By Peggy O'Mara in Mothering
"It is unnecessary to defend breastfeeding in public. To me, it's like walking in public. It's a basic human right. For others, however—those who live in a bottle-feeding culture with little or no apparent exposure to breastfeeding—the act is a private matter. How little they understand breastfeeding."
"In fact, our public spaces lack private places, and not many public places accommodate nursing a baby or changing a diaper. It is cruelly paradoxical that new mothers are encouraged to breastfeed without any idea of how much society and other people will undermine them. When it comes to going out in public to do what everyone else does, only clothing-store dressing rooms and bathroom stalls are spaces predictably private enough for mothers and infants. This is not good enough. Breastfed babies normally nurse almost continuously during the first few weeks and months as they build up the milk supply. Infant humans cannot simply be stashed at home while mommy runs off for her errands. Baby needs to be carried around so that breastfeeding is readily available, as breastmilk is low in fat and babies must feed often."
Excellent article! With my first son, I really struggled with nursing, especially trying to nurse in public. I was constantly trying to cover up because I thought it was the "right" thing to do. With my youngest, I realized that feeding him was most important and I didn't really give a rip whether or not I covered up. I was confidant in my need to feed him, no matter where we were, and I feel this contributed to our positive nursing relationship.
ReplyDelete