Mind if I expose my ... Nursing mothers aren't out to embarrass you; ..

[struggle4progress]

simply look away, writes MARTHA SCHWALM

06:07 PM CDT on Saturday, June 25, 2005

It can't be news to anyone that women's breasts attract attention. But it was newsworthy when protesters showed up outside ABC studios in New York after Barbara Walters said a woman breast-feeding on a plane made her "uncomfortable." (Want to see uncomfortable? Try flying with a screaming, hungry baby.) <snip>

I remember attending a support group for breast-feeding mothers, called La Leche League, and saying, "You'll have to help me learn to nurse discreetly or I can never leave the house again." The women there did not dismiss my concerns, nor tell me to let it all hang out. They gave me practical tips on how to nurse in public – things like, don't throw a blanket over the baby's head.

Yes, that's right – don't use a blanket. For one thing, any baby over 2 months old will immediately reach up and pull it down; for another, it attracts attention to you. It's like holding up a sign saying, "I AM NURSING A BABY HERE." You can't be inconspicuous with a baby blanket draped across your body.

And most of the time, it wouldn't help. Although people such as that restaurant owner in Round Rock will tell you they are uncomfortable with breast-feeding because they don't want to see anyone's breasts, that's usually not the case. Women receive more complaints when they nurse under a blanket or cover-up than when they go without. <snip>

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/points/stories/062605dnedipb.41dd9c33.html

[teach1st]

1. It says something...

..when such a natural and beautiful part of our life makes people uncomfortable.

[mike_c]

2. this is just the craziest damn thing I've ever heard....

OK, maybe not. But I must live in a bubble. My ex nursed our daughter-- 25 years ago. All of my friends with babies nurse them. Nursing mothers are as common as, well, babies where I live.

[illini]

3. I have never understood why people get creeped out at such a natural thing

I just ignore nursing mothers and their child. I dont want to stare at them and they don't wished to be stared at I'm sure. What is the big deal.

[gaia_gardener]

4. That is so true about the blanket

I nursed 2 babies for a long time. Even when my youngest baby was 2 and nursing, most people never noticed (well, by that time, we weren't nursing much during the day).

But I'd see women with a blanket and watch the faces around me. People would have disgust on their face and you'd see them whispering and hear "I can't believe she's doing THAT here" "Why can't she go to the bathroom?".

I had the greatest LLL group. We offered lots of tips on nursing in public and even had gatherings out where new mothers could have moral support when nursing in public. I miss my LLL group. A lot. What a great group of liberal women in a very conservative city (Oklahoma City).

[RC]

5. For some reason people don't want to be reminded that

they are animals. That's unchristian don't chaknow.

[sam sarrha]

6. if you dont have enough for everyone you have to put it away...