Okay, fellow breastfeeding moms. I'm really directly this at those of you who breastfeed in public, so if you don't, you can skip this question. Thanks for looking. Okay, so what would you do in this situation...I was at the beach with my husband and my one year old daughter. I nursed my daughter and she feel asleep nursing in my arms nursing. It was very discreet. My husband was checking me out. No exposure. Anyway, a woman nearby noticed that I was nursing because my daughter briefly woke up and pulled the towel off of me. Still no boobage, but mucho cleavage exposed. This ignorant woman started SCREAMING about me to her companions. Things like "I don't need to see that" "She should go to the bathroom" I looked at her and simply shook my head in pity. My husband moved our beach cart so that I didn't have to look at her. Her companions were defending me saying that it's America and it's my choice to nurse.
2006-07-31 11:49:34 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Ran out of space sorry...My husband and I were ready for anything, but nothing happened...We eventually packed up and left because it was time to go home. When my daughter woke up, she was sitting on the blanket, waving and smiling at this group of people. To me, that was enough.
Would you have said something? I normally would have but the situation seemed to resolve itself, this ladies friends told her to be quiet, my daughter smiled and waved at her. I only said ao my husband as we walked past them, "Isn't it nice how our baby can forgive so easily?"
2006-07-31 11:51:56 · update #1
Oh believ eyou me, I wanted to go bi*ch slap her, but who wants to get into a fight when you are holding a baby. I didn't want this person's horrible energy to ruin my daughter great day at the beach, y'know? Oh by the way, if there was a confrontation, the first thing out of my mouth would've been "I've had to see a lot more of your skanky as* body than you had to see of mine in that bathing suit three sizes to small." But I controlled myself and am just venting now. The funny thing is that I am friends with political figures in my state and have been planning on talking to them about introducing better breastfeeding legislation. I've been so busy but I thought it would be funny if this woman's words actually lit a fire under me to make even better laws in my state. LOL
2006-07-31 12:00:25 · update #2
To clarify to the person who didn't see my actual question -- I know this is long and involved with many typos. What would you do if this happened to you?
2006-07-31 12:03:59 · update #3
I think you made the right decision. I mean, I could totally see why you would get infuriated. Some people are just ignorant and act ridiculous. However, there is no reason to make a scene in front of your little one. If she wasnt around, I might be more inclined to speak my mind simply - just saying something brief like "I have every right to feed my child in public. There is nothing disgusting, improper, or vulgar about it" and walk away. But, it wouldnt be worth a possible confrontation with your daughter there watching. You wouldnt want to stoop to that woman's level. You did great. Dont worry about her!
2006-07-31 14:32:16 · answer #1 · answered by dixiechic 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This monster wanted you to feed your daughter in a bathroom? URGH! I can sympathize - and in your shoes I probably would have LOST IT completely! I would have told her to go eat in the bathroom! It's so unfortunate that people can't be more enlightened about breastfeeding! What you're doing for your daughter to SO wonderful and you should NEVER be made to feel ashamed - not for a second!
Why is it that a woman can wear a thong on the beach or a man a Speedo and no one will say a word - you feed your child and YOU are immodest? Give me a break!
What especially angers me is that this was a woman who said these things! She probably poisoned her children with formula instead of putting the love and effort into feeding them that you have - pity that ignorant fool!
2006-07-31 19:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by The Ang 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You go girl! I get SO annoyed at people who act like you're doing something pornographic... it's a BABY for goodness sakes!
So what would I do...? Definitely give her the evil eye. My husband is much more likely to say something than I am, but I doubt I'd want to escalate the situation given that she was already bent on directing attention to you. But I'm betting that you were FAR more discreet with a baby covering you up than a great many women on the beach in the swimsuits.
In the words of Bugs Bunny: "What a maroon!"
2006-07-31 21:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by mylittletribe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my GOD thats so rude of them...
I mean, HOW DARE you feed your daughter in public. Sheesh. What a jerk that woman was.
Well, I belonged to La Leche League, and would have to suggest that you join too.
Heres a GREAT story, that might help you find refuge...
This lady was in LLL and anyways, she went to the mall, and was nursing her daughter in the hallway on a bench. Well, some security guard came along, and told her she would HAVE to do that in the bathroom. The poor woman was aghast, and was worried about getting into trouble by this idiot, so she went ad let her LLL chapter know aout this incident.
Well, La Leche League had a little NURSE IN. (like a sit in!)
Yes there were 20+ women nursing their babies in this section of the mall, and alog comes big shot security guy, no doubt there to start some trouble. The leader of the group said "Our children HAVE to eat, sir."
When he came back out with a sandwich, and started chomping on it in the hall, the leader woman told him he needed to take that into the bathroom.
LOL!
Anyways, La Leche League is a good resource for people to enligten idiots like the one you obviously dealt with. Heres a link:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
Sorry that lady was such a dingbat to you and your daughter. I think you handled it well, though. If it happens again, and you see the person eating, you tell them that they need to take THEIR food into the bathroom, if they expect your daughter to take her lunch there, also. LOL!
Maybe that would shut them up, hahaha...
Good Luck!!!!
2006-07-31 18:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Krista ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just goes to show you that there are ignorant people everywhere. Your child has the right to EAT. I have breastfed both of my children EVERYWHERE. It is their right to be fed, and my right to not be disturbed while I am doing it. You did the right thing... you were the better person in the situation, and you showed your infant how to handle a rude person. Don't let others intimidate you from doing what your child needs. I like the lady's response from the LaLeche League... good point! I'll have to remember that when I have my next baby! Bottom line- your child has to eat, and you have the equipment she requires!
2006-07-31 19:55:25 · answer #5 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Way to go mama!! I think you handled this beautifully - you didn't leave, you didn't take your daughter off your breast, and you didn't give her the satisfaction of an answer. And it sounds like her companions put her in her place well enough. I have always been concerned that someone would confront me in public, but so far I haven't had any issues (and I'm now breastfeeding my 2nd child.) I do have a friend who was approached by a man at a restaurant, and he asked her to go to the bathroom to feed her son. She asked him if he would like to eat his dinner in the men's room. He left her alone.
Congrats!!
2006-07-31 18:59:48 · answer #6 · answered by KTScarlet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously this woman had nothing better to do but stare are your cleavage , Breastfeeding in public is only natural nothing completely wrong with it..would u want your baby to starve and scream cause their hungry noway so u did the right thing..
2006-07-31 19:33:19 · answer #7 · answered by «~Mouse«~~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for her frineds...you are at a beach where women walk aroung with a hell of a lot more showing than a bit of cleavage. I think that people whe are against public breastfeeding should be slapped...its perfectly natural especially when done discreetly. I don't agree with just whipping it out.
2006-07-31 18:53:55 · answer #8 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry im not a mother (only 13) but i had to read. I am glad that you handled this well.
Agreeing with what the others wrote above: If you were in a mood to have a comback the eat your next meal in the bathroom thing would be a good one.
2006-07-31 20:00:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet she wouldn't have thought anything about some little chickie losing her bikini top in the surf. *rolling eyes*
The only think I might have done is when she picked up her drink to take a sip, say "excuse me, can't you do that in the bathroom!"
I nursed in public and rarely used a cover. I had a harder time dealing with it than quickly and discreetly nursing my son.
2006-07-31 21:14:10 · answer #10 · answered by Mustang Gal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋