Pregnancy is beautiful.
Birth is beautiful.
Breastfeeding is a beautiful beast.
I’m the mama who breastfeeds in public. No cover. No guilt. No embarrassment. But it wasn’t always that way.
The first time I had to breastfeed in public, I was utterly terrified. How would I balance moving my shirt and bra, holding my baby’s mouth to my nipple without dropping him, and making sure I remain covered as to not offend anyone?
All my concerns were overwhelming. As I sat there and successfully figured it out, there was an emotional and physical release. Still, I wasn’t over it, knowing that the time would come when I’d need to feed Shiloh in public again.
Should I have gone to the bathroom?
Should I hide out in the car?
Should I opt for a bottle instead?
It wasn’t until my overdue six-week follow-up appointment that my outlook changed, and my fear subsided. My midwife said in not so many words: Anywhere a child can be, you’re allowed to breastfeed. She added that if it makes someone uncomfortable, then that’s on them. You need to feed your baby.
Click. The light bulb went off.
Heck yeah, I need to feed my baby! That’s priority number one. That’s why I breastfeed in public. No cover. No hesitation. No shame.
