It’s true. There are laws to protect a Mother’s right to breastfeed in public. I know, it sounds bizarre, right? I’m glad there’s a law to protect us, but it’s sad that it was even up for debate, y’know?
I know sone people claim it is gross to watch. Well, I see plenty of things I’d rather not see like unsightly back hair, butt cracks (with or without thongs), hoochie mama shirts… You get the idea. Yet nursing a baby is gross to watch or means I’m exposing myself?
Can’t you just, oh, I don’t know… Look away? I look away when you scratch yourself in the unmentionables. You can look away while my daughter eats.
Tongue-in-cheek aside, I find it bizarre that anyone thinks a nursing mom needs to hide in a dark corner while feeding her baby. This is one reason why I think it has ceased to be viewed as normal.
Out of sight, out of mind.
While I won’t say one must breastfeed in public based on their own comfort level, I do not think nursing mamas should be made to feel uncomfortable in public.
It’s taken me time to feel confident and comfortable enough to feed my daughter in front of family and friends. Then it took more time before I was comfortable doing it in public. Part of this was due to us learning but I used to be worried about what someone would say.
Again, crazy, but true.
- Places I’ve nursed:
- Family’s house
- Friends’ House
- Doctor’s Office
- Funeral Home
- Restaurant (sit down)
- Coffee Shop
- Backseat of car (in & out of the carseat)
- Zoo
- Railroad Museum
At the zoo and museum, I nursed on a bench in sight of people and nursed while wearing Rissa in our ERGObaby carrier….while walking. This was an accomplishment for us!
It’s interesting to me that I now spot more moms nursing when we are in public and I think that’s awesome. Let’s re-normalize breastfeeding!
Where have you nursed?
Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.
Jena
Wednesday 10th of August 2011
I have a nursing cover but I don't use it--it's in the way, and my baby won't nurse if I cover her up. Oh, and I've also nursed at a political debate and at a couple of live performances (story-tellers).
Jena
Wednesday 10th of August 2011
Restaurants, dr's office, blues fest, prawn festival, in the car (in parking lots), in a dressing room, at a political campaign office...
Tanaya Syx
Monday 8th of August 2011
I nurse anywhere I am when my baby needs to eat. We use a cover when we're not at home, because I don't want to give a free show. We've nursed at church, in the park, in restaurants, in friend's and family's homes, on the beach, in the lake, on top of a mountain, in the car leaning over her carseat while on the way to vacation (NOT FUN!), at rest stops, and I am sure there are other places that I just can't thing of at the moment.
Verity {Belle Bébés}
Thursday 4th of August 2011
I have breastfed pretty much everywhere :) I once even fed in church (at the back)! When baby is hungry, there's no amount of anyone's embarrassment that would stop me feeding her (discretely of course). In the UK, it's actually illegal to stop a woman from breastfeeding anywhere. This should be the law EVERYWHERE!
Darcy
Thursday 4th of August 2011
It really should be protected everywhere! Go mama :)
Stephanie
Thursday 4th of August 2011
On a plane, in an airport, at very high end restaurant at the table, at the beach, at the pool, on a big boat, on a small boat, at a conference center, at countless museums, at parties, on a train, in South Africa (restaurants, game parks), Spain (everywhere), France (cafes & parks & everywhere else), England (high-tea!), every country I've traveled to (crazy job), during a church service, while shopping (ergo/sling) at the grocery store, beauty salon...pretty much everywhere. My babies go everywhere with me and they nurse when they need to. I've only sought a private space once or twice in the past 5 years and that was for me, not others. Having a small chest makes it easy to be discrete. I've never had a problem - no complaints and feel comfortable nursing wherever my baby needs to nurse. Go mamas!
Darcy
Thursday 4th of August 2011
That's awesome! I really need to try a sling with the next baby so I can babywear right away and nurse from there too :)