OK, I have been lurking for a while but can no longer sit silent on the issue
of BF in public and the notion of "discretion". I have nursed my children
while they were riding in the sling without anyone knowing that they were @
breast. I have also endured the occassional rude comment and a plethora of
curious glances when nursing my children "discreetly" (i.e., showing
absolutely NO skin) but not fully covered with a blanket. I have also been
tossed from an aquatics facility for BF my daughter in the pool (in case you
have not guessed I am not ashamed of nursing in public).

Despite the range of reactions I have had from others, I have refused to
retreat to public washrooms to nurse or cover my child's head with a blanket
(neither of my children could tolerate having their heads covered) and I have
voiced my objections with the aquatics facility that gave me the boot (and
won!). Why? Because I feel passionately that the only way that people become
more comfortable with the sight of a nursing child is to actually see children
nursing in "normal" places and situations. Some wise soul once said to me that
people should expect to children BF anywhere that mothers and their children
are. I like to think that if a young pregnant woman sees me nursing my child
she may not feel as though it is disguisting or something to be ashamed of, it
is just something "normal". I also take pride in knowing that because I took
action, along with a dedicated group of local BF advocates, women @ local
locations of this aquatics facilty will no longer be asked to leave for BF.

I suppose that it never ceases to amaze me that in North America it commonly
viewed as appropriate to ask a woman not to BF @ all or to do it under a
blanket or with no skin showing etc. etc. rather than expect a person who is
uncomfortable with the sight of a child @ breast to simply turn their heads
and NOT LOOK. Why should women be urged to feel responsible for the way that
others feel about her? We are far less tolerant and accepting of other forms
of bigotry. I agree that it is our responsibility as healthcare professionals
to listen to and respect a mother's feelings re: her level of comfort in
relation to public BF and offer her ways of BF that suit this level of
comfort. However, I do not think that we should continue to tacitly accept the
notion that she should tailor her BF relationship with her child(ren) to
conform to every possible range of comfort levels that others have with the
sight of BF.

Dru Antoniuk
B.A., M.A., current B.Cs.N. student, aspiring LC/midwife, and mother to two
wonderful girls who were often BF in public

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