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Covering Up While Breastfeeding – Yay or Nay?

Modified on August 8, 2013 at 6:10 PM

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The subject of breastfeeding in public has been coming up on my Facebook newsfeed an awful lot lately and the debate it getting hot! Being a mom of two that breastfed, I certainly have my own opinions but I’m wondering what you ladies think…

breastfeeding

(Image Source: http://www.bebeaulait.com and http://www.acutezmedia.com/health/breastfeeding-bond-between-mother-and-baby/ )

I breastfed my two babies till they were over almost two (although of course nursing after 12+ months was usually only at night so never had to take place out in public) and I would never just whip my boob out in front of people and put on a show. Yes I nursed in restaurants, stores, malls, themeparks, etc and I did not go to a bathroom to do it. But guess what, nobody ever saw my boob except my baby and I didn’t use a cover or a blanket 90% of the time!!!!!!!

If you wear nursing tops or a loose shirt on top of a nursing tank, it’s very easy to nurse a baby discreetly and modestly. I’ve only been asked to cover up ONCE and it was from someone who thought it was inappropriate for me to nurse my infant in front of her 3 year old son… WHY? I don’t know!!! Considering at no time was my breast actually exposed or showing and considering that child had been breastfed up until less than a year earlier, I can only conclude that it was just that person’s “mood” that day. In my opinion we should teach our children that breastfeeding is NORMAL and GOOD and that’s what boobs are FOR! But that’s another issue entirely… Besides that one time, I’ve never had anyone ask me to “cover up”, go elsewhere or give me dirty looks, even on an airplane. Why? Because no one could tell what I was doing! Just looked like I was holding a sleeping baby.

Do I think people should be offended by women breastfeeding? NO.

Do I think women should be intimidated into nursing in bathrooms or worse, not at all? NO.

Should people be offended or irritated by seeing a boob in public? Well…. people don’t seem to mind all the boobs on store ads or walking down the street in a low-cut cleavage-enhancing top, so why be bothered by seeing a hint of one that is half in a baby’s mouth?! Double standard here. If we are going to demand modesty of nursing mothers than we should go into every Victoria’s Secret store and complain about their ads in the windows too. Right?

In short… Babies have to eat, that’s what God MADE boobs for and you see a LOT more boob-age walking by a Victoria’s Secret in the mall or looking at just about any swimsuit on the beach, then you see when a mother is nursing her baby. Facebook is notorious for having a double standard here where extremely offensive and practically pornographic pictures are strewn all over facebook, but God forbid if a mother posts a picture of herself nursing her newborn. All hell breaks loose!

From what I’ve seen, mother’s nursing babies are a lot more “considerate of others” and have more “manners” than most women walking down the street in skimpy clothing or wearing a swimsuit at the pool. Nursing mother’s aren’t purposely trying to expose themselves (99% of the time unless they are trying to make a point…) however most women these days (esp young ones) look to expose themselves whenever they can and no one bats an eyelash about that it seems. Why are we holding nursing mother’s to a different standard than the rest of the female population that expose themselves for sexual purposes rather than utilitarian purposes? Severely overweight people dressing super skimpy and completely immodestly in public…? To me, that’s rude and inconsiderate of others!!! New mom trying to get the hang of nursing showing a lot less boob than can be seen in a Victoria’s Secret ad? Not so much.

Am I going to go participate in a public “nurse-in” to make a point? Of course not, because that’s just stupid!!!!!!!!!!! Am I going to whip my boob out and leave it on the table in a restaurant for everyone to look at in the name of “I’m nursing so you shouldn’t be offended by this here boob!” hahaha NO!!!!!!!!!!! But I’m not going to get my knickers in a twist about mom’s nursing their babies in public without a cover. Of course there is a big difference between “not covering up on purpose” and leaving your entire boob out of a shirt for everyone to look at JUST to make a point (which honestly I have NEVER seen any nursing mother do, only heard about it) and just being a normal mom just feeding your baby.

There are plenty of gorgeous, functional and easy to use nursing covers readily available these days. You can also find nursing clothes in just about any store now, including Target. It is easier than ever to breastfeed your baby in this day and age, so why is it still such a controversial subject?

In my experience, almost all moms are modest about breastfeeding in public and very, very few are looking to “make a point” and be non-discreet.

Most of the time when you hear stories about women being asked to nurse elsewhere, (like that story of the woman on the American Airlines flight) it’s NOT because they aren’t being modest!!!! It’s because some people have hangups about it and don’t “get” that breastfeeding is what boobs are intended for and are hell-bent on making nursing mother’s uncomfortable so they won’t nurse in public at all.

Be modest? Yes of course. Be afraid to breastfeed out in public because one lone idiot might be offended by the act? Not so much.

I think the main thing to remember here, which my good friend and nursing mother of TWINS, so kindly pointed out – “HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!” Obviously some people are going to be offended just “thinking” about it, even if you have a giant blanket covering you and nothing is showing. If you can avoid offending people, do so, because why cause unnecessary conflict? But on the flip side, don’t rule out breastfeeding all together just because someone might take offense to it. Like my friend suggested… just use common sense.

What are your thoughts on the subject, ladies? Are you offended by seeing women breastfeeding in public? Do you think women should cover up while nursing?

 

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on August 8, 2013 at 7:05 AM
Filed Under: Breastfeeding
Tagged With: Breastfeeding, nursing covers, nursing tank, nursing tops

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

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Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

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Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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