Those who know me, know I can be a bit of an introvert... conservative in my style of dress and some personal preferences.
However, on the topic of recent media stories related to public exposure and people flipping out about mums breastfeeding in public - I feel strongly enough to comment. Uh oh ;) my humble opinion follows:
I'm proud of the fact I've been able to breastfeed both of my babies - baby no. 1 until she was 13 months old, and I'm still doing so with baby no. 2 at the age of 6 months. I know mums who wanted to do same but couldn't... along with mums who preferred not to. Even heard of some who wanted to but were too embarrassed to. I understand. I often feel restricted and I don't like to feed in public (but I do it) because of my personal feelings towards my own body and sometimes because I don't want to make anyone else feel uncomfortable... but I have to keep reminding myself that not all mums get the chance, I do and it's how my babies are kept happy, hydrated and fed. What's so shameful about that?
I recently fed my baby boy in a public building, very discreetly (Little man was so tired and hungry, it couldn't wait til we got back home). Infact, when others are around, especially strangers, I'm doubly discreet with muslin square over my baby and shoulder etc. A young teenage boy got so embarrassed, making a small scene. My back was towards him and yet he didn't know where to look - I felt sorry for him, compelled to apologise and reassure him that his discomfort was understandable but he didn't have to worry, he wouldn't see anything... I felt so uncomfortable then, asked myself 'am I lazy for not preparing a bottle of EBM (expressed)?' (Even though neither babies ever drank enough from bottles nor been comforted enough to fall asleep. If anything, the complete opposite happens)... My friend was telling me she can't understand why I feel I should cover up when in Mozambique where she is from, mums often walk around topless in public so their babies can access a drink at any time... in other European countries, it is so acceptable - not considered pervy, uncomfortable or sexual - just natural and acceptable. So why not here?!
So a proud moment last week when I see a photo of the famous singer Pink breastfeeding her 18 month old daughter in a restaurant recently. Thank you Pink.
I've been surprised, a tad disappointed if I'm honest, that not many celebrities publicly encourage breastfeeding. I found a list of 9...
Please don't get me wrong, I by no means wish for new mums (especially those who are exposed to the media and constantly followed by cameras) to feel pushed or pressured into popping a breast out and feeding in public, all for publicity/promotion. They have a voice and a platform though. And the new generation of mums often gravitate to modern examples the acting/singing/celebrity world offers.
Currently, I feel too many new mums feel more concerned about keeping up with losing baby weight just like so many celebrity mums - I think that's a matter of health, timing and balance - not something to be rushed into, just because your favourite soap star looks fab, has a baby a bit younger than yours and released a new workout dvd 3 days postpartum (wild exaggeration to make a point :) )...
Anyway, points made, I'll grab a coffee and resume relaxed state. Maybe cuddle a kid or a remote control :)
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