I remember so well what it was like trying to breastfeed my first-born in those beginning weeks. We didn't have the huge issues that some mamas encounter (tongue or lip ties or recurring thrush to name a couple), but it was still challenging. I remember being in the fetal position on the floor, sobbing, sure that I was going to fail at keeping my son's body alive with my own.
I am often grateful that I learned to breastfeed my son in country that has always seen breastfeeding as the norm. We were living in Sweden at the time and you could barely throw a stone without hitting a nursing mother (note: do not throw stones at mothers). I remember a male friend coming up to me while I was nursing and he leaned in to look. I thought, "Isn't he supposed to feel awkward about this?" I'm so glad he didn't, and I so wish we could transpose the normality of breastfeeding to American culture.
If you are local to Illinois than you no doubt are familiar with a recent story of a nursing mother being asked to cover up or move while dining in a restaurant. This event a huge stir among breastfeeding mothers and rightly so. Federal law prohibits the harassment of breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Anywhere that a woman is permitted to be is also a legal place to nurse. It took almost a week for the owner to realize that he was in the wrong and to issue a formal apology and promise appropriate training for his staff.
I so, so hope that one day we won't be talking about breastfeeding "in public" because it will be as accepted as walking down the street. Until then, let's work to normalize breastfeeding by nursing wherever we happen to be when the need arises, and encouraging the women we see doing so. Nursing mothers are fierce, and we can change the world.
#normalizebreastfeeding
I am often grateful that I learned to breastfeed my son in country that has always seen breastfeeding as the norm. We were living in Sweden at the time and you could barely throw a stone without hitting a nursing mother (note: do not throw stones at mothers). I remember a male friend coming up to me while I was nursing and he leaned in to look. I thought, "Isn't he supposed to feel awkward about this?" I'm so glad he didn't, and I so wish we could transpose the normality of breastfeeding to American culture.
If you are local to Illinois than you no doubt are familiar with a recent story of a nursing mother being asked to cover up or move while dining in a restaurant. This event a huge stir among breastfeeding mothers and rightly so. Federal law prohibits the harassment of breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Anywhere that a woman is permitted to be is also a legal place to nurse. It took almost a week for the owner to realize that he was in the wrong and to issue a formal apology and promise appropriate training for his staff.
I so, so hope that one day we won't be talking about breastfeeding "in public" because it will be as accepted as walking down the street. Until then, let's work to normalize breastfeeding by nursing wherever we happen to be when the need arises, and encouraging the women we see doing so. Nursing mothers are fierce, and we can change the world.
#normalizebreastfeeding
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