Breastfeeding in Public

Breastfeeding in public is a hot topic, whether you’re a celebrity mom, a working mom, or a stay-at-home mom. Whether you work in or out of the home, nursing your child in public areas is still an issue that many women, if not all, have to address.  Unfortunately, breastfeeding in public in the United States is still a stigma.  Women don’t feel comfortable nursing their babies when they’re out and about, whether it be at a park, in a restaurant, shopping at a department store, or sightseeing.  Their comfort is only moderately alleviated when they use a cover, though stares still occur. 

Breastfeeding while flying

In my own experience, thankfully I was only made to feel uncomfortable once.  I was traveling with my son and had pre-boarded the plane, making sure to get us settled before the other passengers came on board.  I made myself comfortable and started nursing my son under a cover.  The man assigned to sit next to me didn’t want to sit down until my son was finished.  I was taken aback but tried to be polite, letting him know that it would be a while before my son was done nursing.  In the end, the situation turned in my favor because the flight attendant found him a different seat, and I had an empty one where he was supposed to sit.  However, that odd encounter is still burned into my brain as a negative breastfeeding experience.

Breastfeeding in the bathroom

Emma Pryor, mother of one, remembers being a new breastfeeding mom and feeling as if she needed to “hide” in order to feed her little girl.  She recounts, “I was at a restaurant with Emerald when she was only a couple months old, and for whatever reason, I felt the need to feed her in the bathroom.  There I was sitting on a public toilet thinking, ‘Why should I feed my baby in here when everyone else gets to enjoy their dinner out there?’ I made up my mind then and there that I was never going to be scared to feed my child in public again.”

There are others that though they have had very positive experiences the entire time they’ve breastfed their children, the weight of holding up societal standards has made them reach their limit. Amy McKnight remembers being nervous about breastfeeding her first daughter in public.  However, once the second one was born, the need to appease those uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public had burnt out.  She says that “now I am completely unapologetic when it comes to breastfeeding–both of my daughters have refused bottles so if I want them to receive adequate nutrition, I know they have to nurse.”

World Breastfeeding Week

One mom that we follow on Instagrams says, “It has been such a blessing to be able to bond and nourish all three of my kids …I don’t enjoy being photographed while breastfeeding, however I have breastfed my kids while: on a Busch Gardens sky ride, Water Country, Sea Word, Natural Bridge Inner Space Caverns, Luray Caverns, various airplanes, boats, a train, a jet ski, the US Mint, Panther Falls, church, school auditoriums, and so many more places.”

And yet others  must follow certain cultural standards in order to nurse their children when they are out and about.  Genevieve Orozco, shares that breastfeeding in public is still a stigma in Asia.  “In fact, I’ve experienced it firsthand.  We were in a church, and it doesn’t have a breastfeeding station so I headed back out into the lobby.  But a guard at the venue approached me and told me to nurse in the restroom.  Even though it’s clean and all, I still didn’t like the idea of feeding my child in a restroom, so we just went straight to our car and did our business.”

Negative breastfeeding experiences

Though the negatives occur, there are also positive experiences.  In fact, most of the women I spoke with said that overall their experience had been positive; it was just here or there where someone had glared disapprovingly or said something negative outright. It also helps to have backup.  Paige Phillips, nurse, military spouse, and mother of one, shared, “My family was always super helpful with trying to make sure I was comfortable, and they helped me to get covered in order to feed Rhett.  So I think how comfortable my family was with helping me, helped when I was out in public and needed to nurse my son.”  Another military spouse, Alexis Huff, thought nothing of enlightening a group of young fighter pilots when she was visiting her husband in South Korea. “When I first got to [Kunsan AB], the thought that all the single and childless guys might be a little uncomfortable never even crossed my mind until I nursed Riley around them.  I honestly enjoyed being able to educate them a little bit once they felt comfortable asking questions.”

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding = moms choice

There are many reasons women decide to breastfeed their children: nutrition, allergies, comfort, bonding, etc.  The lack of acceptance and lack of resources is a huge deterrent, especially to first-time moms who are trying to figure out how to breastfeed in the first place.  Those of us uncomfortable with how others see us appreciate it when other mothers speak out regarding an issue as important as breastfeeding.  People like Timea Danci, lifestyle photographer, who unapologetically captures beautiful moments of mothers breastfeeding their children, is a true advocate for mothers who choose to nurse in public. 

Breastfeeding may not have been an option for you, or it may not have been what you chose.  But the important thing is, you chose what was right for you and your child.  Women shouldn’t be made to feel awkward, embarrassed, or ashamed if they nurse their child in public.  Hopefully, through education, research, and personal interaction, the stigma of breastfeeding in public will soon be a far-off memory.

Timea Danci at https://www.timeadanciphotography.com/

World breastfeeding week is about making something as natural as breastfeeding your baby, natural. If you are currently going through your breastfeeding journey and need some inspiration or want to hear some positivity from other moms, please visit the wonderful moms listing bellow.

Timea Danci at https://www.timeadanciphotography.com/

Dr. Robyn Miller at  https://mentalloadproject.com/

Claire Furgerson at https://www.cailynsmummy.com/

Do you have positive breastfeeding in public stories that you would like to share. Do you have any advice for new breastfeeding moms? Don’t forget to connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. Until next time, agape, be kind, and happy parenting.