I feel like I need a virtual hug

[Mommy2anangel]

I'm so upset! Infuriated! And sad Today we were at Chipotle for lunch and I was sitting down to nurse dd while DH was in line for food. There were a bunch of college kids sitting not too far from my seat and while I was nursing DD, I heard one of the girls say (and saw her looking directly at me) "Ugh! I just lost my appetite!" I was so hurt and angry and just stared at her dumbfounded! And then I cried right there. the incredibly stupid thing was that they were all in swim attire, shorts and tanks. And most of the girls' breasts were hanging out. I am such a decent NIPer, a lot people don't even know that I am nursing, you can't even see a bit or skin. It's so infuriating. I feel like I've encountered so many unfortunate nursing incidents from strangers and family even, I just want to scream.
But what could I have done or said while nursing my hungry child? I have no idea, but I just needed to vent. thanks for letting me

[PGTlatte]

I'm sorry you were hurt by their ignorant, immature, insensitive behavior.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by laundrycrisis

I'm sorry you were hurt by their ignorant, immature, insensitive behavior.

[ps4624]

You are providing your child with the best possible nutrition as well providing comfort and security. It is a selfless, loving, honorable act and anyone who doesn't agree can go pound sand!

[TiredX2]

[Megan73]

Be proud, mama.

[tinybutterfly]

[~savah~]

Originally Posted by Megan73

Be proud, mama.

Yes, this.

[doctormom]

Mean people suck. I'm sorry that a rude comment from a thoughtless person hurt your feelings.

If it helps, when my babies were young I viewed NIP as a public service of sorts - not only was I feeding my children, I was also helping to normalize breastfeeding for everyone nearby. Even if one person was openly nasty about it, who knows how many other people noticed you were nursing and thought "hey, that woman is breastfeeding - cool!" and were just too polite to comment on it.

I'd like to say I always kept my composure when people were rude to me about NIP, but in the heat of the moment I usually resorted to something terse but clear: "back off, and quit staring at my breasts, creep!" If you make it LOUD enough, the offender will usually scurry away in shame...

[pbjmama]

I'm sorry that happened. I know one of the biggest breastfeeding supporters I know remembers a time in her college years that she openly criticized someone for breastfeeding. But it planted a seed in her mind and now she is nursing a 2+ yo and tandem with a new baby. You never know!

[KristyDi]

Sometimes people suck. I'm sorry that you ran into it today.

Hopefully that young lady will grow up someday soon and learn what a great mama you were being by nursing your DD or at the very least, learn to be respectful of others.

[Mommy2anangel]

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses and hugs!

[nettieferg]

Sarah,

You are doing great! PP are absolutely right -- the more young women who see breastfeeding, the more normal it becomes -- and yes, opinions can change with time! I use to believe "if they can ask, they should wean" - and was shocked by the retelling of a 3 y/o who was having mommy milk after his cake at a birthday party -- and, oh, wow! Now, I am that mom!! :-D

There are always going to be uncomfortable moments in life, especially when we are doing something considered 'unusual'. However . . . the sweetness of seeing my almost 2 y/o cuddle up to her 'mommy milk' and watching her long eyelashes drift down to her cheeks -- or, during daytime nursings, she likes to read the 'paper' while she has her 'coffee' (really, a book :-) but SO cute! :-) -- or when she has her little dollies and my breast becomes a little stage for their theatrics - this is when I KNOW what I am doing is right and good - and we are BOTH benefiting from this time - and, really -- why should I care about anyone else?? :-)

btw -- you might not change the girl in the booth, but think about all the people you ARE changing . . . (my own experience) . . . my mom, who thought going past a year was "crazy" - but is now a firm advocate (after seeing my healthy, happy, outgoing baby) . . . my sister-in-law who was of the same opinion as my mom, and now, she can't wait to breastfeed her next baby . . . my other sister-in-law who thought nursing was not important (with baby #1). Period. And now, she thinks it is the best thing in the world (and is FINALLY doing it herself with baby #2! :-) . . . my sister, who is becoming a pediatric nurse, and thought just 6 months was "good enough" - but now she thinks all mommies should go at least 2 years . . . oh, and perhaps most important, my son and daughter - they are the next generation, and my little guy, who was 3.5 y/o at the time said "Mommy, why is that lady making that baby drink out of that bottle? That's so weird!" LOL!! :-D Yes, I told him to be more polite - but imagine what a supportive daddy he is going to be one day??! :-D And my little 6 y/o DD is a staunch nursing supporter, who says she can't wait to be able to nurse her own babies one day (and tells shy NIP mommies "you don't have to cover up, you know, you're doing something GOOD!" :-) . . .

Anyway -- you ARE making a difference, to LOTS of people, 1st to your child and yourself, and also to your community (even if you don't know it yet :-)

HUGS!! :-D

[Mommy2anangel]

Originally Posted by nettieferg

Sarah,

You are doing great! PP are absolutely right -- the more young women who see breastfeeding, the more normal it becomes -- and yes, opinions can change with time! I use to believe "if they can ask, they should wean" - and was shocked by the retelling of a 3 y/o who was having mommy milk after his cake at a birthday party -- and, oh, wow! Now, I am that mom!! :-D

There are always going to be uncomfortable moments in life, especially when we are doing something considered 'unusual'. However . . . the sweetness of seeing my almost 2 y/o cuddle up to her 'mommy milk' and watching her long eyelashes drift down to her cheeks -- or, during daytime nursings, she likes to read the 'paper' while she has her 'coffee' (really, a book :-) but SO cute! :-) -- or when she has her little dollies and my breast becomes a little stage for their theatrics - this is when I KNOW what I am doing is right and good - and we are BOTH benefiting from this time - and, really -- why should I care about anyone else?? :-)

btw -- you might not change the girl in the booth, but think about all the people you ARE changing . . . (my own experience) . . . my mom, who thought going past a year was "crazy" - but is now a firm advocate (after seeing my healthy, happy, outgoing baby) . . . my sister-in-law who was of the same opinion as my mom, and now, she can't wait to breastfeed her next baby . . . my other sister-in-law who thought nursing was not important (with baby #1). Period. And now, she thinks it is the best thing in the world (and is FINALLY doing it herself with baby #2! :-) . . . my sister, who is becoming a pediatric nurse, and thought just 6 months was "good enough" - but now she thinks all mommies should go at least 2 years . . . oh, and perhaps most important, my son and daughter - they are the next generation, and my little guy, who was 3.5 y/o at the time said "Mommy, why is that lady making that baby drink out of that bottle? That's so weird!" LOL!! :-D Yes, I told him to be more polite - but imagine what a supportive daddy he is going to be one day??! :-D And my little 6 y/o DD is a staunch nursing supporter, who says she can't wait to be able to nurse her own babies one day (and tells shy NIP mommies "you don't have to cover up, you know, you're doing something GOOD!" :-) . . .

Anyway -- you ARE making a difference, to LOTS of people, 1st to your child and yourself, and also to your community (even if you don't know it yet :-)

HUGS!! :-D

Wow! That was incredibly beautiful! Thanks so much for that!

[Baby_Cakes]

I couldn't read and not reply! Kids are worse than adults sometimes, aren't they!? I feel like if an adult said something to me, I could always respond w/something, but a kid like that? Ugh, I'd feel just like you do!!

Sometimes just confronting people makes them squirm. So just turn and say, "I heard you. That was really rude. Why does this make you so uncomfortable?" and look her straight in the eye.

Lots of people say things when they think they won't be confronted. Then they get called out and get embarrassed. I think that's what I would do.

But huge virtual hug to you! <3 That's horrible.

[Harmony08]

That girl is going to be out nursing her baby in public someday and remember how she once treated you. She will probably feel very bad. Pity her.

Hugs to you. Big ones and back pats as well.