~ I don't have a problem with breastfeeding, but DO NOT do it in public! Especially, when you are eating! We were at Westfield mall today and there was a family sitting right across from us. She was eating, we were eating, she puts her shall thing on for breastfeeding and starts to feed her baby. Really? They have places for that. They do have a family restroom. They actually have a family room with 4 closed in rooms for parents to sit and feed their babies (not bathrooms, but their own private rooms).
Okay, here's where I have a problem. She says she doesn't have a problem with breastfeeding, but DON"T do it in public?! REALLY??!!! So what, are we just suppose to stay at home all day, so we can feed our baby at home, or do we have to schedule our outings around our babies feeding schedules? I have tried that, and let me tell you, it doesn't always work. I understand people get uncomfortable at restaurants with moms and breast feeding, but if she took the time to cover up, what's the problem?! She atleast had a cover up. It's not like her breast was hanging out for the whole world to see! And as far as the private rooms to feed your baby, that's all good and dandy. But if you're in a restaurant, trying to eat and enjoy yourself with friends and family, you shouldn't have to excuse yourself and go somewhere else, just to feed your child. When your baby is hungry, your baby is hungry. You can't control or predict it. As a breastfeeding mother, this upsets me, as I've run into situations like this. Once, my family and I decided to go out to eat and before we had eaten, my daughter started to fuss. Instead of letting her cry and make a scene, I took her to the waiting area and fed her. Yes, I did leave the table, as I just had a blanket to cover up with and didn't want to expose myself accidentally. If I would've had the proper cover-up, would I have left the table? I don't know. I think it depends on the situation, like the people you're with, the surroundings, the mothers feelings. I must admit, I'm not comfortable with feeding in public, but I will do it, if there is no other option. I'm not going to let my kid starve or scream their head off because they're hungry and the food is right there. I did have to feed at the table one time when we were out, because there was no other option. I had a proper cover up and I don't think anybody else noticed. And if you asked my extended family that was with us, sitting at the same table, I don't think it bothered them either. You do what you have to do.
And if you say, well, why not bring a bottle? First, I'm an exclusive breastfeeding mother, and being so, its not the easiest or quickest thing to do, to bring a bottle. Pumping milk is not easy and then you have to think of transporting the milk and worry about how you're going to heat it up. Yes, I know it can be done, but why go to all that trouble, when what they want and need, I have with me at all times. That's what they were made for and intended for anyways. To feed any children women might have. Until you've been a breastfeeding mother and know what it's like, don't judge or criticize! Okay. That's it. I just really had to get that off my chest.
