Breastfeeding in Public |
Breastfeeding is best for baby. Breastfed babies are healthier and have fewer allergies and illnesses. Breastmilk is also easily digested, convenient and free! Not only is breastfeeding beneficial to baby, but it is also beneficial to mothers. It possibly reduces the chance of breast cancer and is a wonderful bonding experience. These benefits of breastfeeding are proven facts that I don't think anyone would dispute. So why is it that although people know the importance of breastfeeding, some deem it unacceptable for a mother to nurse her baby in public? New mothers are often reluctant to nurse in public because they fear nasty looks or worse, being asked to leave a public place. This is unfair. Nursing mothers should not have to hide behind closed doors or become prisoners of mall bathrooms or changing rooms! I, too, felt hesitant about feeding my baby while in public. As a new mom, the very natural act of feeding my baby became an issue when in public. I would like to share these experiences with you.
From the day I found out that I was pregnant I knew that I would like to breastfeed. I had always known that breast milk was best for baby and after talking to my doctor and attending prenatal classes I was even more convinced. Immediately after the birth of my son I asked the nurse to help me with my first nursing session. My newborn son latched on and started nursing contentedly. "Wow" I thought, "this is easier than I thought!" But unfortunately, our second nursing session did not go as smoothly. Neither did our third, fourth and so on. It took a lot of work and encouragement from the nurses, but after a lot of perseverance, my son and I had succeeded in becoming a happy, nursing duo! I thought that the hardest part of breastfeeding was behind me, until I thought about nursing in public!
After the first several weeks of parenthood, my husband and I decided it was time to go out for a meal and show our little bundle off. I couldn't help but think about what I would do if my baby was hungry. I personally had never seen women nurse in public and was afraid of what kind of looks I would attract if I were to do so. I had heard stories of women being asked to leave public places because they were breastfeeding and feared that this kind of thing could happen to me. In fact, every time we went to a restaurant or out for coffee, I found myself under a small amount of stress. I wasn't really enjoying myself because I was always thinking "What if he wakes up and needs to be fed?" I even started to scope out tables or booths hidden away in corners of restaurants. On some occasions my baby would be crying from hunger and instead of feeding him I would wander around looking for a more "appropriate" place. After a couple of months of this I decided that I would no longer let him go hungry because I feared negative reaction from the public eye. It was time to stand up for my child and myself. I refused to become a hermit merely because I have chosen to do what is best for baby by breastfeeding.
I started to nurse in public more often. My baby is my number one priority and if he is hungry he deserves to be fed. It is a shame that nursing moms are criticised when they nurse their babies in public. I wish it was commonplace and that nobody would look twice at a mother feeding her baby. But this is not the case, as I found out when having lunch with my sister one afternoon. While nursing my baby, I received disapproving looks from a group of women at another table. They didn't just look once, and turn away in disgust, never to look again. Instead they kept glancing over throughout their whole meal. But I can't let these things discourage me. Nursing in public will never be commonplace if women always feel that they have to do it in private.
Although I feel I have the right to breastfeed my baby anywhere, I am still sometimes reluctant to nurse in certain settings and instead will find a more secluded area. Fortunately, some malls now have "nursing rooms". These rooms are great but I think they should be provided, not as a place that nursing mothers should go, but a place they can go if they feel more comfortable there. Sometimes I prefer to nurse somewhere more private but I believe that is a decision for me, and me alone, to make. If I am in a restaurant I will decide if I will be comfortable nursing there, not if the people around me will be comfortable with it. After all, they don't have to watch. Breastfeeding is not a spectator sport - not that you can see the "offending" body part anyway!
What I find most frustrating, is that from the moment you announce your pregnancy, you are told by doctors, nurses and others that breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby - but when it comes to actually doing it in public, it is unacceptable. I feel that nursing moms should be made to feel comfortable and welcome when nursing their babies, under any circumstance. It should be viewed as a child welfare issue. It is the innocent babies that are "let down" (no pun intended to all you nursing moms!) by being deprived of their nourishment. Why should they be denied their breakfast, lunch or dinner just because others are uncomfortable with the way in which they are fed? Why should they suffer because others make their mom feel unwelcome and uncomfortable?
Breastfeeding is a big part of my life now. Not only do I feel that I have the right to feed my baby when he is hungry, but more importantly he has the right to eat when he is hungry, regardless of his surroundings. Hopefully, in the near future, nursing moms will be able to feed their babies in public without fear of nasty looks, or being asked to leave. Let's hope, for our children's sake, that people will soon realise that breastfeeding is a very important and natural process.
Amber | November 6, 2008 at 2:35 pm - §
I completely agree. I just had my second child a couple of months ago and I too am breastfeeding. Fortunatly though I have been cursed with oversupply. I have enough milk to feed ten babies probably, so because of this, I am forced to pump before many feeding just so my baby won't choke. I then use this milk when I go out in public, and my baby doesn't seem to mind switching between bottle and breast. I do feel however, that a woman should be able to feed her baby in public and have it be just as acceptable as bottle feeding.
Gina | December 2, 2008 at 3:51 pm - §
I breastfeed in public, but I wear a privacy cape. usually I time my nursings so I don't have to do it in public. I am still against exposing the 'boob' in public. I agree breastfeeding is every mothers right but still she should keep it a little private.
Sonia | December 12, 2008 at 3:52 pm - §
My daughter was born in California and I feel that the West coast is more accepting to breastfeeding in general? Now that we are back in East Canada to stay and expecting twins, I must say am a little nervous about reactions. I plan on nursing and yes will do it in public if need be. However I tend to be more on the private side of it.
karn | December 20, 2008 at 5:07 pm - §
No way. Breastfeeding is a private moment. It should be kept private. I breastfed both of my children and never in public. My children were schedule fed babies (not on demand) - which is pediatrician recommended as it makes the baby feel more secure since they know when they will be fed. They were on schedules by 3 weeks old. I knew exactly when they ate every feeding every day. I would feed my child and then we would embark upon our outing. I never had to worry about feeding in public nor would I have done so. When they were feeding every 2 hours I only was out for 1.5 hours. I did feed in a car twice when I was not able to make it home. Why do it in public? There is no need or reason.
Stephanie Reid | January 5, 2009 at 9:42 pm - §
My daughter just turned six months and I have sucessfully breastfed her from day one and I plan on continuing for her first year. I am supportive of breastfeeding in public as long as it is done in a private manner. Nothing is tackier or more rude than wipping out a boob and exposing yourself unessecarily! It is too easy to grab a blanket and cover yourself and baby. It makes everyone around a lot more comfortable, especially the poor daddies who have to sit by awekwardly! I think breastfeeding in public would be more accepted if there wasnt such a threat of indecent exposure from those exibitionist-type mommies-weird? I agree.