Breast-feeding passenger settles airline lawsuit
Lately, nursing mothers have been get a bit of a bad rap. There's been some local hoopla about one woman breastfeeding her baby at a gym, and another one at a Target. While I firmly believe woman do have the right (at least in Texas they do) to nurse in public, I do think there are some unspoken guidelines that should be considered.
1. If you can, cover up. Yes...the breastfeeding nazis say you shouldn't have to, but there's nothing wrong with being respectful of your environment. When I was still nursing Theresa, I usually used a handy nursing cover or a light receiving blanket. Nursing covers are sold in many major retail stores. There's even gently used ones for sale at the consignment store I frequent.
I have nursed everywhere, in restaurants, at church, the park, even once at the cafeteria at my kids' school. I covered up because I didn't want to draw unecessary attention to myself. After all, my baby is simply having a meal, nothing more. No need to show the world my chest. There are plenty of nursing tops, nursing covers, and nursing camis that truly make breastfeeding in public quite easy...and comfortable for both the mother and others around her. I will say older babies often don't like being covered while nursing, but if you are persistent, you may win the battle. Theresa didn't like it either, but in certain places (like church), it wasn't optional.
I know didn't have to, but if we're strictly talking about modesty here, then I felt it was wise to cover up. Sure, it may seem ridiculous...after all, there are woman everywhere showing WAY more skin that I ever did. Just go to your local mall, a restaurant, or the beach! But if you're careful, you don't have to show any skin at all, let alone a bit of midriff, breast, or a nipple when you're nursing. Ladies, if you want to whip it out and show everything...hey, I'm not gonna stop you. However, we will all gain more respect from our fellow man (and women alike) if we at least try to be modest while we're feeding our babies.
2. If you're going to fly with a nursing baby, ask you fellow passengers if they are comfortable with you nursing. I have nursed on an airplane. And I was prepared to move if necessary, but assert my right to feed my baby. David and I took Gabriel (then 5 weeks old) on a weekend trip to Florida. I asked the passenger next to me (both flying to and from Florida) if he minded me nursing my little one (both times, it was a male passenger). I said it was not problem to switch seats with David (as we were 3 across in the seats). Both times, the men said no. I covered up with a light blanket, and nothing showed at all. I mean, I really didn't want someone who was uncomfortable next to me for 2.5 hours while I breastfed Gabriel. It wasn't about me (or him) being offended, it was simply being courteous.
When I was around my female friends from church, I didn't cover up most of the time. Many of them nursed their babies, so I knew they wouldn't mind. At home...no cover up either. I wanted my older children to understand that their little sister/brother was simply eating, and that's it. I never had questions/comments from them like, "Ew...that's gross!" They understood that mommy's breasts were for feeding the baby. Period.
3. Stepping out with baby? Plan ahead. Don't go when you know your baby is going to be hungry and therefore, fussy. If you are out, it's not hard to take a quick look around to see where the best place to nurse a baby might be. I greatly appreciated businesses and places where nursing was encouraged. There are public "family" restrooms, stores who will offer their dressing rooms, or hopefully a kind hostess who can seat you in a discreet corner booth at a restaurant. When a baby is fussing and hungry...the quickest and easiest way to calm them down is to nurse them. Simple as that.
I understand some people might say "Well, why don't you pump a bottle or offer the baby a pacifier?" Please let me explain. Many nursing babies refuse a pacifier because they prefer mom. Certainly a comforting breast would be preferable over a rubber nipple where nothing comes out. Similarly, many nursing babies won't take a bottle for the same reason. Theresa did...but only after weeks of coaxing, and lots of crying...and she was nearly 8 months old, not a newborn. And pumping breastmilk is really a pain people...literally. It takes time, then you have to freeze the breastmilk or use it right away (within 7 days in the fridge, or 8-10 hours out at room temperature). It can also hurt physically if a mother isn't using the breast pump correctly. So you can guess what I did. I did pump and freeze some (you never know...an emergency may arise), but 99% of the time, I nursed Theresa where ever we were. It's just so much easier!
So...nursing in public? Have no fear. You can do it. I recommend a nursing cover, but if you go without, no problem. However, if you wish to promote breastfeeding and show people that nursing your baby is as natural as feeding yourself, you might want to plan ahead of time and use good old common sense. Think about where you will be and who will be around you. I'd never recommend someone nursing in a nasty public bathroom, at a baseball stadium, or on the floor of Target. But, I can't tell you that just because you can nurse anywhere doesn't mean you should. I'll bet the Blessed Mother was careful where and how she nursed our Lord, in public or otherwise. I'd like to think I tried to follow her example.
