It’s disheartening when a stranger makes a mom feel uncomfortable for breastfeeding in public, but it can hurt even more when the judgment comes from someone close. A mother recently shared her experience on social media, revealing how her own family, specifically her father, shamed her for nursing her baby during a family dinner.
Jane Thompson took to Instagram last week after a dinner outing left her feeling frustrated and upset. She recounted to Home Insemination Kit that the individuals involved were her parents. During the meal, her 9-month-old daughter, Lily, became hungry. Naturally, Jane chose to breastfeed her, as any mother would. “When she needed to nurse, I simply lifted my shirt to feed and soothe her. That’s when my father, trying to be helpful, grabbed a napkin and attempted to throw it over me,” she explained.
Jane confronted her father, asking him about his actions. He responded that he was merely trying to be considerate because the restaurant was too “upscale” for an uncovered breastfeeding session. Jane’s reaction to her father’s suggestion was anything but polite. “I can’t say I wish I had handled it differently—I’m actually proud of how I reacted,” she noted.
She described the incident as “humiliating,” asserting that no woman should ever feel that breastfeeding is inappropriate, regardless of the setting. “Breastfeeding is NOT indecent exposure. It’s not an invitation for anyone to gawk at my body, even if the baby accidentally unlatches and someone sees my nipple,” she articulated passionately. Jane also pointed out that many nursing babies dislike being covered up, so why should mothers have to compromise their child’s comfort for the sake of others?
Her parents continued to argue that she should be mindful of those who might be offended, particularly men who sexualize breastfeeding. “Honestly, it should be the other way around. Men need to learn to look away if they can’t handle it,” Jane expressed. While her father hasn’t changed his views on public breastfeeding, he has come to understand her perspective, which doesn’t erase the hurt caused by his comments at the restaurant.
Jane shared her feelings: “It’s much harder to take criticism from family than from strangers. I felt embarrassed that they chose to reprimand me for simply feeding my child, prioritizing the comfort of others over mine and my daughter’s.”
I can relate to Jane’s story; the only person who ever shamed me during my two years of nursing was my dad. His discomfort led to many lonely moments spent feeding my baby in isolation, including Christmas Eve, when I found myself alone, feeling ashamed. In retrospect, I wish I had spoken up more, just like Jane did.
It’s refreshing to see moms like Jane advocating for themselves. Breastfeeding presents enough challenges without added pressure from family. Kudos to her for standing her ground.
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Summary
The article discusses the pain a mother, Jane, experienced when her father publicly shamed her for breastfeeding her baby at a family dinner. Despite the discomfort, she stood her ground against the criticism, emphasizing that breastfeeding should never be seen as inappropriate. The piece highlights the importance of support from family during the challenging journey of motherhood.