Indecent Exposure

From the moment you share the big news that you're expecting, it's suddenly appropriate for people to talk about your body. From the size of your uterus, to drugs during delivery, and if you plan on breastfeeding. Older generations were formula fed, as that was the norm. Now-a-days, if you don't breast feed, people give you the look of death, like you're a bad mother or something. It's so bad, that when unforeseen circumstances cause mothers to stop breastfeeding sooner that expected, they often feel like a failure. It's sad really.

So then why all the fuss about breastfeeding in public? I'm lucky enough to not have encountered any negative looks or comments, but it's bound to happen. Just because I'm in a crowed restaurant, doesn't mean I shouldn't feed my baby. Sydney still refuses a bottle, so what am I supposed to do? Starve her? Stay home? Nursing covers suck by the way. They overheat the baby and mother, and some keep falling off anyway. Not to mention babies don't stay suctioned on the whole feeding session and sometimes need guidance to re-latch. Jason is very supportive of me breastfeeding (and is even more ecstatic about not buying formula) but even he thinks women should go into the bathroom to feed. Would you want to eat on a nasty public toilet? I didn't think so. Then why should mothers have to go hide and be ashamed of doing the best thing for their babies? It angers me. Almost every state across the country has laws in place protecting moms that breastfeed in public, but they vary. In some states, you still have to worry about being ticketed for indecent exposure. Breasts have become an object of sexuality when really they exist to nourish our offspring. If I'm in someone's home I will respectfully ask if they prefer me to go somewhere private, but if you're in my home, you're probably going to see some skin. I'm not trying to make people feel uncomfortable. If you don't like it-don't look. :o)