Dear Abby 5/23/07 - Page 2

[rebelbets]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Just to clarify here... what is so terrible about saying at least she was in her home and not out in public when she removed her shirt and bra entirely to BF?

I read the column this morning and didn't have a problem with it. Abby clearly states that BF is normal and natural, she mentions the availability of nursing bras, and that the mother was probably inexperienced. None of what she said is untrue. And if a woman stripped to her waist in a restaurant to BF, I'd be a bit horrified, and I'm a rather rabid lactivist.

Word.

[cutekid]

I don't know how to feel about this one, she was very borderline, on the fence about it.



Denise

[rayo de sol]

Well, I know how I feel about it. I read it, and I was, like, : . Here's the full text by the way, in case the link expires:

DEAR ABBY: A couple of weeks ago, some friends and I visited a family friend's niece who had recently had a baby girl. While we were visiting, we noticed that the baby was hungry.
Being a good mom, the new mother unbuttoned her shirt, took off her bra, and breast-fed the baby right in front of us. Abby, was it right or wrong of her to expose her breasts in front of visitors when breast-feeding the child? -- RACHEL IN PHILADELPHIA

DEAR RACHEL: Breast-feeding a baby is normal and natural. However, removing one's bra to do it should not have been necessary. There are special nursing bras that allow the mother to uncover one breast at a time for the baby to nurse.

Chalk up what happened to the young mother's inexperience. And after all, it was done in the privacy of her home -- not in a public place.

[JamesMama]

I guess I see it as kind of pro-breastfeeding with an anti-stripping nude from the waist up feel.

I think if I saw someone in public totally unbotton their shirt and open up a front clasp bra...I'd be a little bit shocked.

I did like how the questioner said "Like a good mom"

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by TinkerBelle

This woman was in her own home and maybe the visitors had overstayed their welcome?

That's what I was thinking. I mean, they dropped in on a "family friend's niece"??? Who'd just had a baby? I'm sure that new mom has more things to worry about that offending some old busybodies. Of course, they sound just like one of my relatives, so I could be projecting.

I think the more pertinent question should have been, "If you've dropped into to visit a near-stranger who's recently given birth, and you can tell her baby is starving, should you politely see yourselves out?"

[sapphire_chan]

I bet the woman in question wanted to get rid of the visitors. I wonder if they had even been invited? I know I'll warn people if I have to strip to nurse "and I won't be offended if you want to wait until we're better at this" with a newborn.

Sent a comment. Including the line "they were lucky it wasn't an 'accidentally' dropped used diaper."

[NewMama2007]

Originally Posted by martiesmom

Thanks Dear Abby. I'm sure my MIL is going to hand me this one too. I made it clear to MIL when she came after Mei was born that if she was offended by the site of my breasts, that she shouldn't bother to come down.

I totally should have said that...they just leave when I start to nurse. Wait, that's not a bad thing at all! Hooray! Even more reasons for extended nursing - making the IL's uncomfortable enough that they leave!

[Gumby]

DEAR ABBY:

NAK. A few weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby. While enjoying our babymoon, some friends of my aunt "dropped by" for a visit, unannounced. They were uninvited for one and also over-stayed what little welcome they had. When the baby was hungry, thinking this would be a nice cue for them that it was time to leave, I took off my shirt and nursing bra. I am totally comfortable nursing my child, even in front of others. My question is, was it right or wrong of them to visit such a new baby when they're not even family? --New Mom in Philadelphia