Teen mom denied right to breast feed

After sophomore Jaielyn Belong was denied breastfeeding accommodations at her Delaware high school, moms across Facebook came together to support the new mother.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Jan 31, 2013 6:57PM

Yesterday, a community – both real and virtual – came together when a Delaware teen was denied breastfeeding accommodations at her high school.

Five weeks ago, Felton High School sophomore Jaielyn Belong gave birth to her son, Adrian Amir Belong. As the new mom heads back to high school next week, she plans to exclusively breastfeed her baby as per the current recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The only catch? The nurse, a counselor and a school administrator recommended Jaielyn only breastfeed her son before and after school hours, reports MommaTraumaBlog.com. This would mean Jaielyn could not pump for or nurse her baby for over eight hours every weekday.

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This recommendation goes against Delaware law which reads:

31 Del. C. § 310
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a mother shall be entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location of a place of public accommodation, wherein the mother is otherwise permitted.

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Local La Leche League (LLL) leader, Heather Felker, said Jaielyn "has shown great maturity by taking responsibility for her pregnancy and now her son. She chose breast milk as the healthiest possible start for her son, and as a cost saving measure for her family. By not supporting these choices, the school is sending a negative message."

Moms of all ages were outraged by this message and took to Facebook, starting a ‘We support Jaielyn Belong’ Facebook page that garnered more than 1,400 ‘likes’ in one day.

School officials took notice, and the pro-pumping Facebook page posted a message they received from Jaielyn’s mom, Betty Belong: “She's allowed to pump her milk and they will provide a private area for her!”

The post added that someone has agreed that if the school will give her the space she needs, they will donate a refrigerator so that she will have a place to store her milk.

“I only want what's the very best for him and it is scientifically proven, breast milk is the best choice," Jaielyn told MommaTraumaBlog.com.

Listen to a WXDE Delaware 105.9 News Talk Radio interview with the Lake Forest High School superintendent here.

Do you think teen moms should be able to pump and store breast milk at school?

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640Comments

Best

Jan 31, 2013 9:36PM

To bad she didn't show"great maturity" by keeping her legs closed ! For cripes sake she's only a Sophomore !!!!!!!!!!!!

Previous replies

Queen of 3

Jan 31, 2013 9:43PM

Perhaps it will show other students how difficult it is to take care of a baby.

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J Wisp

Jan 31, 2013 9:48PM

Should have taken some real responsibility and not become pregnant!

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Alice Lieber

Jan 31, 2013 9:46PM

now they bring their kids to school? She can do the same thing "working moms" have to do, pump their milk for the bottles and take baby to day care. Who does she think she is, she must think she is cute to have this kid at 15..................good grief. she is NOT special

Previous replies

CapeHorner

Jan 31, 2013 9:41PM

Breast pumps and storage will work just fine..

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The Wand Woman

Jan 31, 2013 9:43PM

I am delighted to hear about her conviction to breastfeed. Yes, accommodations to allow her to pump and store her milk should be made. But, I would prefer her to use available technology of distance education for a semester and stay home with her son.

Previous replies

Someone

Jan 31, 2013 9:41PM

Do the school counseler and administrator think it would be better for the lives of the teen mother, and her child to drop out of school, rather than work out a way for reasonable accomodation ? If so, then perhaps they both need to be replaced. The girl is trying to make the best of a diffucult situation, and do what she believes is best for her baby.