instict and best wishes.

i dont believe that lake forest is doin this. i went to lake and never thought that this would be an outcome for young mothers. I now have 2 kids and if i was still in high school going through what she is i would def fight this. I would not let this go without everyone being told how she is being treated. Best of luck to you i hope you get to do what you need to for you and your baby boy. FYI: most young mothers never finish school (i didnt) but the fact she is still tryin to finish and they are putting her through this is crazy!

I'm a reporter for WHYY in Wilmington and would love to speak with Jaielyn. Would you be able to pass along my email address to her?

Stop stop! Feed your child. It's not only the best ,if you can do it, it also helps you stay healthy. BREASTFEED now breastfeed FOREVER! ! Together we stand! We support you!

I am furious at these adults behavior! I applaud this girls determination to do what is best for her child even when others are making it as difficult as they can for her. Anyone who knows anything about breastfeeding knows she cannot go the whole school day without pumping or breastfeeding. Not only is this bad for her milk supply but if somehow she was able to maintain it the poor girl would be engorged to the point of it hurting and leaking and possibly get plugged ducts. Shame on that school nurse, shame on all of those poor excuses for educators, it seems to me they need some educating themselves!

I agree this is absolutely bullying and they should be prosecuted for it

THis i not only illegal but puts the health of her baby in danger.. so we need to do a nurse in somewhere near the school and invite the press...

It seems they took their facebook page down. I went to try and go and comment on it and when I put in the address in my browser it just takes me to my home page.

I just called the school and left a respectful but assertive message on both the main voicemail and the school nurse's voicemail. I live close enough that I can participate in a nurse-in/demonstration/protest (and I'm more than willing to do so).

School grounds are public property not "a secure environment" as you say. Any member of the public has the right to enter a school at any time that it is open provided the stop at the front office to "check in" (the school does have the right to insist that they are accompanied by a member of the staff while in the school). A notice the this effect is supposed to be clearly posted at the entrance to every school.

You can do the nurse-in on the school grounds, not specifically inside the school. And I absolutely think one should be held!

I can't believe you all are seriously taking about doing a "nurse in" at a school! Wow! Just stop and think about what you think that will really accomplish. At what point does your right to nurse become more important than my child's right to an education? Because your idea will cause a disruption to my child's day, distract the teachers and risk a security problem (hello, you all are aware that there are crazy people attracted to events like this that try to take advantage of the disruption and confusion). Again what is the point exactly...right, it will accomplish nothing other than waste time out of the day of hundreds of students.

I breastfed both of my kids and support the right of the Mom and baby to breastfeed...however, you all sound like a bunch of nuts. Please go back and read your posts with as much objectivity as possible and you might see why I say that.

Seriously? SMH at the sheer craziness of the posts on here!

https://www.facebook.com/lfhsspartans Sorry forgot to link to facebook page!

I think they've taken the FB page down because I can't get to it.

I just sent an email to all of those listed. I applaud this young mother for making such wonderful choices for her child. Do not back down! You have every right and are doing a great job! YOu had your baby, are raising your baby, breastfeeding and returning to school. Good for you. What a great example or how to take responsibility!

Discrimination and Bullying. It is hard enough to get teen mom to want to breastfeed, now they are making it extremely difficult for those want to! Horrible. The nurse at this school should be ashamed of herself.

School nurse's email: dmblades@lf.k12.de.us
the dean of Student's email: chmorris@lf.k12.de.us
Principal's email: jfilicicchia@lf.k12.de.us
Assistant Principals' email: twmorris@lf.k12.de.us and jdberry@lf.k12.de.us

This is when you exercise your right to homeschool your student. I don't know if someone mentioned it or not. But you would not have to deal with the institution and all that craziness. Check out the state laws on homeschooling your student. Best of success to this teen mom. She is a wonderful girl and mom.

I am going to email the administrators of the school in support of Jaielyn's right to be accommodated for nursing or pumping. Here's a link to the staff directory if you wish to do so, as well.

http://www.lf.k12.de.us/lfhs/index2.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=147

Also, if you read the bios posted by each of the principal/assistant principals, they make statements that can be directly used to support precisely why they should accommodate this young woman!

I feel her pain. The director of my school (Mitchells hairstyling acadamy in Cary,NC) sent me home yesterday because I needed to pump before taking a client.

You need to check the laws for the state of North Carolina. Your employer may be breaking the law.

Take that pump to school an pump! They can't do anything about it

It looks like they pulled the facebook page all together!

I think she should be allowed to pump. But I am pretty sure teachers are considered exempt employees and schools are not required to accommodate them if they are breastfeeding according to labor laws. So only the other law would apply.

"Exempt" under the FLSA only indicates the employee is exempt from provisions for overtime pay. It does not exempt employees from labor laws pertaining to break time or state requirements for medical needs or in this case specifically provisions for nursing or pumping. I would say if Ms. Belong is entitled to study hall periods or may leave the school for lunch this would be adequate time for pumping. As far as storage, expressed breast milk should be ok unrefrigerated for up to 8 hours and if she keeps a cooler with an ice pack in her locker she would be fine.

Michelle, you are confusing head count requirements under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) and FLSA job classifications. Yes, individuals who work for employers with >50 employees are not entitled to job-protected family leave under the provisions of FMLA, but that has nothing to do with exempt status. "Exempt" under the law has NOTHING to do with break times.

My last comment on this is that Ms. Belong is NOT an employee of the school district. Being a full-time student does not make her eligible for protection under state labor laws that would provide provisions for pumping. This situation is goverened by the State Department of Education. Delaware would be setting a horrible precedent if they even mention that under State Labor Law provisions relating to periods of rest and pumping in the work place in making a decision in this matter. If they blur the lines and call the course of obtaining an education "employment" they would be implying that students enrollment and attendance at school would be compensable time under the law.

now it seems they have removed their facebook altogether... it can no longer be found at that address.... please contact the local news stations in your area! The school cannot hide that!

They seem to have removed their fb page.

I'm outraged about this. I can't imagine what this young momis going through. No one should have to fight to be a good mom and get an education. I went to make a comment on the school's facebook page but can't seem to find it. it's as thought they have closed it....

Don't know his email but his does have a blog - http://spartansuper.blogspot.com/

The super's blog post sounds reasonable. They do not have anything set up for nursing students, but he states that they would do their best to accommodate any student who requested a private place to nurse. Her being responsible for storage (which is quite easily accomplished with a cooler) makes sense, also. If she wanted to bring a mini-fridge to school to plug in and leave, I would imagine they'd cooperate with that as well.
I don't know if they changed their original stance, or if their original statement was misunderstood, but it sounds like she can do it if she wants to.

I called as well with a respectful message.

Miss Belong, you are not alone, love! We are ALL behind you 100%. I know I can speak for thousands when I say that we are PROUD to add you to the ranks of breast feeding WARRIORS and your son is blessed to have you for a momma!
I am a Nurse and this woman should KNOW BETTER.

NursinginPublic.com is following this story. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do. I've written a piece here: http://www.nursinginpublic.com/anti-nip/delaware-teen-mom-denied-breastfeeding-accommodations-momma-trauma/

Perhaps someone should make a page in support of Jailyn.

Are they deleting the tweets or has no one done it yet? I don't see any, and my account is down for some reason so I can't do anything myself.

I would highly suggest contacting the National Women's Law Center. http://www.nwlc.org/ and to look at their 2012 Parenting Fact Sheet. You may be covered under Title IX. This covers discrimination based on pregnancy and the post-partum period, but it could also cover breastfeeding.

Also, US Department of Health and Human Services has a site, womenshealth.gov that has a breastfeeding fact sheet that directly contradicts the recommendation of the school nurse.

I was a substitute teacher when I was nursing my child. I just used the teachers bathroom to pump. The new pumps are not noisy at all. This needs to be stopped! This young lady (and she is most definitely a lady!) is being a responsible young adult. Please keep us posted as to what happens! And send our support from South Carolina! I will repost on my Fb page, too!

Jessica is already on top of it! That's how I found out about this article! TLB is AWESOME!

I have reported this on two of my groups fb pages. Going to be emailing the school.

So much I could say, so much already said. That a RN takes pride in such behavior, she on her. The school's behavior is illegal and despicable, some way to teach your students, "yes there are laws to protect us, yet we choose to do whatever suits us." Nice! Take them on girl, are a great and fantastic mom, doing what is best for your child even if that means going against the flow, taking the hard road, keep it up, do what you must to protect your child. Don't let these people neglect your child, stand up for his rights, he needs you and your support. I will call the school, email them and post on their Facebook, the best of luck to you.

Wow! Congratulations to this mother for standing up for her rights. She has the right to an education, AND the right to supply her baby with breastmilk. Keep fighting, mama, and do what you know is best for your baby!

also, I pump at work and rather than storing my baby's milk in the nasty breakroom fridge, I have an insulated cooler bag with ice packs to keep the milk cool till i get off work, so if you do this and keep it in your locker then that solves them having to store the milk for you

Good luck, Jaielyn!! You are among a long line of women who do not choose the easy path but who choose the right path! Because of your actions, other nursing students may be more likely to try to continue to nurse while in school and may be more successful at continuing to breastfeed their children. You should be proud of yourself for this!

We can tweet the school - @lfhs_spartans We should get one of those hashtag things going - clearly I know nothing about twitter but I do know that once something starts trending it tends to get national news!

I am 20 years old with a three year old daughter. I choose not to nourish my daughter properly by giving her the breast milk I was able to produce because (even in a school with a teen parent group and daycare center to breast feed in) I thought I would be looked at like an outcast. I only saw one out of the 15 mothers I became close with breastfeed, even though we had all of the support in the world to do it, and information readily available on the positive effects. Jaielyn, I would like to say on behalf of young mothers everywhere, THANK YOU! You are doing something even my rebellious, hard headed self couldn't do. You are sticking up for your rights and the rights of your child. Your child deserves so much in this world and good nutrition will only be the beginning of your battles. I am happy to say that my daughter was nourished by formula, but I still regret the bonding and health I could've established by breastfeeding. It takes a strong young woman to fight for what you are fighting for and you have mine support and I am sure the support of many people in your community. Cause a uproar and stick up for that handsome little boy, and don't ever stop!!!

Also, I know I live in AL but, I brought this to the attention of some of the news stations down here and a radio station. Not sure if they'll mention it but, I sent it to them.

That's exactly what I would do!! Bring my pump! Asked to be excused and pump somewhere, if they won't allow me, pump in the room! They need to know she is serious and will stand her ground! And they will soon see all the support she has! Bc breastfeeding out children is not a crime and shouldn't be frowned upon! Rather they should be patting her on the back for having such drive to breastfeeding her son, bc we all know it gets hard at times.

Take them to court, Delaware state law say you as a mother who is breast feeding have the right to do so in a public place or at work with the proper accommodations. In not letting you do so is a direct violation of your civil rights. You have a civil law suit on your hands, and this is not only on that you can win, you can get money from this lawsuit. Money that you can use to help your son in the long run.

Good for her to stand up for your rights as a breastfeeding mom! I had a similar situation at a small local business where a female manager (gasp...yup that's right) told me I couldn't pump in the dining room bc it is supposed to be family friendly (AND I was covered up too).

Kate, army wife and lactivist

I applaud Jaielyn for standing up for her right to breast feed/pump for her baby. It's law that she be given time and place, the school is responsible to provide this.The sooner the school authorities realize this Jaielyn can focus on her right to an education AT SCHOOL,and not be pressured into home school

I just emailed the DE ACLU. Please contact them here aclu@aclu-de.org and include a link to this story.

Facebook page link removed but they have twitter too...they can not escape technology!
https://twitter.com/lfhs_spartans

Oh yes! Those poor kids being distracted! I bet they'd all have to crowd into the gym and watch her pump!

Seriously. Heaven forbid the students have a good example set for them in breastfeeding babies.

If high school age kids don't know how to focus their attention despite distractions, they have worse problems than a classmate pumping milk!

I did #Jaielyn on twitter. Lets trend it!!!!

While I support her fighting to nurse in school, I do second the idea of virtual schooling. My DD is in Ohio Virtual Academy through K12. I know when my kids were born I'd do just about anything to stay home with them for awhile. That wasn't possible with my DD but I'm a SAHM now with DS and DD does K12 so we get to spend all the time we want together.

Just saying if fighting for her rights doesn't work out (no reason why it shouldn't) K12 is a wonderful option.

I am somewhat confused, IS Jaielyn @ Lake Forest H.S. to get an education or to breast feed/pump her breast for her baby and everyone else? I ABSOLUTELY AGREE with Lake Forest H.S. I see where her mother states she is a good student and a book worm and I don't doubt that, but she wasn't always reading, Yes, I agree breast feeding is great and no one is saying it is not. Sounds like to me Lake Forest is just stating you cannot breast feed or pump during school hours. The above Delaware Laws sounds like it pertains to employed people @ their jobs or people who may be waiting @ a bus stop, not teenage girls in High School or any school. I PRAY that Lake Forest H.S. sticks to their guns and not allow this to happen. Home schooling for a while sounds like a great ideal.......

That's your opinion and you are entitled to it like I am to mine. Have a great day!!!!! May GOD bless you and yours.......

just a question have you ever nursed a baby? at this age a baby nurses ever 3-4 hours or more often if they are growing rapidly, I have gone 6 hours before without being able to pump... and by that time I had literally leaked through my breast pads my bra and my shirt, my breasts were sooo sore and engorged ... do you want this young girl who has a baby (so what if you think it was a mistake ) who has the right to eat as well . not pumping or feeding the baby can cause some serious health issues for a mother. if she does not breastfeed her baby with this free form of nutrition are you going to cough up the cash to pay for the formula (which is a poor substitute when she is fully willing and able to nourish her baby) Formula is expensive $25 and up for a can that might last a week ... and last even less as the baby gets older.

This young girl is to be commended for wanting to continue her education, and her wanting to breastfeed would in no way inpact her education or the education of others (might even be a good thing to educate people like yourself who seem to be ignorant that it is the natural way for babies to eat)

Your ignorance is almost laughable. Do some research about breastfeeding laws, nursing, and parenting in general before you embaress yourself with comments like these

Clearly trolling.. :)

Oh Darcy, go grab an education and get your face out of the book of lies (aka the bible). You might end up sounding less ignorant.

Yes. She is there to pump and breastfeed for you. She would like to come do it in your livingroom because you love it so much. Seriously? Was that a real question? Darcey, you can't maintain a breastmilk supply without pumping during the day. You obviously either don't know that or don't care about the INFANTS rights to have the absolute unarguably best thing for her. This is far more than being about a teen mother in DE. It is about infants EVERYWHERE that have rights that are not detirmined by mothers circumstance. God bless you as well. Jesus was breastfed whenever he needed, no doubt.

I think that LFHS is definitely drawing more attention by not allowing her. There's no reason why she can't just discreetly go into a private room once or twice a day and pump. I'm honestly surprised the nurse of all people is not supporting her on this.

Thus is crazy! The school nurse needs to go back to school. It's rediculous that a school can't provide someone with a private room for twenty minutes twice a day. They are trying to be difficult and trying to prove to the young mother that "she shouldn't of had a baby so young". Get over yourselves and help this young mother achieve her goals of being a good mother and getting her diploma.

This is as poor an argument as one stating that students with learning disabilities shouldn't be allowed in the classroom.
And it's the law.

The judgement of the few of you is just amazing. Like people don't get pregnant on birth control? Or no one else at that school is engaging in similar activities? She's making the best of the situation, making the best choice for her child. Get off your dang high horses.

THANK U, THANK U, THANK U, Gina. Finally, someone who is making sense. No one wants to acknowledge the fact that another teenager got pregnant, and it happens a lot, but now we are suppose to move heaven and earth to accommodate ALL of her needs. I don't think so. Like you said she is not the only student in school. Other people need to be considered also. I don't care what anyone says or thinks about me. Again Jaielyn and her mother need to figure this out and stop bringing everyone else into this matter. Prayer has always worked for me. TRY IT....

Gina, did you actually read your post before hitting submit??! In what possible way would her pumping disrupt the other students? All the young lady would need to do is bring a lunch box to store the milk. That's IT. Your argument is ridiculous and grounded in discrimination. Yes she made a mistake by becoming pregnant in the first place, but by standing up and doing what's right for herself and her child, in light of her poor decision, could be seen as a wonderful display of maturity and responsibility!

It is the law....we shouldnt even having to have this discussion...she should not be treated like a second class citizen contact beau biden and your senators

I think it's fairly clear that they DON'T want her to go back to school and finish her education. They get labeled as "drop-outs" but really they're PUSHED out. It happens to girls who get pregnant and boys who cause trouble all the time -- it would be easier on the administration if they weren't at school, so they make it increasingly more difficult for the "problem" kids to be at school.

It happened to my mom when she got pregnant and married in high school with me 30 years ago and it's still happening today.

Kudos to to Betty too for helping support her daughter in making the best decisions for the new mom and baby.
The schools recommendation is obviously an uneducated decision and is putting too much emphasis on the new mom not feeling like a normal teen. She's already not a normal teen. She's an upstanding mom making the best decisions for her son. Her battle will hopefully help other young moms make the best decision for their children.

Good for you. Breastmilk is the best for your baby and has countless number of benefits. Dont give in and keep fighting. Its all about him.

https://www.facebook.com/WeSupportJaielynBelongsRightToFeedHerBaby

Jaielyn, I commend you for taking responsibility for your child, for wanting to finish your education and for giving him the gift of breastfeeding. It is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
You are blazing a trail! Do not give up!! Across this nation there are countless mothers, young and veteran who are standing behind you and cheering you on.

Where are the teachers? There's got to be at least one teacher willing to allow her into their room throughout the day to take care of things. Sounds like the school was grasping at straws suggesting that she may be bullied? How about you use this as an educational experience to show the rest of the students how things should be. Yes homeschooling is an option but it should be her option not something she's forced into.

What is missing here is the fact that by denying this mother a safe, comfortable place to express her milk, the school district is IMMEDIATELY placing this baby at risk by denying it access to it's mother's milk. Not only should we be advocating for the mother's legal right to feed her child, we need to demand the rights for the tiniest one in the scenario whose health is being compromised.
I have written the ACLU in DE, and cc'd the school officials.
Thank you all for joining together to protect this baby!

The principal just posted this on his blog:

Breast Feeding at School
Due to privacy regulations we cannot comment on the specifics of a 15 year old student that has received a lot of media attention. But, should a student ask to pump breast milk at school, this is what our response would be.

Lake Forest High School has many female staff members who have personal experience with breast feeding their own children and managing that goal after returning to work. They are wonderful resources for teen moms wishing to do the same. We encourage any teen mom to seek their advice.

We have no specially designed room for that purpose but we would do our best to accommodate that student’s request. The student would be responsible for providing her own cooler for storage. Any refrigerators in school are in use for other purposes. To use them to also store a student’s pumped breast milk would risk contamination.

Our teen moms have access to the DAPI program in Camden which is specifically designed to support pregnant teens. There they can take their classes, take their baby them, breast feed and pump whenever necessary. A student who chooses to leave that environment and return to regular school also chooses to leave behind a certain level of support.

Do you have the link to his blog?

http://spartansuper.blogspot.com/2013/01/breast-feeding-at-school.html here is the blog post.

Ladies...this was also posted on their web page. Here is the link http://www.lf.k12.de.us/lfhs/ I personally think that not supporting this young lady and her decision to take responsibility is an injustice. If I was her mom, or a member of her current support system...I would have the baby available for his regular feedings.

Not only that the statement is clearly aimed at placating the public, and stalling. This statement alone "A student who chooses to leave that environment and return to regular school also chooses to leave behind a certain level of support." is like saying that because women chose to leave their house and work they are no longer protected, or afforded decent work environments.

schools are the worst about letting moms pump. even as a staff member i had to beg to pump and then i was giving a durty rat filled closest to pump in. to get to the closest i had to run though a class full of students. and then i also had to deal with the other staff wanting to know where i was and not giving me the time to pump

Instead of suing and screaming" My rights! My rights!"....why cant she just pump milk in the nurses office or some reasonsble accomodations? Schools are NOT responsible for her baby..but they could help her..if possible.

This is crazy! This young lady had a baby yet chose to stay in school! Give her a place to pump and support her!

Due to privacy regulations we cannot comment on the specifics of a 15 year old student that has received a lot of media attention. But, should a student ask to pump breast milk at school, this is what our response would be.

Lake Forest High School has many female staff members who have personal experience with breast feeding their own children and managing that goal after returning to work. They are wonderful resources for teen moms wishing to do the same. We encourage any teen mom to seek their advice.

We have no specially designed room for that purpose but we would do our best to accommodate that student’s request. The student would be responsible for providing her own cooler for storage. Any refrigerators in school are in use for other purposes. To use them to also store a student’s pumped breast milk would risk contamination.

Our teen moms have access to the DAPI program in Camden which is specifically designed to support pregnant teens. There they can take their classes, take their baby with them, breast feed and pump whenever necessary. A student who chooses to leave that environment and return to regular school also chooses to leave behind a certain level of support.

As a mother who has breastfed and pumped AND as a teacher, your district's attitude towards this mother is upsetting. Teen PARENTS (because there IS a father involved when a woman gets pregnant!) need love and support. Many times "special" schools for the mothers do not meet the educational needs and goals of some of the students. My friends who had children as teenager often felt that the classes were remedial and did not prepare them for college. They wished to rejoin their peers at school to prepare for higher education. They should be supported in this!
It is not unreasonable to ask a pumping mother of any age to provide her own storage containers and breat pump. However, it is ignorant to say that she may not use a fridge at school to store her milk due to "contaimination." Properly stored breastmilk will not contaminate anything! If it did, NICUs would not store frozen breastmilk from different mothers in the same freezer!
As professionals, your job is to educate and support the students through a variety of challenges in life. You are doing a poor job of supporting this mother.
Laura/WaldenMommy
PS- Please send this nurse to a cont. ed. course on breastfeeding. She is clearly lacking basic knowledge of the importance of breastmilk, pumping and milk storage.

This young lady should not be forced to go to DAPI in order to have support for breast feeding her child!!! If she chooses to go to Lake Forest High School, she should be given the same accommodations as any other breast feeding mother, and should not be forced to go to a bacteria filled bathroom to take care of her needs.

It would be nice if they responded on the blog, especially in light of what the principle just posted.

I went to LF Highschool years ago. I can say the School nurse is not in support of teen pregnancy and she is biased. She is also very unfriendly and in my opinion shouldnt be a NURSE. This is just wrong. But I think her personal opinion is affecting her duty as a nurse. We are supposed to advocate for our patients and put our own views and prejedices aside.

Shoot they didn't have to even be creative. It's hardly different than teachers needing to pump. Should have been an non-issue, they made it one to shame the young mom. Glad they are changing their tune but afraid she's going to continue to receive the same horrible teen mom judgement regardless while she attends that place.

Oh this makes me mad. Here is a young girl trying to do what is best for her baby, and no one is helping.

http://spartansuper.blogspot.com/2013/01/breast-feeding-at-school.html

What's best isn't always what is easiest! WAY TO GO!!!! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't breastfeed. It's YOUR RIGHT and your child's right!!

I don't agree that this is an "unnecessary frenzy." She shouldn't have have to go to the alternative school if she doesn't feel it's the best course for her. Everyone knows it's not the same. She wants to pump, not set fire to the school.

She is being shamed here, for her decision to have her baby, IMO, and that needs to be dealt with.

Not to mention that alternative schools are for troubled teens. i can only imagine the kind of ridicule and bad element she would subjected too

Here is a lovely young woman who took responsibility for her actions, though teen pregnancy is never ideal, she is handling her responsibilities with maturity and grace. I went to high school in Texas and my school district was worse, and would bully pregnant teens into dropping out or going to an alternative school. When did breastfeeding acquire such a negative stigma? It's a natural and beautiful function! I don't have children yet, but I plan on breastfeeding when I do decide to become a mother. She has chosen to parent her child and is trying to do the best job she can, kudos! As a law student, this is clearly a discrimination case. I recommend taking immediate action and I guarantee the school will backdown, they won't want the negative press. Keep up the good fight, and don't drop out or homeschool!

I spoke to the superintendent just a little bit ago.
My experience with advocacy has been largely with my school district in Austin (I write the blog at KeepAustinNIP.com), as well as a neighboring district. I left a voice mail offering to be a resource and was promptly called back.
Please don't shoot the messenger. I will try to diplomatically - because diplomacy is, I think, always best - explain my perception of his perspective.
He says that there is some misinformation online. He said that the nurse told Jaielyn's mom that they would find a room for her to pump in. She will need to bring a cooler with ice packs and they will let her store it where she feels is best.
(Regardless of what exactly the conversation was, the district *is* saying they will accommodate the mother's pumping.)
Dr. Curry was, understandably (if you're trying to see this from his perspective - put yourself in his shoes for just a moment), frustrated at the sudden, intense attention this has drawn, especially given that he believes the public has been misinformed.
In speaking to employees, he is under the impression that adults - able to make decisions for themselves, familiar with the school buildings, and undeterred by embarrassment in a female-dominated profession - are able to look at their options for pumping at school and decide for themselves whether or not to do that.
We advocates see flaws in this logic, I know.
However, I truly believe that a barrage of contacts will not at this time necessarily change the superintendent's perception. Especially contacts that are shaming or irate. I was, I feel, composed and diplomatic, yet I think he still felt I was lecturing him.
I wonder if it might best serve this school to tread more lightly. I plan to contact the breastfeeding coalition for the area and ask what *their* perspective is, and if they have been invited or can offer to tour the school and help determine a little-used area that could be converted into a lactation room. I feel that the employees in this district (& so many other districts!) - whether they are saying it or not - need more support, as well. If a lactation room exists, a mother does not have to make a decision about pumping at work that must take into account whether or not she can find a place where she is comfortable pumping. It's just there, and is not a factor in her decision. Women are far more likely to meet their own breastfeeding goals if they do not have to track down a comfortable place to express milk.
I have asked people to write to my district's administration and board, & hoped that they would send letters in droves. Here, given the different account given by administration and their stated intention to make accommodations for Jaielyn, I think it might be best if a smaller group determines who in the district is receptive to establishing lactation rooms throughout the district, and to work with those people to effect change.
I think there is still a role for us across the country to play. We cannot allow this issue to scroll down our News Feed and be forgotten. If we take a step back and see what develops, but remain vigilant, I think we can allow the district to make changes without the distraction and frustration of public pressure. In my area, a neighboring district has adopted a written policy that states no mother will be denied access to any part of a school in which she would otherwise be permitted. This was done with no direct public pressure, just a few diplomatic calls and emails from a friend and from me. Of course, this requires that someone - preferably with a connection to the school or area - spearhead education efforts there. Hopefully the bf coalition or local LLL is even already doing that. I will post anything I learn in trying to contact them.
As always, the show of support for breastfeeding mothers is amazing! You all rock!

Here, here! Well said!

Good for you!! Fight for whats best for you and babe!! Stay in school be allowed to nurse on demand. I myself a teen mom went to a teen mom school that called during class to allow for nursing. My duaghters friend gave birth last year they REFUSED to allow her at school after having her baby ... now a university student her grades are A+...Never let any one tell you whats best for your baby based on ignorance or FEAR....Breast is best!!!Jaielyn keep up the fight :)

Not sure how much it will help, but I've shared this story with AAUW (both national and in DE), whose mission is advancing equity for women and girls. Having been a state officer for several years, I've seen the impact of support from AAUW, especially their Legal Advocacy Fund (anyone ever heard of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?? That is in part thanks to AAUW).

I've also posted a Facebook message on the page for the National Women's Law Center, linking to this article.

I certainly hope someone or some organization takes up this case of blatant discrimination, and gets Miss Belong the justice she deserves!

And kudos to Miss Belong and her mother for continuing to stand up for what is best for that sweet little boy. Stand strong ladies and know that you aren't alone in this fight--we've got your back from here on out!

Renea G.
Boston, MA

Ok, I am going to start encouraging my readers to write letters and make phone calls as well. The more I think about this, the more angry I get. She is a teenager, but she is also a mother now. This discrimination is unacceptable and they should not be allowed them to punish her for making healthy decisions for herself and her child, not without reproach.

why is it that nobody says what needs to be said... why is a 15 yr old GIRL with child? she and her mother must be aware of all the birth control available these days and a 15 yr old GIRL should NOT be having sex. period!! but since she already did she must go to the school that is equipped for girls that have this problem and maybe(unlike her mother)she will teach her son that sex before marriage is wrong.

maybe if this "group of parents" were more worried educating children of the negative effects of childhood sex, than sueing the world and protesting everyone, we would not have a 15 yr old GIRL with a baby. yes it's 2013, so why, by now, we havent figured out a way to keep our CHILDREN from having children.

I am all for breastfeeding your baby but my first thought was she isn't much of a book worm if she is with child and second why should the other kids that believe in abstence be subject to her consequence of an unprotected night of sex. Apparently the one book she needed to read was about how you can get pregnant

no... the problem has been created by the girl. she should go to DAPI school where she can bring her baby with her if breast feeding is so important to her. i think she just wants a reason to sue and oh be famous... she should be embarassed and so should her mother.

Wow, it's a little late for prevention and it's offensive that you refer to a child as a "problem". This mom needs support, this is not an issue of prevention, unless you have created the very first time machine. So she should be shunned for making a mistake? Cast out like trash? I think not. Work on your compassion a little, it will have a greater affect and effect than the judgmental attitude you have now.

DrZ formula is NOT just as good as breastmilk...I don't know what you are thinking on that comment.

This is via Krisdee at Keep Austin Nursing in Public: "I spoke to the superintendent just a little bit ago.
You all know my experience with advocacy has been largely with my school district, as well as a neighboring district. I left a voice mail offering to be a resource and was promptly called back.
Please don't shoot the messenger. I will try to diplomatically - because diplomacy is, I think, always best - explain my perception of his perspective.
He says that there is some misinformation online. He said that the nurse told Jaielyn's mom that they would find a room for her to pump in. She will need to bring a cooler with ice packs and they will let her store it where she feels is best.
(Regardless of what exactly the conversation was, the district *is* saying they will accommodate the mother's pumping.)
Dr. Curry was, understandably (if you're trying to see this from his perspective - put yourself in his shoes for just a moment), frustrated at the sudden, intense attention this has drawn, especially given that he believes the public has been misinformed.
In speaking to employees, he is under the impression that adults - able to make decisions for themselves, familiar with the school buildings, and undeterred by embarrassment in a female-dominated profession - are able to look at their options for pumping at school and decide for themselves whether or not to do that.
We advocates see flaws in this logic, I know.
However, I truly believe that a barrage of contacts will not at this time necessarily change the superintendent's perception. Especially contacts that are shaming or irate. I was, I feel, composed and diplomatic, yet I think he still felt I was lecturing him.
I wonder if it might best serve this school to tread more lightly. I plan to contact the breastfeeding coalition for the area and ask what *their* perspective is, and if they have been invited or can offer to tour the school and help determine a little-used area that could be converted into a lactation room. I feel that the employees in this district (& so many other districts!) - whether they are saying it or not - need more support, as well. If a lactation room exists, a mother does not have to make a decision about pumping at work that must take into account whether or not she can find a place where she is comfortable pumping. It's just there, and is not a factor in her decision. Women are far more likely to meet their own breastfeeding goals if they do not have to track down a comfortable place to express milk.
You know I have asked people to write to my district's administration and board, & hoped that they would send letters in droves. Here, with the different account given by administration and their stated intention to make accommodations for Jaielyn, I think it might be best if a smaller group determines who in the district is receptive to establishing lactation rooms throughout the district, and to work with those people to effect change.
I think there is still a role for us across the country to play. We cannot allow this issue to scroll down our News Feed and be forgotten. If we take a step back and see what develops, but remain vigilant, I think we can allow the district to make changes without the distraction and frustration of public pressure.
I planned to announce today (see my post here in a bit) that a neighboring district has adopted a written policy that states no mother will be denied access to any part of a school in which she would otherwise be permitted. This was done with no direct public pressure, just a few diplomatic calls and emails from @Rachel Donegan Ham and from me. Of course, this requires that someone - preferably with a connection to the school or area - spearhead education efforts there. Hopefully the bf coalition or local LLL is even already doing that. I will post anything I learn in trying to contact them.
This is just my perspective, based on five months of dealing with school districts."

This is an issue I see a lot with the moms I work with. I don't know why it wasn't addressed initially but it needs to be amended! These moms want the very best for their little ones and they are punished for it. We are sending mothers mixed messages and creating unobtainable standards for motherhood on them. You can't tell a mom all the wonders of breastfeeding, that she should do it and in the same breath turn around and tell her she can't because of xyz. Mothers are set up for failure under the guise of support. Too little is done to actually support mothers who want to breastfeed, which is now about 85% of all mothers out there. Just a rotten shame!

Jaielyn is a GREAT mother & she's only been one for over a month!! Way to go by standing up for your right to breastfeed your child & not taking no for an answer. If you start out your mothering years this way, imagine what kind of legacy you will leave after you have years of experience. I am VERY proud of you and think your son is blessed to have a mother willing to give him the best. Thank you for setting a good example!

Let me start by saying I fully support Jaielyn's right to breastfeed. That said, I really wish people would tone down the "endangering the child" rhetoric.

Using this logic, any woman who doesn't breastfeed should have her children taken away from her and put in foster care. Obviously that's insane, but it wouldn't be the first time law enforcement did something insane based on a bad precident.

There's no doubt that breast milk is, in general terms, the best option for infants. But just as with all aspects of real life, sometimes the best option isn't practical.

Breastfeeding is a personal choice that each woman must make for herself, based on many different factors. For some women it's difficult, impractical or even impossible, and the notion that a woman who doesn't breastfeed is somehow endangering or harming her baby is judgemental, irrational, and patently false.

Don't allow your enthusiasm for your cause blind you to the fact that your personal choice may not be right for absolutely every other woman in the world.

Good for the teen mom. I was a teen mom and I had zero support when breastfeeding my son. So, it ended up being a failure. 13 years later I just had my 2nd son. And the breastfeeding support has been overflowing! 5 months in and we are still breastfeeding. Every mother is a mother no matter her age. Please encourage and support them, all of us.

It's very commendable that she is standing so strong on her stance to breastfeed. However, are we saying that teen pregnancies are the way to go? At the end of the article, the mother says that she's proud of her daugher's choices that she's made....ugh really? Since when was it commendable for a 15 year old to go and get pregnant?

Gee, too bad, she didn't put that much thought into waiting to have a baby until after she was out of school. Then she would not have to worry about when she can or can not feed him. But, then that would be the smart thing to do. So, instead make a bunch of noise about not getting your way. As they said, you made your bed, now you can sleep in it. Sorry, but I do not think that the school should have to make special events for teen moms'. What happen to having them all in a school together, that way not only could she breast feed when need, but she could also take care of the baby she had to have at 15, have her change the diapers, rock him when he is awake, feed him, she wanted the baby, and she is only worried about breastfeeding the baby, Who takes care of the baby the rest of the day?

yes Sue seems to think this is a teen pregnancy issue rather than a human rights one. I'm imagining her mother takes care of the baby during the day which is what I'd be doing if my teenage daughter got pregnant and decided to keep her baby. And to pre-empt all the weirdos saying I might be the sort of person who'd encourage teen pregnancy... I'm not, she's not even dated any boys yet, it's just that even with the best parenting, advise and intentions ... shit happens. And sometimes how you deal with the fall out determines who you'll become in life rather than the mistake.

I was 26 and married when I had my first child. I had two degrees (one being a registered nurse the other a bs in science). My husband had a BS in biology and chemistry, a masters in education and was 1/2 way through a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. We both had full time jobs with a steady and stable income. Heck, I worked for the govt. YET...I had to fight for the right to pump at my job. Even though the law said they had to provide accommodations they stuck me in a closet where people frequently walked in on me. They also fought tooth and nail to let me pump 3 times a day which was stupid because by their laws I was given 2 breaks and 1 lunch break a day...but until I provided a doctor's note they wouldn't give me my second break.

As for who takes care of the baby...well, a baby sitter or daycare will. Just like all of the other moms who work and can't watch them full time. You should be ashamed of yourself. She is trying her hardest to do what is right for this baby. Her age should play no factor into her feeding her child. There is a law against ageism.

There is a HUGE problem with it Jeff. Let someone cut your man boobs off and tell you to suck it up...that is how she will feel after 3-4 hours. Plus, she will risk infections just like you would with open wounds. Breastfeeding is hard work and can be dangerous. Learn about something before you post stupid comments and make yourself look like a jerk!!!

Totally agree with Sue and if she's such a "good girl" why is she a teen mom ?

15 minutes of fame, you won't remember her name a month from now. But yet trying to change something that will cost every tax payer money. Not only in supporting her child and herself, but special privileges for teen moms in the schools. Next we'll be buying her diapers !!

The law for LABORERS to have a place to pump/nurse is DIFFERENT,THOSE PEOPLE ARE PAYING THERE OWN WAY !!

My hat goes out to you, for being so young and wanting to do such an amazing thing for your baby. I got an 8yr old and a 15month old and if I knew back then when my son was born in 2004. I would've definitely would've done it longer, with my daughter it's different I still do it and with my head held high. Don't let no one try to put you down. Stand up for what's right especially because is for your baby.

Jeff, she isn't asking to pump or bf in class so there would be no distractions to other students. And since you aren't a woman let me explain something to your ignorant self...breasts are not coke fountains. They work on supply and demand. They only produce the amt needed to feed the baby every 2-3 hours. If she goes 8 hrs without expressing her milk she will get engorged, be in pain, won't produce as much milk bc the body will think it's over producing, and she will most likely end up with a very painful infection called mastitis which would bring you to your knees with tears streaming down your face. Your logic...and the school's are stupid and highly uneducated!!! And to set the record straight...feeding a child isn't about attention. It's about providing a helpless child with a basic need...FOOD!!!

Jeff, by law every woman is to be given a safe place to pump milk outside of a bathroom or such. I was NOT given that because men and women would randomly walk in on me. I was put in a CLOSET that all staff members had a key to. That did not fit the criteria by the LAW. I was being discriminated against. So yes, I had a right to fight and complain. And just out of curiosity, what are you "educated" in? I don't believe the world should revolve around me or any other one person in particular but if I have to follow the laws so does the govt.

Jeff- while I am sure you are well meaning, it would be good if you researched a bit about breastfeeding before posting such comments. Mothers need to nurse or pump every 2-3 hours initially in order to maintain supply. Some more, some less, but anything pushing 4 hours is too long. What happens? Well, the breasts will first get engorged, which is VERY painful if not managed, and then after a while, supply will drop and go away altogether. As for your comments about planned parenthood, who are you to judge? you don't know her or her circumstances and they are IRRELEVANT to her rights as a mother. School is for learning, but it is a public place and she has rights under both federal and state laws to feed her child in that place. It's not unreasonable to ask for a private room (one that should already exist since they are required to provide it to their staff) to pump 2-3 times while she is at school (which takes all of 20 minutes). She could probably even time it around her lunch and breaks. They are being bullies and discriminating against her. Plain and simple.

Actually its not. School is a place to teach young girls and boys that their education come first. Teaching girls how to breast feed is just another push for teenage girls to think that getting pregnant is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with teen mothers, but being the daughter of a teen mother, its a very rough life style to grow up in. My mother struggled every day to make ends meet and she is my hero, but she tells me every day that she doesnt want me to repeat her life. I am now a junior in college, im a normal young adult, sexually active but i play it SMART! Birth control and condoms. If i were to somehow get pregnant while using both then i would step up and raise my child as best as possible. But things like teaching CHILDREN to breastfeed CHILDREN is just sad. Young girls should be encouraged to use every precaution to stay safe, continue their education, get married and once they are financially able to then have a child. I have nothing against teen mothers, but i came from a school where 50% of the females in my class had a child before they graduated, yet they never expected special treatment from the school!

As I mentioned below in a response to another one of your misinformed statements Chelsey, breastfeeding is a public health issue.

Despite the relatively low incidence of teen pregnancy (0.4% in 2011 - please refer to the CDC data for full report @ www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/aboutteenpreg.htm), less than half of all babies - no matter the age of their mother - receive the recommended 6 months of exclusive breast milk (www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm). Interesting...

So then, where exactly is the best place to learn about breastfeeding?

It is not taught in Medical school. It is not taught in Nursing school.

Only 10% of the pregnant woman who go on to have their babies in the hospital where I work attend a breastfeeding class. This is not uncommon, and has much to do with the fact that they are going to medical doctors prenatally for their care when they are not high risk, and do not require a surgeon to manage their pregnancy. Since their pregnancy is being managed as a pathology, education on health and wellness is not a priority. Thus, many have no clue that a breastfeeding class is necessary.

Furthermore, after labor & birth, especially after a birth by cesarean section, a new mother is not in student-mode.

Actually, most of my soon-to-be parents are overwhelmed after a class, so I suspect that teaching a life skill such as breastfeeding during high school would be a great form of educational birth control.

In conclusion, I know you are hurting about something in your life. Projection is an obvious indicator of such. I encourage you to reach out for help instead of attacking a teenager.

I am sorry Brett that you did not receive breastmilk as a child.
I am sorry Brett that your children (if you have them) did not receive breastmilk.

I will not prove to you that I am more than a "one-hitter who repeats the same tired mantra over and over again." I do not wish to sell my personal agenda on this blog, which is the reason for my topic-focused comments.

I am here to have an evidence-based discussion, and encourage you to do the same.

As far as I have seen, this is not YET about greed and attention. We, followers of the media, have possibly given it far more attention than the student planned on receiving. I've nursed three babies and am currently pregnant with my fourth--I am not a lactation specialist, but have nursed and pumped for all of them. I had to LOL at your comment, Jeff, about filling up some bottles before school. Still LOL. I think the women you've been around make breastfeeding and/or pumping seem very effortless. Kudos to them. This is NOT how breastfeeding works. In a perfect world, this young woman would have never had sex, but she did. And she became pregnant and chose not to have an abortion which, in MY humble opinion, would have been the easy way out. You will NEVER find a pediatric doctor that says formula is better than breastmilk. As a matter of fact, they have proven breastmilk frozen and thawed out up to 6 months after pumped is far superior to formula. I know a mom who was unable to breastfeed her adopted baby (this is sometimes possible--google it) and purchased milk from a milk bank that was pumped by another woman for the baby's first year. Yes. From another woman. Stop cringing. It is not hazardous material. It is FOOD! That's how superior breast milk is to formula. I commend this high school student for NOT taking the easy way out; for having the child AND choosing to feed it the best way possible. No way can a person pump a couple times before school (that's the time that she's NURSING her feeding-on-demand infant) and have enough milk stored for the baby to eat the remainder of the day. It isn't possible. And oh my. I can't imagine the pain that would come from not expressing milk/nursing for 4 HOURS with a newborn, let alone ALL DAY. It's comparable to holding your bladder, I suppose. For four HOURS after you first felt like you might wet yourself. Oh, buddy. I'm a very reasonable person. I, for instance, understand that all I need to pump is the pump itself in a bag with a compartment large enough for a small 6x4 inch cooler with an ice pack (these usually come free at the hospital where the baby is born,) a semi comfortable chair, 15 minutes three times per school/workday, an outlet to plug in my pump, and some small bottles and bags to pump into--these are also stored right in the pump bag. I don't think she actually needs a refrigerator. I have left my milk in the fridge when I left work one day and that was awful. I couldn't get back in and was so bummed the baby had to have formula the next day. :( The last pump of the day, she can just take the cooler bag home with her bags/bottles for storing and washing. If I were her, I'd leave the bulky pump at school for the next day.

I couldnt agree more! It IS a distraction if the girl is allowed to leave class to pump or breast feed.

I can't believe anyone would have an issue with a woman using a breast pump ANYWHERE. She's not asking to do it in the cafeteria, just the same place that would be provided by LAW if it were a teacher having the same need.
Schools think they own students, they like them to all adhere to one set of rules and guidelines without factoring in the individual's needs. It IS possible to cater to individuals. School IS a place to learn. How about learning compassion, empathy, flexibility, humanity, responsibility of care, nutrition, parenting...

Jennifer - You are an amazing young woman. (Don't get caught up in the crappy comments regarding homeschooling vs public school, or teen pregnancy etc etc)

You have made incredible choices and you are setting a fantastic example for you peers regarding breastfeeding and the care of your beautiful baby.

With everything stacked against you (the school, the ignorant adults, the school RN (!) You continue to make great choices to breastfeed.

There are many of us out here in cyber space who support you (even as far away as Canada). If there is anything we can do (send the school email msg's), just say the word.

This should not even be a discussion, really. You had a baby, you have the right to feed this baby.The End.

This is absolutely shocking - what a terrible message for the school to send to the young ladies they are supposed to be educating. This responsible mother is trying to give her baby the best nutrition possible and the school are trying to prevent her. This is bad for the mother, for the baby, and for all the girls at the school who will miss out on the opportunity to have the natural act of feeding breastmilk to a baby normalised. I hope common sense wins out.

I cannot believe the amount of ignorant comments about that this is not a breastfeeding issue and this girl will be distracting the learning environment. It's sad, really. Obviously people who are making these comments have never breastfed or had to pump. How would this girl going to a private area to privately pump breastmilk for her baby and put it in a small cooler the size of a lunchbox interrupting the education of others? Just because she is a teen mother does not mean people are allowed to discriminate against her. This type of minset is the reason why these fights are being fought.

Ellie, Kudos to YOU for taking the time to arrange for 'small room with a lock to insure privacy'. I would be willing to bet that you bought the rocker yourself! Thank You for being there to touch the lives of these young women in such a positive way. It is a shame that the nurse in Jaielyn's school has not been open minded OR so proactive! "We can not turn the clock back, we can only go forward."

I think the biggest misnomer here is that by accomodating her desire to feed her baby in the best way possible, we are CONDONING her teen pregnancy. Couldn't be farther from the truth. Thank you, Ellie. As you well know from your nursing years, her first few months back at school are CRUCIAL. It is so easy to throw in the pumping towel in great circumstances, let alone when people are throwing stumbling blocks in your way! I wish the best of luck to this young woman.

This is an interview with Jaielyn's schools superintendant. I wanted to just thank you all for your continued support!!

I work in a WIC clinic in Indiana. We've had luck changing some minds about these situations with letter coming from both mom's and baby's physicians. They often have to be very specific about how long mom will need to pump and how often, but it has worked wonders. If anyone has contact with this amazing young mother, and they haven't tried this approach, please pass it along!

Please don't give up.

For the record, she does NOT have a "right" to breastfeed or pump in school. EMPLOYEES are protected by that law, not students. Teen Moms looking for special treatment should seek that at the schools INTENDED for Teen Moms, not look to disrupt the education of everyone around them!

Really? People who don't know anything about breast feeding should really have no room to talk. It's harmful to the mother's health to go so long without breastfeeding or pumping. Mastitis, clogged ductss, engorgements are PAINFUL and make the mother sick. I breastfed 4 children, tried with the 5th but was unsuccessful and lordy do I know how each and every one of those feel like. I don't remember ever going 2 hours without feeding or pumping without milk pouring out. I'm not talking about a tiny little shower of milk but storm pouring, whole front shirt soaked in a matter of a minute.
The point is not the fact of her being a teen mom, its the fact she is a mother fighting her rights to pump her own milk from her own body to feed her baby. If it's not healthy to hold your PEE for so long, then what makes u think its not the same for mothers to drain their breast?

Please think. You and some young boy played and now you have to pay. stay out of school and feed your baby.school is no place for babies.you can return to school later.

she's not taking the baby to school. and feeding a baby doesn't mean stopping what you're doing. work, school, whatever.

WOW!! So you are saying she should go on the welfare train and never get off because that's what would probably happen if she stays at home and feeds her baby. You are clueless. She has every right to continue her education just like everyone else. wow, I am so shocked by the narrow minded people making comments. I am also very proud of everyone coming to this brave girls aid. She has been more of an amazing mom in this short amount of time than some 30ish yr old females I have met. Stay strong and don't be bullied by narrow minded jerks. Finish high school and please continue your education into college. It's your right and best for your baby.

SHAME ON THEM!!!!! I would sue!

I'd show up regardless with the pump and pump either way I'd take something with ice pack in it to store milk

She "only" wants to do what's best for him? Funny because being a teen mother is decidedly NOT the best mother for a child. Apparently she is far more committed to breast feeding than birth control. Figures!

Annette, your statement is, as my elderly aunt would say: 'shutting the barn door long after the horse got out' .

Shame one the ADULTS and their comments. Wonderful that this young woman is trying to make the best of her situation. It doesnt

This is extremely absurd! First off, something like this shouldn't be made into a media play thing. It is clearly stated that they do not have the resources to accomodate the girl and her need to breast feed. For her to do this the school would have to 1) provide a room for her to breast feed, 2) provide a refrigerated area if she were to simply pum and store the breast milk and 3) allow her to leave class multiple times during the day so she can do these actions. No one is saying that breast feeding her child is a negative thing but i have never seen a law or anything that protects HIGH SCHOOL MOTHERS. I congradulate her for stepping up and taking care of her child the proper way, but the school is not responsible for making sure she has a place and time to breast feed her child! Going to school is about receiving an education and in order to be educated she has to stay in the classroom and not expect the school to treat her as an employer is required to an employee. This girl can also turn out to be a distraction to the other students. If she was allowed to leave class it would create an problem with the students who do not believe this is fair but teachers as well when the girl comes back demanding to know what she missed.

Magically enough Chelsey...once they were called out on the absurdity of not allowing this MOTHER the space to pump...they found appropriate accommodations and told her it would be fine to pump at school. The school LIED when they said they didn't have the resources to accommodate her. They just didn't want to deal with it.

Wow... I hate that the school is unwilling to accomodate her and her son. I almost feel like if it were me, I would just choose to homeschool the rest of the way so that I could exclusively breastfeed because I wouldn't want to be in a place that didn't support me, but I get wanting to change the rules and make it accepted. I am still nursing my 14-month old... by the time I went back to work when he was 10 weeks old, I was pumping twice a day for about 12 minutes each time to feed him enough each day until he was around 4 months, when we started adding cereal to his diet and then pureeing steamed fruits and veggies... hopefully they can work something out to allow her to pump twice. I mean they let kids on crutches leave class 5 minutes early to make their way to their next class... why can't they give her a couple minutes to pump? What's the harm? They let ADHD kids leave classes early to go get their meds. This is a medical issue, and so she should be given a medical accomodation. Surely the nurse's office has an outlet she can plug into. Also, they don't need to provide her a fridge to store milk, nor would anyone want to store milk in a common fridge - people let things rot over the weekend. Repulsive. Just take a small insulated lunch box and ice pack - the blue kind doesn't thaw as fast as a water-filled ice pack and will keep milk cold MUCH longer. Good luck!! I hope the school comes to its senses.

Yes, children do leave to the classroom to receive physician-ordered medication. Here is the WV (one of the states I am licensed as a RN) State Board of Education policy regarding such:

http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2422.8.pdf

Yes, the lack of breastfeeding is a medical issue, and is endorsed and promoted by the following major maternal and child health authorities in the United States:

American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Nurses
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Nurse-Midwives
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National WIC Association
U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
U.S. Surgeon General

I encourage you to go the websites of these groups and read their policy statements regarding breastfeeding.

In the meantime, I will pray that you are not a healthcare professional.

Depends on the state and school district. My HS doesn't even allow students to have advil, midol, or tylenol on their person much less a class-II narcotic like ADHD medicine. Breastfeeding is what this mom has decided along with the doctor to be the best option for the baby, so it is medical. I have now read where the school has now said they will provide a place for her to pump, wow I guess the hailstorm of phone calls and emails made them see they were WRONG!

By you posting this...you are getting involved in the issue. Maybe you should take your own advice and keep your opinion to yourself? The SUPERINTENDENT (that you are so fond of) said they couldn't accommodate her. But by law they are required to accommodate the female teachers who are breast feeding so they do have ways to accommodate her.

Melissa, please think about what you're saying. Are you really condemning these people for trying to right what they see is an injustice? Would you stay silent when you hear about a child being bullied at school, or hurt by his parents? Do you ignore requests for help when you hear about a natural disaster? Perhaps you would... You're not adding information that would change minds and this stopped being an internal issue when the family asked for help. I'm proud to be part of a country where so many people will step up to help one young woman peacefully and thoughtfully fight her battle.

If you ever need support for a petition, I would put my name on it.

EVERYTHING you just said I agree with. 100%. I don't even need to add my comment now, so thank you! Lol

I am appalled that this is such a controversial subject in 2013 ! Breastfeeding SHOULD be considered the cultural NORM in the USA ! Clearly Jaielyn should be aloud to use a quiet spot w/ a door that locks ( preferably NOT a bathroom, although many of us w/ way older children did the 'bathroom thing' out of desperation! ) With a medical grade double electric pump, 20 min every 2-3 hours should be very workable. She can carry an insulated lunch bag/cooler w/ freezer packs, so the school doesn't have to freak out about 'body fluids' in their fridge. ( the Pump and freezer bag/packs etc...should be HER responsibility NOT the schools) She can Breastfeed the baby just before leaving for school and immediately after school. If there is a clinic on site an exam room could be made available for that short amount of time....( ever heard of wiping down exam rooms after EACH use?) If the school is concerned that she 'isn't really using the time to pump' seeing empty bottles coming back full should be enough prof... Under NO circumstances should she be forced to have someone in the room with her that SHE doesn't want there ! If Jaielyn is agreeable maybe someone from La Lache League could assist her the first few days back until she gets into a workable routine ( there WILL be a learning curve)...IMHO this has been handled very poorly by the school system, Shame on THEM!. Breast feeding /Breast milk feeding her infant will cause her to have fewer absences from school as her infant should be healthier than if he was formula fed! This is the one thing that only this young mother can do for this infant...this is Something VERY Positive and should be encouraged and supported...This would be a wonderful way to include Breast feeding as a Breast function in health class! As for sending her to the alternative school...if ALL of the classes she needs / wants for what ever long tern career path /further education she plans are NOT offered there, then the Alternative school is not a good alternative for THIS student !( I do not know what courses offered or not offered in said 'Alternative' school) As for ALL the 'Home Schoolers' who have posted about homeschooling on this thread...clearly that is not this families choice and should be debated elsewhere...
C.L.ColbsLPN,IBCLC

I support breast feeding 100%. Good for her to stick up for herself. The other side of this that no one has mentioned is Lake said they will make accomadations for her. She just needs to have a cooler to keep the milk in. If she wants to have a normal high school life , she may just have to suck it up. I dont feel that Lake should have to spend more money for something that is already offered at a different school. That said , I do support her decision , but I also support Lake.

I worked and went to school full time while my kids were babies. I also breastfeed my kids until they were 1year and the other 9 months. I had to pump around my work schedule - so I pumped during my lunch and then feed my kids before and after my evening classes. It can be done and not during the middle of a class. The school should be able to find a quiet place during here lunch period to pump and she can bring an insulated bag to store the milk. It is discreet and not disruptive and it can be done.

No child is best served by having a teenage mother!

But let's be up in arms over her right to breastfeed being infringed upon but not remind this young lady that her very poor choices led to this difficulty she finds herself in - and this is ONLY the beginning of how difficult it will be for she and her child because of HER poor choice.

If you're a sexually active teenager, use birth control. It's free at any Planned Parenthood location. And if you should become pregnant and WANT to give that child the best future, consider adoption. Because all of the breastmilk on the planet isn't going to do a fraction of the good that a home with older, stable, well-equipped parents who aren't figuring out how to juggle school, work and a baby during the very frenzied years of teenhood.

So stupid to focus on breastmilk challenges when the future of this child is already so challenged!

Good for her for wanting to exclusively breastfeed. As for the school district, THAT'S PATHETIC! This school is really showing their ignorance towards women who want to nurse. As for no where to pump, it's called a bathroom! As for the breast pump making noise that's distracting...c'mon give another good excuse. These idiots obviously have no clue that there are manual pumps available or that your own hands that make absolutely NO noise what-so-ever. Even I had a top of the line Medela electric pump that made VERY LITTLE noise so I could pump at work in the bathroom. As for refrigerators for medicine only, you have a cafeteria don't you? That cafeteria has milk stored in the fridge doesn't it? What's the difference? That milk came from a cows breasts, did it not!? Keep thinking of more excuses. I hope they realize they are up for a lawsuit and hope they get it. If they can do it for a teacher, they can do it for a student! Seems like this SOPHOMORE is taking more responsibilities than idiotic, egotistical ADULTS! One last thing....Was she teased for getting pregnant? Is she being teased for having a baby? My answer would be probably not. So why would she be teased for wanting to breastfeed? (As she's around teenage boys who like to see big breasts, I'm sure)

TO Jaielyn: What I would do is continue to pump when you should. Take your pump and an insulated cooler filled with ice packs or ice and go to the nurse's office to pump privately (if you have an electric pump). If yo have a manual pump or use your hands, just go to the bathroom. But I hope you continue to pursue this and get a lawsuit against them! Thank you for being one of us who thinks of our children FIRST!! God bless you and good luck!!

Brett, they have now changed their tune, but in the beginning, they were saying they didn't have accommodations for her so she would just have to pump before and after school which isn't a plausible option for any nursing mothers. The superintendent said that other teachers who were breastfeeding decided this was the best option for them so she could contact them for support.

Resources: ACLU, Delaware human rights commission for violations of public accommodation law, the department or education office of civil rights charge with enforcement of title IX

Teen mom or not, would this not help teach other teens (because one day they will grow up and become parents, some of them anyway) that it is ok to breastfeed? I think there can be many more things to learn from a situation like this, and none of it negative.
How to persevere in spite of challenges, empathy, health...

The thing about that is that doing that can cause a decrease or a problem with milk supply thus in turn causing problems being able to feed the lil one. I'm a mom of 5 and I KNOW before and after school pumping alone is not adequate enough and it's also not even close to the recommendations of pumping frequency to just KEEP the supply that she has. I fought very hard to be able to breastfeed and couldn't keep up the supply. If she is willing to work at it and keep it up they need to help.

All of you praising this young lady only know 1/2 the story HALF do you people understand that??? YOU HAVE A SIDE OF THE STORY THAT SOUNDS GOOD FOR SOME STIRRED UP CONTROVERSY and media DRAMA!! Its pathetic.. Your all pathetic... The school has said there is misinformation out there online.. Imagine that @@ a 14 yr old had sex SHE MADE CHOICES THATVARE GOING TO FOREVER MAKE HER LIFE DIFFICULT... To suggest the school needs a private breast feeding room??? WTF IT'S SCHOOOOOOOOL !

I am a bit angry too. I can't believe the people who are making such a big deal out of this issue. The radio entertainer who got this started is laughing and selling advertising for his show!

I have now gained more knowledge from a staff member who is ALSO breastfeeding at this time. Jaileyn was provided the same decision the teacher had, she was given a private area to pump but was told that she would have to bring her own storage, the teacher just uses her lunch box to store the milk, and the teacher pumps during planning periods in an empty science room. Our school is not as terrible as they are making it sound, they are understanding and will allow things to a certain point.

The school absolutely can rearrange her schedule to include a 'study hall' or similar midday to accommodate for pumping. Very silly.

She is a student...NOT an employee.... Maybe if she kept ker nose in the books and not her eyes on the boys there wouldn't be an issue.....

My senior year at Lake Forest in 1997 I gave birth to my daughter and I nursed her, and I have to honestly say that the school nurse was not helpful in my decision to breastfeed my child. I was prepared to return to school and thought that pumping my milk was a great choice for my baby, but I was so surprised by the lack of support that I received from the school. Th only person who truly helped me as well as the rest of the girls who were pregnant or who had just delivered was Mary Venson the school social worker in the Wellness center. Mrs.Venson saved my life on more than one account. Jaeilyn you are so blessed to have such great parents...I went to school with them and they were great people then. Lake Forest needs to wake up and support breastfeeding for young mother's.....offer up a section in the Wellness Center as a private space for the mother's to nurse!