UPDATE: We’re almost to 2,000 signatures!
If you haven’t heard my story yet, here’s a quick run down. Even though I was now a mom, and Max was 3 months old, I wasn’t going to change my routine of traveling to Pittsburgh every season to catch a Steelers game. Plus, we already had tickets! I made plans with my family to watch Max while I went down, but I also brought my trusty Medela breast pump. When you’re breastfeeding, you either have to pump or feed every 2-3 hours. Yes, that even means during the night AND if you’re at a football game.
You should also know if you’re a fan, that football games are 3 hours long. That means, I was going to have to pump somewhere – a bar, out in the parking lots tailgating or the restroom in the stadium. Either way, none of it was fun when you have drunk Yinzers running around everywhere.
So, I started a petition to get the Steelers to make us a private area. I’m not asking for the world here – but let’s see the facts:
– The Steelers have the LARGEST female fan base out of any other team – so I’m going to go on a limb here and say that’s a lot of moms.
– We’re raising the future football players and fans of the world. Without out, the team and the game just wouldn’t exist.
– Is it really too much to ask for a private area? I’m not asking for world peace here (although let’s never rule that out), I’m asking for a private clean area to pull out my boobs and stick into a contraption where others don’t have to watch.
– Many other stadiums have already gone ahead and provided family rooms – including the Nationals complete with recliners and televisions so you don’t miss the game.
– The Allegheny Health Department is pushing for more moms to breastfeed, and for employers to accommodate them. So it only makes sense that other Pittsburgh companies jump on board to encourage our moms and fan base.
Even the Pittsburgh Post Gazette picked up the story.
[tweet_box]Join me to get Heinz Field and the Steelers to make room for breastfeeding moms! https://www.change.org/p/heinz-field-don-t-force-nursing-moms-to-pump-in-the-bathroom?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created[/tweet_box]
And before you go off on me – yes I have to pump. And yes, I deserve to go to the game just as much as you do, I’m not being a bad mom dragging a 3-month old to a game, but I will remain a fan. And just because I am now a mom doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to still come out and support my team. I’ve seen some backlash and it’s pretty comical actually – telling me to stay home and be a mom. How about all the guys saying that instead stay home and watch the game and be a dad so I can have a day off and enjoy the game as well? I’m not a feminist, trust me, just a Yinzer who loves the game as much as you do.
So, sign the petition, spread the word and let’s see something positive and great in football this season instead of the usual negativity that surrounds the sport.
