Comments on: Monday Musings: Do Public Breastfeeding Moms Nurse Longer?

By: Trishy

Trishy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:52:53 +0000

Hello Nursing Mamas,
I nursed my first for 2 1/2 years & I used a cover up while out in public, mostly because I cherished this time with my baby & enjoyed a private snuggle. I think the cover gave me more confidence to nurse in public, although I am a very successful nurser, the cover allows us to be in our moment, I can get lost in the happy milky moments without having to deal with anyone’s issues, it’s us, my focus is on my baby. I was 7 months pregnant with my second when my first weaned himself. We too happily nurse all over the place, & I have a beautiful nursing cover which I usually use in public, mainly because this babe is so easily distracted, especially by his brother… it helps keep him to the task, it helps me keep modestly covered as I am also handling a three year old too… I enjoy the privacy of the cover, I proudly meet gazes & I smile as I rock with my 7 month old while I bounce my toddler on my knee. To top it all off my family is not pro breastfeeding, especially after 6 months, & I have had many “conversations” about my right to nurse as long as we like… as if they could stop me! The gawking was annoying to say the least, & I am grateful to be able to nourish my baby with a bit of privacy ~ it shuts them out of my beautiful moments…helps me remain in control of the situation. So I would still nurse without the covers & often do, but I enjoy how easy the cover has made it for me to nurse without having to defend my rights… this is not an issue that I would like to fight on a daily basis, I am happy to support public nursing, so I will continue to nurse wherever I need to, with or without a cover depending on my mood & the vibes of where we are…so I say enjoy your nourishing mama moments ~ I sure do

By: One Lovely Blog Award | Breastfeeding Moms Unite

One Lovely Blog Award | Breastfeeding Moms Unite — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:04:13 +0000

[...] but I love her Magical Milk-Pic-O-The-Week, one of which prompted a popular Monday Musing post Do Public Breastfeeding Moms Nurse Longer? as well as her posts about her adoptions. 8. Mother Mary’s Soapbox is the [...]

By: Melodie

Melodie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:37:38 +0000

I agree that nursing covers are beneficial for some breastfeeding relationships. I knew I had said that somewhere in another post – the one on the results of the covering vs. not covering poll – so I have pasted it here for you.

“One thing I want to say before I close is that I didn’t make this poll to further ostracize some breastfeeding moms. I don’t think it matters so much how a mother chooses to breastfeed her child. What is most important is that she is breastfeeding. And if using a cover can help a mom to breastfeed longer than she would have otherwise, then I applaud her for doing what she needs to do to give her baby the best start.”

I would never intentionally make a mom feel bad for using a cover just because I don’t. I do think their existence is a reflection on the type of society we live in though. The fact that you felt incompetent breastfeeding around other women/people while you struggled to latch your baby is both the most understandable reason to cover and also, again, a sad reflection on the reality of our culture, that we are so worried about being judged by others, because sadly women do judge! If only we all supported one another in a way that made all of our problems with breastfeeding accepted. More education in our health care system as well as continuing education and support for breastfeeding in the media, education in schools for young girls learning about menstruation and sex – why not breastfeeding too?
All of these things can add up to more confidence and understanding about breastfeeding and the trials and difficulties that can arise. So women like you wouldn’t need to feel ashamed or embarassed by your struggles and other women wouldn’t be afraid to speak up and kindly offer you help or support.
Thank you for your site and promotion of nursing covers for those who prefer or need them. You do wonderful service to breastfeeding moms.

By: Raj Thandhi

Raj Thandhi — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:47:23 +0000

I am really enjoying your blog and the carnival of nursing but I did want to point out that some moms like me just aren’t comfortable nursing in public and that’s why I covered up. Not nursing in public wasn’t because I didn’t want people to see my boob, it was because I was having trouble latching my kids and I felt incompetent under the gazes of other women.
I am totally pro-breastfeeding, but I just want to leave the door open for those women that want to feed but aren’t as open or comfortable as some. I wrote more about this on my blog last weekend: http://www.concept9.ca/blog

Raj Thandhi’s last blog post..Hair Accessories Coming Soon!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:24:35 +0000

Still nursing at 22 months and I rarely covered up. But I did in certain situations; never with a special nursing cover - just threw a light blanket over us. Sometimes to protect from the sun or if someone was so close to me we were touching. I wanted us to have privacy- for our sake b/c nursing to me was a very special, intimate time - not just food. I wanted to respect that when we were out. Deborah’s last blog post..Toxic Paws?

By: Momzelle Nursing Wear Review | Breastfeeding Moms Unite

Momzelle Nursing Wear Review | Breastfeeding Moms Unite — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:38:47 +0000

[...] got your belly covered.” This is interesting for me because of one of my past posts, Monday Musings: Do Public Breastfeeding Moms Nurse Longer? that resulted in the Poll: How Long Did You Breastfeed? (Covering Up vs. Not Covering Up) had a [...]

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:46:27 +0000

I am a heavy duty supporter of breastfeeding. I nursed all 7 of my kids varying lengths of time from six weeks for my first one (had to return to active duty), to five years two months. I learned so much about nursing from reading, and reaching out to the La Leche League. I became an LLL Leader at one point while nursing my fifth child. My daughters have nursed their children as well, quoting the time they spent watching me, and the fact that they grew comfortable with it during LLL meetings. If any of us can help another mother give the best of themselves to their babies, it’s time well spent.