Parental No-No: Breastfeeding While Driving

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

03 Mar 2009 06:57 AM

Parents are supposed to make decisions based on what is in the best interest of their children.

Unfortunately, "best interest" is open to interpretation and often results in some bizarre true-life stories.

Take the recent arrest of Genine Compton. The mother from Dayton, Ohio made front-page news last week for breastfeeding her daughter while driving her other children to school.

No joke. Supermom was multitasking behind the wheel of her minivan when she was pulled over by police. According to authorities, Compton was not only breastfeeding her infant while driving, she was also talking on her cellphone while simultaneously yelling at her kids in the backseat... who, by the way, were not wearing their seatbelts.

How many arms does this mother have?

Police say Compton could have easily injured her children by trying to accomplish all of her tasks, which is why they arrested her and are trying to make an example of her poor parental decisions.

Reports say the multi-tasking mom was cited for child endangerment and violating of the state's child restraint law.

But that's not the part that got my attention. After getting arrested Compton told local TV news crews that she didn't regret any of her actions.

"If my child's hungry, I'm going to feed it," Compton told reporters.

Hmmm... not for nothing, but a parent who refers to their child as "it" really shouldn't be talking to TV news crews (in my opinion).

Regardless, police stand by their arrest saying that Compton not only had her infant on her lap (and not properly restrained in a child safety seat), but she had the baby's head resting against the steering wheel. Officers say if Compton had crashed the vehicle and the airbag deployed it would have crushed the child.

Meanwhile, Compton told reporters that her arrest will not likely inspire her to amend her driving habits. The indignant mother says she may breastfeed her baby while driving in the future if she feels that it is necessary.

Apparently, pulling over to the side of the road to breastfeed is not an option for Compton.

By the way, if convicted Compton could face up to 180 days in jail for the child endangerment citation.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Heidi (5269) 03 Mar 2009 07:08 AM

Yeah, I saw this story and was absolutely floored!

drnewmom (307) 03 Mar 2009 07:34 AM

My friend posted a link to this story on her FB page ... still cannot wrap my mind about the absurdity of such a woman! I'm all for mothers being allowed to breastfeed any where any time, but that would be on the provision that it is safe for the child. Your baby might get hungry while you are standing on the bus, but wouldn't you at least sit or wait for the stop in case the bus stops suddenly and the 20 people behind you pie up on you and your baby? That mom must live in the middle of nowhere to have not run into other drivers so far in her life of "extreme multitasking".

MaternityPregnancy (61) 03 Mar 2009 09:02 AM

This is totally and completely insane! I am kind of laughing because the logic is so messed up. Like if I need to go to the bathroom when I am driving, I don't just go. I pull over at a rest stop. She SHOULD feed the baby. Sure. But PULL OVER. That is crazy. Maternity Pregnancy

Michele Cheplic (37339) 04 Mar 2009 05:30 AM

Yes, this mom is definitely headline material, but I still maintain that it's her indignant attitude that puts her children in danger. She's like **rew it, I'm going to feed my baby anytime, anywhere... good luck with that. It's going to be hard to breastfeed when your behind bars and your baby's with relatives/friends or foster care.

pinball9818 (101) 29 Mar 2009 01:03 AM

I hope she gets every minute of the 180 days, and I hope it is as unpleasant as possible for her. What a pitiful excuse for a parent.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 30 Mar 2009 04:01 AM

I think it's her cavalier attitude that makes her disliked by other parents. Thanks for the comment pinball.

GboroCollege (50) 01 Apr 2009 05:41 PM

This is completely absurd there is no reason at all for breast feeding a child while driving not even to mention she was talking on the phone and I can not believe that a mother would put her kids in such a dangerous situation she could have really done a lot of harm to herself, her children and other drivers on the road. I was flabbergasted when I read this article.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 03 Apr 2009 04:16 AM

Yes, some parents sure know how to land in the headlines. It is shocking and kind of makes you wonder what other parents are doing when they think no one is looking.