Dear Lactnetters,

     A few months ago, as part of my research interests in
breastfeeding, I asked for the words your children used to describe
nursing.  45 individuals responded, several with more than one
child and more than one name.

     In summary, here are the words older children use for nursing
(* indicates a frequently used term).

*num nums, nummies, nuh nuhs, na nas, nee nees
*nursers, nursies, nurt, nurnie
*side(s)
nit nit
titty
bopy
see the milk
deed
mama nur, mama nurt
issing
bucko
dibs
*more, more mores
mookies
susu
*I want to nurse (now!)
I need mama
me, ma mom, mama juice
special time
beastie
bay
suck
bottle, baba
cuddle
acey
cockle p
*milk, mulk, milky
I want a snack
uma
hunt
see see
noo-noo

     Several respondents mentioned how special it was for them when
their child could talk about how they felt about nursing.  As one
woman described "Nursing is certainly more than a way of feeding
and means much more than food to our children."  Nursing is an
important part of being a family for many respondents, and often
children learn a word for nursing from an older sibling.

     There was much humor and warmth conveyed in these stories.
For example, one child asks for the big one or the small one in
reference to the quite different sizes of her mother's breasts.
This can cause her mother some embarrassment in public.  Another
child's request "I want titty!" in public was quickly interpreted
to mean "I want kitty" for those nearby.

     Some of the respondents indicated that they actively taught
(or tried to teach) their child a code word for nursing, so that
they could nurse discretely in public.  And others expressed relief
when their child chose a "safe" word on their own.

     Now I am interested in knowing more about what lactation
consultants, mothers and fathers think about the use of code words
for nursing.  Do you believe that mothers should teach children a
code word?  Why or why not?  If you would like to share your
thoughts with me on this, or other related issues, please write
directly to me ([log in to unmask]) and I will summarize the
responses (while preserving your anonymity).

     I appreciate that each of you shared your time and stories
with me.  Lactnet is a very generous community.

Cindy A. Stearns, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Women's Studies
Sonoma State University
1801 E. Cotati Blvd.
Rohnert Park, CA  94928
(707) 664-2708
([log in to unmask])