Public Breastfeeding

I think that a blanket should be used if it will make others uncomforatble but at the same time the breastfeeding mother should try to enlighten those feeling uncomfy by saying and showing that it's a perfectly natural and wonderful thing to be doing.

 

a blanket? In 98degree TN summertime with 90% humidity? With a kid who maybe wants to look around or doesn't want a blanket over her head? That would guarantee the world a good view of my H cups. The people who would be uneasy to know I was nursing my child are the ones who don't even realize she's nursing when I do it. Nothing shows, and the only people who realize she's nursing are women who have nursed babies themselves. No need to "enlighten" anyone, just do it. I've tried covering up, to be honest, it only drew attention to what I was doing rather than hiding anything.

 

Well when I said blanket perhaps I used the wrong word, and no, as far as I know, I am not crazy.....

I was just trying to help people who have hang-up, by suggesting we try to enlighten them, who knows whose mind you m ay change...

 

I'm a Lactation Consultant, and when I am teaching womyn how to nurse in public, (as some people need a lesson, I guess) I see a blanket as a calling card, "BOOB under here!" No one bottle feeds under a blanket. In the winter, if you are outside, it might not be a problem, but I tried the ridiculous blanket thing with my first baby. Not only did it draw MORE attention than just feeding the kid, she hated it, hit at it, screamed, tried to look around it, and was not happy until it was removed. It drew MORE attention than just feeding her. From then on and with all my other babies (four in all) I just fed the child.

I, personally, don't care about "offending" people who have NO RIGHT to be offended by my feeding my baby. If they are offended, they don't have to look. A LOT of people do things which offend me, which are, in reality NONE OF MY BUSINESS, so, it is MY problem (an infant being carried around in a "bucket" car seat in a store ect or a baby being fed blue Kool Aid or Coca Cola from a bottle, ughghhghg, just for starters) but, as I said, these are MY personal hangups. So, I keep them to myself. I have NO RIGHT to really be "offended" by this stuff, so it is up to me to shut up and mind my own busiess, which, beleive it or not, I actually do. (those of you who know me well may not beleive it, but I actually DO know when to shut up, occasionally. )

 

Well said Maggie! "If you don't like it, look somewhere else and leave us alone!"

 

Personally, I love watching a woman breast feed.

I can't help it. I always ask, "May I have some of that?" or "Could you pass me the other breast, please?"