I completely understand the movement to normalize breastfeeding in public. Mothers shouldn’t feel compelled to hide in uncomfortable places just to avoid judgment from those who are either uninformed or uncomfortable with a mother nourishing her child.
When I first moved to a new city, one of the initial stories I reported on involved a nearby town prohibiting public breastfeeding for children over the age of two. A large group of women gathered on the city hall lawn to breastfeed their kids in protest. At that time, I was in a serious relationship but had no children of my own. My family was scattered, and I hadn’t really been around babies, so I didn’t have strong feelings about breastfeeding. However, I found it inspiring to see so many women asserting their right to nurse openly.
Fast forward two years, and I was married and expecting my first child. I was determined to breastfeed, and if that meant doing it in public, so be it. I figured I could be discreet; after all, what mother would deny a hungry baby?
However, public breastfeeding turns out to be outside of my comfort zone. I’m a bit awkward and somewhat reserved. The thought of exposing myself in a public setting was daunting. Nursing covers felt just as uncomfortable as my own insecurities, and I struggled to breastfeed in those early days, preferring the peace of a quiet, cozy spot. I know that some people feel judgmental, but I realize that the reluctance to breastfeed in public is on me. Sometimes I even feel a twinge of shame that I can’t embrace this perceived “superpower” of breastfeeding in public.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I had the naive notion that I would have to breastfeed in public more often, given my busy life with a toddler. Yet, the situations never really came up. My son is quite the wiggly one, making it difficult to nurse while also keeping an eye on my active toddler. Nursing is easier in the privacy of home, and I’ve found that I can often feed him before we leave and again when we return, so public nursing hasn’t been a necessity.
That being said, I wholeheartedly support mothers who breastfeed in public. Whenever I see a woman confidently nursing in a café or park, I cheer her on silently. It’s great to see that level of confidence; I’m just not there yet, and I’m beginning to accept that about myself.
There was one occasion, however, where I did manage to breastfeed my son in a remarkably public setting: right after finishing a 5K race at the Georgia Dome. My husband was competing in a one-mile run, and I was left with two kids, one of whom was in a complete meltdown. After gathering my wits, I found a bench, threw a blanket over my shoulder, and nursed my son while people casually milled around. To my surprise, I didn’t receive any judgmental looks; instead, I felt empowered. I realized that perhaps I’m not as prudish as I thought. I’m grateful I could nurse my son in that setting, and it reinforced my belief in normalizing public breastfeeding.
However, should there be embarrassment in choosing not to breastfeed publicly? It’s essential to acknowledge that some mothers may prefer to nurse privately for various reasons. Not everyone feels comfortable utilizing a nursing cover, and some may prefer a more intimate setting to feed their child. In my area, a brand-new shopping center features a private nursing room, complete with a TV and a cozy rocking chair. This allows mothers to breastfeed in a safe and comfortable space without feeling exposed or hidden away. It’s progress!
I can’t be the only one who appreciates this balance—being able to breastfeed in public when necessary, but having the option to do so privately when preferred.
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In summary, while I support the normalization of public breastfeeding, I also believe it’s essential to respect each mother’s choice to breastfeed privately if she wishes. Both options should be embraced without stigma or shame.