The movement to normalize breastfeeding in public spaces is gaining momentum. Mothers shouldn’t feel compelled to retreat to cramped cars or unsanitary restrooms just to avoid judgment from those who may not understand or appreciate the sight of a mother nourishing her child.
When I first moved to Austin, my early days as a journalist included covering a controversial incident where a nearby city prohibited public breastfeeding for children over the age of two. In response, a large group of mothers gathered at city hall to breastfeed in protest, a powerful act of solidarity. At the time, I was not yet married and didn’t have children, though I was in a committed relationship and eagerly anticipating both. With my family scattered across the country and limited exposure to infants, I hadn’t formed any strong opinions about breastfeeding. However, witnessing that gathering of nursing mothers felt completely natural to me—they had every right to advocate for themselves.
Fast forward two years, and I found myself married and expecting my first child. I was determined to breastfeed, and if that meant doing it in public, so be it. After all, I could be discreet, and who was I to deny a hungry baby its meal?
However, I soon discovered that public breastfeeding wasn’t my forte. I’m naturally a bit awkward—perhaps even a bit shy. The thought of exposing myself in a crowd while nursing was daunting. Nursing covers felt just as uncomfortable to me, and in the early days of breastfeeding, I faced challenges that made it easier to find a serene and private space. I didn’t feel pressured by onlookers; rather, I was grappling with my own insecurities. In fact, I sometimes felt a tinge of shame that I didn’t possess the confidence to showcase my breastfeeding journey.
With my second pregnancy, I imagined a hectic life where public breastfeeding would be a necessity due to my now-toddler daughter. Yet, that scenario never materialized. My son tends to be a bit of a wiggle worm, making breastfeeding in public a challenge. The constant adjusting and the fear of distractions make it easier to nurse in a more private setting. My life isn’t so busy that I can’t plan nursing sessions around our outings. While I’ve had a few quick car nursing moments, most of the time, I can manage to nurse him before we leave or when we return home.
That said, I wholeheartedly support mothers who breastfeed in public. Whenever I see someone confidently nursing in public, I silently cheer them on. “You go, girl!” I think. I’m learning to be okay with my own preferences too.
Once, the stars aligned perfectly, and I found myself feeding my son in a public setting that was, ironically, one of the most visible places imaginable. After completing a 5K in downtown Austin, I ended up on the 50-yard line of a stadium, with my husband and kids by my side. My son was in full meltdown mode, and after a long interval since his last feeding, I had no choice but to nurse him right there. With a blanket casually draped over my shoulder, I let him latch on while onlookers were simply focused on their own activities. Surprisingly, I felt empowered, realizing I could do it in public without feeling overly awkward.
So yes, let’s continue to advocate for public breastfeeding. There’s no shame in doing it. But what about those of us who prefer to nurse privately? Recognizing that some mothers desire the option to feed their children away from the public eye is essential. Sometimes, a nursing cover feels like a game of Twister, and not every mother is comfortable using her baby as a shield.
In my community, a new shopping center has introduced a private nursing room complete with a television and a cozy area for children, making it a wonderful solution for mothers like me. It’s a place where you can nurse without feeling hidden or exposed, and it caters to the needs of mothers with multiple children. This represents real progress.
In summary, while I fully support normalizing public breastfeeding, I also believe in the importance of providing options for mothers who prefer privacy. We’re all on our own journeys, and that’s perfectly okay.
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Keyphrase: public breastfeeding
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