Let’s start off by saying that I am an easygoing person. Most things don’t bother me. If you want to express your opinion then that’s fine, I’m not going to stop you. I’m about to dig into a topic that seems to be very controversial lately. If you are easily offended, know that that’s not my purpose here. My purpose is just to give a father’s perspective.
Lately, I have been seeing a lot of talk and controversy about public breastfeeding.
For every woman that advocates for it, another one is against it. Rarely do you see a man’s opinion about it, though. It is typically moms going back and forth about the topic. So, I thought maybe I could chime in a little.
Here’s how I see it …
Public breastfeeding should be perfectly acceptable. Anywhere. Anytime. Always.
I’ve seen my wife breastfeed in numerous places. I know how much my daughter would rather breastfeed then to take a bottle. Though she will do both, she prefers the comfort of breastfeeding. A lot of times my wife will let her breastfeed just so that she can fall asleep. It works every time.
But I am not done on this topic, there is another very important part …
If you want to breastfeed in public, COVER UP.
It makes me very uncomfortable to be around a stranger with their private parts hanging out. I’m sure that I am not the only person that feels that way. They make cloaks, and blankets work too. It’s simple to do. Please don’t feel the need to make everyone else in the store, room, school, or wherever you are, uncomfortable. It’s simply not necessary.
There are Facebook groups out there that are pushing for “open-air” breastfeeding and suggesting that all mothers do it to get the point across. What’s the point?
That you are incapable of covering up and saving everyone else in the area the feeling of being uncomfortable? Non-breastfeeding moms and dads carry around bottles and formula, why can’t breastfeeding moms keep something to cover up with?
I have seen my wife actually put our daughter under her shirt before, because at least she is somewhat covered. I understand that there will always be people that go against the “norm” but I guess I just don’t understand the need to.
Chicago is a beautiful city. Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing. Let’s not ruin it by being inconsiderate.
I would LOVE to hear feedback about this topic, please feel free to comment!
