Good for you!!

I am all for it! I remember being shamed when I was breastfeeding my son and I wish I had been angry enough to stand up for myself then. Next time I definitely will.

“Like Ollivander’s Wand Shop for the lactating wizard.” – Genius. Actually laughed out loud.

I don’t even have babies and I feel strongly about this!!! I think the fact that is gross to use boobs to feed babies, or creepy, or anything makes me angry. Mainly because this IS a woman’s body!
I was getting ready to workout after work (5 pm) and put on my shorts, shirt (with built-in sports bra), shoes, etc. Office was cold and nipples were hard. They showed through like hard nipples do. My boss, a woman that is NOT known for her prudence, was all up in the air about it letting me know of the said nipples. I said “I am a woman, therefore I have boobs, and those boobs have nipples of them. If people feel uncomfortable it’s not my problem.” it’s the first time I’ve responded so strongly to someone telling me that I gotta cover my body. I think I was a little snappy because I felt fat that day and I realized that I felt bad because I assumed people would think and make bad comments about my body. I was mad that other people’s problems with my love handles would make for such a bad day. So if you are working out hard in step aerobics, all sweaty and the A/C kicks on you most likely will have hard nipples and that is totally fine! If you must feed the baby in public that is FINE! I think all stems from controlling women’s bodies. If we make them gross and creepy then no one needs to policy or legislate against showing boob that way. Because social expectation will be enough to deter you. Aw, makes me wanna cry!

I did the nursing cover thing with baby #1. Baby two has been under it, maybe once? And that was only because I couldn’t be bothered to move to the mothers’ lounge since my hubby was speaking and what was I going to do with the boy (formerly baby #1)? Yeah, I’m with you Nat. Busted it out at the library today.

The thing I find fascinating is this: What form does the “public shaming” take? In my experience no one has ever said anything. Ever. But it’s like this: pointed not-looking-at-you. Refusal to look at you even when speaking to you. Refusal to speak to you, occasionally. It is weird. Also sometimes pointed not-mentioning-it. Like, a kid is looking at you like “what is she doing?” and the mom is like “La dee dah, honey! Look, a distraction!” and I’m like, “you know you could take this opportunity to explain breastfeeding to your child. Not that I’m telling you how to parent. But it would make me feel less awkward if you stopped acting like what I was doing was unmentionable.” Also sometimes it’s just that there is no comfy chair, you know? It’s not just for fun and for decoration that many womens’ restrooms have cushy chairs in them. But somewhere that has gotten lost, to some places? Because people think nursing is weird now?

I find covers in the nursing lounge RIDICULOUS.

Next you’ll be nursing in Sacrament, like moi.

You know how I feel about this: nursing mothers need support.

I like phdinparenting’s post “Covering is a Feminist Issue” where she argues that nursing with zero coverage to burqa coverage is up to the comfort level of the woman and no one else has the right to tell her to cover. I would prefer if women everywhere ditched the tents (we KNOW what you’re DOING in there) and nursed like it wasn’t a big deal, because it isn’t. However, I get that some women don’t feel comfortable otherwise (which I find a sad comment on society more than a comment on her feelings about nursing.)

Go on with your bad self. I’m right behind you.

The nursing cover thing is not universal. In the city where I live, I see people nursing without them all the time (including myself). Truth be told, I’m always surprised to see a cover in use- and I (probably wrongfully) assume the woman must have some sort of long term body image issue to be that nervous. Like someone else said… we all know what you are doing in there! I’ve nursed both my kids in public without any cover up dozens, if not hundreds of times, without any issues. Now that I think of it, the only time I’ve ever “covered up” was at a wedding where I was a bridesmaid, so I had to take off my whole darn top to get the job done- and of course I didn’t want to be topless at a friend’s wedding, I just wanted to nurse.

You go girl! We need more women like you. (And ‘Ollivander’s Wand Shop for the lactating Wizard’? Excellent!)

I also loved your Harry Potter reference. The only place I use a cover is at my parents house when my 16 year old brother and dad are around. Anywhere else and I’m coverless. I’m not sure if this makes much sense logically, but it is what it is.

P.S. I have two teenage brothers. They were alarmed at first, to be sure. But I kind of think teen boys are the ones who MOST need the exposure to uncovered nursing, because they are the ones being hit hardest with the sexualization of breasts.

And they’re chill about it now.

Last one, I swear.

Just want to add that you really can be “covered” without being *covered*. Shirt + baby’s head do the job just fine for me most times. We have some close shaves when baby unexpectedly plunges off, sure. But again, with a relatively calm nursing baby and some practice, you will likely never flash anyone.

As a brand-new mum myself, I’ve gotten many a glare from people while breastfeeding in public – even with a blanket over my little one’s noggin’! This is in England, mind you, so the most uptight of European countries, in my opinion. It’s a bit daunting at first to even dare to take your breasts out in public (unless of course you had a Mardi Gras phase in college), so to then be faced with critical stares even with covering makes the whole act a bit nerve-wracking for me now. I’ve only done it twice, both with skillfully draped blankets so nothing is on show at all, but I’m hoping that with practice I’ll gain the confidence to drop the cover alltogether – good luck with your experiment and can’t wait to hear the results!

I’m with you!!

Amen! I gave up on the nursing cover many months ago, and I have NEVER – and will never – nurse in a bathroom. Gross! Like you, I have never considered myself an “activist,” but I refuse to be ashamed for FEEDING MY BABY wherever he needs it. And I don’t need to hide.

I always thought it was funny that I saw more breasts as a missionary in Argentina than I ever saw at home. A little shocking at first, because yes, breasts can be sexual/arousing, but I’ve never thought “gross” or “inappropriate” – honestly, I don’t know how a woman could care if someone though that. To me it’d be like caring what a racist thinks if you’re friends with a minority. “Oh? It bothers you? How sad for you.”

I’m with you! I have a six-week-old and am in the same position. Off with the covers!

Occasionally I’ll toss a blanket or burp rag over the baby while I get her situated and latched on (especially if I’m at my inlaws’ house or have others sitting nearby), but I let her enjoy her meals out in the open air. Besides, your shirt covers pretty much everything anyway.

You go girl! I breastfeed too, but I cover up, I guess I’m not as brave as you. I totally wish I was though! So lots of respect & admiration from me. Love the wizard & wand comment!

I nursed my little guy in public all of the time, at restaurants, concerts, moving vehicles ( with the little one properly seated in his car seat of course!), pretty much everywhere. I just always made sure to dress in a way that I could be discrete about it. Often so discrete that people never realized what I was doing! I feel as though the covers draw a lot more attention to the fact that you are nursing. The one time I tried to use one, all he did was kick at pull at the cover – he caused such a fuss that the whole place was looking at us and he never ended up eating!

I have 2 kids and I have nursed them everywhere and never used a cover. BUT: I’m very poorly endowed, so shirt / baby covers everything, and both my kids were excellent nursers so I didn’t need to fiddle around. So — I don’t think its weird that other people cover. To each his own. Whatever works for you and your baby.

It does bug me that people are against public nursing, though. It’s normal! Natural! Get over it! My MIL gave me two nursing covers after my second. My DH told her thanks, but I’ll never use them (don’t know why he just didn’t stop after thanks!) She was aghast. “what about being in public? What if other people are uncomfortable?”. Duh! Then they SHOULDN’T LOOK!! heh!

Good luck with nursing in public!!

You go, girl! I find that a good nursing top covers things enough. DS isn’t a fan of the burp rag or blanket and rips them off. I was sure we would be arrested while traveling in the US earlier this year but we survived without incident. But it definitely felt like a bigger deal there than it does in Switzerland. Although I think we’re getting to the stage where people might think I’m overdoing it – DS is barely 6 mos but huge (over 21 lbs) so people naturally think he’s older – and BF past 4 mos seems pretty rare here…

I seriously get p***ed off about how squeamish people in the States are. Luckily I’ve been able to have my two boys, and hopefully my third that’s coming, in Spain where I think I’d get weird looks if I tried to use one of those nursing covers. I know I could hardly keep a straight face when an American friend of mine whipped one of those out. My boys pull any cover I try off with a flourish and a very proud look on their face so even when I’m back home in the States, I let my girls and my baby boys breathe. And I repeat to anyone who looks annoyed that I know I can legally breastfeed in any public place I am legally allowed to be in. I understand some women wanting to cover up for their own personal feelings about exposing themselves, and if I’m feeling bad vibes, I put a hand over the boob, but come on? I’m not going to hide nourishing my baby. Most of the time I’m just gazing at him and couldn’t care less what others see or don’t see. Many of them have boobs themselves, many of them like boobs, and many of them need an attitude adjustment in their feelings and proper respect for women, so bring it.

I used to nurse under a cover, until Enfamil sent me some single-serving formula samples with a note saying that “at this age” (which was like 2 months) I may choose to supplement in public. (But, um, how do they know that I’m breastfeeding to begin with?) The implication was that I wouldn’t be comfortable nursing in public because it’s disgusting. It pissed me off so now I whip em out whenever, wherever with NO cover. If it makes someone uncomfortable, that’s their problem. Nursing is normal. Deal with it.

(I don’t think it’s wrong or anything to use a cover though. I just feel much more comfortable not, and it’s easier anyways.)

I think I will join you! I must admit that I usually cover up or go to the ladies room or car to nurse. Not because I am uncomfortable, but because I don’t want to make anyone else uncomfortable. I was recently shopping for rugs with my husband and two month old and I needed to feed the baby and I said to the two men who were helping us, do you mind if I nurse the baby? The one guy said, no problem, you can go to the kitchen in the back. But we were looking at rugs, why would I go to the kitchen in the back? NO thanks, I’ll just sit here, I said. But I did cover up as I got the impression that he preferred if I went in the back…

I will join you though – one of the reasons I use a cover is because it is very, very rare to see a woman breastfeeding in public without one (and I even use one in my own home when my BIL is visiting because it is clear that he is uncomfortable and my sister leaves the room to nurse her son (but I don’t want to miss the party!)) But in order for it to not be rare, someone has to start doing it, so why not me?

So, is it just me or would anyone else assume that “Aly” up above has never actually been to Europe? Porn on billboards? Wha-huh??? I spent a total of 3 months in Europe a few years ago, travelling among 7 different countries, and nary a pornographic billboard did I see. Is there a bit of a naked human body used in some advertisements? Yes. But is it like a freeze frame from a porno movie? No. European people are less likely to see the body as dirty and something that needs to be hidden, and they sexualize the body WAY LESS than American media does. What I’m saying is, if you’re the type who wouldn’t go see the David in Florence (famous statue of a male nude, if you’ve never taken art history), then yes you might be offended by the little bits of nudity in advertisements. But I’m a good, modest, temple-attending Mormon, and I was never offended by the little bit of nudity used. I also believe the body is sacred, but I don’t think that in any way translates to something shameful.

Sorry, long rant. But I’ve heard many a sheltered Utah Mormon talk about those pornographic billboards in Europe, only to find out that no, they’ve never actually been to Europe themselves. Good grief. Do these folks imagine the highways of Europe lined with a long string of Playboy outtakes? The mind reels.

Anyway, Aly: the whole point Natalie is trying to make is that nursing in public does NOT mean showing your boobs. In reference to your comment “I am more modest than some, I don’t want anybody to see my boobs.” Yeah. Natalie is saying that she’s gotten the hang of the process to the point where no one sees anything, which is why she’s comfortable doing it without a cover. I didn’t read a single comment here that alluded to being comfortable with exposing themselves, the point is that you can nurse in public without exposing yourself.

Ha. I wrote all of that and I doubt Aly (or many people) ever return to read any follow-ups to comments they’ve made.

As to Natalie’s challenge: man, I wish I could join you! I weaned my second babe 6 months ago, when she was 22 months, so I’m really missing the nursing thing now. But more to the point: unfortunately I’m not a mama who can nurse without cover, without actually exposing myself. Even though I’m pretty much an expert now, with a total of 31 months of nursing under my belt (good grief! That’s the first time I’ve actually added that up! I’ve spent almost 3 years of my life nursing!) I’m normally a 34 D, so when I’m nursing, they’re somewhere in the range of DD or even E or F. Yikes. I’m always so envious of my nursing friends whose size stays somewhat manageable even when nursing, where they can do the discreet little shirt lift and not worry about the cover. When they’re seriously huge, there’s no discreet shirt lifting. So Bebe au Lait it is for me and my babies!

I did this! It’s fun to feel like a rebel when the cause is good. I rarely encountered any scuff for it. But I was completely confused one Sunday while I nursed, my “shirt artfully draped” in a NURSING room, and another mom quietly came in to tend to her baby, saw me and baby, and stammered, “Oh! I’m sorry!”. She was sorry she caught me nursing in a nursing room? She was embarrassed on my behalf because I was not pretending that I was not nursing in a nursing room? I guess my Finnish culture rubbed off on me in nursing style. I even have friends who express milk before they leave the house so that they can bottle-feed their baby breast milk. So a silicone nipple is a normal way to feed mother’s milk. Breastfeeding is not gross, it’s not sexy, it’s not inappropriate!

Hmm, after reading through the comments, just want to say: I’ve been in Europe for 3 years now and, while the streets are NOT lined with Playboy billboards, I don’t think the notion that Aly might have seen a “porn billboard” over here is so unlikely; it actually seems quite plausible to me. I walk into stores all the time and see pornography magazines all over the place, no plastic coverings, no “behind the counter only” policy. If you turn on the TV any time past 10:00, you’ll see naked bodies on the majority of channels (and not always in the “for artistic purposes only” sense). I’m pretty liberal and, coming from America, it still startles me a bit. I’m also dating a European, who often tells me, “Americans are so conservative when it comes to this stuff!”. Like I said, I’m not even *that* conservative and I still contrast quite a bit with him (and other European friends I’ve made in various countries).

In related news, I’m right there with you, Natalie, and agree 100% with every thing you said. And that Ollivander’s reference? Genius! Can’t wait to join this party when I have a baby.

My breasts are a part of my body that I consider sacred and I choose to not let them be seen by anyone but my husband (and kids, obviously). Therefore, I choose to use a nursing cover to keep myself modest while I’m nursing my baby. I don’t have a problem nursing in public, but I do love the freedom I have to nurse without having to worry about if someone is going to see a boob or not. I think its inappropriate for people to be flashing their boobs all around and thinking its okay because they’re nursing… they’re still sacred parts of our body that we’ve been told to keep modest.

Tell me, how many apples have you ever seen with a nipple on the end? The point isn’t the eating. What’s gross is eating from a part of the female anatomy that is considered indecent to expose under any other circumstance. Don’t expect that people are going to think it’s OK just because you happen to have a baby.

I am currently tandem nursing my 2 year old and 9 month old. I live in Germany and nurse openly and publicly often. Thankfully, I have never encountered anyone rude enough (or ignorant enough?) to say anything. Some pf these comments completely blow my mind. It IS okay to nurse anywhere/anytime just because you have a baby! Give me a break.