A NIP experience
The temperatures are in the upper 50s here (temporarily) and I just had to get out of the house. Johnny and I went shopping. First, we went to a little mall because there used to be an Old Navy there. It’s gone. Dang. There was a Marshall’s nearby so I thought I’d peek inside. I saw some clothes I wanted to try on, but Johnny would have none of that. He was throwing quite a fit! He’d only calm down a little if I kept moving, but I can’t exactly be in constant motion and look at clothes, so I left.
I snapped him back in his car seat and headed to Target. I was hoping the car ride over there would calm him down and maybe even lull him to sleep. It sorta worked.
We were at Target for all of 5 minutes before he started freaking out again. I was in the shoe section, so I sat down on one of those try-on-shoes-here seats. I thought maybe he wanted to nurse, even though I had fed him right before we left.
(By the way, did you know that babies also nurse for comfort, instead of just for food? I didn’t until recently. That’s one thing you can’t get from a bottle. Johnny will not take a pacifier anymore (he did, briefly) so if I want to feed him or comfort him, I have to nurse.)
There was nobody around and I felt fairly at ease. I got out my nursing cover to use while I got him latched on, and since it was pretty durn hot in the store, I ditched it once he got going and I made sure all of my skin was covered by my clothing or him. I felt pretty inconspicuous, and just sat there taking a little break.
Out of nowhere, an employee pops over and tells me I can use the fitting rooms if I wanted. I smiled and told her, no thanks, I’m fine. She left me alone.
I think someone saw me and complained to the employee. Arg. Maybe she thought I would be more comfortable out of public sight, but honestly, we were fine. I was totally decent, and to a casual observer, I probably just looked like I was holding a sleepy baby.
Oh, busybodies.
After about 10 minutes sitting in the shoe section, I realized that I’d never get my shopping done if I kept on like that. I put him back in his sling and arranged things so he could continue to nurse, but I’d be able to have my hands free.
Slings are wonderful for nursing in public!! They hide the baby so well, and hold him in position without me needing to use my hands. Awesome.
One lady saw that I had a newborn and wanted to have a look. Before I could say anything, she was peeking in at him. I think she did realize that I was nursing at the same time, but she didn’t seem freaked out. She certainly couldn’t see any part of my body.
It is a bit nerve-wracking to nurse in public. I’m not worried about flashing anyone, since I have the technique down pretty good and I use a cover when I’m latching him on. The thing that makes me sort of uncomfortable is dealing with busybodies who might shoot me dirty looks, complain to someone, or otherwise give me a hard time.
In case they didn’t know — it’s abosolutely legal for me to feed my child in public. Yes, I do take care to feed my baby before we leave the apartment. Yes, I do try to be discreet. But, I will not feed him in a fitting room unless I happen to be trying on clothes at the same time. And don’t even think about suggesting I go to the restroom to nurse. I don’t eat in the bathroom; do you?
And no, I will not pump and feed him with a bottle. That’s extremely inconvenient for us. Why should I add to my workload so some random stranger won’t be uncomfortable?
So, I really hope nobody ever says anything rude to me. I’m sorry that it makes some people uncomfortable, but ya know what? They’re uncomfortable because in their minds, breasts are sexual. In actually, breasts are for feeding babies. Deal with it, pervs.
A few weeks ago, I spotted a new mom nursing her tiny baby on a bench at Sam’s Club. I so wanted to catch her eye and give her a thumbs up or a big smile or something. She looked really uneasy and saw me, but didn’t maintain eye contact long enough for me to respond.
Maybe next time.
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I love your attitude – you go, girl!
Becky@FamilyandFinancess last blog post..An Ambassador? Sure!!!
I nursed in public several times at Blissdom this weekend. The first time the lady next to me congratulated me. I am so over being worried about it. If you flash someone, oh well!
Vanderbilt Wifes last blog post..Our Love Story
Oh, poo, I didn’t scroll down far enough to see your word verification and my comment got deleted.
Ahem.. for the 2nd time:
Good for you! Nursing in public is practically an act of defiance, isn’t it?
Jes told me a great quote the other day:
“If my nursing in public bothers you, feel free to cover your head with a blanket and finish your meal in the bathroom.” (2nd part only applies to restaurant nursings, I guess.)
I don’t remember what else I said… Must not have been important!
Beth @ The Natural Mommys last blog post..Let Me Explain… And Here’s a Movie
So I just stumbled upon your other blog here recently from your profile (yeah I am slow). In any event, I dont think women should feel shamed for nursing in public. As long as they are discreet (even though I dont even think that is a problem) those nosybodies should just look in the other direction if it bothers them. And I think a lot of these complainers wouldnt think twice if you had dropped to the floor to change Johnny’s diaper, which is a heck of a lot grosser.
Danis last blog post..Laying Down the Law
it’s very common and canada, and has been for way over 8 years at least…8 years ago..i had no problems…and most places have nursing rooms…with couches…change tables…which are great when you ahve the second….cause then the first is contained..lol….
You are too funny – “Breasts are for breastfeeding. Pervs” I love that line.
It could be that the employee thought you’d be more comfortable in the changing room. Is there a reason you say you won’t nurse in a changing room? Seems like it would be more comfortable in there on a chair instead of an uncomfortable bench in the shoe dept. Maybe that’s what the employee was thinking and was just trying to be nice.
I agree, you should be able to nurse whenever, wherever. I think with time, society’s attitude will change and it will become no big deal. Things are already a lot better than they were even 10 years ago.
Maybe she thought I’d be comfortable, but I don’t know. If I remember right, the changing rooms at my Target are furnished with hard round stools. Not so comfy.
I say I won’t nurse there because I don’t want to sit in a boring, empty room for 30-45 minutes. I think I’d rather be able to look around and people-watch, at the very least, or talk with my husband if he’s there with me.
I think that it is great that you are comfortable to nurse in public – I never was…just b/c I was concerned with “flashing” people. As he gets older, you will definitely want to continue to use the sling/cover/whatever b/c he will may be interested in what is going on around him, and will suddenly detach and fling his head in the direction of the action, and you will be flashing at that point (well, that was my experience anyway when my friend came into the room that I was nursing in!)
Feeding your child a bottle of breastmilk can be a good thing – to give you a break and to be sure that you can go out from time to time without the baby, and know that he will take the bottle. I made the mistake of not continuing to give #2 a bottle every week or every other week, and then when I tried to give him one later on (around 4 or 5 months), he wanted nothing to do with it – he would only nurse. So, that is something that you may want to consider. I am actually in the process of fully weaning my little guy (he is almost 14 months).
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