More on Boobs Hanging Out
Child number one-I nursed but because I did not want to offend anyone, I never left the house.
Child number two-I had a job at a daycare so my children could come with me. My coworkers would talk about how offended they were by the sight of nursing mothers, so I would bottlefeed at work and nurse at home. Posco weaned himself at seven months. I was devastated.
Child number three-I got with the program and decided everyone else needs to get a grip.
Natural Law has dictated to us what breasts are for, feeding babies. Study upon study upon study has shown the benefits of breastfeeding versus bottle feeding. We live in a society where we should be open about sexuality, but an accidental glimpse of nipple as a result of breastfeeding and people rant, rave and call the authorities. I am so missing something. It makes no sense to me, so I conclude people need to get a grip.
To me it draws far more attention to have a baby bending backwards and screaming than nursing in public. People who do not nurse do not understand that breastfeeding is not just about nutrition but it is about an emotional need for the child. A nursling around their mother needs to nurse on demand. Any Mom who has coslept with a newborn knows that sometimes the baby cannot sleep because the smell of the milk makes him crazy.
As much as I want to give the "I do nurse discreetly in public" speech (and I will in a second) I have to admit I could actually care less. Not that I have some passion for showing off my boobs, but if my baby is hungry or needs comfort, baby's needs come first. I will not substitute with artificial nipples or second rate nutrition just to make someone else comfortable. I am a homeschooling stay at home Mom and spend far too much time at home to begin with and refuse to give up the sporadic outings I do get to indulge in because other are offended by breastfeeding.
OK, back to the "discreet" issue. I have always nursed comfortably around my teenage brothers and the only time I got a big "Ah Gross!" reaction from them is when I had back issues of The Compleat Mother laying around. Just because I am breastfeeding does not mean I am living out my secret fantasies of being a exhibitionist. Even without blankets, with nursing clothing and mainly posture and attitude, many people do not notice, or do not seem to care. Or people are too afraid to comment.
