Breastfeeding in Public: Are You Shy?

26 Apr 2012 1 Comment

by cross2000varga in Breastfeeding Tags: ,

Ok, I’m a little bit of a rebel, but I love to breastfeed in public.  It is so interesting to hear some of the comments that people make when they see you.  One time I nursed my firstborn at a graduation and overheard people saying they ‘couldn’t believe she was doing that, that’s what they make cubicles for.’  Or something along those lines, it’s been a few years.

I try to be modest.  I don’t go flashing my boobs around if I can help it though a squirming baby has succeeded in doing that a time or two for me .  Does it embarrass me?  Not a bit.  Breastfeeding my child is my choice and nursing in public is completely legal and no one is going to stop me.  I guess I might have a bit of twisted humor, but I sort of enjoy watching people squirm with embarrassment when I throw a blanket over my shoulder and start nursing my infant in a large group of people.

If you are a new mom and are nervous about nursing in a public place don’t be.  Breastfeeding is a perfectly normal thing and if people are staring they are the freaks not you.  Don’t let the stares and rude comments that you might get bother you.  Just remember that your baby is hungry and that’s how it gets food and there is no need for discussion.  I also urge you that if someone challenges you for it to stand your ground and don’t let them pressure you.

Keep it modest.  Find a good nursing cover if you like, or do like I do and keep your shirt pulled down where nothing is visible and feed your baby without shame.  Of course with everything there can be a time and a place and different people do have different comfort zones.  If I’m at church I slip off to the nursery so as not to distract others around me, but if I’m at a movie theater or restaurant what better way to keep the baby quiet than to nurse them!  It is a bit awkward and does feel a little silly the first few times you do it, but you will gain confidence the more you do.

— Have you ever been harassed for breastfeeding in a public place or even in front of family or friends?  Have you ever gotten strange looks or weird comments by total strangers?  If you have any stories along these lines I would love to hear them!  You can share them by commenting here or on the Facebook page!

Mastitis and Thrush

14 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by cross2000varga in Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding does not come without complications.  Two of the major ones are mastitis and thrush.  I have lived and breastfed through both and there is life on the other side trust me.

Mastitis.  If you notice your breasts are hard, red and very tender you may be developing mastitis.  I always knew I had mastitis when I spiked a fever and got severe cold chills.  I was freezing cold even though I was piled under blankets and sweating.  If you think you have mastitis contact your ob right away and let them know.  They can prescribe you antibiotics that are safe to use while breastfeeding.  A nice hot shower helps as well to relieve aching breasts and warm your chilled body.  If you can stand the pain, expressing or pumping milk helps to relive clogged milk ducts and engorged breasts.  Warm compresses and frequent nursing help you to survive as well.  Mastitis is very painful, but with treatment is usually over in 1-2 days.  If you have to go through this just hang in there and get the help you need and take some acetaminophen for fever and pain if you need to.  It is fairly short-lived, but extremely uncomfortable, but definitely not the time to quit breastfeeding!

Thrush.  Thrush was a pain.  It is a yeast infection that lasts longer and was harder to get rid of because you have to treat yourself and the baby.  If you have very sore red nipples and notice white patches inside your baby’s mouth and on its tongue you both may have thrush and you need to make a trip to the pediatrician.  Now breastfed babies do typically have a white milky tongue so don’t confuse this for thrush, but if you do suspect that you are dealing with thrush it is better safe than sorry.

I hope that you do not have to deal with either of these things, but in case you do, be prepared and know that they only last a little while and don’t give up!  If you can sacrifice nine months of discomfort for this beautiful baby, you can sacrifice a week of discomfort for months of nursing.

If you need encouragement or have questions feel free to contact me.  I just want to equip you to have the best breastfeeding experience possible and be an encouragement in any way that I can be.

Breastfeeding Fathers

04 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by cross2000varga in Breastfeeding Tags: , , , , , , ,

I wanted to talk to the daddies today.  While I’m sure I don’t have very many male readers I’m sure you moms will be glad to pass this info along.  Breastfeeding is hard for dads too.  For one thing the breasts that used to be his now are off-limits and belong to the baby.  The next problem is that they feel sort of helpless since there is not much they can do to participate.  There’s not a whole lot they can do during those midnight feedings or is there?  I wanted to share a few ideas about how a dad can help with breastfeeding.

Change the baby’s diaper.  Newborns poop a lot!  (Especially breast-fed ones!)  They will need to have their diaper changed almost every feeding.  It is very helpful to a sore and exhausted mom to have this task taken care of by someone else.  Then all she has to worry about is feeding the baby and hopefully go back to sleep.

Walk with the baby when the feeding is done.  If the baby is having trouble going back to sleep after a middle of the night feeding it is such a wonderful thing for a wiped-out mom to hear dad say “here, let me walk with the baby while you sleep.”  Hallelujah!!!  I’m telling you that there is something about the ‘daddy shoulder’ that works to put babies to sleep.  No it won’t always work and sometimes you will both need to tag team being up with the baby to keep your sanity, but a little break after the feeding is very welcome.

Check on mom to see if she needs anything.  As I’ve mentioned before breastfeeding makes you very thirsty and hungry.  While she is pinned down feeding the baby checking to see if there is anything that she needs or would make her more comfortable is always a great help.

Don’t hate me, but if dads would help out with the household chores it will remove a ton of stress from a nursing mom.  Just a load of laundry or dishes will help tremendously.  It is hard sometimes sitting there, pinned down while nursing with thoughts running through your head of everything that needs to be done that you can’t get to because you are pinned down!!  (It’s our crazy women brains.  We can’t help it!  We don’t have an off switch like men do.)  I know that it may not seem like a big deal, but it is to her and it can make a world of difference in the atmosphere of your home.

Feed the baby.  After the first few weeks mom can pump some milk and dad can get to enjoy the bond of feeding the baby.  Or if you are supplementing some with formula, which I’ve known several moms who have used breast milk and formula and have not had a problem.  I do suggest pumping and giving bottles occasionally when nursing has been established.  Somewhere between 2-4 weeks I think is a good time.  This will give mom a little more freedom to go and do things without always having a tag along.  I never gave the baby a bottle.  If it got a bottle, dad gave it so as not to confuse it.  That’s just how we did it.  Dad – bottle, mom – boob.

Rub her feet.  This will score some major brownie points (at least in my book it would!).  If mom isn’t fond of this maybe try singing to her or reading her a book or whatever might bring her pleasure while the baby is feeding that is not too invasive for baby.

Dad, if you will try to do some of these things you will be your wife’s hero.  Your help now I’m sure will be rewarded later (if you know what I mean!).  Talk to your wife.  Ask her if there is any way that you can help her with breastfeeding.  Ask her if there is any kind of support that you can give to help her to breastfeed.  My husband always supported me in my desire to breastfeed even when we hit rough patches and he’s probably part of what helped me to stay strong.  Remember new moms are very sensitive and need gentleness, help and support even though sometimes our pride keeps us from asking for it.  Take care of mom and baby for me and enjoy the ride!