Nursing in Public

“You make it easier for others to do the same”

By Christine Winward

A few weeks ago, I was at the zoo with a friend and her two young children.   I had my own three children (including my 1 month old baby boy) and my niece and nephew with me - it was kind of crazy keeping track of everyone (ages: 4, 4, 2, 1, 1 month), but we had a fun time.  During our lunch break, we paused at the playground and while the kids played in the treehouse after finishing their food, I pulled out my nursing cover and fed my baby.  When I had finished, a woman approached me and handed me a business card while thanking me for nursing in public.  I was pretty surprised.  I have never been thanked for nursing in public before, so curious, I examined the card more closely after I got home.

The card was for the AZ Breastfeeding Bag Project (supporting the natural way to feed your baby), and listed a website: azbreastfeedingbagproject.org; an email: AZBFBP@gmail.com; and contact info: PO Box 5701 Mesa, AZ 85211 480-580-2196 as well as links to Facebook and Twitter.  What really impressed me though was what was written on the back of the card:

“Thank you for nursing in public, you make it easier for other moms to do the same.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about that phrase.  When I shared it with my husband, he laughed and said, is it that big of a deal?  Haven’t you been nursing in public for a long time?  His question helped me remember how uncomfortable I was as a new mom nursing in front of anyone.  I remember hiding in my room to nurse when company came over - even when my in-laws visited, I would retreat to nurse. I recalled all the times I nursed my baby while sitting in a restroom stall or hiding in the backseat of our car. I felt so isolated and disconnected from everyone, but even with a blanket, it seemed so uncomfortable to nurse in public.

When I had my third baby, I discovered a nursing shield (basically a blanket with a strap that went around your neck and a stiff part that let you see your baby).  This made it so much more comfortable to nurse around others, but I still hesitated to nurse at the park or anywhere someone might be sitting or standing behind me and I would feel exposed.

I just recently had my seventh baby.  I have overcome most of my discomfort breastfeeding in public, however, in quiet places (like church) I still prefer to find a mother’s room since I have noisy nursers:).  This baby, I have started using a nursing cover called “Covered Goods” (http://www.coveredgoods.com/). This is by far the most modest cover I have ever experienced.  It wraps completely around you and fits snugly against your body at the neck so no one sees anything.  With it, I have felt comfortable nursing while watching my older son compete in Battle of the Books at his school, while watching a high school musical and while having lunch at the zoo.  The best thing about this cover is that unless people are really paying attention, they may not even realize you are nursing at all.

I believe that breastfeeding is the best for babies and mothers, but I do not agree with the rampant posting of breastfeeding pictures and the insistence that others should accept and deal with it.  Breastfeeding is beautiful.  When I am at home with my family and children, I breastfeed without a cover and my girls and boys can witness how perfect a woman’s body is to care for her children. One of the sweetest things about having a new baby in the house is watching my toddlers and preschoolers stuff their baby dolls under their shirts to “breastfeed” them while I feed my baby (even a few of my boys have done this!). However, when I am in public, I refuse to allow others to view my feeding my baby in a perverted or offensive way.

I’m grateful that I have finally become more confident nursing in public. It has allowed me to re-enter the world when I have a new baby instead of feeling cut off from everything.  I’m so grateful for great products that allow me to be modest and discreet while nursing my babies. I hope that when other moms see me nursing in public, it truly does make it easier for them to make the same choice.