Now I wasn't going to use this blog for a forum on breastfeeding, but as a new mom who's trying to give my daughter the best possible start in life, I'm sensitive to BF in public. I was out just last night with her and someone made a comment about it before I even started. Here is a link to my sister's blog talking about an incident here in Denver with a mom who was just trying to feed her baby and the police got invloved. Please, please, everyone: I would rather not show my chest to you all but I need to feed my baby. My options are:
Not to ever go outside my house so you won't feel uncomfortable,
or
When I'm feeding Maelin (especially when it's 90 degrees outside and I might not want to cover her up with a hot blanket), don't look at me if it makes you uncomfortable.
http://amamasblog.wordpress.com/2007/06/15/oh-the-irony-breastfeeding-in-public/#comments
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I am SO sorry this keeps happening to you- it is not right that you are just trying to feed your daughter, and are made to feel like you are doing something wrong.
You are doing a TERRIFIC & WONDERFUL job of feeding Maelin, and giving her the best nutrition possible. YOU know you are- and you know what is best for your daughter, not to mention the benefits YOU get from nursing your baby as well.
From what I have found, if you just 'whip' it out, like it or not, people WILL look away. If they see your boob, so be it- they probably won't see more than a nip, and I can live with that- after all, they see boobs all the time in Victoria's Secret commericals, just walking by that store in the mall, Sports Illustrated- Swimsuit Edition, and beer commercials.
If they dare catch a glimpse of your boob, and it bothers them SO much, I bet they will look away BEFORE you feed her the next time.
Yes, it is sad, but it seems like we have to train people on what breastfeeding is, and how we do it. Yes, you may see some of my boob- I am not purposely trying to 'flash' you, just trying to feed my baby. I am sorry if it bothers you, so I try to do it as inconspicuous as possible, but I can't make you not look at me. If you don't want to see any boob, then don't watch me.
Keep doing it- YOU have the right to breastfeed and as more people see you do it, they WILL become more acustomed to it. If they don't, then that is their problem- not yours.
I am VERY proud of you for continuing to nurse in public, when Maelin needs to be fed. Just ignore the comments made out of ignorance, and know you are doing the right thing. :-)
I hope you continue to do what is right for you and your baby... just a shame that you have to worry about it. Having a 10-year-old it is hard to remember way back when, and I didn't BF, so can't really associate your feelings, etc. The last thing we need to do is discourage women -- we need to ban together to raise our children in the best way possible and not to discriminate. On the flip-side many women looked down on me because I did NOT BF. They had no clue why I wasn't doing it and it was very hurtful. Go figure... Bailey turned out fantastic and so will Maelin because they have wonderful mom's who only want the best for them. ((HUGS!!))
It's amazing to me that BOOBS used for they're INTENDED function can create such controversy!! Instead of being gawked at by ogling men for a porn fix, breastfeeding is this beautiful and primal experience between mommy and baby!
It reminded me of a lunch I had with two friends of mine in FL years ago. We were in a completely empty restaurant when Laurel, the new mommy, started to breastfeed her infant when suddenly, our very conservative friend, Tammy, firmly declared: "Laurel! Just because there's a baby on the other end does not mean it ceases being a boob!!" With great confidence, Laurel looked at me and started laughing. We still laugh about that one!
Lighten up people! Nearly every species on the planet does it! Good for you Mara!
I saw this on the news and thought of you... and Heather too.
I didn't catch the whole segment but what I saw of it, this looks like a good read.
http://www.milkmemos.com/index.html
Post a Comment