Here at Victory Girls, we bloggers are in possession of breasts and a lot of us have kiddos. Some of us chose to breast feed, and some did not. Both the “dids” and “did nots” have valid reasons particular to they and their children. Just so that’s….er…out front… I am making no judgment calls on either. Both choices are valid and I can and will defend both arguments.
But, really….there’s a need to “raise awareness” about breastfeeding?!? Hasn’t this been going on for a very long time? Since the beginning of time? Actually, I think perhaps their purpose was to “raise awareness about our particular mission, which is to make people who are uncomfortable with us breastfeeding without covers and in public very very very bad and guilty about it.”
“Mothers at the nurse-in said they want to help businesses understand how to handle customers who may be offended by breastfeeding.”
Seriously? Right now, everybody raise their hand that is “offended” by breastfeeding! I have not EVER heard of one woman or man who is “offended” by breastfeeding. I have, however, heard of some people who are uncomfortable with a nursing mother who disrobes indiscreetly in public and doesn’t use a cover. Personally, I don’t care. But I’ve watched my own wonderful dad, who raised 6 kids, all nursed, squirm as a woman completely open her blouse in full view of restaurant patrons and proceeded to feed her baby with one breast in its mouth and the other propped up on the table. No attempt to cover anything and she met my dad’s embarrassed gaze with defiance and arrogance.
That’s not raising awareness. That’s being an ass. And as someone wise once wrote: “a reasonable person applies grace”.
There ARE people in the general population who love children, who nursed their own kids and are very “aware” of the benefits of breastfeeding but are uncomfortable with blatant and ungraceful uncovering of body parts in public. They don’t think breasts are bad, but they think one should make an minimal effort to be discreet and respectful of other people around them.
Will it soon be ok to take your pants off in public because the hemorrhoids are getting too itchy? People that haven’t ever experienced them might need to become “aware”! And what’s next, ”birth-ins”? Splayed out on a restaurant booth, in full bear down mode? That’s “natural”. Why not just let the general population become more “aware”?
How do you feel about this?
tnxplant says: Disclosure – I was a La Leche League leader in the late 70’s and early 80’s and am very much supportive of breastfeeding. That said, it has to be something the mom wants to do. We in LLL always stressed the importance of nursing discreetly.
These moms who are undressing from the tops of their shirts and exposing their breasts in public are doing something that is totally unnecessary in order to nurse a baby. Their misguided aggressive efforts are way out of line and give a negative message to those who disagree with them.
The best way to handle someone who finds breastfeeding offensive is to do it so that no one but another nursing mom even knows what you are doing. (I did this once with my baby on a flight sitting next to a businessman who commented on what a good, quiet baby I had. He had no clue.)
Kate says: Thanks for your input! I so agree!
someday says: When did we women become so crass? I nursed three babies without embarassing the grandpas or shocking the sweet nephews. Manners don’t mean anything in this age.
Kate says: This! ^^^^^
Merle says: Perhaps they just have a desire to be the center of attention and “exhibit” their breasts.
Sarah says: Just found your website; reading about all this malarky at poor Chick Fil A. Love your site, btw, will be back!!! My best friend and I have been talking about this, trying to figure out what the big deal is over all this hoopla. We both breastfed. I nursed 2 children exclusively (my youngest just turned 2); but when I had to do it in public (which was very rare), no one even knew about it! Yes, nurse when you need to; but THEY have no right to subject anyone to a view of their breast that didn’t ask for it! I forget how our rights come second to theirs, since they made it on TV though. I love how America is now not only the land of opportunity for all; but the land of anything goes…
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