Yesterday, as promised to my 8-year-old stepdaughter, we went to Como Town, a little children's amusement park attached to a zoo here in St. Paul. I hadn't been there since I was a child. It was what I remembered- rides geared to the two through ten crowd (although a lot more expensive than when I was that age!). What I didn't notice as a child where the amount of strollers. Strollers, strollers everywhere, as far as the eye could see. Single strollers, double strollers, triple strollers. Lots and lots of babies.
So where were the breastfeeders? During our entire 3 hours, the only woman nursing in public that I saw was me. I know there was no lactation room in the amusement park- indeed, the only bathroom was a dirty little affair by the entrance. There was one dirty little family restroom- is that where they were?
Did they walk down to the nicer bathrooms in the visitor center? Were they hiding in corners? Maybe the deserted little dolphin area? Going to their cars? I didn't even see any women with the huge nursing covers. Were the babies starving?
I know that many women are afraid to nurse in public- I've been there myself. But in a place where there are so many babies and mothers, shouldn't we feel comfortable to let it all hang out? Come on, mamas- the more we nurse in public, the more normal it seems to everyone around us. Don't be afraid to let those hooters out! And please, no starving babies!
I have nip and I always use a cover. I'm still a little nervous.
ReplyDeleteI never use a cover. I just use the corner of a blanket to cover the top of my breast and then I put that over my nipple when he decides to pull off and look around (often). Plus, this way I don't spray milk everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI don't tend to feed them in public that often now as they don't need to be fed out in public (they are almost 2 1/2 and 4). I did however, feed the youngest at a new toddler group we attended last week - think he was a bit anxious and tired. I have tandem fed, rather openly, at Disneyland Pari when my children became very hot. I did start hiding in my car and under slings, and do tend to feed in a sling a lot when at theme parks. It's a shame more people aren't comfortable to do what is natural and your baby wants and needs.
ReplyDeleteI find it fun to nurse in public at the zoo especially if another mammal is nursing it's young... I don't give a rats what other's think anymore my son is small and looks younger than he is but he's over a year and still loves his boobies or "TIT" time... (loves to shout TIT when hungry)
ReplyDelete