NIP: Nursing In Public. I've done it before; I have three children, all of them have been breastfed, so nursing in public is something I have done many times. However, yesterday is the first time I nursed in public without a cover, and I have to say, I wish I had done it a long time ago!
Joe, I, and the kids went to see fireworks with Tammy and her family. It was at a local festival, so we walked around, let Dustin play some games, got Aryanna a pretty flower halo to wear on her head, and got some funnel cakes. Then we went back to our cars, popped out some fold-up chairs, and relaxed while we waited for the fireworks show. Mira started to get hungry, so I nursed her. As I said, I have nursed in public many times, but never without a cover. I am usually in the grocery store where it is air-conditioned, or at someone's house where I can go into another room. However, this time we were outside, where the heat was already pretty strong, and my vehicle does not have air conditioning. So, I was not going to cover Mira in a blanket and make her sweat and over-heat just so she could get her meal. So for the first time, I just (discreetly) pulled out my breast and let her eat. I honestly wish I would have done this for all of my children.
First off, no matter where you are, when using a cover, you always make the baby and yourself sweat. Always. The skin-to-skin plus being smothered by a blanket causes you both to sweat, and it is pretty uncomfortable, I could imagine it is for the baby, too!
Secondly, when you use a cover, EVERYONE knows you are nursing, and you tend to get a lot of glares! The blanket is like a huge neon sign that says "LOOK AT ME, I'M BREASTFEEDING OVER HERE!" When I nursed Mira yesterday with no cover, almost everyone walking past had NO IDEA I was even nursing. I was showing no more cleavage than I would have in a normal shirt, and her head covered everything private about my breast. A few people looked at me, saw that I was nursing, and continued on their way. I did not get ONE dirty look; not even one! My faith in others was restored a little bit throughout the process, and I have decided that I am DONE with covers. If people cannot handle a breastfeeding baby, then they can choose not to look. I cannot choose to NOT feed my baby, so from now on, I am choosing to do so in whatever way makes her most comfortable, and NOT being smothered by a blanket while she is trying to eat is probably more comfortable for her!
On a different note, Mira did GREAT with the fireworks. Tammy held her and kept her ears plugged the whole time, and there were quite a few moments where she was actually watching them, too! She looked like she was in awe of the spectacle of lights, and it was awesome to see her enthralled by them! She never cried or became agitated, so I am hoping this is a good sign that she won't have hearing sensitivities. Dustin and Aryanna had a blast, as well, and it was all around just a great family outing!
So no more breastfeeding covers for us! Besides, the more people see it, the more tolerant society will need to become. If you want things to change, start with yourself! So I am starting! I am going to make feeding babies acceptable in all forms! If you want to bottle feed, GREAT! If you want to nurse with a cover, GREAT! If you want your breasts out and your baby not covered in cloth to eat, GREAT! Babies getting nutrition is all that matters, and as long as you are taking care of your children, there should be no judgment! You'll never get it from me, and I hope not to get it from others! But if I do get a dirty look, or a pitiful comment, maybe I'll throw a blanket on their head and say "Now, go get your lunch and see how you like it. Have a nice day!"
