When Your Niece Makes You Proud By Breastfeeding…In Public

As you know, when BFF and I go to Disneyland, we quite frequently go with friends and family and as you read the last blog, it was with BFF’s Brother and his family.  We were super excited because not only was this her Brother’s first trip there, but also because the babies were going to be there.  BFF and I have been friends for so long that all her nieces and nephews call me Aunty #2 and now the great-nieces call me Graunty #2.  It is awesome.  Especially since I don’t have any nieces or nephews of my own.  As it was Halloween time at Disneyland, we all decided to go to one of the Halloween parties because they are amazing (if you go during Halloween tie, then for sure get tickets to the party).  One of the exclusive things that happens during the Halloween party is the parade and we made sure we got seated early to watch the special parade.

How stinking cute is she?  

Now, even though it was the end of September, it was freaking hot while we were there.  Like temperatures in the 100s hot.  Even while we were sitting there waiting for the parade, it was hot.  I didn’t even dress up for the Halloween party because I knew I would be  too hot and didn’t want to deal with it.  So there we are, sitting on the curb on Main street, waiting for the parade when Baby B and Baby A showed up and we started entertaining them.  BFF left to go to the bathroom and somehow returned with popcorn (Disney popcorn id the BEST) and shoving popcorn in our gobs entertained us for quite a while.  At some point, Baby A, who is an infant, woke up and started crying.  It was quite apparent that she was hungry and since my niece breastfeeds, she decided to feed her.  My niece, being the awesome Mommy that she is, quickly put the baby to breast right then and there on Main Street.  Being nurses, BFF and I didn’t think anything about it.  At all.  Nor did it bother us.  She was doing what she needed to do…feeding her baby.  In fact, it so didn’t phase us that when her Brother brought it up later, we were shocked.  My niece breastfeeding in public shouldnt bother anyone but I guess it bothered the boys in the group.  Now I am not mad at the boys, just more bothered by the fact that society makes this such a big deal when it shouldn’t be.  Having a conversation with them made me realize how frustrated I am by society making public breastfeeding such a shameful act.  Let’s address the common issues shall we?

Issue #1:  She didn’t cover up.  Nope she sure didn’t.  It was almost 100 degrees. The baby was hungry and it was freaking hot.  Do you want to put a cover over your head while you eat in almost 100 degree temperatures?  Would you prefer she wait, with a screaming infant who could dehydrate till she could get to the breastfeeding area or bathroom in Disneyland.  No.  She didn’t have to.  She needed to feed her baby and did so quite quickly. You try eating with a blanket over your head.  See how you like it.  Are you hotter?  Do you feel like you are suffocating?  Now think about how a baby feels.  All they are trying to do is eat just like you.  There is no need for a cover up.  Period. Do you eat in the bathroom? With all the germs and smells, that sounds so delightful. Makes me want to grab my food and eat in there right now.  Gag.  If it makes you gag and you wouldn’t eat there,  then why should a baby.  That is disgusting.

Issue #2:  She didn’t warn them.  Nope.  Nor did she need to do so.  Do you warn people before you eat?  Do you feel the need to announce to the world that you are about to shove food in your pie hole?  Why should a breastfeeding mother?  This just draws more attention to her when she could just as quickly and quietly put baby to breast without everyone watching her.  Most of you walking down Main Street or sitting there near us probably didn’t even know she was breastfeeding.  So why should she announce to everyone that was what she was about to do?  If you don’t announce before you are going to consume a meal, then neither do breastfeeding mothers have to announce they are about to feed their babies.

Issue #3:  We saw her boob.  So freaking what.  It’s a boob people.  You saw it for a second and only a bit of it while she latched the baby.  Get over it.  If the world would quit sexualizing the breast, then this would not be an issue.  Breasts were not created for your enjoyment.  They were created to do exactly what my niece was doing…feed babies.  All you could see was tasteful sideboob.  If that bothers you, then don’t look.  I see more than that at the beach and with most celebrities at public functions.  Why is it ok for them but not for a mother who need to feed her baby?  Seriously…it is just a boob and the baby needed to eat. Quit your gawking.

Breastfeeding in public should NEVER be shameful.  It should never be something we ridicule or make mothers feel bad about doing.  Women were made to breastfeed their babies.  It should be celebrated and encouraged.  It should be normal.  A woman should not be made to feel ashamed for exposing her breast for a brief second to feed her baby nor be made to feed them in a bathroom.  Women should be allowed to breastfeed in public with no repercussions.  It is ridiculous that we sexualize breasts so much that a woman cannot do the simple natural act of breastfeeding in public.  I applaud all those women who do feed their babies in public without covering up and without a second thought.  I applaud all those that share photos of them breastfeeding on social media.  Most of all…I applaud my niece for feeding her baby on Main Street in Disneyland without so much as a second thought.  Sweet neice…you made me proud.

Oh yeah.  I didn’t die today.  I did stick up for my niece for breastfeeding in public without a second thought but I didn’t die.  I am Fat Girl who says stop shaming public breastfeeding and feed your babies Running.  The experiment continues…