There has been a lot of talk lately on social media about breastfeeding rights. Just so we are clear, here in Canada, we have a right to feed our baby wherever we need to. Some choose to cover the baby, others do not. I have read people's opinions on both sides of the coin and sometimes it angers me when people say "just feed them in the car" or "stay at home". I find this incredibly offensive because who wants to be in a cramped car when its -40+ outside (do you know how much work it is to bundle up a baby in cold weather?) and "staying at home" would mean I go absolutely mental as for the first three months Julianne pretty much ate non-stop so I would have never gone anywhere.
Then others say feed them a bottle. For those fortunate to have babies that take bottles (as not all babies do) it takes a lot more effort to feed a bottle. From pumping (took me 2 sessions of 15 minutes each to get enough for a bottle for Julianne at the beginning) to sterilizing the parts so you don't get thrush (painful for mom and baby), to keeping milk from spoiling, it isn't as "Easy" as people think it is just so that people aren't uncomfortable with a mom breastfeeding around them.
Now, thankfully, not everyone is like this! I am blessed to have a supportive husband and family that support breastfeeding. I have had a few close people suggest formula from time to time as Julianne and I have struggled with supply. I stuck it out to 6 months and now offer one serving of formula a day (at bedtime for her so daddy gets time with her and I can work out or have a few minutes of me time). I don't feel guilty about this one bottle of formula because the rest of the day I still breastfeed and i still pump twice a day to build up a stash for those date nights.
Depending on where I am and who I am with, I will cover Julianne. This worked until about a month ago. She is now super curious and wants to be a part of the action non stop! So its more difficult to get a good feed when we are out and about. Thankfully I can delay her eating for a short bit by giving her solids or rice cereal until I can get her somewhere that she will be able to focus on breastfeeding. I am sure this is a phase and we will be able to resume breastfeeding wherever. Like last month when we were in Disneyland she fed no problem in the park and I even had someone come up and provide kudos for breastfeeding my baby (which is sad as it shouldn't be such a novelty). Or when we were at the zoo in Dessert Palms - she ate in the baby carrier with a receiving blanket covering her so I could continue walking.
Whatever method of covering works for a mom or sans covering, I agree with the side that it shouldn't be considered offensive that a baby is getting breastfed when there are a lot worse things out there that we see everyday.
PS - I am so lucky my sister in law bought me a super awesome nursing pillow and nursing cover. These should be on any mama's must have list (at least the pillow as even if you bottle feed you will appreciate the added support for baby).
PPS - I respect everyone's choice on what they choose to feed their baby as each of us are unique and have individual situations.
Then others say feed them a bottle. For those fortunate to have babies that take bottles (as not all babies do) it takes a lot more effort to feed a bottle. From pumping (took me 2 sessions of 15 minutes each to get enough for a bottle for Julianne at the beginning) to sterilizing the parts so you don't get thrush (painful for mom and baby), to keeping milk from spoiling, it isn't as "Easy" as people think it is just so that people aren't uncomfortable with a mom breastfeeding around them.
Now, thankfully, not everyone is like this! I am blessed to have a supportive husband and family that support breastfeeding. I have had a few close people suggest formula from time to time as Julianne and I have struggled with supply. I stuck it out to 6 months and now offer one serving of formula a day (at bedtime for her so daddy gets time with her and I can work out or have a few minutes of me time). I don't feel guilty about this one bottle of formula because the rest of the day I still breastfeed and i still pump twice a day to build up a stash for those date nights.
Depending on where I am and who I am with, I will cover Julianne. This worked until about a month ago. She is now super curious and wants to be a part of the action non stop! So its more difficult to get a good feed when we are out and about. Thankfully I can delay her eating for a short bit by giving her solids or rice cereal until I can get her somewhere that she will be able to focus on breastfeeding. I am sure this is a phase and we will be able to resume breastfeeding wherever. Like last month when we were in Disneyland she fed no problem in the park and I even had someone come up and provide kudos for breastfeeding my baby (which is sad as it shouldn't be such a novelty). Or when we were at the zoo in Dessert Palms - she ate in the baby carrier with a receiving blanket covering her so I could continue walking.
Whatever method of covering works for a mom or sans covering, I agree with the side that it shouldn't be considered offensive that a baby is getting breastfed when there are a lot worse things out there that we see everyday.
PS - I am so lucky my sister in law bought me a super awesome nursing pillow and nursing cover. These should be on any mama's must have list (at least the pillow as even if you bottle feed you will appreciate the added support for baby).
PPS - I respect everyone's choice on what they choose to feed their baby as each of us are unique and have individual situations.