What every breastfeeding mother needs to read

Meredith - posted on 08/15/2009

Great post. I have had a great experience with breastfeeding in public here in Southern California. No one has ever asked me to cover up or stop mursing.

Jeana - posted on 08/15/2009

I'm really glad you posted this, I have trouble when I breastfeed in public because I feel like I am "exposing" my body. I know I shouldn't feel like that, but it goes back to the breast currently being viewed as a sexual thing. I will continue to breastfeed in public and keep this in mind! thanks! :)

Angelique - posted on 08/15/2009

I love it!

Melissa - posted on 08/12/2009

amen.

Stella - posted on 08/12/2009

Fantastic post! Can I have it on a T-shirt???

Kathryn - posted on 08/12/2009

I need your confidence, my other half doesn't like me doing it in public, why the hell shouldn't i you can bottle feed in public.

Crystal - posted on 08/12/2009

RIGHT ON SISTA!!! Thank You for that..

Catherine - posted on 08/12/2009

I love this. Amen!

Mattee - posted on 08/11/2009

Awsome! I love it!

Carina - posted on 08/11/2009

Absolutely!!! Love it!

Courtney - posted on 08/11/2009

ROCK ON!

` - posted on 08/11/2009

I couldnt of put it any better myself, I love it. Still bf my 2nd baby at 8 months

Jackie - posted on 08/10/2009

thats how i am already :)

Minnie - posted on 08/10/2009

LOL Rebecca!

Kimberly - posted on 08/10/2009

Damn straight!!

Morgan - posted on 08/10/2009

HELL YEAH!

Rebecca - posted on 08/10/2009

I agree... but is anyone else feeling sorry for that Ape? Breast feeding has not been kind to her!

Melissa - posted on 08/10/2009

i couldnt say it better myself - thats exactly how i feel.....

Christine - posted on 08/10/2009

This post is wonderful. I love it. I would hate for ANYONE to distract accomplished breastfeeding mother's from their pride and their openness to breastfeed. We deserve it ladies! Stand your ground, breastfeeding mommas!

Stina - posted on 08/10/2009

Quoting Emily:

but I thought they were only for selling beer! ;)
Thanks for posting this!

LOL.  And at least in this area, coffee.  We have Bikini Baristas!  Ugh. 

In relation to the post.  for the gals who are comfortable "Baring all" kudos to you.  I'm all for public nursing.  Depending on my location and what I'm wearing, I often go coverless when I nurse my 3 month old.  After three children, I do feel more confident nursing in public.  However, I will continue to be considerate of those around me and when I'm outside of my home, If I'm in a high traffic area. it is likely I will use a light cover.  There are huge cultural differences.  When I'm at church, I'm aware of the elderly ladies who came from a time when women wore dresses and most of them  bottle fed because it was the modern thing to do.  I respect these women highly and because of that respect for them, I use a cover when in their presence.  Same concept out in public.  It is out of respect to those around me who might be made uncomfortable at the sight of my entire breast that I try to be discreet. I'm blessed to be able to bring my baby with me and nurse at work.  However, out of consideration for my employer, I will continue to wear a cover. 

When my daughters are older, it is likely that breastfeeding and baring all will be a cultural norm because mommies like us will be the grandmas of the day.  And because there will be more men raised the way my son is being raised- with a memory of their mothers nursing publicly, we will have more supportive men who will understand that breasts aren't purely sexual.  Change takes time.  We won't see it in our days of nursing.  All we can do is continue to feed our babies in whatever way we are most comfortable and know that we are raising the next generation of nursing families.     

So again.  Those of you who are comfortable baring all in public, good for you.  When I see you, I promise there won't be dirty looks from me.  I love to see mommies nursing in public.  And to all the other points of this post, that's why I breastfeed and love it.  And yes, when I nurse in public, I do smile at people as they walk past.  I even greet them with the same friendly hello I might use when I'm not nursing. 

Bethany - posted on 08/10/2009

Quoting Nicole:

It is neither immodest nor indecent to nurse uncovered! It is rude and inconsiderate to put crap over a baby's head. Besides, your baby is the only one it matters that you offend any way. Did you know that in an Iraqi maternity ward the women would cover their faces rather than their breast when a stranger would walk through the ward? Their whole culture is based on modesty and yet they don not cover up while nursing. What does that say?!? hmm I know. Nursing uncovered is neither offensive nor immodest. It scares me that an openly patriarchal society can get this right yet as "liberal" westerners we can't get our heads out of our asses for two seconds to consider what really matters. Anyone who finds it wrong needs to rethink their reasoning and get over their misogynist tendencies. Oh and nice post Lisa ;)

Yep, attitudes like this are why so many people find breastfeeding in public offensive.  Because you TRY to rub it in their faces that it's your "right" to uncover yourself.  It is so easy to breastfeed in public without making a scene, even uncovered, yet some women feel the need to.  Then, mothers who are not abusing their rights get nasty looks because someone had a bad experience with you. 

And talking about a MATERNITY WARD in IRAQ to make a point for public breastfeeding?  Wow.  First of all, without an actual source for claims like that rather than just hearsay, it's an invalid point.  Second, women are more like property, not people with any identity in that culture.  Of course they have to cover their faces because no one but family is allowed to see their faces.  A bare breast doesn't give you a sense of personhood.  Haha, if you want that openly patrriarchial society to dictate how you live, be my guest.  I like my freedom.

What really matters is that a baby gets fed, period.  You are focusing on what really doesn't matter, like trying to make a statement by exposing yourself beyond what is really needed.  Attitudes like that are why so many people don't like public breastfeeding.  You ruin it for the rest of us.

Nicole - posted on 08/10/2009

It is neither immodest nor indecent to nurse uncovered! It is rude and inconsiderate to put crap over a baby's head. Besides, your baby is the only one it matters that you offend any way. Did you know that in an Iraqi maternity ward the women would cover their faces rather than their breast when a stranger would walk through the ward? Their whole culture is based on modesty and yet they don not cover up while nursing. What does that say?!? hmm I know. Nursing uncovered is neither offensive nor immodest. It scares me that an openly patriarchal society can get this right yet as "liberal" westerners we can't get our heads out of our asses for two seconds to consider what really matters. Anyone who finds it wrong needs to rethink their reasoning and get over their misogynist tendencies. Oh and nice post Lisa ;)

Bridget - posted on 08/10/2009

Amen!!!

Rachel - posted on 08/10/2009

Love it!

Brianna - posted on 08/10/2009

:)

Angeline - posted on 08/10/2009

I totally AGREE!!! Kudos to all BF Moms!! As I am responding to this, I am nursing my 3yr old :)

Emily - posted on 08/09/2009

but I thought they were only for selling beer! ;)
Thanks for posting this!

Michele - posted on 08/09/2009

love this!!!xxxx

Kelly - posted on 08/09/2009

damn right we will!!!

Stephanie - posted on 08/09/2009

Love that!

Lisa - posted on 08/09/2009

Absolutely Fabulous! I am currently breast feeding baby #3 who is 5 mo old. The other two were breast fed for two years each. One of the easiest, most important and most rewarding thing I have done for my kids.

Jennifer - posted on 08/09/2009

Totally stealing this!

Samantha - posted on 08/08/2009

i so agree whit this

Brandy - posted on 08/08/2009

YEAAAAH!!!!!!!

Amy - posted on 08/08/2009

really encouraging, I have breast fed for a total of 34months and counting with 3 children in the last 6yrs, they all started out tiny and I did the best thing for them and they're happy growing healthy kids now :) more people need to read these rules they are fab!!

Teresa - posted on 08/08/2009

I completely agree except for the baring the breast part. That makes it sound too much like someone is intentionally rubbing it in people's faces just because they can. I am as discreet as humanly possible (not hard w/ tiny breasts). I have never received a single negative comment though and if anyone has ever stared I haven't noticed since my focus is on my son. :)

Sarah - posted on 08/08/2009

well said. well done XX

Stacey - posted on 08/08/2009

yay! Love this. I actually heard an advertisement on the radio yesterday promoting breastfeeding and encouraging women to breastfeed. At the end of the ad, it said "women are allowed by texas law to breastfeed in public" It made me happy :)

Angela - posted on 08/07/2009

well put =)

Nicole - posted on 08/07/2009

Thank You!

Heather - posted on 08/07/2009

I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!

Johnny - posted on 08/07/2009

Right on Lisa!

Tiffany - posted on 08/07/2009

love it... especially the DESEXUALIZING part... these breast are my daughters and hers alone! =]

Sabrina - posted on 08/07/2009

thats right. its time we stand up for ourselves and for our babies.

Suzanne - posted on 08/07/2009

thank you for reminding me I am doing the best thing for my daughter and to be proud!!

Crystal - posted on 08/07/2009

Nuff'' said!!!

Melany - posted on 08/07/2009

gonna snag it t post on my wall. thanks:)

Brandie - posted on 08/07/2009

That is beautiful!

Nichole - posted on 08/07/2009

that totally just made my day!! i hate it when people are such jerks about it and the one person that drives me nuts is my younger brother ah!! I need to make him read this!!!

Heather - posted on 08/07/2009

I am copying this and putting it in my profile. Love it!