tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post4887412729868314289..comments2023-09-26T12:19:23.688-04:00Comments on Growing Up Geeky: I'm a breastfeeding in public hypocriteMelissa @ Growing Up Geekyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264887640547125833noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-43835303530827495302012-06-18T18:16:24.817-04:002012-06-18T18:16:24.817-04:00I am in my third month of pregnancy (my first), an...I am in my third month of pregnancy (my first), and just found your blog, which I am enjoying very much. The NYC subway system has a new ad campaign promoting breast feeding, which shows moms feeding babies- without covers. The ads are sponsored by the NYC health dept. I think it's a brilliant campaign, because it shows that there is nothing perverse about BF an infant. <br /><br />I like to think that I will BF in public, but it remains to be seen if I can follow through. I have no issue with others doing so, but I need to work up the guts.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954512311626916785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-48254341874902457082012-02-06T21:28:47.313-05:002012-02-06T21:28:47.313-05:00@anonomity - yay! So proud of you!@anonomity - yay! So proud of you!Melissa @ Growing Up Geekyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264887640547125833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-56596307498177643732012-01-30T22:18:28.630-05:002012-01-30T22:18:28.630-05:00PSH! I wear a tank top under whatever I'm wea...PSH! I wear a tank top under whatever I'm wearing, hoist my shirt up, pull the tank down and nurse away. I often nurse in my Boba while wearing my little one and you can't even tell. <br /><br />That said, I have 3 kids, all breastfed. #1 didn't get nursed in public because I was unsure of myself. I was young and didn't want people looking at me thinking I was weird. It was totally a self-conscious thing. I was 28 when I had #2. I had a chip on my shoulder. I like to nurse in public now and DARE people to say something. When someone looks at me, my eyes are shouting, "Say something, scumbag! SAY IT!" They never do, and my baby is always fed without incident. Give it a shot. You might surprise yourself. <br /><br />Go to the busiest section of the food court you can find. I guarantee people are too busy munching on their bourbon chicken to notice you feeding your babe.Summerhttp://bananahammocksandtutus.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-35218053721699613212012-01-30T22:16:32.094-05:002012-01-30T22:16:32.094-05:00Don't feel bad, I'm the same way. I starte...Don't feel bad, I'm the same way. I started breastfeeding in public when my daughter was older. I'd always bring a bottle when we went out in public for the first 6 months or so. Whenever I would start to breastfeed in front of anyone, I would feel panicky and awful. I would force myself to do it anyway and I got used to it. I realized, no one was staring, and I'd relax. It takes practice. I hope I can be brave enough to do it with my second child without a cover too. I hope that when my daughter grows up, if she has kids, she can breastfeed without the shame and nervousness we feel. I do think the world is getting more and more tolerant and supportive of breastfeeding. =)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03495796091157215318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-9446079158646775202012-01-28T11:05:58.419-05:002012-01-28T11:05:58.419-05:00I just came back to tell you I did it! I nursed DD...I just came back to tell you I did it! I nursed DD in a booth in a food court! I used a blanket to cover and if anyone gave me any dirty looks, I sure didn't notice. :-) <br /><br />And I will definitely be teaching our kids that breastfeeding is normal as well. Hopefully things will be different by the time they are needing to feed their children.<br /><br />And I hope you feel better soon, but I know its for a good cause. ;-)anonomityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545417876262273845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-81886817746751290102012-01-27T13:04:07.884-05:002012-01-27T13:04:07.884-05:00I'm all for breast feeding. I would do it, if ...I'm all for breast feeding. I would do it, if I could. What I don't understand is why we care so much what others think? Who cares that they judge? And those judging, Really? A mom is feeding her child, it is the most natural thing to do on earth and yet everyone in our society has to stop and stare. Why? What is so wrong or amusing with it? I was in Miami this time last year and MH and I went to an out door mall in South Beach. I remember a mom took out her breast and started feeding her baby. Out in the open with no cover. No one stared, pointed, or laughed. It's so natural for them and everyone just kept walking. Why is it that the Midwest and New England area find this so offensive? Were we all born tightly wound or with a stick up our asses? I think not... I say you sit in the food court, put on your cover, grab your beautiful daughter and feed her. Feed her where everyone else eats. I know I sure as hell would not want to eat where everyone else takes crap!mari2003/ TwinskMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628106655495092070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-81005682097509280282012-01-27T10:34:07.934-05:002012-01-27T10:34:07.934-05:00Dude, you should NEVER have to nurse in a restroom...Dude, you should NEVER have to nurse in a restroom. That is just wrong. While I will openly admit that BFing is not my thing, I would NEVER scorn another woman for feeding her child by BFing in public. This goes along with all the "mommy wars" and judgey stuff that we do to each other, its just totally fucked up. And, FWIW, the many times that I've seen someone BFing in public, they are so discrete about it anyway (often without a nursing cover) that I have to look twice to actually see if they truly are BFing.SSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667906070142027775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-556288977396499762012-01-27T05:11:58.478-05:002012-01-27T05:11:58.478-05:00I wouldn't care what young people think, have ...I wouldn't care what young people think, have you ever had a look at them? Most of them aren't so perfect either lol. Anyway, I came back to comment about something I saw yesterday... Soo I was on the train and there is always this couple with a baby, baby looks like it's 10-12 mos? Anyways, they look decently dressed but they are always on the train begging, on the E train, I am sure other NYC'ers can relate. Well yesterday she had the baby in the carrier (normally this is what she does as she begs for money in a hat), and he was breastfeeding as she walked around begging!!! NO JOKE, she was begging while the kid was BF-ing and you could see her boobs... they weren't covered. I don't know how I feel about that, I mean in their extremely busy schedule of begging, they couldn't stop to feed the kid? And they look very well dressed, so I always wondered why they were begging. So basically, I came back to tell you about this experience just yesterday as I was heading home lol. <br />And you should def try the hat again and let us know. I think it should help because it's huge so it blocks viewers and it's on her head so it shouldn't bother her.Mishuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147801562398786275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-13227929081363167332012-01-26T21:13:35.211-05:002012-01-26T21:13:35.211-05:00I could have wrote this post myself with just a fe...I could have wrote this post myself with just a few changes in minor details :(<br /><br />I'm glad I'm not the only one that is this way and KNOWS she has to change :) You inspire me, Mama G!Lacey [The Southern Mommy Chronicles]https://www.blogger.com/profile/17032111008291285998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-37001860953843433302012-01-26T20:32:33.556-05:002012-01-26T20:32:33.556-05:00I am really missing Intense Debate comments and th...I am really missing Intense Debate comments and the Reply function right now. Thank you all so much for your supportive comments! I wish I could reply to you all individually but looking at the page is currently making my head spin. Stupid all day sickness.<br /><br />MommaM - thanks for the tank rec!<br /><br />Lob - I LOVE that! I've got boobs! And thanks :)<br /><br />MamaBear - oh no! I'm sorry for making you think about it. I guess ignorance is bliss!<br /><br />Mishu - yes I do really like the bonnet/hat. I actually keep it in my diaper bag and have used it, but so far it has only been at home when friends and family are over - not out in "public", exactly. But thank you for reminding me, I should definitely give it another go.<br /><br />anonomity - it seems that so many young people have an issue with it! Why aren't parents teaching their children that breastfeeding is normal? I will be sure to do that with our kids.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for holding me to it, ladies!Melissa @ Growing Up Geekyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264887640547125833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-81884367502206891662012-01-26T18:23:40.827-05:002012-01-26T18:23:40.827-05:00I have seen all forms of breastfeeding in public. ...I have seen all forms of breastfeeding in public. I was at a baby fair in the fall with my SIL, and I am a big breastfeeding advocate - public, private, whichever way - anyway, this lady was rather obese, she had her older babe in her arms, literally whipped out one of the biggest boobs I've ever seen and started feeding her babe. I thought "WOW! Good for her...but not for me." I can breastfeed in public, but I always did it with a cover. I could feed him anywhere, anytime...but it does take practice, and getting into a routine. I will probably only ever breastfeed without a cover infront of my mom, husband, and sisters-in-law...or friends who are also nursing. But that's just me. Give it a go with #2! You'll be surprised!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-11785325250799361612012-01-26T18:19:30.666-05:002012-01-26T18:19:30.666-05:00GAH! OMG!!! I've been in the same situation wi...GAH! OMG!!! I've been in the same situation with super swollen hard overly full tatas flying for 13 hours with a baby who had sucking issues. I did bottles on the plane but planned to nurse in the airports. well. No family bathrooms, awesome. I did find a bathroom with like a communal bench and halfway through attempting to feed my pissed off baby this old woman just started stripping down next to us and giving herself a sponge bath. oi vei. needless to say i ended up leaking the entire last flight we were on and just had to sit there...wet... My son hates the cover but is finally getting used to it now and if a little boob slips out i just laugh and fix it..oh well..better than, like you said, sitting in a bathroom stall with someone taking a nasty poo.Joyce Follis of HelloHealinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06452989624332766516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-76836090427812990662012-01-26T15:55:16.571-05:002012-01-26T15:55:16.571-05:00Don't be so hard on yourself, Mama G. People w...Don't be so hard on yourself, Mama G. People will find any and every reason to judge a new mom, and you were just trying to avoid that.<br /><br />Seeing moms nurse in public makes me want to high five them or something, although I never do that. I hate that there are people out there who don't think it's OK to feed a dang baby.Ronni @ Anywhere Ishttp://anywhere-is.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-45456471584039361072012-01-26T15:34:28.186-05:002012-01-26T15:34:28.186-05:00You can do it!! I never nursed in public with C bu...You can do it!! I never nursed in public with C but with baby #2 I am also going to try and not be so scared. It really makes me sad that something so natural has been made to seem so unnatural.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10401508407370761243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-38552946201385341462012-01-26T14:43:25.711-05:002012-01-26T14:43:25.711-05:00I was like that to start with but I got over it wi...I was like that to start with but I got over it with help - the first place I nursed in 'public' was at a breastfeeding group. It was in a public place (the library) but there were lots of other women doing the same thing. It really helped. The next time I was in a coffee shop and I'd seen another woman breastfeeding a little while before with no-one staring so thought I'd try... and no-one even looked. Since then I've done it all kinds of public places! Maybe people in the UK are less weird about it. Good luck with your next - maybe find some other Mums and breastfeed together in a fairly quiet place first until you're confident, that definitely helped me!Emmahttp://www.thingstobakeanddo.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-47384301956065546942012-01-26T13:35:48.040-05:002012-01-26T13:35:48.040-05:00You know what's funny? I'm more comfortab...You know what's funny? I'm more comfortable NIP around a bunch of strangers than I am when I'm with our group of friends. In public, I don't know the people who are passing by, and could care less. When my husband and I are at a friend's house for an evening, I feel awkward feeding my baby because I know it's awkward for the guys in the group. We're the first family in our group to have a baby, so BFing is very out of the norm for them. I still feed BF Kayleigh when we're there, but if I plan ahead, I'll often opt to pump and bring bottles instead. That's my form of wimpiness :)<br /><br />♥ Bethany<br /><br />www.happyhomemaker.meBethany @happyhomemakermehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13699136978045384724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-69530490706088273232012-01-26T12:57:03.310-05:002012-01-26T12:57:03.310-05:00i'm right there with you!! i've been brea...i'm right there with you!! i've been breastfeeding 18.5 months now and never once nursed in public. in the car, yes, in the bathroom on the toilet, yes.basebell6https://www.blogger.com/profile/12476758880824912257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-39539681677556072792012-01-26T12:43:47.967-05:002012-01-26T12:43:47.967-05:00I NIP now all the time. The nursing cover isn'...I NIP now all the time. The nursing cover isn't cutting it now that B can rip it off. I just settle her via the cover, then take it off and let her be comfortable. We only had one "nipple situation" in public when B bit me for the first time in Panera. I screamed out in shocked pain and baby proceeded to lift off showing all of my girls. Oh well. Panera patrons got a show. Go for it lady! Screw em all!mrs.monica @ RTP_inHeelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14733835493878516811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-86053461768203155392012-01-26T12:31:48.503-05:002012-01-26T12:31:48.503-05:00I am all about nursing in public, but you do need ...I am all about nursing in public, but you do need to be comfortable with it. I have found in situations where I am not comfortable and trying to breastfeed it doesn't end up working out well. It takes me longer to let down which equals an unhappy baby.<br /><br />But at the same time you should feel comfortable! And I hope you grow those balls! It just takes a few times and you will get use to it, I promise. <br /><br />Nursing tanks help a lot too, they help in not showing much while nursing in public. Also, the more you nurse in public the more you get use to it and you get better and better at showing less. Promise.<br /><br />I find that people generally try and avoid looking at you once they know what is going on, but if they do stare, look them in the eye and smile and they will stop staring. I think they are necessarily judging when they look (but sometimes there is judgement) they just really aren't use to seeing someone do that in public.<br /><br />So you should breastfeed in public so that more people get use to the idea. And Carina will see your confidence and that will be amazing as well.<br /><br />Sorry, I just wrote a lot. In short Good Luck! I know you can do it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590232957190563888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-79449059731880551752012-01-26T11:44:48.637-05:002012-01-26T11:44:48.637-05:00LOVE this! I too haven't officially fed E in ...LOVE this! I too haven't officially fed E in public yet either... the closest I came was the movie theater bathroom (but standing by the sinks and not in a stall -- too gross, I just couldn't do it! lol). One older lady who came in smiled sweetly at me, then a younger girl came in and shot me a look of disgust. Sigh. I need to learn to care less about what others think as well. <br /><br />Good luck growing some lady balls for BFing #2 in public! I'm sure you can do it! :-)anonomityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545417876262273845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-3776823550168473142012-01-26T11:41:56.689-05:002012-01-26T11:41:56.689-05:00When my son was brand new I felt a little nervous ...When my son was brand new I felt a little nervous about nursing in public, but as others have said, it was either suck it up or deal with a hungry, crabby baby. I had to just put out of my mind what other people may have thought and once I did that, I totally stopped caring :) You can think whatever you want to think about me feeding my baby the best possible food for him! And you know what? I never got one side-eye, not one raised eyebrow, not one comment. So go for it! You'll feel so empowered! One tip that really helped me was to ditch the nursing cover (I always found it a little cumbersome anyway) and just toss an Aaden and Anais muslin blanket over you and baby. Those things are the best for NIP - so lightweight, so breathable, so generously sized. I really think the reason no one ever reacted to me nursing was that half the time they had no idea what was going on under there! Seriously, they're perfect!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04797891349059780209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-68943619993823905842012-01-26T11:36:50.080-05:002012-01-26T11:36:50.080-05:00I always wear a nursing tank under my shirt and us...I always wear a nursing tank under my shirt and use a blanket to cover anything else. I do not let the blanket touch her head though because then she will yank it away lol. I thought you had that bonnet that you reviewed and said worked well? I was going to get something like that for baby #2 but if it didn't work out for you then, we will skip it. Have you ever considered going to the car? We use a lot of public transportation here in NYC so I usually just walk outside to a bench but never the restroom. No one eats in a restroom so I wouldn't like for DD to eat there either. Good luck for baby number 2, I hope by then you will be able to whip it out. Who cares what others think, you are giving baby the best nutrition possible!!Mishuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147801562398786275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-48087342773010397302012-01-26T11:29:54.132-05:002012-01-26T11:29:54.132-05:00I breastfed in public a lot and it never occurred ...I breastfed in public a lot and it never occurred to me to care until after I'd stopped breast feeding completely and read your blog haha. And now I don't know if I could do it again because I'll be totally self conscious of people staring. I think the best bet is just to let it go, focus on something else, like baby. Or stare right back and roll eyes at whoever is weirdly staring. Creeps.MamaBear13https://www.blogger.com/profile/03826981184901297060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-2236579964153020292012-01-26T11:12:56.605-05:002012-01-26T11:12:56.605-05:00If I had been able to breastfeed I think I would h...If I had been able to breastfeed I think I would have struggled with this too -- just because I am a people pleaser and I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. But I think of it this way -- I don't let anything get in the way of doing what I think is best for my baby in any other facet of her life. So why wouldn't I do the same here. The comfort of other people is not nearly as important as the comfort of my kid -- to me. I guess what I am saying is: you can do it, and if someone is an asshole to you I'll personally drive to CT and have a come to Jesus talk with him/her. Also FWIW, about a month ago I was chatting with another mother at the pediatrician. We both had little girls and she was nursing and I would never have known if I hadn't seen her little girl tugging at her shirt. I think people think nursing is a lot more "scandalous" than it is. Unless you are sitting topless you can't see anything. That was long and ramble-y but I mean to say, I support you, and you can do it.Sarah @ Vol Family Life https://www.blogger.com/profile/16412363405874844966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272432864456491078.post-85462694104815914172012-01-26T10:12:52.049-05:002012-01-26T10:12:52.049-05:00I hope you never feel like you have to nurse in th...I hope you never feel like you have to nurse in the bathroom again. No momma should have to do that. For what it's worth, if it takes time to work up the courage, I've never been in a store that wouldn't let me use a dressing room to nurse in. If i think someone is going to look at me weird I just take piece of clothing in with me. I'll nurse my baby anywhere, but when they get to the distractible nurser stage I love using dressing rooms to help baby focus.Madame Awesomepantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16974894897229905098noreply@blogger.com