Breastfeeding in Public. Again.
by JAK guest dad blogger, Toby Mueller, from Raymond
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.
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.
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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. :)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletePerhaps 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!
AWKWARD !!!
ReplyDelete