re: Nursing in Public (NIP) - Is Covering Up Necessary?

<blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" ... [snip!] ... who think that they shouldn't or can't fight the social pressures and consider those who do to be pompous or "in your face""</blockquote>


You listed multiple reasons why nursing only at home is detrimental, but didn't stop to consider that maybe some women simply prefer to have it be a private thing. You made it sound like she is voluntarily sitting in the back of the bus so she does not piss off ol' whitey. The fight against social norms is your fight; not all women feel the same. Some like their breasts being sexual and like to keep it that way. That's not a bad thing; just different from your opinion. On that same note, those that don't shouldn't be called pompous. I think both opinions should be respected as long as they aren't actively trying to revoke rights from each other.

What I'm trying to point out here is the hypocrisy on BOTH sides. Maybe some don't want to fight social norms because the subscribe to them, and if it has no bearing on you it shouldn't matter. Those women that say you're being inappropriate for nursing uncovered should step back and realize that's a right and a privilege and if they don't like it, simply turn away.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" ... [snip!] ... for nursing uncovered should step back and realize that's a right and a privilege and if they don't like it, simply turn away."</blockquote>

Finally someone I can agree with in this thread. LOL I nursed at home (and only in private places the few times I did nurse in public) because to me it is and was a private moment. I don't consider my boobs to be sexual in general, however while nursing I wouldn't allow my DH near them because then I just saw them as food for my DS. I have no issue with people who do NIP. I do have issue with the women in here saying because I didn't NIP I am not supportive of breastfeeding. My DD thinks it is completely normal, she just knows mommy didn't do it in public but she has seen many women who have.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" ... [snip!] ... for nursing uncovered should step back and realize that's a right and a privilege and if they don't like it, simply turn away."</blockquote>

When did I say nursing at home is detrimental? I said feeling PRESSURE to nurse at home is detrimental.

And when did I say breasts aren't allowed to be sexual? I hear that's GREAT when shared by your partner and is the choice of the woman---i wouldn't mind if DH wanted to play with mine. Sex and boobs doesn't bother me. It's when boobs are seen as intrinsically and primarily sexual that i find issue. I don't want to have to cover my tits to feel comfortable in public, I want men to realize that it's improper to stare!!! I dress fairly modestly and rarely expose cleavage, but society has sexualized my breasts to the point that I often find myself consciously dressing to minimize them and then I think "WHY should I be forced to wear clothes I dislike so people won't stare?" and stare back or comment when someone stares.


That's like saying women should dress in a burqa so they don't get raped---women should be allowed to dress, nurse, and behave as she wishes without societal pressure or fear of "creepers" or gawkers or rude comments

To me hiding to nurse because you can't stand up to societal pressure IS sitting on the back of the bus.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" ... [snip!] ... My DD thinks it is completely normal, she just knows mommy didn't do it in public but she has seen many women who have."</blockquote>




All of the kids in my family think of it as normal because it was done at home. I did nurse in public but not often simply because it wasn't necessary. Hell, I pumped at work and kept my breast milk in the freezer! It was a tiny office and I worked with all men so that was always fun. They teased me about going to the bathroom to relieve myself because their were no private offices.

I tried to keep my husband away from mine, too, but he always wanted to play with "momma's special squirt guns." Typical guy.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" ... [snip!] ... I tried to keep my husband away from mine, too, but he always wanted to play with "momma's special squirt guns." Typical guy."</blockquote>

I pumped at work and would keep it in the freezer. I kept it in a lunchbox. I was in the military as the commander's secretary and he grabbed that lunchbox instead.....imagine his surprise. LOL

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" ... [snip!] ... lunchbox. I was in the military as the commander's secretary and he grabbed that lunchbox instead.....imagine his surprise. LOL"</blockquote>


My coworkers joked about using it as coffee creamer. My son was in the NICU at the time so all I could do was pump and it was very little milk so I watched that smurf like a hawk!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Rice:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" ... [snip!] ... My DD thinks it is completely normal, she just knows mommy didn't do it in public but she has seen many women who have."</blockquote>


I never said nursing privately because you enjoy the quiet bonding was wrong. I said feeling pressure to do it because you worry someone will see your breasts as sex objects and fantasize about your lactation, etc was problematic and should be fought against. It's the "society makes me uncomfortable, so I'll hide" mentality is where the problem lies.

And like "anothamotha" said, you can breastfeed without being an advocate for breastfeeding. Doesn't mean you aren't going to normalize BFing to a few close friends, just that you're not going to change society sitting in a back room

<blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" ... [snip!] ... or rude comments To me hiding to nurse because you can't stand up to societal pressure IS sitting on the back of the bus."</blockquote>


Also, if you think that nursing in public doesn't effect breastfeeding rates, you're uneducated!

Women who don't BF in public:
1) schedule trips around nursing---if they miss a feeding, they risk engorgement, leaking, clogged ducts, supply issues. To feed while out, they must pump (could cause supply issues) or supplement (huge cause of supply issues).

2) they stay home---leaving mramas to feel isolated and like they're missing out. Meaning they wean sooner or supplement more (more supply issues) so they can go out more.

3) they hide in back rooms---isolation, leading to earlier average weaning and more supplementation (which can cause supply issues)

4) they sit in cars or use restrooms to nurse---isolation, inconvenience, and grossness (if I felt the need to hide in a restroom, I'd have quit a long time ago.

5) inconvenience---a can of powder and a bottle of water seem convenient when the alternative is a drastic lifestyle change. NIP requires nothing. No prep. No equipment. NOTHING.

If you don't think those SIGNIFICANTLY effect overall BFing rates or total length of BFing, you've seriously got your head in the ground.

They did, after all, write laws protecting women from being asked to inconvenience themselves because those inconveniences decreased BFing rates. The laws were passed to help RAISE BREASTFEEDING RATES!!!


This is where you said only nursing at home is detrimental.

<blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Bangtail:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting P Pickle Pants:</b>" ... [snip!] ... or rude comments To me hiding to nurse because you can't stand up to societal pressure IS sitting on the back of the bus."</blockquote>



Some women don't "stand up" not because of societal pressure but because they feel the same way. That isn't wrong and it doesn't make them a bad mother or a bad person.

Can't offer a decent response.
Too pompous and uncivilized to care.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ darah ♥:</b>" Can't offer a decent response. Too pompous and uncivilized to care."</blockquote>




And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a "cop-out."

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ darah ♥:</b>" Can't offer a decent response. ... [snip!] ... Too pompous and uncivilized to care."</blockquote> And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a "cop-out.""

Actually it's more like I don't feel like sitting here and arguing with a bunch of women who hurl insults for days and days on end. I created this topic a couple of nights ago. Time to move along. Think what you want.

I will be busy using my feminazi powers to save more women from misogyny and nurse in public like a pompous bitch. ;-)

<blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ darah ♥:</b>" Actually it's more like I don't feel like sitting here and arguing with a bunch of women who hurl ... [snip!] ... want. I will be busy using my feminazi powers to save more women from misogyny and nurse in public like a pompous bitch. ;-)"</blockquote>


You go, captain save-a-nipple.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ darah ♥:</b>" I'm not discreet. I pull my nipples out of the top of my shirt and nurse! I love when I get bad reactions ... [snip!] ... love when I get bad reactions lol. especially since there's nothing anyone can do about it. and if they try I will raise hell."</blockquote>



This comment right here is why I made the '"in your face" breastfeeding comment.

You are looking for confrontation and you've admitted it.

Yeah, you are pompous ...and rude.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ♥ darah ♥:</b>" I'm not discreet. I pull my nipples ... [snip!] ... face" breastfeeding comment. You are looking for confrontation and you've admitted it. Yeah, you are pompous ...and rude."

Well thank you.  
You know me so well!