Breastfeeding in Public Should Never Be Shamed

self insemination kit

For our daughter’s third flight, we decided to bring her car seat, hoping it would help her nap. Unfortunately, she had different plans. At the airport, she twisted and screamed as if we’d placed her on a bed of nails in that car seat. I took her out and held her, and by the time we boarded, she had calmed down somewhat but was still squirming in my arms. That’s when a flight attendant approached us.

“You’ll need to secure the baby in her car seat for takeoff,” he instructed.

“Really?” I replied, “Can’t I just hold her?”

He shook his head. “Safety regulations require it.”

“But without the car seat, one of us would be holding her,” I argued.

“I understand, but since you have the car seat, she must go in it,” he said, with a hint of forced sympathy in his eyes. “In case of an emergency, is it better for her to be secure or to become a projectile?”

I wanted to retort, “Do you want to listen to her scream for half an hour?” Instead, I glanced at my daughter and said, “He just called you a projectile, sweetie.”

The attendant managed a weak smile before walking away. But I noticed my wife, Sarah, glance at him, and without needing words, I knew our daughter would remain out of the car seat. Moments before takeoff, Sarah discreetly offered our daughter her breast, and the attendant hurried past us, trying to avoid eye contact with the situation unfolding before him. The dynamics had shifted; it was no longer a flight safety issue but a personal moment for us, and I felt a surge of pride.

Reflecting back to nine months prior, I realized how naïve I had been. Sarah and I had argued about where she should sit in our living room while breastfeeding. She preferred the glider by the front window; I was concerned about our neighbors seeing her. “I don’t want you to be topless for everyone to see!” I exclaimed. When she challenged my possessiveness, I shamefully gestured toward her breasts, declaring, “Because those are mine!”

The anger and disappointment on her face were unforgettable. She reminded me that her body was not mine to control. Yet, I still struggled with my views. Over time, as I watched her breastfeed our daughter day after day, I began to appreciate her strength more. It was like supporting an athlete in an endurance race, where I could only cheer her on while she took on the challenge.

Breastfeeding is not a sport; it’s a deeply personal commitment that often goes unrecognized. While a marathon runner may have a crowd cheering them on, a breastfeeding mother often faces judgment and discomfort in public. It’s heartbreaking to see women criticized for choosing to nourish their babies outside the confines of designated nursing rooms.

When I hear about the backlash against women breastfeeding in public, it frustrates and saddens me. These women work hard to provide for their babies, offering nourishment and comfort. Actress Mila Kunis recently spoke out about this issue, stating that our culture sexualizes breasts to the point where people struggle to accept a woman displaying her breast in public for a completely natural act. She’s absolutely right. The same flight attendant who insisted on our daughter being in her car seat was hesitant to engage with us when it came to breastfeeding, illustrating the confusion surrounding societal norms.

Breasts are often celebrated in media and entertainment, yet when a baby is involved, they become points of contention. It’s a paradox. Many men, including myself, have grappled with objectifying women’s bodies, viewing breasts primarily through a sexual lens. I recognize that my earlier reactions, including my possessiveness over Sarah’s body, were flawed. Admitting this isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for growth.

My journey toward respecting women, especially in the context of breastfeeding, has been gradual. I strive to teach my daughter to become a strong woman while continuously learning how to be a better man myself. It’s time for all of us to stop shaming women for the powerful act of breastfeeding.

In sharing these thoughts, I hope to encourage a broader acceptance of breastfeeding in public spaces. For more insights into pregnancy and home insemination, you can visit this excellent resource.

Summary

Breastfeeding in public is a natural act that should be embraced rather than shamed. As societal views evolve, it is crucial to support mothers in their breastfeeding journeys and challenge the objectification of women’s bodies.