When someone suggests a blanket...

[FoxintheSnow]

What exactly is the expectation? Do they want you to put the whole thing over the baby's head? Cause that seems really strange. I was thinking about this the other day while nursed dd at a restaurant. I have large breasts and you still couldn't even see anything unless you really, really tried and I wasn't really trying to cover up. I just lift my shirt up and cradle her. I think most people assumed I was just holding her.

[BUNGALOW10]

I think they are uncomfortable with the fact that you are nursing, not the slight chance of seeing boob. My experience has been that those who are most uncomfortable are moms who chose not to nurse themselves.... guilt, maybe?

[nevaehsmommy]

The only place I ever really cover up is in the main sermon area at church.

when I do cover , I latch baby on and lay a premium cloth diaper over the lower part of the breast , so if DD should pop off I can cover up quick.

If it were not church I dont cover, if nursing is not welcome I dont stick around

[jillc512]

This reminds me of the shirt that says, "I nurse in public; if that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to throw a blanket over your head."

[Mama Poot]

Well, it depends on who the person is. My mother literally threw one at me during Thanksgiving dinner when DS1 was a baby and I threw it right back at her and told her to get lost. A restaurant manager approached me with "complaints" and a towel, and I wasn't about to let some nasty restaurant towel come anywhere near me or my baby, but by this time I was on my second kid and better versed in my rights, and I calmly explained Ohio law and that I did not need a towel. You could also take the humorous approach and wrap the blanket around your shoulders and say "Thanks! Its kind of chilly in here isn't it?"

[Limabean1975]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

You could also take the humorous approach and wrap the blanket around your shoulders and say "Thanks! Its kind of chilly in here isn't it?"

LOve it! That leaves them to stammer and attempt to explain themselves. Hmmm-- or toss the blanket over THEIR head, saying "Oh, you need some help with this?"

[Teyu]

i would look at them with my eyes bugged out of my head and say, "are you crazy? we live in effing arizona!" and then accuse them of trying to kill my baby via heatstroke.

no not really. id just say "no thanks, im good."

[Bellejar]

When I use a blanket I don't cover the baby at all. Usually I put it over my shoulder to be more discrete. I have large breasts and sometimes I am uncomfortable about how much I am showing.

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by jillc512

This reminds me of the shirt that says, "I nurse in public; if that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to throw a blanket over your head."

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

You could also take the humorous approach and wrap the blanket around your shoulders and say "Thanks! Its kind of chilly in here isn't it?"

: : :

[ramama]

I think that some people can't fathom that you really want to nurse in public and suggest a blanket to make the mother more comfortable. So they may be doing out of concern for your comfort. I would politely say "no thanks." Then if they persist and it becomes apparent that THEY are uncomfortable with me NIP, then I feel free to be as sassy as I want to be. I just don't think we should just assume that they're being jerks by offering a blanket.

[mytwogirls]

Someone once asked me to cover up. I asked cover what? Then I proceeded to pull my ENTIRE boob out and continue nursing. I never have heard of people going blind or needing medical attention because they saw a boob. Geez....

[butterfly_mommy]

Shortly after I had my DS we were at a friends house. They had a baby about 6 weeks before us and mom always nursed the baby with a blanket over her shoulder and babies head. Anyway DS got hungry and I popped out the boob and latched him on, then our friend (the dad) asked if I wanted a blanket, he said it in a genuinely helpful tone, I think he assumed that all nursing mom's used a blanket because his wife did. I said "no thanks, We're good" then DH chimes in "Yeah Scarlett is not embarrassed to nurse and will whip it out anywhere"

The last time we over a few weeks ago she was nursing without a blanket, even in front of my DH

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by butterfly_mommy

Shortly after I had my DS we were at a friends house. They had a baby about 6 weeks before us and mom always nursed the baby with a blanket over her shoulder and babies head. Anyway DS got hungry and I popped out the boob and latched him on, then our friend (the dad) asked if I wanted a blanket, he said it in a genuinely helpful tone, I think he assumed that all nursing mom's used a blanket because his wife did. I said "no thanks, We're good" then DH chimes in "Yeah Scarlett is not embarrassed to nurse and will whip it out anywhere"

The last time we over a few weeks ago she was nursing without a blanket, even in front of my DH

Awesome story! Way to go!

[Redheaded_Momma]

Originally Posted by butterfly_mommy

then DH chimes in "Yeah Scarlett is not embarrassed to nurse and will whip it out anywhere"

This sounds like something my DH would say.

I have never been offered a blanket to cover up

[FoxintheSnow]

I was recently at a "breastfeeding luncheon" hosted by the local hospital. It's in a private room with just nursing moms and LCs. Out of about 10 other moms that were there I was the only one not using one of those hooter hider things! I thought of all places you wouldnt even think to cover up, would be a meeting exclusively for breastfeeding moms. One mom was even feeding her baby with a bottle. She told me she never nurses in public and always pumps a bottle before she leaves the house!

[mntnmom]

they expect you to wear a burka. They are uncomfortable with the natural function of the female body, and would really like to be able to ignore it. For some strange reason the "stylized" sexualized female body is more acceptable that a living breathing woman doing what we were designed to do, instead of wearing daisy dukes and selling beer.

[SashaBear]

I can't remember when was the last time I used a blanket. I usually just keep a hand on my shirt right my DDs mouth so that if she pops off I can quickly cover up. I know no wants to see my boobs and I really don't want them to see my boobs either. But at the same time I don't stress or fret about it. DD comes first!

I've never understood those that covered up at bfing classes or meetings. We've had moms bring bottles to LLL. We even had one mom that didn't bring her baby and had to leave early. I guess to some they can not fathom the idea that children are welcome. And that bfing is normal.

[NewMama2007]

I put a blanket over my shoulder.

Whenever I don't use a blanket, no one says anything to me - don't even notice I'm nursing.

I have had 2 crazy women get very upset when I was nursing dd UNDER a blanket - one asked the waiter if I could "do that" somewhere else. DD was completely covered!

I think PP is right - the mere thought of breasts doing what they were meant to do freaks people out.

[Arwyn]

Originally Posted by jillc512

This reminds me of the shirt that says, "I nurse in public; if that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to throw a blanket over your head."

I want that tshirt!

[miche28]

Originally Posted by mytwogirls

Someone once asked me to cover up. I asked cover what? Then I proceeded to pull my ENTIRE boob out and continue nursing. I never have heard of people going blind or needing medical attention because they saw a boob. Geez....

laughup

Hey, give the people what they ask for....