Jacksonville ‘Nurse-In’ to Target Town Center

A group of moms on the First Coast will take part in a nationwide “nurse-in” this morning.  The Jacksonville event will be held at the Target store at the St. Johns Town Center.

According to the “Jacksonville Target Nurse-In” Facebook page, mothers will gather at 10 a.m. in the store’s Starbucks.

Many of them will nurse their babies, while others will bring signs to show their support.

The “nurse-in” concept was born after a mother named Michelle Hickman claimed she was harassed for breastfeeding in a Target store in Webster, Texas, in November.

Protestors are expected to demonstrate nationwide today in support of Hickman who said her son Noah was hungry so she sat down on the floor in the Target women’s clothing section, covered herself with a blanket and began to nurse him.

She said store employees saw her and offered to take her to a dressing room. When she refused, she said the workers began harassing and humiliating her by walking by and shaking their heads and rolling their eyes.

Target said it is corporate policy that guests who choose to breastfeed in public areas of the store are welcome to do so without being made to feel uncomfortable.

The company said it has spoken with workers at the store in question to make sure they understand Target’s breastfeeding policy.

But Hickman is still upset and has shared her story with other mothers.