Baby Boot Camp: Nursing in Public -- Yay or Nay?
Flickr photo by benklocekAs a new first-time mom -- yes, I'm typing this with one hand -- I'll be exploring the often stressful, always magical first months of my little one's life with the scoop on things like car seats, cradle cap, cuddle time, and other newborn issues in CafeMom's Baby Boot Camp.
Earlier this week, there was a post on The Stir about the fact that 57 percent of Americans are opposed to breastfeeding in public.
But even before I got that news, the issue was something that stressed me out. I, too, have fallen into the (almost) cult of breast-is-best. I want to do what's best for little Kavi, even if it means being on-call around the clock, dealing with that miserable pump, and all the rest of it.
In any case, I tend to fall on the more modest side of things, specifically when it comes to whipping out a boob at a restaurant or park or whatever.
Luckily, since I work from home, it's not something I've had to deal with regularly. However, if you're breastfeeding, eventually it becomes inevitable. Because Kavi and I can't spend her entire first year cozied away in the confines of our apartment, I've run into this dilemma at the park, at the grocery store, and even on a plane.
In the end, if I didn't have a bottle of breast milk handy, I sucked it up, pulled a cover over myself and Kavi, and nursed her, discreetly. After all, my baby's hunger pangs overrule any personal bashfulness or public outcry from strangers. I have to do what's best for her.
How comfortable are you breastfeeding in public?
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sodapple
i went out with my oldest daugther and our 1 month to the park the other day and since the baby was hungry i fed her right there. if i was with my husband it would have been a different story since he likes when i cover up in public but since its natural and i'm not showing anything i just let it hapened. same thing at church =-D
onecuteladybug2
I have no problem nursing in public and rarely ever covered up with either of my children.
Carey2006
I rarely went out so I never had to breast feed in public.......I just wished our society would GROW UP and leave nursing mothers ALONE!!!!!!!!
SpiritedTigress
I nurse without a cover: http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/SpiritOfLeTigress/NIP.jpg
I used to be terrified of it. But all I get is dirty looks and the occasional "Ugh!" so I'm not that bothered anymore. I've adopted the, "If you dont like it, you can kiss my a**." attitude. My brother-in-law is always trying to get me to go into the bedroom at family parties, but I just dont feel like it anymore. I expose alot less than his 13 year old neice so he can just deal with it.
Barb
I nursed 3 kids, and it's true that if you don't want to be stuck at home for the whole time you are nursing, you will end up breastfeeding in a public place. So, I am all for it, because it's not good for mom or baby to be stuck at home all the time. Especially if you have more than one child, you will need to nurse your baby when you are out with your other children.
When I see another mom nursing her baby, I try to catch her eye and give her a big smile. I might even approach her and tell her that I'm so glad to see that she is nursing her baby. Nursing moms need support!
I know that some moms are not comfortable nursing in public, and that's OK. I'm not saying that every mom should, but if you are OK with it, then go for it! The public needs to be educated. It's your right to nurse your baby, and isn't that what breasts are for anyway?
ethans_momma06
When I bf my first I felt incredibly incredibly ashamed about doing it. Of course I wasn't really aware of what a large community bfing really is. This time around, while I will still be very discreet, I wont have as big a problem with it.
JCF
I think most nursing moms out there try to be discreet and appropriate, and using a cover doesn't necessarily mean you aren't going to draw attention to yourself. I've found that hanging a trash-bag like cover around myself and my baby, regardless of how cute the print is, is more eye catching than just being careful with my shirt. Society is starting to catch up, and in my opinion (which really doesn't mean anything :)) it's because nursing mothers don't make a big deal about it, so the majority of people just walk on by. I don't really care if someone does a double-take, because they can't see anything other than a little cleavage and I'm sure I would do a double-take also, it's just curiosity. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if we don't make a big deal about it, no one else will either. We just have to support each other!
JenBrooks76
I breast fed my kids in public when the occasion arose. Why would I take them to the bathroom? I would be grossed out to eat there, why would I make a child of ANY age do it? I did my best to be discreet, but when it comes summer and its HOT, you and your baby are going to be uncomfortable...oh well about looks and comments...we just try our best to do what is right for our children.
momtoonein06
I breastfed mostly at home and hardly ever went out in public, as to not have to nurse in public. I would always nurse my son then go out and be back before it was feeding time again. If I was out and had to nurse him, I would cover up. I dont see anything wrong with nursing in public, just be discreet about it. Its a natural thing for most women to nurse their babies. Some women nurse some choose not to. I think if you have to nurse in public and your doing it discreetly you shouldnt be looked upon like your doing a bad thing.
asil
i didn't NIP with my first... but with my second, it happened all the time. i think it's easier to "plan" your day around nursing if you only have one...
i didn't use a cover either... i have to agree that those just seem to call more attention to what you are doing.
i did use a blanket to cover up while i would fumble to get my tiny 4lb baby into position and latch correctly... but then i'm not going to keep a blanket over my head while eating, so i would be discrete and move the blanket so she could make eye contact with me... and so that we were "covered" but comfortable.
it's all in planning... the right shirt, the right spot where you sit (a corner or back row)... and really how comfy you are with nursing in general. the more my lil one nursed, the more comfy i was in public as well!