Shine Fm Blog

UPDATED: Hot Topic - Nursing without a Cover in Public

Posted by Stephanie Nicole | POST A COMMENT

Yesterday I was walking through the grocery store when I saw a woman holding a ten month old baby - to her chest. At first I wasn't sure that I had seen what I thought I saw. But I had seen it. She was nursing her baby without a covering while walking through the grocery store, balancing a basket of groceries on the other arm.

I have to be honest - I didn't know where to look. I am not opposed to nursing in public - but I felt awkward that she did not take the time to cover herself. I realize that in other cultures this is perfectly acceptable, and Canadians may be more uptight about this than others, but I think it's only common courtesy to use a receiving blanket or nursing cape when walking through the grocery store feeding your baby.

What do you think? Post a comment!

Marcie Aug 20, 2010 06:17 pm
So you expect her to feed the baby, carry the basket, and manage a blanket of some sort (that the baby yanks off)? I belong to a facebook group called If breast-feeding makes you feel uncomfortable throw a blanket over your head.

In response to Marcie:

Hi Marcie, thanks for your comment. It's not that nursing makes me feel uncomfortable - it's a natural part of life! It's the feeling that I am invading someone else's privacy just by being in a grocery line with them. Of course it's unrealistic to think someone could nurse and grocery shop at the same time - is it unrealistic to think that someone nurse their child while considering the feelings of those around them?

Marcie Aug 23, 2010 03:45 pm
It is just the baby eating if someone has an unnatural hang up with breasts because of America's sexualization of them, it is their job to avert their eyes. We owe it to our daughters to get over this over sexualization of a women's body
Marcie Aug 23, 2010 03:55 pm
Baby comes first even if it makes someone uncomfortable.The baby was probably freaking out.Grocery shopping and nursing is not ideal, but baby was hungry and mommy needed to shop, no different than opening a box of crackers for a kid.

Again in response to Marcie:

You bring up another excellent topic - the sexualization of women in North America. I would agree that we should teach our daughters that women are not sexual objects but amazing creations of God who deserve respect. That's a two-way street, though. If we want respect as women we have to be willing to respect others and be courteous, even if we don't like their view of the purpose of breasts. Whether we like it or not, we live in a culture that doesn't tend to view them as simply functional. I think it's more of a modesty and privacy issue, as well as an issue of courtesy to those around you who may be uncomfortable with it. Simply covering up while nursing is one way to still make that positive statement about the female body, but that you also are sensitive and respectful those around you. Which in my opinion is one of the wonderful things about being a woman - our huge capacity for compassion, sensitivity and caring. (By the way, the baby was not freaking out at all - it seemed more that the mom wanted to make a statement, and appeared satisfied that those around her were uncomfortable.)

Morgan Aug 24, 2010 08:21 am

I suspect the baby was not freaking out because his needs were met by being breastfed :) Here's the basics: A baby's right to eat is more important than your non-existent right to not have to look at things you do not like to look at.

Hi Morgan, you may be right about why the baby was calm! And I agree that when babies are hungry, they should be fed. Again, I have no problem with nursing in public. It's the lack of nursing cover that caught me off guard. It's not really a matter of who has the right to do what, but of courtesy. While a person may have the right to nurse their child uncovered in a public area, it's not unreasonable or villainous for those around them to feel uncomfortable with their decision. I chose to respect the mom's decision by averting my gaze, and I would have preferred that she used a cover if she could have, but she didn't. And I was uncomfortable. I don't think there's anything wrong with me stating that. Having said that, I would still NOT want laws changed to suit me. Freedom is an amazing thing! And it would be great if it was balanced with courtesy - which of course has to come from us as people, not the law.

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(SEE SEVERAL COMMENTS BELOW)

My response:

WOW - you're right! I DID pick quite the topic to discuss! This is a HOT one! I really appreciate you taking the time to post your comments - they're all great food for thought! It appears that I have hit a bit of a nerve here, but it's important to have the conversation because I know that there are good people on both sides - those who have no issue with nursing uncovered in public and those who are uncomfortable with it (but afraid to voice their opinion because it's not popular). I don't think anyone should be made out to be "the bad one" just because they are on the other side of this issue. And I think a little consideration goes a long way for both sides!