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Monday, June 16, 2008
Breastfeeding Protocol
If you have been following my blog for awhile, I'm sure you've figured out that I am a strong supporter of breastfeeding. I must be, to be audacious enough to have both a Good Eats At Mama's link and products with this same slogan at my shop. Folks feel free to snag for yourself a link or some products! Nothing like sneaking in a little self promo when possible. HA!
So there you have it kids, this Mama's all for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding makes sense for the lifestyle I try to live. It's natural, it's frugal and it's healthy for both Mama and baby. It encompasses all the attributes of the green lifestyle that I strive for. Breastfeeding, like other aspects of natural parenting, is an extension of living green, in my opinion.
Moreover, breastfeeding is quite convenient. No need to carry around countless bottles and formula. I love to travel lightly and breastfeeding affords me this. Forget having to worry about germs on bottles. I'm terribly mysophobic when it comes to sickness and germs - I constantly sanitize everything. It's the best food-on-the-go out there for babies - it's always prepared with very little effort from Mama.
There is also the improved health factor for babies. Seriously, y'all I'm beginning to believe breast milk has superpowers. It might be the kryptonite against all that ails us. When Lil One was 2 months he got an eye infection from who-knows-where. When he woke up one morning his eye was caked shut with goop. When I cleaned his eye lids, his eye was a pinkish colour so I knew he had an infection. I remembered reading that breast milk will sometimes clear up an infected baby's eye. I decided to try it for a day to see if there was any improvement. If not, I would call the doctor the next day. Three times that day I applied a few drops of breast milk to each eye. The next morning Lil One's infected eye had completely cleared up and he didn't experience any issues again. The uninfected eye never became infected either. I'm telling you folks, "Mama's milk" is mighty stuff.
Do I come across as a hardcore lactivist? Are the following thoughts wondering through you head:
"I'm sure this woman just whips out the goods and breastfeeds her baby anywhere. She probably doesn't consider decorum or etiquette when feeding her baby since she probably thinks she entitled to feed her baby anywhere. Shoot, I bet she's a lactivists who was at one of those "nurse-ins" (a play on sit-ins) for the rights of nursing Mamas to breastfeed in public. This Ana girls probably a Breastfeeding Nazi!"
Side note: If you are looking for a truly entertaining read you must click on that Breastfeeding Nazi tag. It's unbelievable the ignorance people will spew out in the name of freedom of speech.
I do strongly support breastfeeding, but I do have issues with some of the public breastfeeding I've witnessed. There's a certain breastfeeding protocol breastfeeding Mamas should adhere to, in my opinion. There's no need to exhibit yourself. Cover up, would you please? I beg you. Our breastfeeding marketplace is saturated with cute, trendy covers, from slings to hiders that allow your nursling to indulge to his fancy completely unbeknown to the world. I don't see anything wrong with showing a little modesty while you nurse publicly. Yes, I know that Mamas that bottle feed don't have to cover up the bottles and I've heard it said that some lactivists are offended by the sight of a baby being bottle fed. C'mon now. Bottle. Breast. There is a significant difference with regards to indecent exposure. Just sayin' folks. Just sayin.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
Sha~Dou!
So there you have it kids, this Mama's all for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding makes sense for the lifestyle I try to live. It's natural, it's frugal and it's healthy for both Mama and baby. It encompasses all the attributes of the green lifestyle that I strive for. Breastfeeding, like other aspects of natural parenting, is an extension of living green, in my opinion.
Moreover, breastfeeding is quite convenient. No need to carry around countless bottles and formula. I love to travel lightly and breastfeeding affords me this. Forget having to worry about germs on bottles. I'm terribly mysophobic when it comes to sickness and germs - I constantly sanitize everything. It's the best food-on-the-go out there for babies - it's always prepared with very little effort from Mama.
There is also the improved health factor for babies. Seriously, y'all I'm beginning to believe breast milk has superpowers. It might be the kryptonite against all that ails us. When Lil One was 2 months he got an eye infection from who-knows-where. When he woke up one morning his eye was caked shut with goop. When I cleaned his eye lids, his eye was a pinkish colour so I knew he had an infection. I remembered reading that breast milk will sometimes clear up an infected baby's eye. I decided to try it for a day to see if there was any improvement. If not, I would call the doctor the next day. Three times that day I applied a few drops of breast milk to each eye. The next morning Lil One's infected eye had completely cleared up and he didn't experience any issues again. The uninfected eye never became infected either. I'm telling you folks, "Mama's milk" is mighty stuff.
Do I come across as a hardcore lactivist? Are the following thoughts wondering through you head:
"I'm sure this woman just whips out the goods and breastfeeds her baby anywhere. She probably doesn't consider decorum or etiquette when feeding her baby since she probably thinks she entitled to feed her baby anywhere. Shoot, I bet she's a lactivists who was at one of those "nurse-ins" (a play on sit-ins) for the rights of nursing Mamas to breastfeed in public. This Ana girls probably a Breastfeeding Nazi!"
Side note: If you are looking for a truly entertaining read you must click on that Breastfeeding Nazi tag. It's unbelievable the ignorance people will spew out in the name of freedom of speech.
I do strongly support breastfeeding, but I do have issues with some of the public breastfeeding I've witnessed. There's a certain breastfeeding protocol breastfeeding Mamas should adhere to, in my opinion. There's no need to exhibit yourself. Cover up, would you please? I beg you. Our breastfeeding marketplace is saturated with cute, trendy covers, from slings to hiders that allow your nursling to indulge to his fancy completely unbeknown to the world. I don't see anything wrong with showing a little modesty while you nurse publicly. Yes, I know that Mamas that bottle feed don't have to cover up the bottles and I've heard it said that some lactivists are offended by the sight of a baby being bottle fed. C'mon now. Bottle. Breast. There is a significant difference with regards to indecent exposure. Just sayin' folks. Just sayin.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
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13 comments:
Good one!
I just want to start by saying that I'm thrilled you are so supportive of breastfeeding.
For me, it's virtually impossible to 'cover up' because I have a distractable little guy who grabs and pulls at anything within his reach. My approach is to find a calm and peaceful place to feed him. I find I call MORE attention to the act if I try to hide beneath a blanket or cover thingy because I can't keep it from getting pulled off by a playful baby. I wear nursing friendly tops and nursing bras. Unfortunately, sometimes he does pull off and look around or get fussy at my breast.
Believe me, I am not interested in showing off my lactating boobies, but the baby isn't as cooperative as I'd like, at times. I try to be discreet, but it all depends on how discreet my baby wants to be. I think that this is often neglected by people wishing for moms to cover up - the baby is an active participant and may not cooperate with mom.
Sadly, this makes nursing in public scary and intimidating - the fear of people judging and shaking their heads in disgust. It's a shame because I can't think of a more natural and beautiful act. Our breasts ARE meant to feed babies.
I am all for publc modesty when breast feeding- I didn't feel comfortable BEING exposed. However if you notice a mom nursing- glance away. You don't HAVE to GAWK and be offended.
Ana I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU!!! I couldn't agree more. I support breastfeeding and breastfed both my girls. It just irks me like no one's biz why Moms don't make the effort to cover up.
I understand when feeding an older baby or toddler it IS harder to stop them from moving around. But I've seen Moms that just flat out made no effort to cover up and just let one of the "twins" hang there. The baby wasn't even feeding, but just sitting on the Mom's lap. What the heck was that all about???
I think it's situations like this that cause breastfeeding Moms to have a bad rap. Why expose yourself unnecessarily. I'm not one to stare. I DON'T have an interest in some other womans boobies. But can you fault a child or unsuspecting stranger for doing a double glance?? I think not. I think this is particularly bad taste when it comes to children. Not all children have been exposed to breastfeeding and they can't be faulted for staring. Sure a Mom can tell her child not to gawk. Then again why can't the breastfeeding mother not try to draw attention to herself as well. Breastfeeding is a beautiful act and a beautiful bonding experieince. Why ruin the beauty of it by unnecessary exposure???
GREAT POST!
KC
P.s You are brave to post this! lol I'm sure you will get your share of those that disagree. But I know you can handle it.
You go girl! I too am very pro breast feeding. I breast fed all my babies for at least 2 years each. At one point I even had 2 nursing at the same time.
When it comes to nursing in public I never really have any trouble being descret. I always carry my babies in a sling to nurse and unless you stopped me and looked in the sling you would not know what I was doing. As they got older and heavier I would find a quiet spot to nurse them like a dressing room at walmart or the magazine lane at Publix. It can be done with modesty, although I know some mamas who just don't even try.
My pet peave is those that see you nursing an older child (a walker) and comes to you to try and have a conversation about the age of the child and how long you plan on nursing. I just can't stand that it makes me want to just scream out loud "it is none of you beez wax" Ok I got to stop typing I'm starting to get a little preachy here.
Great post girl.
Awh crap! When will people grow the hell up?! Breastfeeding or bottle feeding, what the frog is the difference when it comes to feeding in public? You know what this society is?... anti-family and anti-children and it makes me want to puke!
As far as I'm concerned it's up to each and every woman to decide when, how and showing however much skin or not she wants to when it comes to nurturing her child in public or otherwise.
I do not breastfeed - that's a long story - but I would probably try to be discreet if doing so. Some others don't so, whatever. To each her own. People don't have to look if they choose not to. While I am a very "in your face" kinda of girl, I'd rather not be stickin' my breasts in just anyone's face! Ha!
Okay, enough of my oh-so-preggo, sciatica driven angriness for today!
Great post, Ana!!!!!
Never had a problem covering up myself but some folks don't mind whipping out the boobie anywhere. I've been a witness too many times..lol
What an awesome post. I am very probreastfeeding aka a lactivist aka a breastfeeding nazi LOL. Check out my post if you would like Breastfeeding blog post (hope that link worked). I was a pro at nursing in public LOL. My youngest weanted at 27 months and I miss it dearly
My son particularly was fussy and would pull and tug off anything that I used to hide my boobs. He hated being under a blanket or cover up. However I would always find a way to cover myself somehow.
I have seen some moms in Walmart, not once, not twice, but more times than I can count, just walking around the place with boobs exposed. Baby wasn't even nursing. I don't understand that.
I am all for breastfeeding but realize it's not possible for everyone. I almost gave up because both my kids had latching on issues but thanks to my mom's "just bare with the pain" attitude (in a very positive way of course) I continued to try. It took about 1 month for them both to breastfeed properly and I am so happy that I did it. I can't wait to do it again in a couple months.
I have never seen a woman breastfeed in public and I never knew it was such a problem until I started reading blogs. Years ago I thought it was disgusting, because I thought it would feel uncomfortable having the little sucking the girls.
I'm modest about the girls, so I'd most definitely cover up. All I want to do is feed my child, not bring attention to myself and cause an uproar. I have yet to nurse in public because I don't have a hooter hider yet. I did pump in the car on the expressway, lol.
I am right there with on the breastfeeding. Even though I only BF-ed for a year I tried to be discreet about it. I left a dinner to sit outside on the patio to BF my daughter and had one of the guys come out and ask me what I was doing?!?!?!?! On road trips when I stopped at rest stops I sat in the backseat and people still stopped and stared!!!!!!!! Stop looking if it bothers you!!!!!!!!!!!
I was very lucky to have my first child in Seattle where I got more dirty looks when I fed him a bottle of expressed breast milk than I ever did nursing in public lol. I always considered myself a lactivist, unapologetically nursing in public until my husband pointed out that i always used my sling. I've nursed anywhere and everywhere but most people couldn't tell what was going on (or got a big surprise the few times people tried to peek inside the sling).
I'm comfortable with whatever works for people as far as nursing goes in public. In other parts of the world it simply is not a big deal for a woman to have her breasts out because they are first and foremost made for feeding babies. I cringe more at the way breasts are overtly sexualized in this country- and how many women (particularly in our culture) would never possibly consider breastfeeding because they their their breasts are for men only. Read about triple negative breast cancer and african-american women for a real eye opener.
Great post!
I covered up early on, but then I would just lift my shirt discreetly with baby positioned for nursing.