Mothering: Lactation and the Law

After nursing three children (one currently), it gives me about 5 years of nursing at home and out and about.  I find it fascinating that people still get grief over nursing. I have NEVER had anyone make any inappropriate commentary or suggest I do my feeding in a more private space.  I've whipped it out, albeit discretely, everywhere, parks, the bus, a plane, restaurants, my boobs have seen it all.  I have to wonder, is it the location that the women choose to nurse putting them in situations where people are offended or are the mom's literally whipping it out with no care for the fact that even though you need to and have a right to feed your child, not everyone wants to see your breast.  It has always been my curiousity.  I can't say that I haven't gotten the "fish eye" when someone is talking to you or taking your order and thinks you have a sleeping baby in your arms, only to find out that peaceful cherub is suckling at your breast - it actually makes me laugh when it happens - it is the sick twisted sense of humor of mine.  Anyway, new to the forum and just thought I'd post my thoughts to this issue.

I tend to act oblivious.  I was nursing DS at a church we were visiting, and the usher (a woman) politely mentioned to me about 3 times that there was a bridal room in the back, and about 3 times I smiled at her and said "Thanks" and just kept right on nursing.  And yes, I had a blanket over me.  Why leave the service, when I'm already sitting in the back row and the baby is quiet and there is nothing showing?  Good grief!

WOW, i would loose my mind if this happened to me:


In 2003, Jacqueline Mercado temporarily lost custody of her two young children after she was reported to Child Protective Services in Richardson, Texas, by an Eckerd drugstore clerk who had processed photographs taken of Mercado breastfeeding her son, then one year old. Mercado and the children's father, both natives of Peru, were arrested and charged with "sexual performance of a child," a felony for which they could have served 20 years in prison.11 It took six months for the local district attorney to drop the charges and for the couple to regain custody of their children.

I don't understand why people get offended by a mother nursing in public. It doesn't hurt anyone and I feel that it is much more healthy and natural to nurse your baby. I nursed my son until he was 13 months old and am nursing my 2 month old baby. I do cover up but I have still gotten some dirty looks on the bus or at the doctors office.

Oh my gosh, this whole thing is just ridiculous. 

I learned to be a breastfeeding mom out on the west coast, where I'd maybe get second glances, but was never questioned about it. 

Now, I'm here in the midwest and people sometimes try to suggest more "private" (a.k.a., out of the way, pain in the ass to get to, away from the speaker/film/sermon I'm trying to see) and I decline.  Sometimes politely, sometimes dismissively, depending on how I'm feeling about the situation.   DD won't tolerate a blanket anywhere near her face while she's nursing, which makes sense to me--who likes eating with a blindfold on?  So it doesn't work to just cover up and be discrete.  And if the non-breastfeeding public thinks I'm going to work my already tight schedule around her feedings to accommodate their comfort level, they're simply stupid.

And that poor Peruvian couple!  I can't believe crap like that happens here in the land of the free.

Had that happen at a church I visited once.  I sat in an alcove in the foyer to nurse.  The babe was in a sling and my back was to the hallway as I was looking out the window while listening to the sermon on the speaker.  3 times I had a gent come up and inform me of the nursery they had.  No, I'm fine, thank you.  I had been in the nursery earlier and it was packed with children and gabbing women...I wanted to hear the sermon.  They are fortunate I even left the sanctuary to nurse...I was in the back row and could have nursed right there...I just wanted the privacy due to being a visitor and all.

So far my boss has been very accommodating.  I presented the legislation and he agreed with it.  I love my job!

I nursed my DD for 14 months, and then nursed my DS for 11 wks . When I was done with nursing we were visiting family for christmas and my SIL, who nursed briefly too, pointed out to everyone that "now we don't have to see my boobs anymore". I thought I had been offended in public with the constant suggestions where I could go but this one actually offended me more. It was family, and I never knew they were so judgemental. I usually never even nursed in front of them because my DD was too nosey and we had to go somewhere private for her to pay attention .

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I totally agree...I can't believe she got arested for that...grr.

a new incident:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25353789/

I am told there is a federal law protecting nursing mothers, allowing them to nurse anywhere, they normal have freedom to be, on federal property.

yuck!

I can't say I care if anyone looks at me if I am NIP, but how weird to have someone come up and say " we have a nursery". That would probably bug me.  I've never noticed anyone BFing in public, but I hardly go to the mall, maybe I just have my head in the sand. Anyway, good job everyone for taking care of your babies!

I NIP.  My DD won't let me use a cover up.  When she was two months old I had one old lady come up to me and complain "You shouldn't be doing that here!   It's unhygienic!"  I was in a food court.  I was stunned for a moment then burst out laughing.  She left in a huff.

It was my only negative comment.  On the other hand, I've had five or six people come up to me to cheer me on.  Which in a weird way was more awkward because I want to concentrate of nursing, not talking to a stranger.

I'm aiming for the WHO gold standard of two years, but I will be interested to see if I get more negative comments as she gets older.