I wanted to share what I usually do to educate publically. I do this because
of the way I was persuaded into becoming a breastfeeding advocate. I was
attacked by a ABM feeding mom in the Nordstrom's lounge. She walked in with
her baby, in it's stroller, I had mine in a sling of course, went to the
bathroom and came out and strolled right up to me and said "I think you're
disgusting for BF your baby!", I of course being completely rocked, said "You
feel quilty for not BF'ing your baby, don't you?" and stormed out, not giving
her time to reply. I told myself that I needed to educate myself so that next
time I could give a more approprite answer like "I need to let you know why I
choose to BF my baby...........". Anyway, because I am rarely attacked, I
instead will usually sit down in a puplic place, usually right next to a
bottle feeding mother and nurse my baby. This usually ends up with the mother
and I talking about why she couldn't BF. I give her time to talk it out and
then I quietly re-educate her and tell her I wish I had been there, or
ANYONE, to help her.  I think when I do this I increse her chances of either
BF her next child or encouraging a friend. She knows now that I'm not a
militant breastfeeder trying to make her feel like a bad mom. I've had many
of these moms come back to me for help with other babies. Education comes in
all forms!

I did have a clerk at Mervyn's say to me after I nursed my baby on a bench
right beside the cash register, "We have bathrooms for that." I didn't
realize she was insulting me so I said "Oh no that's OK I'm perfectly fine in
public." She said "It's just that someone said something." I then caught on
that she was the one having a problem with it. I said "Would you eat you
dinner in a stinky bathroom?" she of course said "No!" I said "then why
should my baby?" She turned bright red, and I smiled and walked away. I must
admit, it wasn't the most educated answer, but it felt good!

My favorite place that I nursed publically, which I actually didn't plan, was
when I took a trip to the local COSTCO and of course while I was shopping my
son needed to nurse, so I just plopped myself down on top of a stack of boxes
in an isle and nursed him. After a while I looked down and realized I was
sitting on top of some ENFA*** boxes, no wonder I was getting such strong
looks! I just cracked up! :)

Nina J. Lanphear CLE, LSP