Who is Alreta Ramirez? Virginia mom ordered to cease breastfeeding her child in bitter custody battle
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA: Arleta Ramirez of Virginia was ordered to cease breastfeeding her six-month-old daughter in a bitter child custody battle because the judge believed it was obstructing her estranged husband's time with the children. Ramirez, who prefers breastfeeding, was also accused by her husband's attorney of using breastfeeding as a "weapon."
Ramirez is baffled as to why, after strictly breastfeeding her daughter since her birth in July, a judge in Prince William County ordered her to "make every effort to place the child on a feeding schedule and use a bottle." She had even breastfed her older child for two years. As reported by Washington Post, Ramirez and her estranged husband, Mike Ridgway separated instantly after the baby daughter was born. A judge granted Ridgway's request on November 28 for the breastfeeding restriction along with four-day-a-week and overnight visits with their daughter, starting on February 2023. Ramirez tried to abide by the rules so that Ridgway's visitation time wouldn't be impacted by feeding time, but she had problems pumping milk and her daughter initially refused to take bottles.
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'They come up with excuses'
Ridgway claimed that Ramirez was given "space to both nurse and to pump milk for me to bottle-feed our daughter while she is in my care," as reported by Washington Post. He added, "Past the age of 6 months I will continue to support breastfeeding and bottle-feeding our daughter breast milk as much as possible, while also supplementing with formula only when absolutely necessary."
Ridgway's attorney Tara Steinnerd claimed that Ramirez is attempting to mend a broken relationship by using breastfeeding "as a weapon." She said, "They come up with a myriad of excuses. It's about using breastfeeding as a weapon against visitation," according to Washington Post.
Ramirez, who has previously experienced difficulties pumping milk, agrees with some experts that breastfeeding is ideal. She was surprised by the judge's ruling and stated, "Why are they forcing me to stop breastfeeding? Isn't that her right? Isn't that in her best interest?" as reported Washington Post. She is preparing evidence for a hearing in April from breastfeeding experts as well as a letter from her pediatrician.
'So cut the baby in half then right?'
The scenario has undoubtedly sparked discussion online, as demonstrated by the tweet by an individual that read, "Ridiculous!" On the other hand, another person wrote,"She is denying the father visitation when most mothers would fall over themselves to have their ex in the child’s life. The baby is 6 months should be starting to eat solids anyway. Pump and freeze or switch to formula."
This third person wrote, "So cut the baby in half then right?" Meanwhile, someone who felt the mother is "playing a nasty game" wrote, "No, she can pump so when the dad has the baby it’s still getting breast milk. Get real, working mom’s have to do it, she’s playing a nasty game. No sympathy for her."
She is denying the father visitation when most mothers would fall over themselves to have their ex in the child’s life. The baby is 6 months should be starting to eat solids anyway. Pump and freeze or switch to formula.
— Deni (@GillG25966996) February 9, 2023
No, she can pump so when the dad has the baby it’s still getting breast milk. Get real, working mom’s have to do it, she’s playing a nasty game. No sympathy for her.
— Maura Nicolet (@maura_gmail) February 9, 2023
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