Recently there appeared in this publication an article that incited quite the little kerfuffle in the breastfeeding mommy world. The article can be read here at iammodern.com/chic-new-mom.html. The author, Ms. Degategno offered some advice for new moms trying to look fashionable and her first point was that new moms should not breastfeed in public because it’s not “beautiful” and it makes her “queasy.”
I would like to very respectfully offer an alternative opinion to Ms. Degategno’s. As a mother of two breastfeed babies, both of whom refused a bottle most vehemently, I always felt my only option was to nurse in public.
So, here is some advice from a different point of view.
- Keep things contained. Nursing undershirts were a big help to me. For the very busty, these are less handy but for the rest of us, these little tank tops with a shelf bra and nursing flaps are a life saver. Wear them under whatever you want and nurse when you need to. These are available from glamourmom.com or for those who are on a budget, I found mine at Wal-Mart.
- The tunic is your friend. The third day after my first baby was born, I discovered something alarming. Shirts that had fallen to about my hip before were now ending around my belly button. It took me a minute to realize that this was because my milk came in on this day and my chest was about twice the size it was when I bought those shirts. Things do eventually go back to their original size but it takes some time so invest in a few shirts with some added length. A good tunic length top is your friend because it won’t flash your post-partum tummy to the world at large.
- Keep it under wraps. When my babies got bigger I needed more cover so I ordered a nursing apron off of etsy.com. There are a wide variety of beautiful patters to choose from. You simply hang it around your neck and spread it over your baby and yourself then do whatever you need to do to feed your baby. It creates a nice little tent for baby and keeps all your bits covered nicely
The journey into motherhood is all about rearranging priorities and fashion is just one more thing that has to step behind the new little creature in your life. But simply know that doing the best for you baby doesn’t mean you have to abandon all your other interests, including fashion. It may mean you have to find new ways of manifesting those interests but you can do that while doing what you need to for your baby.
Kelly Hanson is a stay-at-home mother to two delightful little people. She writes at kbdidit.blogspot.com and examiner.com. She nursed her children for a combined 3 years and 7 months and loved (almost) every minute of it.
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written by Michelle , January 27, 2011
written by Michelle , January 27, 2011
This article is much better than the first one, but I still think that whatever a mother decides to do in public when it comes to breastfeeding is her own GOD DAMN business! I used to use a cover when in public and it was such a hassle: my son hate it and would try to take it off, he would start sweating and burning up.. But I still did it because I felt like I was making other people feel uncomfortable. But after seeing other women breastfeeding normally in public, I started to feel admiration for these women. Now, whenever I have to breastfeed my son in public, I don't use my cover. If you want to use a booby cloth, go right ahead. If you don't, that's awesome too. Either way, we women should have a right to FEED our babies whichever way we want.
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written by lulu , January 24, 2011
written by lulu , January 24, 2011
OMG, the belly. Good point. Yes, when the boobs appear, the belly shows up right after! LOL. Noooone wants to see that! Mine at least!
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written by Kelly Hanson , January 24, 2011
written by Kelly Hanson , January 24, 2011
RM
I cannot believe that it is selfish to make a few preparations in order to nurse a baby more modestly. Many moms are simply not comfortable showing off portions of their bodies to the greater public so if the choice is between a depressed mom who feels like she can never leave the house or an 8 month old who has to wait an extra 30 seconds, I take the later every time.
Our babies deserve the best we can give them but that doesn't mean that we have to sacrifice every fiber of ourselves for their instant gratification. Mom's comfort while nursing matters too. If mom is comfortable flashing her postpartum tummy and newly engorged breast to the mall shoppers, well, that's her business. For me, give me a nursing tank or a light cover-up whenever possible.
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I cannot believe that it is selfish to make a few preparations in order to nurse a baby more modestly. Many moms are simply not comfortable showing off portions of their bodies to the greater public so if the choice is between a depressed mom who feels like she can never leave the house or an 8 month old who has to wait an extra 30 seconds, I take the later every time.
Our babies deserve the best we can give them but that doesn't mean that we have to sacrifice every fiber of ourselves for their instant gratification. Mom's comfort while nursing matters too. If mom is comfortable flashing her postpartum tummy and newly engorged breast to the mall shoppers, well, that's her business. For me, give me a nursing tank or a light cover-up whenever possible.
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written by lulu , January 24, 2011
written by lulu , January 24, 2011
I breastfed all of my children for years and did it without flashing my boobs. Just because I am nursing, it doesn't make it ok to show my boobs at strangers. Those puppies are sacred to me, my husband and my babies. You should breastfeed discreetly, not to hide your baby but to protect yourself from strangers. If you can't allow your baby to latch while covering your breast, then take a course on breastfeeding. There is a way to do it without your booby sticking out.
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written by RM , January 24, 2011
written by RM , January 24, 2011
OK, this is better...but...you would still rather have your child latch and unlatch, latch and unlatch, latch and unlatch under a blanket while your fumbbling around trying to help the poor babe; while drawing attention to your flailing tent??? What about the poor babe over heating because the mall has the heat up high??? What about the babe that slept too long and woke up super hungry. Does he get to cry while you fumble with your sociall appropriate gear??? Covering up to nurse is just selfish. Asking women to cover up in public is equally selfish. Our poor babes need the nurturing, attention, and temperature control they deserve. Come on ladies, get with the program. Nothing is going to change until we step out from our petty coats and nurse our babes the way /they/ deserve.
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