I'm not talking about catNIP with my post title here. I'm talking about the dreaded topic of "nursing in public". Oh the horror! It seems it's still a bit of a hot button issue even though breastfeeding is becoming more of the norm again. One of my friends shared this hilarious video on Facebook the other day. It is not really work appropriate, so watch at your own risk, but it's really quite funny and I thought would be a good point to open the dialogue on this topic.
If you didn't watch it, I'll just tell you that it's a couple of women singing about how people think new mothers are exhibitionists and are looking for any opportunity to pull out their breasts to more or less "ruin your day with the more vulgar word for breast" if you get my drift.
I have had a few occasions so far where I have needed to nurse Oliver in public. And I have gotten some "looks" - the judgement eyes, the disgusted eyes, the shock eyes. Now, I take very careful care to make sure that no part of me is exposed to anyone that doesn't want to see it. I have a very nice nursing cover (though Ollie doesn't really like it when I cover him up to eat!) and it makes the process very easy. But like I said, I still get some looks when we are out and about - mostly this has been when we've been at the mall and it also happened once in a bookstore. It's those people that make me want to act like the women in that video and just bare all to them - give me a break here, it's a natural thing and again - I am making sure you don't have to actually SEE it.
Some of our malls here have very nice mother's rooms and if I'm at that mall, you bet I'll seek out the designated place. But others are not doing so well on that front, so I do what I have to do to feed my kid.
The Pope recently said that women should feel free to breastfeed in public and I commend him for making that statement. I actually saw a woman nursing her baby in church a couple of weeks ago - nicely tucked under his wrap and I smiled at her. I wanted her to know I get it. I understand.
Maybe it's the over-sexualization of women in media these days that make people uncomfortable with anything pertaining to boobs. I don't know. But what I do know is, I will feed my kid when I need to feed my kid and those who give me the "look" I'll just give the "look" right back.
