Breastfeeding in Public - Vignettes

Welcome to the July 2010 Carnival of Nursing in Public


This post was written for inclusion in the Carnival of Nursing in Public hosted by Dionna and Paige at NursingFreedom.org. All week, July 5-9, we will be featuring articles and posts about nursing in public ("NIP"). See the bottom of this post for more information.


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Mama with Baby walks through the grocery store.  Baby begins to root.  Rooting gives way to fussing.  Fussing becomes screaming.  Harried Mama abandons her shopping cart.  Mama and Baby rush to the shelter of the car.  The very thought of feeding the babe where anyone might SEE or KNOW what Mama is doing was just too much to bear.  To her car she flees to nurse her little one under the cover of blankets.

Mama with Baby walks through the grocery store.  Mama wears Baby close to her heart in a sling.  Baby begins to root.  Mama retreats to a quiet corner of the store, struggles with a fussing baby and a nipple shield while completely covering with a large blanket.  Mama latches Baby and feels empowered.  Mama finishes her shopping then hurries home before Baby is hungry again.

Mama with Baby sits in a restaurant.  Mama wears Baby close to her heart in a sling.  Baby begins to root. Mama latches Baby on - no need for a blanket.  Mama smiles at her nursing Babe, proud.

Proud Mama confidently nurses baby whenever, wherever.  Proud Mama wants to change our world.

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Breastfeeding in public isn't easy - especially at first.  I was that Mama.  I still find myself a little nervous about nursing in certain public situations even now with baby number two.

Our society is quite hypocritical when it comes to breasts.  A mother nursing in public may expose a couple inches of the breast - rarely exposing the nipple.  This is seen as obscene by many.  However, how much more skin is shown in movies?  In commercials?  In prime time television?  On public beaches?  This exposure is seen as perfectly acceptable by most.

Breastfeeding shouldn't be looked down upon.  It shouldn't be attacked.  On the flipside, those who breastfeed shouldn't look down on those who do not - shouldn't attack or cause moms to feel guilty.

Have courage! Practice at home.  Do what makes you feel comfortable.  Cover if you wish. Use a carrier.  Wear nursing tops.  Take advantage of nursing rooms.  Whatever you choose.

I choose to cover most of the time.  I use the nursing room at church because it is more comfortable to nurse in a cooler room with rocking chairs.  I often use a sling or mei tai carrier to nurse in.  I, personally, dress so that my stomach is not exposed (who really wants to look at my stretch mark roadmap?) and so I have easy access in case I need to nurse.

Here are some helpful resources:

• Kellymom.com - Breastfeeding in Public
• Legal Issues (US)
• Legal Issues (US and Worldwide)
• Sling Use
• Public Breastfeeding

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Welcome to the Carnival of Nursing in Public


Please join us all week, July 5-9, as we celebrate and support breastfeeding mothers. And visit NursingFreedom.org any time to connect with other breastfeeding supporters, learn more about your legal right to nurse in public, and read (and contribute!) articles about breastfeeding and N.I.P.


Do you support breastfeeding in public? Grab this badge for your blog or website to show your support and encourage others to educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding and the rights of breastfeeding mothers and children.

<center><a href="http://www.nursingfreedom.org/p/carnival-of-nursing-in-public.html" title="Carnival of Nursing in Public"><img src="http://www.babydustdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/inip1.png" alt="Art by Erika Hastings at http://mudspice.wordpress.com/" border="0"></a></center>

This post is just one of many being featured as part of the Carnival of Nursing in Public. Please visit our other writers each day of the Carnival. Click on the links below to see each day’s posts - new articles will be posted on the following days:

July 5 - Making Breastfeeding the Norm: Creating a Culture of Breastfeeding in a Hyper-Sexualized World

July 6 – Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers: the New, the Experienced, and the Mothers of More Than One Nursing Child

July 7 – Creating a Supportive Network: Your Stories and Celebrations of N.I.P.

July 8 – Breastfeeding: International and Religious Perspectives

July 9 – Your Legal Right to Nurse in Public, and How to Respond to Anyone Who Questions It