10 Strangers Who Helped Me Feel Empowered When I Breastfed In Public
byFiona Tapp
Before I had a baby and started breastfeeding, it was fairly rare for me to expose my breasts in public. OK, I did have a short amateur career as a burlesque dancer but, well, pasties cover quite a lot. Despite my past, I did initially find nursing in company a little embarrassing. With support from my partner and family, I eventually became more comfortable (thankfully). In fact, I was surprised by the ways even a few strangers actually helped me feel empowered when I breastfed in public.
Anyone who has tried to feed a baby in a busy mall or restaurant knows that protecting your modesty (if you care about that sort of thing) is really tricky when a squirmy, hungry baby (who doesn't appreciate a nursing cover) is thrown into the mix. Articles of clothing are bound to move in ways you didn't intend, flesh is bound to be exposed in ways others may not entirely appreciate, and you may very well be left feeling exposed when, honestly, any woman who is feeding another human being with her body should feel emboldened.
As a society we need to support women in their decisions and not shame them for deciding to either breastfeed or bottle feed. After all, how anyone chooses to feed their child is a personal parenting decision, made more difficult when people place their own judgments on new moms. So, when breastfeeding mothers fear comments or negative attention when feeding their baby in public, the entire "How am I going to feed my kid today?" decision making process can be altered.
Thankfully, I did find that even though people continue to have a problem with breastfeeding in public (it's 2016, people) there are more than a few supportive people around, too. In fact, the following strangers made me feel strong, empowered, and capable when feeding my kid in public, so there's hope, breastfeeding moms. There's definitely hope.
The Mall Planners Who Made Family Rooms
As much as I have no problem breastfeeding in public, and I think more of us should do it to aid in normalizing a totally natural event, I do understand that some people would rather feed their baby in private (and there are some occasions where a quiet spot is beneficial to your little one).
That's when I have to give it up to the strangers who designed nursing and family rooms. I have visited some really nice ones with rocking chairs, couches, televisions, and amenities that make a nursing break as much a rest for mom as it is for baby.
The Silent Mom
I was breastfeeding at an airport once, when a baby carrier mom walked up to me — her little one snuggled into her chest for a nap — and, without a word, placed a card in front of me, smiled and walked away. The card said:
"Thank you for breastfeeding in public, you are setting a great example." I still have it to this day.
I love Pink. I love her music, her look, and her attitude. So, when she posted pictures of her breastfeeding her child, it made me feel that not only was public breastfeeding acceptable, but also that I was supported.