Outraged?

The first time I had to breast feed in public, I was in Macaroni Grill for Mothers Day and Amelia was crying. Dinner had taken a lot longer than we thought, and she was only 4 weeks old at the time- so constantly hungry. I was terrified- I'd sworn to never do this in public, but unless I went into the bathroom (disgusting), I was stuck. I threw H's white linen shirt on and a blanket over baby and I. We were in a back corner so only one table could really see us- and the man sitting at that table stared at me THE. ENTIRE. TIME. It was so uncomfortable and he leered as we left the restaurant. I was originally mortified than I started to get pissed. What's the big deal? I'm feeding my baby. I'm showing A LOT less tit than the trashy beer commercials on TV. Daytime TV. So Creepy Man could shove it- and deal with the very discrete image of my baby's tiny feet peeking out from the blanket, because that's all he could see.

From that moment on, I try not to be uncomfortable breastfeeding in public (key words: I try). I am always very discrete, but if I haven't pumped a bottle (which isn't always an option depending where we are), I feed Amelia.

So, to be completely honest, I did not even think twice when I got this magazine in the mail this month.

My brother read me this article over the weekend. He's in law school and really up to date on everything, and I'm usually in my own little world (he also brought me up to date on the latest Supreme Court Justice debates, but that's a whole other story.) I'm not the only one bothered by this. I was a bit pissed off at the obvious and complete bias- the author of this article is obviously anti-boob.

I, for one, am very pro-breastfeeding. I made that choice long before I got pregnant and I'm proud of it. I am NOT one of the breastfeeding Nazis... I have a few friends who were unable to breastfeed for various reasons and of course I support them. But for me personally, it was a natural decision and has been the most beautiful bonding experience for Amelia & I. And she's healthy as can be, with her little fat rolls threatening to overtake her body.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the cover of Baby Talk. This lovely picture is beautiful in it's simplicity... the baby is looking at his mother while she's providing the best nourishment she can give him. And they're bonding in the most amazing way.

It's natural. It's right. It's how God made our bodies.

The more stigmatized we make breastfeeding, the less women will do it. I already feel self-conscious when I feed in public, and it hasn't been the easiest path for us- it was painful, time-consuming, and sometimes inconvenient. But it was right, and the best decision I've made for us both. It's been 4 months and she's been exclusively breastfed (except for that one little rice cereal experiment last week) and such a beautiful and happy baby.

For this reason, I will proudly post this gorgeous picture H took last week:

And if anyone doesn't like it, they can really just get over it !!