Had a sad reminder this weekend - Page 2

[jillc512]

I agree with others, you probably did more than you know!

It's hard to be the breastfeeding "spokesperson" of the group, but in my experience, just doing it goes a lot farther to change people's perceptions than any long-winded lecture ever could.



And I liked the comment about complaining about the length of the hostess's skirt! Hilarious!

[alacrity]

Originally Posted by bcblondie

Stand your ground mama! Especially in your own freaking house. My goodness.


btw. The way I would describe how it feels, is, it's like an itch being scratched!!

holy goodness I described it that way once to a friend and i am 100% sure she thinks i am insane now.

[sunshynbaby]

Good for you and your DH for being good examples of what should be "normal."

I stayed at my in-laws for a few days when DS was 3 months old. My FIL kept leaving the room whenever I breastfed. I'm not sure if he was uncomfortable or trying to give me privacy. After a day, he just started leaving while we were latching on/off. By the end of the trip he stayed in the room for the whole process, talking to me like nothing was going on It felt like a little victory to me.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

Good for you and your DH for being good examples of what should be "normal."

I stayed at my in-laws for a few days when DS was 3 months old. My FIL kept leaving the room whenever I breastfed. I'm not sure if he was uncomfortable or trying to give me privacy. After a day, he just started leaving while we were latching on/off. By the end of the trip he stayed in the room for the whole process, talking to me like nothing was going on It felt like a little victory to me.

I had the same victory with my dad right after DS was born. He kept covering his eyes or stammering when I would start BFing...it only took a couple of days before he didn't even bat an eye

[SuzyLee]

My (young 20's) brother was fairly shocked and horrified when I started nrusing my DS around him (I never cover and never go hide in another room). It is amazing to see how far he has come in a few years! Now it doesn't even phase him and if DS is crying he will say "dude I think he needs the boob" and stuff like that!

Now the breastpump on the other hand- that is still completely terrifying to him!

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by SuzyLee

My (young 20's) brother was fairly shocked and horrified when I started nrusing my DS around him (I never cover and never go hide in another room). It is amazing to see how far he has come in a few years! Now it doesn't even phase him and if DS is crying he will say "dude I think he needs the boob" and stuff like that!

Now the breastpump on the other hand- that is still completely terrifying to him!

My brother was 19 when DS was born and came to visit from training the month after he was born. I nursed in front of him and his friend with no problem. When I said, "Will it make you uncomfortable?" His friend said, "My mom breastfed both of my sisters. It's fine." Neither of them reacted at all; even after latching issues.

[smpayne]

[QUOTE=AFWife;14885799]Finally, a girlfriend of mine came over and, when they made comments, shrugged it off saying "It's natural." She also asked, "What does that feel like?" Which was really hard for me to answer...
[QUOTE]

If it is a girl that's asking: Like eating your favorite "really good" chocolates.

If it is a guy that's asking (sorry, this is really crass but something they can relate to): Like going pee after holding it for 4 hours.

Of course that is only after you get past the first 2-4 weeks of torture with cracked nipples, bad latch, engorgement, etc.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by smpayne

If it is a girl that's asking: Like eating your favorite "really good" chocolates.

If it is a guy that's asking (sorry, this is really crass but something they can relate to): Like going pee after holding it for 4 hours.

Of course that is only after you get past the first 2-4 weeks of torture with cracked nipples, bad latch, engorgement, etc.

LMAO That is EXACTLY how I described it to DH later.

[*MamaJen*]

Good for you for standing your ground and normalizing breastfeeding, and that's great that your husband was so supportive.
It sounds like the guys' comments were sort of silly and immature, but not truly hostile -- I can kind of see how a bunch of 20-something military boys with beers in their hand would say stupid stuff at the sight of breastfeeding. But hopefully the fact that their friends are breastfeeding unapologetically, and acting like it's the most normal thing in the world, will stick in their minds. And maybe when their wives have babies that's something they'll remember.
I can recall, before I had a baby, not knowing exactly how to react when someone nursed their baby in front of me -- and I was 1,000 percent supportive of everything breastfeeding. I remember not knowing exactly what to do with my eyes, being curious and wanting to look but thinking it might be rude. One of my goods friends came over a few days after the baby was born, and again, she was totally pro-breastfeeding, but I remember she was making this hugely concerted effort to look directly. into. my. eyes. and. not. at. my. boobs. It was hilarious and once I laughed and told her it wasn't a big deal, she relaxed and everything was fine. She just hadn't seen it before.
I think that's just a product of breastfeeding not being normalized enough in this country -- it's just not something that many people frequently see. Of course, now a bunch of my friends have babies and I'm so used to seeing nursing that I barely even notice it.