Woman Gets Shamed For Breastfeeding In Public, Doesn’t Cover Up And Continues To Feed Like A Boss
Breastfeeding in public is a legal right in the United States, but some people continue to shame mothers by breastfeeding. Do nursing mothers deserve more than being asked to cover up and hide when they are caring for their newborn?
Ashley Kaidel is one of many mothers facing scrutiny while breastfeeding in public. While enjoying a meal at a restaurant, her baby started showing signs of hunger. So, like any mother, Ashley started breastfeeding her baby. A woman who doesn’t like Kaidel doing this on the table and keeps looking at her with disgust.
Ashley was not going to give in. She chose to continue feeding her child and also faced the stranger head-on. Describing the incident in a Facebook post, she first paid tribute to “the mother that tried breastfeeding uncovered once and she got shamed, she got stared and pointed at, she got nasty comments, she got asked to leave the room, she got asked to cover up.” Elaborating her own story, she wrote:
“Earlier today I posted this picture of my son and I breastfeeding uncovered in a public restaurant. In the picture, it appears I’m staring off into the distance. In reality, I’m staring into the eyes of a woman staring at me. She is looking at me with disgust and shaking her head with judgement in an attempt to shame me and indirectly tell me without words that I am wrong and need to cover myself.
Let me make my reasoning clear on why I post pictures of my son and I publicly breastfeeding uncovered.
I don’t mean to say “Everyone should breast feed without a cover. Show the world your boobs!” If a mother is more comfortable covering herself because SHE feels better doing so, then I totally support that.
With that being said, the reason I post these types pictures is for the mother that tried breastfeeding uncovered once and she got shamed, she got stared and pointed at, she got nasty comments, she got asked to leave the room, she got asked to cover up.
Number one, breast feeding mothers are protected under law to breast feed any way, any how and any where they’re allowed to be in all circumstances otherwise. Number two, you should not ever feel shamed, belittled, embarrassed or wrong for feeding your baby the way nature intended. I do this for the person that has the mentality “Boobs are to be covered. They’re for your husbands eyes only. They’re intimate. It’s a personal/private thing to feed your baby. Cover up out of respect. My kids don’t need to see that. Walk out of the room.” and any other derogatory, close minded comments and sentiments alike.
Again, breasts were made to sustain your baby’s life before they were made to bring pleasure to any other man, woman, partner or spouse. Their sole purpose is to make food and dispense it straight into a baby’s mouth. There is nothing weird about this and there’s no difference in me feeding my baby with my breast than you feeding yourself with a spoon.
Secondly, it is exponentially unfair and selfish to ask a mother and baby to exclude themselves from a table or event or gathering because you’re for some reason uncomfortable with how she feeds her child. No person should be isolated and shunned because they’re eating, especially when you yourself are eating while ridiculing how someone else is eating. Is it not certainly easier to avert your eyes from a displeasing sight rather than suggest or demand a mother and child remove themselves from your presence? How pompous and selfish is this? Just look away. It’s simple to do so. No harm done at all.
Lastly, your children need to see breastfeeding for the same reason you do. They need to acknowledge, comprehend and appreciate that breast milk and breast feeding is and should forever be the first and best choice for both mom and baby. Formula and bottles are a trend. Breastfeeding is not. Your 11 year old daughter watching me nurse may say “Mom, why is that baby sucking her boobie?” But as a parent and human being that understands, respects and appreciates anatomy and mothers, your reply should only and always be “because that’s the way babies eat.” Hopefully it encourages your daughter to grow up with the goal to breast feed and experience the incredible bond and invaluable benefits it comes with.
So again, I don’t post this for attention. I don’t post this because I think everyone should nurse uncovered. I post this to give mamas encouragement. And to encourage others to make breastfeeding mothers feel accepted and supported; not alienated, ridiculed and judged.”
Many people came out in support of the strong mom. One user said: EVERYBODY Else in that room is eating! Why can’t your baby?
Source:daily.lessonslearnedinlife.com
