MommyOnTop | Filed under: Most governments are now promoting breastfeeding, with the help of countless breastfeeding advocates. And why not? We’ve heard so many things about the benefits of breastfeeding, how breastmilk is the best nutrition AND gift a mother can give to her child.
However, in many societies, a woman breastfeeding in public is still frowned upon. It may be because there are still a lot of people who are “new” to the concept of breastfeeding. 
And I find that hard to understand.
People see everywhere animals breastfeeding their young. Pigs, cows, dogs, cats… Heck, even wild animals like lions and tigers breastfeed their cubs. And it’s normal. And they flinch when they see a human breastfeed her young? 
I shamelessly breastfeed my son in public. Shamelessly doesn’t necessarily mean I flash my boobies for everyone to see before giving them to my child for feeding. I try to be discreet as I can, being covered in the right places in the best way that makes me feel comfortable. That may mean I show a little skin, but that’s enough to make people look at me as if I’m completely naked and whisper behind their hands.
I do get the stares, and the pitiful smile, as if the stranger thinks I don’t have enough money to buy my baby formula and I HAVE to feed him myself. Yes, breastfeeding is free, and yes, I don’t hide the fact that I could use more money (who doesn’t?). But that’s not my reason for choosing to breastfeed.
I breastfeed because I know it is the best both for me and my baby. Because as a working mother, breastfeeding assures me that I have some personal time for my baby. No matter how busy I am, I always find time to express milk so my baby will have something for the next day I am out to work.
Ask any breastfeeding mom and you’ll find out that breastfeeding is more difficult than we let on. Yes, we make sacrifices just to be able to give the best nutrition we can give to our children.
We watch our food intake (and not just for weight loss purposes). Night out with friends, even dates with the husband, business trips - they are all dictated by how much milk we have on stock for the baby’s consumption. Many breastfeeding mothers battle endlessly with sore nipples and latch problems. And if you’re a working mom, stress at work can greatly affect milk supply. One even has to go through the motions of finding an empty room at work just so she can express her milk in private. This also comes with excellent time management skills so you’ll still get your work done even if you’re aways from your desk several times a day.
So see, there are compromises to be made when you choose to breastfeed. We don’t just breastfeed for comfort and ease, although that can come in handy. Despite all the sacrifices and hard work I’m going through, I do not regret my choice to breastfeed; I am proud of it.
The point is, we do not appreciate being stared at and frowned upon when we breastfeed in public. If you are uncomfortable seeing a doting mother nurse her child for everyone to see, there’s a very simple thing you can do: JUST LOOK AWAY.
Nobody’s forcing you to look. We’re not dancing in front of you, flailing our breasts in your eyes. If a little skin makes you think of your porn collection, that is definitely not my problem anymore.
And may I quote the woman from whom I got the image I used in this post?
I don’t care if you think womanhood is a disgusting thing. It isn’t, in my opinion, but everybody has their own deal. However, most of the time, said mother is not hanging her knockers out and flashing everyone in the vicinity like it was Mardi Gras. So if suckling young makes you queasy, simply look away. The world was not made to make you comfortable.
Would you care to explain yourself?
*Credits to Nabooru is your mom and Natural Family Blog for the images used in this post.
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12 Responses for "Breastfeeding in public"
Ame
Yes, when I nursed my daughter you get all these looks, mean while its okay for a woman to walk around with it all hanging out and that’s okay. I don’t get it. Breastfeeding is the best and like you said “LOOK AWAY”
Your post is well said
This post resonates with me. IN the west breasts are so hyper sexualized people have a hard time with Breastfeeding mothers. It is so unfortunate because we are only trying to do what is best for our children.
It’s nice to know that there are those who share my sentiments. I’m just getting really frustrated that will all the breastfeeding awareness campaigns that advocates do, many people are still clueless about it and don’t know better than raise eyebrows when mothers do it in public.
Alam mo Meng idol nga kita with regards to being committed to breastfeed for as long as possible. I am determined to breastfeed even after my maternity leave since I want to provide the best for my baby.
By the way, Camille’s sister owns Mommy Matters which is a store that sells nursing clothes. I’m planning to buy some blouses from her in order to discreetly breastfeed in public when necessary.
More power to breastfeeding moms!
We seldom go out with the baby that’s why I make do with my button-down sleeveless blouses and a couple of cloth diaper to drape over my shoulder. It’s funny how most of the time, no matter how covered up you are, as long as these people realize what you’re doing, they’d still give you the stare. I sometimes have the urge to flash them just to catch them off guard and see how they would react! Hahahaha!
Thanks for telling it like it is!
It’s crazy!!! I just don’t see what the big deal is.
I’m still trying to get over the fear of feeding in public, and my daughter is 3 months old. I’ve had the strange looks and the stares, the few times I have done it. I’ve also had people tell me that it’s disgusting.
I was totally fine with nursing both of my daughters in public when they were babies, however, now I’m nursing a 15 month old and I find NIP much more difficult. Previously no one seemed to notice or care that I was nursing, but now that Brooke is older I find I get ALOT of disapproving looks when I nurse. I hate that I’m made to feel ashamed that I’m still nursing. Even family that was once so supportive aren’t anymore. When will extended nursing become more acceptable?
Unfortunately negative opinion exists worldwide (well in westernised culture anyway) when it comes to breastfeeding….
Good on all us mum’s with the guts to give it a go (it’s not always easy) and do whats best for our babies…..
Mom on the Run, I’m feeding my 18 month old at the moment and will let him wean himself but I know exactly what you mean about people’s opinions on older babies…. do people not realise the world health organisation recommends breastfeeding until age 2!!!
anyway kudos to bf mums out there
well i dont have any problem even i feed my 26 months baby in public place, i dont have any problem people wat thinking about it or watching me
nursing gown…
I found your post comments while searching Google. Very relevant especially as this is not an issue which a lot of peaople are conversant with….
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