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.
When I think about eating organic, I often struggle with how to feed our twins organic as well. Now that we are into some table food, and some cereal, and still a lot of baby food, the cost has been higher than I anticipated. I buy Earth's Best organic baby food by the case. Seriously, I order 7 or 8 cases from Amazon at a time. It's expensive, but jar for jar cheaper than anywhere else that I've found. I have even seen organic breast milk substitutes (formula). If regular breast milk substitute (BSM) is expensive, organic BSM is outrageous! Luckily, there's a perfect solution to that little issue - free organic milk for my babies. Where? You guessed it, BOOBIES! Ok, ok, breasts, but boobies sounds way more fun.
Honestly, before I was pregnant with our duo, I didn't give a hoot about breastfeeding. It simply wasn't on my radar. I only knew a couple of women who had done it and my exposure to that was limited to the fact that they pumped at work. I have no idea how long they breastfed, if it was difficult, if they had support, etc. I remember one woman I worked with nursing in our office lunch room (covered with a blanket) and me thinking, "Huh, that's kind of cool. Baby is eating lunch too."
I look back on that day now and she's a bit of a hero to me. She would be at work, but her hubby would actually bring her daughter to work at lunch (from daycare) so that she could nurse at lunch and then he'd take her back. Not only is that awesome dedication to nursing from both parents, but what great exposure to breastfeeding for other "someday mamas" like myself. Literally, the only time I can remember a woman I know breastfeeding in front of me.
That's probably why I have been so reluctant to nurse in public. I have done it, but less than I'd like. I have twins, and I never mastered nursing them at the same time, even at home with pillows. So I certainly couldn't nurse them at the same time in public. Which means if I'm alone with them, say at the mall, and one wants to nurse then the other will probably cry if he/she can't nurse as well. So not only am I nursing in public, but at the same time I'm also the lady with the screaming baby. I bet people LOVE me when I go out. This combination of issues made me a bit home bound while my twins were tiny. Of course, I assumed that once they hit the age they are now, 10 months, that we would be out and about and nursing on the fly.
I did not realize how curious babies can be at this age. If I take them out and they want to nurse while we are there, I usually attempt to cover them with a blanket or "hooter hider". I fervently wish I didn't feel the need to do that, but I do. However, they are very curious little creatures and now have the ability to simply pull the blanket off, or up, or over so that they can see what is going on. Worse, if something catches their eye, they will pop off of their latch and look at whatever is fascinating to them - leaving my boobie - *gasp* - nipple and all - fully exposed - Janet Jackson style. Maybe I should just claim wardrobe malfunction the next time this happens!
So this leaves me in a difficult spot. I want to be brave and show the world that nursing is a normal, healthy, and appropriate way to feed your baby ANYWHERE regardless of whether a nipple occasionally shows itself. I find myself reluctant to actually follow through on this. However, in the spirit of this Carnival of Nursing in Public, I am committing to nursing one or both babies any time I leave the house and they show an interest in nursing. Yep. Watch out Starbucks, Panera Bread, and the aquarium. Y'all might be getting a little more boobie than you bargained for. But you know what? I'm doing it for the "someday mamas" - like I was once.
P.S. Thanks for NIP Karen R. - bet you didn't know you were such a rock star huh? ;)
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.
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
That is such an awesome story :) A few months ago for the Carnival of Natural Parenting, our topic was "how have I inspired others in their parenting journey." Most of our writers were really reluctant to share anything "inspirational" they've done, but I said something similar to what you experienced here - every bf'ing mama is inspirational. She might be the only person that a teenager or child sees nursing. While that is tragic, it is also vital that we keep nursing in public!
ReplyDeleteI never nursed in public with my son. I would always go out to my car because I was nervous for what might become exposed. I nursed him for 22 months and I really regret not having the courage to nurse him in public.
ReplyDeleteI love when I see women nursing in public. It always brings a smile to my face.
I'm pregnant now, due in January, and I'm determined to nurse in public this time. It will be much hard to hide in my car with a toddler. :)
Great post. I nursed all 4 of mine in public and love to see other mothers doing it too.
ReplyDeleteErin K.
I really wish you lived in my city. I have have yet to know of a mother nursing twins or tandem feeding with their old child. I would love to see that. It would be nice to experience how the two children interact. I have only read about, but unfortunately never saw it. I wish I new someone closer. No one at the LLL meeting I go too nurse two (in the past yes, but not anymore).
ReplyDeleteNever new I had an impact on anyone in regards to nursing in public. I remember the first time that I needed to feed my daughter in public, we ended up in the bathroom. I was too embarassed. Glad I got over that :)
ReplyDelete