breastfeeding is such a hot spot?

Question

breastfeeding is so controversial, and i hate that. i plan on breastfeeding my baby, but i'm really not good with conflict, i would probably break down and cry if someone said something negative to me about doing what i feel is best for my baby. does anyone have any tips for me?

below are some articles i have found helpful


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16773635/

http://www.breastfeeding.com/lighter_side/lighter_side_stories_got_milk.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14065706/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16773617/wid/11915773/

zach, why you gotta be so mean, it's not like i'm going to strip down in the mall or something, i'm very private and intend on keeping it discreet always.

thanks to those of you who are supportive.

i will be discrete and cover with a blanket, ect. but i do not want to be banned to a bathroom, gross.

Answer 1

People who think it's vulgar or nasty ought to be confined to a cage. Honestly, this is what nature intended. Fellas this is why women have boobs. Not to please your sexual fantasy's but to give life to a baby. Imagine, they aren't just sex objects, but they really work.

I breastfed on a plane. I was really nervous because it was right when that woman was kicked of a plane for feeding her daughter. But, the guy next to my hubby and I was pro breastfeeding as his wife did it with all their kids. And, it's best for baby.

In the end you have to do what' comfortable for you too. There were times I'd do it in public (http://www.motherwear.com has very discrete tops) and other time's I'd do it in the restroom or in my car. I never did it in the restroom although I had a girlfriend that did.

I felt really brave to do it in public, but there are creepy people who stare.

If they say anything you should tell them thanks, but they are your breasts you'll decide what goes on there. It's really none of their business.

Btw, if you want sexy looking nursing wear go to http://www.expressiva.com

Also, you can find expressiva stuff used on ebay.

I almost forgot! You can find nursing shawls. Some are really really fancy and pretty. Here's a site to get you going. I'm getting one for this pregnancy so I don't have to feel like I have to anhilate myself to another room or a bath room!!

http://www.pregnancystore.com/loved_baby_nursing_shawl.htm

Answer 2

I breastfeed my daughter and plan to breastfeed my next one too. There are allot of places now that have "nursing room" like malls etc. which is the sole purpose of breastfeed and/or changing your children (if feeding them in a more public place is uncomfortable for you) and I agree with you about the bathrooms, they wouldn't eat their meals there why should an infant that is breastfeeding.
I had lots of dirty looks but only once had someone approach me when I was feeding my daughter in the mall, and I just told her that she should stop looking if she didn't like it.
I found a really neat nursing wrap at speciality store and it was solid and meshed, so you were not exposing yourself but the baby had the air flow to keep cool.
Everyone has an opinion about everything, just keep your cool and do what is best for you and your baby.
Take a deep breathe, it will be ok. Good luck,

Answer 3

As an educated (Zach) mother of two, I have nursed in many places with and without blankets. I have received compliments, but never criticism. I have received many nasty looks, but some people will do that anyway. If you feel uneasy while breastfeeding in public, try using your labor relaxation techniques. The hormones your body releases will calm you further. Congratulations! Get to a La Leche League meeting before baby is born. It's a very laid back group with a "buffet-style" philosophy (ie take what you can use and leave the rest).

Answer 4

It is great that you plan on breastfeeding and you are getting information before your precious one arrives. I am still nursing my 9 month old and before he arrived I would not have thought I would still be nursing him. I was hesitant initially to breastfeed in public and have even went to a restroom before to nurse (have also went out to my car). As I became more comfortable nursing and had to get out more and more I began discreetly nursing in public and now feel quite comfortable doing so (have even done so on a plane, twice, with a stranger sitting next to me). It is actually against the law to not allow a women to breastfeed anywhere she is allowed to be. I just use the baby's blanket to cover up and mostly people are not even aware of what I am doing. I feel good that I am able to do this for my son, who is extremely healthy and has only had one cold that he got through very quickly. I haven't ever had anyone say anything negative to me at all, but if someone did (and I am extremely uncomfortable with conflict) I would know that I am not doing anything wrong at all and thus probably say something like why are you even looking at my chest?? It's not like I am exposing myself to everyone!! In fact, the way many women dress and show so much skin, that should be considered indecent exposure, not discreetly feeding a baby.

Answer 5

If you don't like it, don't look. Most (if not all) places have rights that protect you as a nursing mother. You don't have to cover up. Not every baby likes to eat with a blanket over his/her head. Try eating all of your meals under a blanket! I live in Houston where the weather is 90 degrees or higher 80% of the year, do you think I want my baby under a blanket all the time? Do you think I'll be running out to my sun heated SUV out in the parking lot? Hell no! Just ignore the ignorance of others and be proud to be giving your baby the best start possible in life.

If you are lucky enough to have a baby that doesn't mind being covered up while nursing, Ive found these to be quite useful (they also double as an infant carrier cover) and cute! Ive got three! :) They're called "hooter hiders". Although I wasn't shy or bothered by rude ignorance while nursing in public, I just didn't like those dirty old men that purposely gawk at you lol (I was more concerned about my newly acquired post baby flab hanging out haha)

http://www.bebeaulait.com/

Answer 6

Best tip I can give..no matter what people say...you ARE doing what is best for your baby...so let any nay sayers take a long walk off a short pier! As long as you plan on being discreet...then you are doing NOTHING wrong...as a matter of fact you are doing everything right! I breastfed also...and at times it could be awkward...but I was always well covered... And I tried my best to time things as much as possible to where I would go out with the baby shortly after having fed her at home. Just remember when miserable, ignorant people have something to say...that we live in a society where teenage starlets are running around half naked and totally drunk...and people are pay big bucks to see emaciated women squeeze into teeny tiny outfits that hardly cover anything just because it's on film so...meh...it's alright right? Wrong! It is a wicked double standard. You are feeding your baby...it isn't dirty...it isn't morally reprehensible...you are not corrupting the minds of children...or whatever other silly argument these people try and think up! Good luck. Enjoy all the wonderful memories to come with you and your baby!

Answer 7

Zach is a complete idiot!.....
They actually have laws in every state saying that you will not be charged with indecent exposure if you are breastfeeding in public! Anyways, I plan on breastfeeding mine, I am due Feb 24th. Breastfeeding is best for baby and burns calories for mom. It is your baby and it is your body, some women dont like to breastfeed because they think of their nipples as a sexual thing and it is weird for them. I personally don't think it is weird, gross, or wrong. If you don't feel like breastfeeding then you can always pump and give your baby the expressed milk. I would not worry about what other people think. Are you doing it to make someone happy or because you want your baby to be healthy. I have gotten so many pats on the back for wanting to breastfeed. It is no one elses buisness but your own anyway. I don't see where it should be up to anyone else on what you do with your boobs! Also, If breastfeeding wasn't meant to be, you would not produce milk and formula wouldnt be man made.

Answer 8

Zach I would probably never say that to you in person... Haha, I have never had anyone say anything to me. It's not indecent. It's feeding your baby, using your breasts for what they are there for. AND DON"T EVER feel the need to use the restroom to feed your baby. That is disgusting.

I did it ONCE, when he was 5 days old... I went into a family bathroom with two stalls, the only bathroom that had a changing station in it. I was propped against the changing station feeding my baby when an elder gentleman came in to the next stall and relieved his bowels quite flatulently and odourously. I WILL NEVER do that again. I started to cry as I pulled the baby from my breast and did up my nursing bra, I felt humiliated and degraded, that I really thought I had to hide in a filthy bathroom with people who were pissing and/or shitting, or even vomiting. THAT's what no one ever talks about. They think, "Oh, I don't want to see it, make it go away" They don't think how horrible and uncomfortable it is in the bathroom.

Just carry a blankie. If someone suggests you cover him/her up, hand the person the blankie, and say "Here you go, cover yourself up, I'll be done in about ___ minutes!!" very chipper.

Answer 9

Everyone focused on their experiences nursing in public....but i find women get negative comments from thier own family members....either a mother-in-law, or even thier own mother ...tells them it will be too hard to breastfeed , or that they are starving their baby..or some fool piece of BAD advice...breastfeeding can take time and diligence and patience, and having family members in your corner..IF the going gets rough can make all the difference in the world....read up on it...take a breastfeeding class....ask about them at the hospital you are delivering at...have the name and phone number of a lactation consultant on hand if the need should arise.....sometimes these things are covered by your insurance....so check that out as well.....Once you can cite chapter and verse about why breastfeeding is best will help people...in your family, or at the mall.....keep their mouths shut! congrats and Good Luck!

Answer 10

Never listen to jerks like Zach. He's probably just jealous that the baby's going to get more boob action than he is!

It is LEGAL in all 50 states to breastfeed IN PUBLIC. No one can make you leave or even make you cover up. They can ASK you to, though.

It really is sad that this is how America views breastfeeding now. Our children see half naked women everywhere and that's apparently acceptable. But a woman's breast in a baby's mouth... They all think it's disgusting and should be kept at home. Well.. Not all women want to pump just to go out. And you shouldn't have to.

I had a friend say to me once that he wouldn't want his child to see someone breastfeeding. This baffled me. WHY? Your child doesn't have to be breastfed themselves to understand what's going on. Just tell them "baby's eating". They'll understand. And it's not going to mentally damage them in any way. It's natural!!!

Good luck on the breastfeeding. And don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed or ashamed.