The Offices were packed, and the two hour venture turned into a 6 hour ordeal. THere we were in the WIC office, with a newborn for an hour, and he started to cry because he was hungry, also the second appointment was fast approaching and we were going to be late... very late, late enough for the Pediatrician to cancel! My Husband isnt a patient person abut waiting longer than he believes is necessary and I know that the Pediatrician's office has a wait time for first visits that can last hours so being late to them was even worse when I factored in my husbands frustration. What was I thinking to schedule these so close... I didnt bring a blanket w me either, I dont have one of those cover things I was planing on nursing the baby after the appointment in the car at the parking lot of the Doctors office! I had not taken a baby out in almost 8 years! I was having a full blown panic attack. My Husband told me to calm down. He was attempting to calm the baby we were nearly done at this office and would soon be on our way. Well I hit a breaking point.
I said "GIVE ME THE BABY" Lifted my Top shirt unclasped my nursing tank top (so glad I got these!) and Nursed my baby in a room full of people! (there were literally like 50 people in a small space) No one stared (not that I noticed) No One pointed or laughed ( good thing for them my husband would have given them a what for) No one awkwardly looked away or blushed!
Here is the best part, My anxiety instantly dissipated! I went in the bathroom called the Doctor Told them the situation and they put us up for later that day ( we ended up waiting for nearly 4 hours and were only 15m late) I walked out of the Bathroom (baby still at my breast) and we went about our business at the office! I was relieved to have been in a place with signs on the wall encouraging people to "Breast feed you baby where ever you would like" In Fact the Bathroom door at the WIC office is covered in a collage of Breastfeeding support themed pictures!
I Came home and printed a card up with Florida's Breastfeeding statue
I am not gonna flop my titties out at Walmart, I dont want to be making an appearance on the people of WALMART page. I wouldnt walk around with the baby hanging off my breast in a lot of places,I wont take Breastfeeding Yoga photos or become a "lactivist" daring anyone to comment about my in your face style of nursing.
but
I am not gonna Carry around a pump and coolers and bottles and try and figure a way to heat up milk, Nor will I skulk in Rest Rooms and feed my baby in a filthy stall in which I would never even pee! I will not cover my child with a blanket and hide shamefully like a woman in the Middle East afraid of being stoned or hung for indecency.
I WILL NURSE MY CHILD IN PUBLIC, I will not be looking for a fight, I will do so discreetly in appropriate attire in a manor that is comfortable and convenient.
If a manager or business owner tells me to cover up I will discreetly hand them my Card stating the law in Florida and if they give me a problem I will leave their establishment and contact the appropriate people to make sure they are sorry for harassing me and my child while I patronized their business.
IF A STRANGER gives me a dirty look, I will give them one back, If an adult says something to me about feeding my child, I will do what I do when a stranger is rude to me in anyother situation, I will tell them to kiss my ass. I make no apologies about being rude back to people I will likely never see again. I HIGHLY DOUBT I WILL EVER HAVE TO CURSE A STRANGER OUT FOR HARASSING ME ABOUT NURSING MY CHILD IN PUBLIC but I will if I need to
I feel a sense of relief that I have already crossed this milestone in breastfeeding, I had decided that I would Nurse In Public, Uncovered if the situation arose, I didnt realize it would be less than a week into breastfeeding! I guess expect the unexpected is great advice, especially in parenting!
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