Skip to main content

Over Exposure?

Breastfeeding in Public. Again.
by JAK guest dad blogger, Toby Mueller,  from Raymond



Let me just say right off the top that I think that breastfeeding IS beneficial for children.  Let me say it again just in case you didn't hear me...I THINK THAT BREASTFEEDING IS GOOD FOR KIDS.



What I don't get is why do it in public? READ MORE...

Yes, covering up helps. But why not doing it in a corner or somewhere not right in front of me.



This seems to be a recurring theme in my life as a stay at home dad.



I am at an event with my daughter.  She is of at her activity while I am watching her from a windowed room.  I am sitting by myself reading when a mom with an 8 month old comes in and sits down across the table from me.  We make small talk about our girls and as we are talking, she starts to prep for feeding time.



Right there as we are talking!



Is there a protocol for this situation? Do I keep up the conversation? Do I look away while still talking?  What do I do?



I can't end the conversation because she is still talking to me.  That would be inappropriate, right?  Not that breastfeeding right in front of someone is inappropriate.



I could have said, "I'm sorry but I cannot continue this conversation during dinner time." I'm not sure how that would have gone over.



Well, what did I do? I continued the conversation turned away from her.  I guess it was the best I could do considering the situation.



Gee Whiz...I really need a non-mom job some days.




Toby Mueller is a Stay at Home Dad of two daughters and Blogger at A Different Spirit.



JAK IS LOOKING FOR MORE GUEST BLOGGERS! IF YOU’RE A PARENT, GRANDPARENT, CHILD GUARDIAN, EDUCATOR, CHILD OR HEALTH PROVIDER INTERESTED IN GUEST BLOGGING.  PLEASE EMAIL contact@justaddkidsonline.net FOR DETAILS.


Labels:

Comments

  1. Shannon BarschOctober 18, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    I being a "nursing in public mom" think you need to do what is most comfortable for you. I would easily continue a conversation with you if I was nursing but if its makes you uncomfortable I don't think there is anything wrong with you just turning away, I am sure she understood. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie O'Keeffe HenszeyOctober 19, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    I think it calls for both parties to be sensitive to the comfortability of the other. I lived in Norway as a student and was in the coed school sauna, naked and alone, when the female school director's husband walked in. I was on my stomach and felt very uncomfortable, but he didn't think anything of it. The sauna was for teachers and students and that's just their culture. Since I was uncomfortable, I probably should have prepared for the possibility that someone of the opposite gender would come in.

    Perhaps the breast-feeding mother could have used a blanket more to cover up before she got the little one on her breast. I think it just becomes so natural for moms that they stop fussing with all the extra, non-essential elements. You could have called a spade a spade, as an idea, and remarked something to the effect of, "Say, I'm going to stand over here and talk because I want to give you your privacy." -- something respectful that also validly recognized and honored your own need without impeding her task at hand.

    I appreciate that you brought this to readers' attention. We all get in those awkward situations!

    ReplyDelete
  3. HOctober 21, 2012 at 3:41 PM

    AWKWARD !!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AWESOME Dad

Well, most are! I know your kid's daddy might not be tops in your book, yet, in the eyes of your child, he probably is. I am so grateful that when my husband and I mutually took the risk to vow to spend our lives together, then had/have children, (while not always perfect) he ended up being quite the awesome dad. Assist your child in sharing his/her celebration of dad. (Um, I am sure you know, Father's Day is next Sunday, June 17th).  Here's a great way to do that, pocket $100 gift card for your kiddo, and knock out that Father's Day gift!  Here's how... Read More... For the third year in a row, Just Add Kids has partnered with Educators Credit Union  to bring you, your kids and their daddy a fun contest in celebration of Father’s Day.  This year, RelyLocal Racine is also partnering with JAK and providing a plethora of gift cards perfect for dad. So, how to participate? Kids color a portrait of their dad, grandaddy, or other fatherly figure (portrait frame and e...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ed U K8

Why is my Child Spooning Beans?                           The Importance of a Montessori Education Sponsored by Small World Montessori At first glance, a Montessori classroom is not like that of any other.  Upon entering you may find a child spooning beans between 2 dishes, another working with a map of South America, or playing the bells by scale.  These are just a few of the unique activities in a Montessori classroom. We offer a homelike environment in which we approach education of the "whole child" through hands on, self-directed activities. How is it possible that children are working independently at their own activities?   Read More... The environment is carefully staged with progressively difficult, self-correcting materials, and most instruction is delivered one on one. Our extensive curriculum spans from 2 1/2 through 6 years old.  The mixed age classroom allows the child to work at her own pace and since instruction is individual, no child is left behind or forced...
Post a Comment
Read more

JAK Gives Birth!

It's A Blog! If you've been a JAK Happenings subscriber for some time, you're probably used to the format of this weekly email: big JAK logo at the top, partner banner ad, this commentary section, little index box, more fantastic partner ads, then the meat of the message...JAK Happenings calendar picks, finally some closing comments. I've made excuses for my lack of editorial correctness, as I do not claim to be a writer. Just a mom who has got a lot on my mind, hoping that you don't mind listening to what's going on in this 40 something's head (and house). Apparently, many of you don't! In fact, this commentary section gets strong response in terms of how many of you click thru to Read more. I've had great feedback on some hot topics and much to my surprise, a lot of compliments. So here goes...Just Add Kids newest family member is JAKChat. It'll be a way to archive the commentary section of JAK Happenings email every week, so if you care t...
Post a Comment
Read more