Thu Jun 21, 2007
Nursing in Public: A Do or a Don’t? What Do You Think?
Category: Hot Topics Mom Fashion BreastfeedingBreasts are everywhere these days, and not just on the red carpet or at those debauched nightclubs in Vegas—where flashing a little breast is no big deal. But when Maggie Gyllenhaal bares her breasts to nurse her baby at a park, it causes a stir.
In the latest issue of Parents Magazine, a photo essay on nursing in public (NIP) shows a mom nursing her baby in a public restroom because there’s no where else to do it. In another shot, she’s nursing in the middle of a store while another woman glares disapprovingly.
Here’s the question of the day. Why is it that NIP is still controversial despite all its proven benefits to moms and babies? Oh, maybe it’s because breasts were never meant for breastfeeding. Right!
As a mom who nursed her son for two and half years, I can relate to the challenges of nursing in public. First, I had my own issues. I didn’t want Joe Schmoe catching a glimpse of my breasts or, worse, my lovely stretch-marked belly (if you ask me, that was way more traumatic).
After getting over those personal issues with the help of a few wonderful products (see below), I still had to deal with OTHER people’s issues—including their rude stares and comments, which got worse as my little guy got older. “Wow! I can’t believe you’re still breastfeeding,” or my personal favorite, “When are you going to stop breastfeeding him?” to which I responded, “In about five minutes.”
To all you moms who are planning on nursing in public or are already doing it, more power to you. It’s not that big of a deal, really. You’re just feeding your kid for crying out loud!
If you’re like me and want some privacy while you nurse, try a simple nursing cover like this one from Bebe Au Lait ($35). If it’s your belly you want to cover, invest in a Bella Band ($26) — not only great during pregnancy, but for concealing those post-baby tummies, too.
As far as dealing with other folks’ issues about NIP, just remember that you’re just doing what’s best for you and your baby, and it’s your right to feed your child (either by breast or bottle) wherever, whenever and however you choose.
Now we want to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us what you think of nursing in public and nursing in general. Did you nurse your baby? Recommend any NIP must-have items?
Download the Parents Magazine NIP article at Goody Blog.
Views: 59 | Posted by MomFarah on 06/21 at 11:00 AM
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Posted by Ali on 06/21 at 02:03 PM
Great post. Nursing is great for a variety of reasons, both for the mother's and child's emotional and physical well-being.Maybe here in the Midwest things are different, but I'm now nursing my fourth child and have never had any impolite stares. Actually, people just sort of avoid eye-contact all-together for the most part.
The weirdest I have gotten is older women who want to peek under the nursing blanket at the little bundle of joy. Whoa. If that isn't infringing on boundaries!
Posted by Dana on 06/21 at 02:40 PM
Yay for the Bella Band! I was always way more concerned with flashing my flabby postpartum belly (white as snow to boot) This time around, I won't have to worry about that.I breast fed my daughter until 4 weeks ago. She's just over 2 and a half. She has always had a problem with anything on or over her head, so I didn't have a choice of draping a blanket over her or using a cute nursing cover-up. Luckily, I never minded, although at church I always left the sanctuary. I didn't really care what other people thought, or even what they saw. On the other hand, I did learn how to be really discreet, and unless someone looked at just the right moment and angle of latch-on or pop-off, all they could see was a bit of my stomach.
I think it's sad that people think it's such a big deal, as the whole attitude makes mom's apprehensive to do what's best for themselves and their kids.
In the early days I had a few nursing shirts from Expressiva and a nursing bra tank from Glamourmom, both godsends for the early days when the baby isn't quite so skilled at staying attached or nursing quietly.
Posted by jenne on 06/21 at 04:34 PM
I think it's sad that this is controversial. This type of criticism is partly what prevents many women doing what's best for their children. I often used dressing rooms at stores because unless it's Neiman's, no way I'm spending a second longer in a public bathroom than I needed to. But it's sad that I couldn't just sit IN the mall or other public place and breastfeed without attracting attention or at least feeling as if I was from certain people (surprisingly it was always the old grannied who looked at me disapprovingly). The fact is, there are ways to nurse discretely without anyone seeing breast! It's so ridiculous this is an issue. When I see a woman nursing now, I applaud her for being a loving, caring devoted mother.Posted by Ains Mum on 07/11 at 09:51 AM
I have three children, two of whom I have breastfed. (The first baby was born extremely prematurely and was unable to nurse, so I breast pumped for 15 months.) Son #2 nursed until he was 2-1/2 (but just once a day near the end), and Son #3 is 10 months and still going strong.I nurse in public all the time and have never been given a hard time, except when I was in England when DS#2 was 1-1/2, and my British MIL was horrified that I was still nursing and told everyone so. I get the feeling that nursing into toddlerhood is not as common in the UK as it is in the U.S.
I've never used any nursing tops or coverups--instead I just use my shirt. It provides plenty of coverup, and I've never had to worry about exposing my tummy and rarely my breasts. I nurse in church as well, although our church is very family friendly and progressive.
I live in Portland, Oregon, and perhaps people are more tolerant here...although I've also nursed in many other locations (Seattle, Honolulu, LA, New York City, the UK, etc.) because my family likes to travel.
I think it is very sad when women do not support other women who breastfeed their children. On internet boards I'm always shocked to see the number of women who are opposed to NIP.
My kids are very healthy (even the preemie, who is now 10 years old) and attached to me. I have LOVED nursing and part of me will miss it when I'm done.
Power to the nursing mamas!!
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Posted by Frenk on 10/28 at 01:03 AM
Usually, big stores have a room with a changing table and dippers for kids. But not any institution is prepared like that.Posted by plumbing problems on 01/29 at 08:38 AM
I breastfed my daughter for two years and my son for 18 months. He had to go cold turkey, poor soul, because I had an emergency trip abroad and he couldn't come with me. Thank heavens for an understanding husband. Apart from one ballooning breast and a few sleepless nights for my son, we both got through that.I fed the kids everywhere. In parks, restaurants, shops, wherever. I was never made to feel out of place but then it was never in anyone's face. I had a light muslin square that went everywhere with me and it just got slung over the baby.
In the evening at restaurants, the muslin square was replaced with a co-ordinating light cotton scarf depending on what I was wearing.
The only time anyone ever said a word to me was one lovely lady in a restaurant who came up to tell me that she'd just noticed I had a baby under the scarf and that thought it was lovely to see a woman breastfeeding these days.
Posted by JCH on 02/06 at 11:26 AM
I think whatever makes the mom most comfortable. She should feel free to cover up, or not cover up, and why not feel proud and happy about breastfeeding? Have some fun! I invented a hat that covered me and the baby and it worked fine (company is called MoBoleez)! As it says in the "Tao te Ching": "care about people's approval, and you will be their prisoner...".. Diane
Posted by Diane Sam on 03/28 at 03:30 PM
A dont for sure.Posted by Lasik on 05/05 at 10:57 AM
Not sure I understand that, Lasik. What is a don't? A muslin square or a huge floppy hat?Posted by JCH on 05/05 at 03:37 PM
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I believe nursing/breast feeding in public is perfectly ok if done with some discretion. A mother should cover herself somewhat, and not cause to much attention to herself and baby. Other than that go for it mama's .Janet
Posted by Nursing on 07/13 at 09:03 PM
