How do I feel about NIP:Nursing in Public?

Well I love that the acronym is short for nipple – yes I have a sense of humor as amble as my bosom. As a former law student I like to look at the law. After my recent run in with NIP the law in Illinois supports a mother’s right to NIP and specifically allows for the comfort of both mother and child –even if breast tissue,nipple or areola are exposed. NY Supreme Court ruled if a man can bear his naked chest in public on the subway,a woman should have the same right –any woman can walk around the city day or night without a shirt on –now I defend this right,but I wouldn’t exercise it in NY,TX Wash DC,Canada or HI where indecent exposure is the exposure of genitals not breasts. There is nothing indecent about a woman doing what nature intended,or yes- even G-d intended,that’s why we have them. Lest we forget we are mammals – though with many individuals’ outcries against breastfeeding I think animals is a more appropriate term.

What about these women who post how they breastfed x amount of children and they showed discretion,nursing in a bathroom or in public under a woolen blanket (I only guess at wool since it seems more Puritanical somehow). Discretion,as with obscenity,is relative. I don’t let my breasts flail around,but I also do not use a cover –my son fights with me,overheats and becomes unruly with a cover of any kind. He even shrugs off blankets at night. Would anyone want to eat under a sheet? Especially in the heat? Would you want to eat a meal in a toilet stall? Not very sanitary in there,feces particles are everywhere.

As women we need to realize that our breasts are functional and stop buying into the media blitz that they are merely sexual,or "naughty". I see a HUGE difference between me nursing my child in public for his and my lifelong health and well being and Girls Gone Wild bearing their breasts for beads worth 25 cents. By breastfeeding or NIP,I don’t degrade myself or women,nor do support the rampant over-sexualization of our gender. I act as guide for all mothers and mothers to be that you shouldn’t be afraid,worried,or intimidated about breastfeeding. If more of us breastfed our children maybe the rate of allergies,asthma,diabetes and other maladies would decline –instead of depending on pharmaceutical companies and formula companies we would find strength in ourselves and our bodies. When I breastfeed in public I believe I am sending the message "Yes,you can do it too!"and I smile at anyone who looks my way because I am proud to be the best mother I can be and give my sons the best meal on earth – tailored specifically for them. Don’t buy into the hype? Check out the small print in a Gerber Commercial “Gerber supports that breastmilk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants” it’s right there people,even they know it!

Back to the argument that somehow my barely visible breast may scar you for life. Well,trust me – it isn’t anything to write home about. I have seen far more exposed when walking around the mall. No-one causes a stir when some young woman wears a low cut top showing cleavage,or a large man with ample breast tissue goes topless. We are granted many freedoms in this country,here’s one that the overly prudent should exercise- look away,get out of everyone else’s business and get a life. Stop placing your issues on me. Kudos to you for breastfeeding your kids,I am saddened that you believed you had to excuse yourself from dinner to do it in a toilet. I am sorry that a wonderful bonding experience was seen as something shameful that should be hidden. I revel in the amazing things my body can do – I can create life,I can bring it into the world,I can feed it and even educate it – all on my own – do you know how powerful that makes me feel? Do you realize how powerful you are? Powerful enough to not get into petty name calling and acquisitions. This post was going to be a reply to a discussion started on a supposedly mom friendly site – but I decided to move it to a forum where it may really help someone instead of inciting more flaming replies.

I don’t get offended when I see a mom bottle feeding a newborn. Hey,I don’t know her,her baby or their story. I would be lying though if I didn’t admit to being saddened by the sight,and inwardly hoping that bottle feeding was an educated choice instead of the only option she felt was valid. I hate hearing the dismissive tone people use when they comment on how they stopped breastfeeding because it was too much of a hassle and not worth the effort. My wish for future mothers is that they have exposure to evidence about the benefits of breastfeeding and support from those around them,especially their families and communities. It truly takes a village to raise a child,and hopefully your village is full of wise women.