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Nobody puts baby in a corner

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week. If you saw me at BlogHer this past weekend, or follow me in basically any circle of social media, I took Emma with me to New York. Part of the reason, actually the main reason, is because she’s exclusively breastfed.

With Joshua, I pumped exclusively for about four months. This time, my girls are all “Oh hell no” every time I hook up my pump. They lock up tighter than Fort Knox and no milk comes out, or at least not enough to amount to much. Because I can’t really seem to get up much of a stash, where my boobs go, Emma goes. And if she can’t go, my boobs don’t go either. Which means I don’t go.

We’re a team, she and I.

Nursing in public

Team Boob.

Breastfeeding is important to me, and so is my belief in a woman’s right to nurse in public. And by public, I don’t mean in a public bathroom stall while someone drops a deuce next to us. (Vom.)

So far, I’ve been met with (almost) nothing but support in any venue in which I’ve nursed Emma. And so far, I’ve nursed her in a lot of places. And by a lot of places, I pretty much mean wherever I am whenever she needs to eat.

Places like the bounce house.

Nursing in a ring sling

This is what Emma does while Joshua plays.

Or, the airport.

Nursing in the ring sling

Don't mind us. Just killing time.

Or a train.

Nursing on a train

We're going on a train ride, train ride, train ride...

Or, a park along the river in New York City.

Nursing in public

Dining al fresco

Do you know what you don’t see in any of these pictures? My boob. Because nursing in public doesn’t mean “whipping out a boob” or flashing people or being an exhibitionist.

It just means feeding my kid.

I request to sit in booths whenever we go out to eat because they tend to offer more privacy than a table in the middle of the restaurant, which means Emma gets less distracted. (This is as much for corralling Joshua as it is for my ability to nurse Emma discreetly. When dining with preschoolers, booths are your friend.) Nursing in the ring sling is also a way for me to feed Emma while walking around without having to use both hands to carry her, but sometimes she just gets tired of being in the thing so I’m okay not using it if I don’t have to.

Another way I nurse discreetly, and without a cover (because that thing is crazy-making), is by layering my shirts. I wear a nursing camisole under my regular top. I pull one top up, unsnap the nursing tank, and then use my shirt to cover any exposed skin while Emma eats. The camisole covers my mom-stomach which means no one is offended by my stretch marks, which are more offensive than my boobs, I can assure you.

I’m pro-nursing in public because the more we SEE it, the more normal it becomes. And feeding babies with boobs is normal. Seeing women nurse in public makes nursing in public less taboo. Less weird. Because it’s not weird. And it shouldn’t be taboo.

Nobody puts baby (and Mama) in a corner.

Leading Lady

The People's Party

Leading Lady sent me two nursing tanks, which are quickly becoming my absolute favorites because of their softness and fit, to wear while I nursed in public at BlogHer. Their website is stuffed with great information about nursing apparel like bras and camis and when to buy and how to ensure a proper bra fit. Additionally, they have an excellent Breastfeeding Tips section written and maintained by an IBCLC. It’s awesome to see a company trying to help moms be successful in meeting their breastfeeding goals instead of just selling a few bras. Thanks, Leading Lady, for the nursing camis!

FTC: Leading Lady sent me two nursing camis. They didn’t send me my opinions on those camis or pay off my student loans.

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grace

Thursday 23rd of August 2012

this is awesome!!

Jess

Monday 13th of August 2012

I love it! Gah it was so easy when I could just feed Allie anywhere. And I love that I live in a city where no one gives a crap. It's totally possible to be modest and feed your kid. But on the flip? I have totally seen a mom just whip out the boob and feed the kid walking with her boob out on a hot day at the outlets. Whatever works...

Miranda

Monday 13th of August 2012

I don't think most people here care either. Or if they do, they're smart enough to keep their mouths shut about it! :)

And yes, whatever works. Baby's gotta eat.

Sara

Thursday 9th of August 2012

Newbie subscriber here. Found you just a week ago. I happen to think you ARE super. I love every word of this post! I've breastfed three sons but the youngest of them didn't take to bottles. No surprise there since I'm now a SAHM and accessible 24/7. Anywho that's how I became an "its just a BOOB" go-anywhere breastfeeding mama. I gotta feed him ya know? Don't get me wrong, I cover up the girls though! Layering is my saving grace. Mostly received support with the exception of a few 'does she think this is Africa, why is she doing that in public' stares in Costco and humorously a rant from a Korean woman (we're living abroad now) in a furniture store. I'll never know what she said because it wasn't in English but she seemed very concerned and kept gesturing at my chest. Here I thought other countries were more supportive??? LOL I was embarrassed but no way did I stop feeding my son. I walked/nursed outta there though. She was terrifying but now I laugh when I think back on it :D

Miranda

Sunday 12th of August 2012

Welcome! So glad you found me! And that I haven't scared you off!

And yep. It's just a boob. Baby's gotta eat. :)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

I haaaaaated nursing tanks. Couldn't find one that worked well for me. Luckily, Isla hid my stomach most of the time! We made it to 13 months and 2 days and then my girl was done and hasn't looked back. I am proud of both of us. Me, for sticking with it (I ain't no quitter) and her for knowing when she was done and stopping all on her own.

Miranda

Sunday 12th of August 2012

I'm excited to nurse Emma for as long as she wants to nurse. I think. Or that's how I feel right now. It's just such a special thing, you know? Gah. I love nursing mah babies.

Julia

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

LOVE this!!!!! Seriously, you inspire me in so many ways. I was a total breastfeeding addict with my son. (I mean, mainly because you have to feed so often, but still.) Breastfeeding was such a huge part of our bonding and relationship for a long time. And I had no shame about how often, long, or how many public places I did it. I love reading about how important it is for you, too!

Miranda

Wednesday 8th of August 2012

I loved breastfeeding Joshua and I was so sad when he went on a nursing strike that I couldn't overcome. So sad. With Emma, things are so much easier in so many ways and I'm thankful for that. This is incredibly important to me with both of my children. I'm happy to find so many kindred spirit moms online!

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