hi Ellen
I live in the Seattle area, and what Wendi wrote seems to be true up here
too. Although, I've haven't really looked to see if people were looking at
me, because I was really focused on my babies and making sure that they were
satisfied. I just can't stand crying babies in public - maybe that's just me
not wanting to draw attention to myself & what I consider an act of bonding
between us. I grew up in TX, and even though I've been back here for 13
years, I still notice that people in the NW are much more closed off and
private than they are down there. My hunch is that there's lots of "closet
nurslings" up here, maybe because the weather is usually "indoor weather" up
here?
Lots of people bf up here, from what I understand, the highest numbers in
the US (although, they aren't that high :(). Nordstrom is by far the
biggest retail advocate of breastfeeding mothers, and they are sponsoring
our new book, "Breast Friends: The King County Breastfeeding Resource Guide"
which goes live online around May 18th. http://www.breast-friends.org It's
a really AWESOME book, BTW, so check it out when it goes live.
Anyway, Nordstrom is throwing our book launch party for us and doing several
things to really publicize that breastfeeding is the best feeding method
(now, to let them know about the mothering part....:). They have certified
nursing bra fitters and carry bra pads and mat belts. They have nursing
lounges is almost all of their stores in our parts (even though they still
have the bottle on their signs, guess they can't put a boob on there haha),
and I always see several mothers in there at the same time nursing their
babies. <GRINNING>
Since Nordstrom is anchored and founded here in the Seattle area, I think
that speaks volumes for them to back our breastfeeding book project and put
their heavy weight behind it. What they do, others follow. I don't think
I'm too idealistic when I say that Nordstrom's backing of our breastfeeding
book will get many more mothers than usual to consider breastfeeding, and
hopefully will get our six month numbers up higher by peer pressure alone,
and move us to be the first baby friendly county in the US. This is a
really terrific project that I hope others in the the US will follow suit on
(and I know others have preceded us).
I think it comes down to cultural norm - up here, bf is slowly but surely
getting to be the cultural norm, at least up to 6 months, from my journeys
out and about with kids. Boeing is a big supporter, as well as Microsoft.
I'm a shameless nursing mother, and I nurse when the little one needs it, no
matter where I am. I'm discreet enough for my & my son's tastes, and that's
all that really matters.
Hope this helps you!
:)Kristine Owens CLD CD(DONA)
South King County Breastfeeding Coalition
PR Coordinator and Webmaster, http://www.breast-friends.org
http://www.kristineowens.com
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