Nurse Naked? Not. Practical suggestions for the timid breastfeeding mother.
Jun 27 '00
Typically, when the topic of breastfeeding in public is mentioned there are two differing opinions. There are those who find the idea of a mother feeding her child in the ideal way to be offensive. Some of these people feel that the breast is merely a sexual object or liken nursing to urinating and suggest a mother breastfeed in the restroom. Many people, however, are quite comfortable meeting our child’s needs whenever and wherever it is necessary.
Keeping in mind that breastfeeding in public is not illegal, it is safe to assume the majority of nursing mothers have been out with their babies at mealtime and have breastfed away from home. Again, there are two common ways to handle the situation. Many mothers are comfortable nursing wherever they may be, but others are not. For those who are uncomfortable nursing while in public, feeding time often means hiding in a public toilet or trying to keep a blanket from falling off their shoulders.
To be perfectly honest, even those of us who are comfortable breastfeeding in public have no desire to show any excess skin. On the contrary, most mothers show far less skin while nursing than even the most modest swimsuit. As much as I advocate breastfeeding in public, it was not so long ago that I was afraid someone might see my post-partum tummy for a split second. I’ve never worried that someone would know what I was doing, but I’m not exactly eager to draw extra attention to myself, whether I’m nursing or not.
No baby should be forced to dine amid flushing toilets, but what other options are there for the modest or timid? What about the mothers who simply feel awkward? Are there options that don’t involve clumsy blankets and less than pleasant aromas? Yes! Rather than trying to convince those who are still a bit apprehensive to do something they are uncomfortable with, I have decided to offer some suggestions.
· Do you feel you must have privacy? Try a fitting room rather than a bathroom. You will likely be more comfortable and won’t be subjected to the sounds and scents of the restroom. You can also take advantage of the mirror to observe yourself with your baby. You might realize that you aren’t exposing anything at all.
· Don’t want to hide in a fitting room? Furniture departments of department stores are often free from crowds. You can relax in an out of the way recliner while baby nurses. I’ve also found benches in shoe departments to be an option.
· Wear a nursing top. There are some very cute shirts with concealed openings for nursing. More often than not, no one except other nursing mothers will know you’re wearing nursingwear. I preferred nursing clothing to regular tops because I hated lifting my shirt and catching a draft. Motherhood Maternity has some inexpensive and attractive shirts for sale.
· Don’t want to buy new clothes? A button down shirt unbuttoned from the bottom allows easy access with minimum exposure. I often wore my husband’s flannel shirts and found them comfortable.
· A baby sling is more than a great baby carrier. With a bit of practice you can easily breastfeed your baby as they ride in the sling. When my baby was smaller, I could position her in the sling and grocery shop or tend to other tasks. Onlookers thought the baby was sleeping, not an inch of skin showed. I liked my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder as well as my Maya Wrap.
· Nursing canopies and shawls offer coverage though some babies are not comfortable eating under such a cover. If your baby doesn’t mind, these items stay in place better than a blanket. They also can draw attention to the fact that you are nursing, but do offer complete coverage. You can find a canopy called Can’t-A-Peek that features a stiff neck that bows out so you can see your baby. Online merchants sell these and I’ve seen other variations at Target and Wal-Mart.
· Dining out? Ask for a corner or out of the way table and sit with your back to the rest of the patrons. People are more likely to stare at a screaming baby than they would a quiet one.
If you are still nervous about breastfeeding in public, keep these things in mind:
· You are providing your baby the best nourishment you possibly can.
· You are doing nothing shameful and nothing wrong.
· Many other mothers are or were feeling the same anxiety you are.
· You have the right to breastfeed your baby anywhere you and your child have the right to be.
· Most people will walk right by without a second look.
You might want to nurse in front of a mirror to practice positioning your baby or observe other nursing mothers. Unless you strip to the waist and tap dance while nursing or allow your hungry baby to scream loudly while you set up a pup tent for complete coverage, you’re unlikely to have any real trouble. Enjoy motherhood, meet your baby’s needs and don’t worry what others think. Most importantly, do what makes you and your baby comfortable first and let others respect that.
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