I SPY a mama breastfeeding in WA, OR or ID Sept/Oct 08!

[PapayaVagina]

So, the babywearer has this great thread on their site where you can "spot" others when you see them out and about wearing their little ones. I thought it might be fun to post something on here about spotted other mamas NIP. Not sure if this is the right place to put it but here goes...

Keizer, OR Saturday 09/06 in the parking lot of Target at Keizer Station. When we came back out to our car you were parked next to us (we were backed into a spot but you were front way in a spot) and we nursed our babies practically right next to each other. I wanted to wave but was too shy :). Hi if you're here!

[hug-o-war]

Muddy Boots Festival~Sunday September 7th~I SPY a mama nursing her baby at an umbrella table on the grass at lunchtime =)

[Happiestever]

I love this thread on TBW. PapayaVagina is an awesome name by the way.

[evergreenmom]

Cute thread! Will have to keep my eyes open for NIP mamas!

[Dena]

Well, this was several years ago actually, but it is one of the best and coolest NIP sightings I have ever had.

I was at the Tacoma Mall and a young mom was walking down the mall chatting with her friends, babe in arms and stroller nowhere in sight. My first thought was how nice it was that she was carrying her babe.

Took me a second look to realize she was nursing while they walked and talked! :joy:

AND, more recently, shared a table with a mom and her mom at the Tall Ships Festival. Grandma welcomed me and told me I was in the right place when I got dd2 in position to nurse, because this was the "nursing table!" Then had a great conversation with mom about all the benefits of nursing, and she was telling me how she is hoping to nurse as long as possible despite supply issues, and is getting help with herbs and meds to increase supply. Hats off to her for working so hard to do the best for her babe!

[bjorker]

On the way to the Evergreen State Fair on the Community Transit, a mama nursed her ~1yo back to sleep. Usually when I do see mamas NIP, they still cover up. This one did not, and she had to sit in the most visible place on the bus due to the stroller she also had with her. I kept trying to catch her eye so I could give her a big supportive smile, but she kind of kept her head down. It was a beautiful site, really - she shut her eyes and rested with her sleepy nursing babe for most of the time. :)

[delicious]

i see them like everywhere i go!

[lisalulu]

I was at Greenlake today and saw two moms chatting by the bleacher seats. One of them was sitting down nursing their babe :)

[LiLStar]

I saw a mom nursing a baby in a sling while pushing another child on a swing at the park today! (at least it looked like she was nursing from behind! lol. kinda hard to tell with the sling)

[donutmolly]

Hey all you awesome PT mamas nursing ALL around town! I love seeing those toddlers nursing at library storytime!

[RadiantMama]

Children's Museum, Zoo OFTEN! Not enough at OMSI though! :)

[lactivist]

I saw a mom nursing twins in a salon in Eugene on friday. I was so happy to see a mom nursing twins out somewhere. I shot her a big smile. :)

Wendi

[aolinsmama]

yippeee for the NIP mama at Value Village on the couch today in PDX-i just smiled but i wanted to cheer:thumb

[RadiantMama]

OH, yeah--Unthank park...but it was a newbie...any toddler nursing sightings out there??? I just stopped nursing my four year old...... :) but :( too

[evergreenmom]

I always go in the nursing room at OMSI when I nurse.

Lisa

[Reha]

Monday September 29 at the AC Gilbert House in Salem!!! Nursing her baby in a sling, no less! :love

This is my first time in 2.5 years of living in Salem of spotting a NIP mama who wasn't someone I already know.

Go Salem!!

[karen1968]

I always go in the nursing room at OMSI when I nurse.

Lisa

I nurse my toddler out in the open at OMSI, but I guess usually in the Snack Area :lol

[Susannah M]

Monday September 29 at the AC Gilbert House in Salem!!! Nursing her baby in a sling, no less! :love

This is my first time in 2.5 years of living in Salem of spotting a NIP mama who wasn't someone I already know.

Go Salem!!

I see people occasionally and always want to say something but don't have the courage to actually say it :shy

[evergreenmom]

I only nurse in the nursing room at OMSI b/c I still use a nipple shield and in order to nurse I have to kind of whip it all out and put it on and then my dd likes to lift up my shirt and show everyone my breasts.

Lisa

[karen1968]

I only nurse in the nursing room at OMSI b/c I still use a nipple shield and in order to nurse I have to kind of whip it all out and put it on and then my dd likes to lift up my shirt and show everyone my breasts.

Lisa

I hope you didn't think I was implying you were wrong for using the nursing room! I am glad that the rooms are available for people who need/want them, and I know not everyone is comfortable NIP. I was more replying to the person who said they had never seen anyone nursing at OMSI.

[evergreenmom]

No, no...I don't mind NIP but if I have a chance to have a quiet area that is designed for nursing, I grab it as I like the peace and quiet...like I said my dd hates to be covered up so she will flash me constantly.

I am dying to participate in a nurse in....any of those around?

[logies-mom]

If I got out more I think I might actually get to post here. :eyesroll I'll have to tell my husband that we need to make some more trips to Portland so that I can NIP... maybe someone will see me. :D

[SleepyMamaBear]

Niamh is often too distracted to nurse at OMSI, i tried going in the nursing room once, but it stank like dirty diapers, so we couldnt stay in there. we pretty much just make sure she is nursed up before we go there, and then in the car after we get out, or its hopeless.
i am starting to think we are past the age of a nurse in, cause she is just so busy with everything these days that its a battle just to get her to nurse for naptime and bedtime!

[doublyblessed]

my friend who i hired to work with me in the childcare room of a gym here in bend...she nurses her 20 mos. old son...and i nurse mine as well...that is all i have seen as of late... so beautiful.

[evergreenmom]

LOL...I spied myself nursing at Chuck E Cheese last night...didn't even cover myself up : ).....nipple shield and all.

Lisa

[mamanurse]

I brought a glass of water to a cloth diapering mama nursing her 7 month old b/g twins in the waiting room of our unit. She was from Corvallis and told me she frequents TBW, but not Mothering.

[Susannah M]

I saw (from afar) a mama BF her little one in Salem's Bush Park this morning. I think she was too busy to spy me BF my little one though :wink

[PapayaVagina]

I saw (from afar) a mama BF her little one in Salem's Bush Park this morning. I think she was too busy to spy me BF my little one though :wink

hehehe :) I've been spotted! You're right, I didn't spot you :(

I've been spotting several moms at Salem Library's storytime, mostly newborns but did see a mom nursing an almost 2-year-old a few months ago! :)

[Susannah M]

hehehe :) I've been spotted! You're right, I didn't spot you :(

You are forgiven. You had a bunch going on :wink

[kylesmama]

A couple weeks ago I spied a beautiful mama nursing her toddler in a mei tei while working a booth at the Pike Place Market - I gave her a thumbs up :thumb - I had just been nursing mine in my mei tei walking around - but she was on my back sleeping at the time...

I swear that nursing is all my almost 2 yo wants to do at storytime!! :eyesroll It makes me want to forego storytime all together...:(

my most impressed sighting out was a mama (in CO at the time) tandem nursing her almost 2 yo twins on the floor of the library - way to go mamas!! :thumb if that's not encouraging - I don't know what is!!

ETA: just thought of a moment when I was nursing my almost 2 yo dd on a park bench & an older woman stopped to tell me that she wished she had her camera to take a picture of us b/c we were so beautiful....awww - made me smile the rest of the day!!

[RadiantMama]

Yay! Mom feeding Toddler today at Tiny Tots storytime at Hollywood Library :)

[RadiantMama]

I only nurse in the nursing room at OMSI b/c I still use a nipple shield and in order to nurse I have to kind of whip it all out and put it on and then my dd likes to lift up my shirt and show everyone my breasts.

Lisa

hmmmm
i've actually never seen a nipple shield
what a COOL way to learn about them, tho, if you were to just do it in public!!!
I would LOVE IT!

[SleepyMamaBear]

I agree Anna, best way to learn about something new is to be introduced to it in your environment.
its why i use my Lact-Aid in public.

[whalemilk]

Oh no, this thread makes me nervous. I'm shy--not about nursing, just, in general not wanting to be stared at or singled out. I nurse without hesitation in public because I figure it's either that or stay home, and I get stir crazy easily. But I really don't like to be noticed when I am nursing, any more than I'd like it if a sign broadcast to the bystanders what books I am taking out of the library. And in the past few weeks we have been out a lot and I have had people really, really stare (smiling) at us while we're trying to latch, and it makes my skin crawl. Ugh!!! There I am talking to my toddler while trying to get a good latch with a 37 weeker who prefers to do everything half passed-out asleep, and someone is staring and cooing at me and my naked boob and then (UGH!!) directing their grade school aged kids to look. "aww the lady's nursing, SEE!" like I'm a zoo exhibit, argh. Very awkward and uncomfortable for me, and while I know that kind of thing is meant to be supportive, ie kudos for nursing, it makes me want to only leave home with bottles in tow.

[nurnur]

:hugs 11 years ago after the birth of my first child I was the same way about NIP, but it got much easier the more I did it. Our indiviual personalities make NIP different for all of us mamas. I hope it gets easier for you to tune "them" out and just feed your baby in your own little invisible cocoon.

[whalemilk]

Well this is just a personality difference, I think. This is my second child, and the first one nursed until she was 25 months old. I think we nursed in public for the last time when she was about 22 months old (then my milk dried up and she didn't nurse except at bedtime.) It's not really specific to nursing so much as it is, I don't want strangers noticing my personal and/or private activities. So not only have I got experience nursing in public, I've nursed a really big kid (2 years old but as tall as a 4 yo) in public...I just don't like having attention drawn to it!

[RadiantMama]

Well this is just a personality difference, I think. This is my second child, and the first one nursed until she was 25 months old. I think we nursed in public for the last time when she was about 22 months old (then my milk dried up and she didn't nurse except at bedtime.) It's not really specific to nursing so much as it is, I don't want strangers noticing my personal and/or private activities. So not only have I got experience nursing in public, I've nursed a really big kid (2 years old but as tall as a 4 yo) in public...I just don't like having attention drawn to it!



If you NIP, strangers WILL notice. The object is not to notice them. We need to focus on our own baby and not worry about the rest of the world going by. BTW, kudos to whomever posted the nipple shields on Craigslist! I finally know what they look like now! Oh--me today at Oxbow Park.

[InochiZo]

I saw several mama's at the apple festival at Portland Nursery breastfeeding. One with a cover and one with a glamor mama type tank. I don't nurse in public much myself anymore since DD is 21/2 now and just doesn't nurse that much. I also don't feel that comfortable nursing in public since she looks like she's 3. I know shouldn't feel that way but I do. I had no problem whipping it out in public when she was younger.

[McCartney]

Has anyone ever had a stranger approach you while NIP and express that they thought it was rude of you to do so?...I'm always worried that someone will be offended that I am NIP and tell me so:blush

[Doula Dani]

Has anyone ever had a stranger approach you while NIP and express that they thought it was rude of you to do so?...I'm always worried that someone will be offended that I am NIP and tell me so:blush

Don't worry about that! Then you'll cause yourself to be nervous while you nurse and I think attract those sorts of people.

I don't ever bother to cover up. I dare someone to say something! :wink

I have many times sat on a bench in the middle of the mall (with tons o people walking by) and nursed without covering up. Take that! :p

[Reha]

I agree! Don't worry about, it isn't your problem, but theirs!

But, for what it's worth, I've nurse in public tons, even with my big ol' 4 year old, and no one has EVER said anything to me.

[RadiantMama]

Has anyone ever had a stranger approach you while NIP and express that they thought it was rude of you to do so?...I'm always worried that someone will be offended that I am NIP and tell me so:blush
It is rude for someone to interrupt a basic need of a child :)
Yeah--just try to ignore it. I really think that as long as you are focused (and this is my experience) 99% of people will keep their opinions to themselves. If they are offended they will go or look away (or should)...and their opinions shouldn't keep you from providing the best, most nutritious food for your baby! Good luck :joy:

[Turquesa]

I encountered a rare sighting in Idaho Falls on Saturday: A mama nursing at farmer's market. She was attempting (key word) to conceal her activity with a blanket, an out-of-the-way bench, and some awkward glances. But this nursin' mama wasn't fooled! :D

[aolinsmama]

Has anyone ever had a stranger approach you while NIP and express that they thought it was rude of you to do so?...I'm always worried that someone will be offended that I am NIP and tell me so:blush

I never have here in OR, now when i was first nursing (1993, in the south) i got a few stares when i finally got the nerve to NIP. (after one time nursing in my toyota tercel hatchback, in the heat & humidity LOL-never again, i said) with my 2nd child (born in 1998) i NIP all the time (we lived in OR 1999) and of course with my 3rd, until she was 3.5. I want to encourage you, and anyone else that reads this thread to *Please* NIP as much as possible, i really want my children to know (esp my daughter, who is just 5 now but who might nurse herself someday) that it is absolutely, positively, Normal Normal Normal. i know i have BF them, so they know and still have fond memories and all that...but still:thumb

[lacysmommy]

I saw a mama nursing her toddler at our music and movement class last Friday in Olympia.

[McCartney]

I never have here in OR, now when i was first nursing (1993, in the south) i got a few stares when i finally got the nerve to NIP. (after one time nursing in my toyota tercel hatchback, in the heat & humidity LOL-never again, i said) with my 2nd child (born in 1998) i NIP all the time (we lived in OR 1999) and of course with my 3rd, until she was 3.5. I want to encourage you, and anyone else that reads this thread to *Please* NIP as much as possible, i really want my children to know (esp my daughter, who is just 5 now but who might nurse herself someday) that it is absolutely, positively, Normal Normal Normal. i know i have BF them, so they know and still have fond memories and all that...but still:thumb

I totally agree that it's normal and should always feel normal for the nursing mama and baby...But I guess it's just hard to get over the feeling of what other people think-I'm totally working on that though! I do nurse in public because I have no other choice but to feed and comfort my child and I'm proud of that. I wish that there were more nursing friendly places though that welcomed mama and baby to feel comfortable!
I would love to go to a coffee shop that encouraged nursing mama's to come and visit with others!

[LiLStar]

about caring what other people think... I care how people think about nip! I care so much that if there's anyone out there who thinks nip is offensive, I REALLY want to change their mind! by repeat exposure :wink

[niengolina]

Last Sunday at church in Madras, OR... A friend always uses her "hooter hider," even in the cozy family room with just me and her husband. But I've never used one because I want NIP to become a more normal thing. So last week she didn't have it with her and her DS was fussy, so she just pulled up her shirt and nursed. It was great!
Oh, and me at Pappy's Pizza in a crowded room full of birthday party- goers. :D


I actually got a nursing cover the other day. I usually layer with a tank and overshirt and just pull up the over shirt. But I figured I'd get one for when I slack on laundry and all my tanks are dirty. I can't stand it when people see my muffin top hanging out (I'm not terribly concerned about the breasts:wink)