Support for NIP needed - Page 2

[bananasmom]

[MissinNYC]

The thing is, I don't really get why it matters if we "whip it out" or not. I know everyone is always getting up in arms and saying, "hey, I barely show anything" It seems like nursing mamas claim they've never seen a mama show ANYTHING, and formula feeders say they ALWAYS see mamas exposing everything. I think that we notice what we want to notice, and the truth is probably somewhere in between. But I will readily admit that I show a lot when I NIP. My daughter hates it when I cover my breast with my shirt (the area above my areola up to my chest), and so she pulls my shirt up or will delatch and scream. I have tried everything, but she won't even tolerate my han d shielding myself. So I have to either lean back a lot so the boob isn't visible, and her head covers a lot, or just let it hang out (or go elsewhere). I think that being pro-NIP means supporting a woman's right to NIP, whether she exposes nothing or gets fully naked. It's just a body, I want to tell people.
I know what a struggle it is to reconcile your beliefs and you personal feelings, though. I know in my head that NIP is great and other people's problem, but it's tough to keep going when you encounter so much derision and discomfort. Our whole society is against nursing moms, and against moms in general, so I won't blame you, D, for not NIP if its too much of a hassle sometimes. It's still the best thing to do, but sometimes I can't take it, either. Sometimes it's nice to just feed the baby, not having to make a political statement. KWIM? -Sarah

[DaryLLL]

Altho I am a lactivist, I never NIPed to make a political statement. I only ever did it because I was on the go, and baby/toddler was hungry. Or hurt.

Finally, I had 3 kids. I did not have the luxury to sit home and nurse in privacy. My older ones had things they wanted to do, and baby had to come along and baby needed to be fed.

I wish everyone had a supportive and informed family. It must hurt so much to have a dh or ILs who are embarrassed or critical of such a natural healthful act of love.

[Hannah's Mom]

Another

I know what a struggle it is to reconcile your beliefs and you personal feelings, though. I know in my head that NIP is great and other people's problem, but it's tough to keep going when you encounter so much derision and discomfort. Our whole society is against nursing moms, and against moms in general, so I won't blame you, D, for not NIP if its too much of a hassle sometimes. It's still the best thing to do, but sometimes I can't take it, either. Sometimes it's nice to just feed the baby, not having to make a political statement. KWIM?

This is a valid point, I think. DaryLLL, I understand your point that it's not a political statement, it's just feeding your baby, but when your own DH and family accompanying you is visibly uncomfortable, it CAN feel like a political statement and make it seem like it would be easier to just go off into a corner or something.

JM - I do know what you mean about being more comfortable NIP when it's just you and Jackson. I've been there also. I really hope you and DH can communicate about this. I have a feeling he's probably more visibly uncomfortable when his family is around than when it's just you, him and Jackson. I admit that I'm more hesitant about NIP now that dd is over a year, especially when I'm with the ILs.

I differ from some of the other people on this board in that I feel that as long as a mom is BF, it's ok that she does it in whatever way makes HER comfortable, even if she's wearing one of those ridiculous cape things that makes it so obvious. Not everyone lives in an area where NIP without some sort of cover is totally acceptable and comfortable for them. Those of us who ARE comfortable NIP need to keep doing it so it becomes more acceptable and commonplace.

[jackson's mama]

Thanks for the hugs, mamas.

but when your own DH and family accompanying you is visibly uncomfortable, it CAN feel like a political statement

This is so true! I feel like I'm making a huge statement when I NIP around family. Maybe this calls for a new acronym... NAF? Nursing around family? Or maybe NADF.. nursing around disapproving family. Part of the problem is that my family (and DH's) are all "pro-breastfeeding". I guess just not pro-NIP.

There's a new thread with tips for NIP, and I'm reading it and taking lots of notes.