Why do we still struggle with the sight of a mother breastfeeding her child in public? Despite the progress made in recent years, it seems many individuals feel entitled to impose their discomfort on mothers who are simply nourishing their babies. The frequency with which breastfeeding mothers encounter shame and judgment is alarming.
Recently, the Facebook group Breastfeeding Support Network shared a distressing story of a mother who was asked to leave a dance studio where she was watching her friend’s daughter perform, unless she agreed to cover up while feeding her baby. The mother, Jessica, expressed her frustration in a heartfelt post: “Here I am in my car, crying while feeding my three-month-old. Why am I not in an air-conditioned studio watching my friend’s kids dance? It’s because I dared to feed my baby without a cover.”
Evidently, her breastfeeding drew complaints from other mothers, leading to her being told she was no longer welcome unless she covered up, as it was deemed inappropriate for the children present. This raises the question: when did curiosity and questions from children become something to hide from? Instead of fostering an environment for discussion about different ways to nourish children, Jessica was made to feel unwelcome and ashamed.
“I am very discreet when I breastfeed. If you see anything, you’re looking too closely. I am so upset. I feel isolated,” she shared. This reaction is precisely why the Breastfeeding Support Network exists. They aim to amplify the voices of mothers who may feel alone in their experiences, showing them that they have a community of supporters willing to stand by them.
What’s more troubling is the setting—a dance studio filled with young girls. “What kind of message are we sending to future mothers? It’s disheartening that a place claiming to empower young girls would shame something as natural as breastfeeding,” Jessica noted. “I am feeding my baby, and that is something all mothers should celebrate!”
Jessica plans to address the studio owner about this incident, armed with Louisiana state laws regarding breastfeeding rights. She hopes to ensure that future mothers won’t face the same discrimination she did.
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In summary, it’s time for society to embrace and normalize breastfeeding in public settings. Mothers should feel empowered and supported in their choices, rather than shamed and ostracized.