Nursing In Public

Breastfeeding is something I feel strongly about. Probably more strongly than most people who know me realize. In fact I think I'm surprising myself with how strongly I feel about it.

I knew when Kaija was born that I was going to nurse her. It wasn't a question. When I went back to work we had to give some formula though. Pumping and I do not get along, no matter the circumstances. That was fine. In fact at about 8.5 months she had to go to formula full-time. I was proud of myself! But the one thing I never did with Kaija was nurse in public. I never really needed to. Besides, she got formula part time anyway, so we could just take some with us if we were going to be out during a time when she would want to eat.

Since I had such great success with Kaija, there was absolutely no question I was going to nurse Kolbie as well. This time, I set a firm goal of 1 year, but promised myself not to be disappointed if our nursing relationship doesn't last that long. So far it has been wonderful! Having an all natural labor and delivery followed by over an hour of skin-on-skin contact and nursing before anyone even took her from me definitely fostered that. She's had a few - 3 or 4 - bottles of formula because again, I can not pump. I've had to be away for doctor appointments for Kaija, or job interviews. And soon I'll be heading back to school so inevitably she'll get some then. But as long as I can maintain 1 or 2 nursing sessions a day until she's 1 I will feel successful.

Now here's where NIP comes into play. Having a toddler that can't stay cooped up in the house all the time and a family that likes to be out and about, it has to be done. Especially since I'd like to avoid formula. Clearly I have no problem with formula, but my supply is perfect. Meaning I have exactly what she needs all the time, no more, no less. By replacing 1 session with a bottle that messes with the fine tuned machine we've got working here. Apparently, my wonderful husband is embarrassed by the fact that on occasion I will need to *gasp* nurse Kolbie someplace other than in the rocking chair in her room. He even sighs when I nurse her in our bed... it makes me crazy. Now, I'm someone who likes to pick and choose her battles. And this is one I've been trying to avoid. Until today. Today we were out to eat and Kolbie needed to eat. I had 2 options (in his eyes) - the bathroom or hike it back to the truck. To keep some semblance of peace I chose the bathroom. Now, I don't know about you, but I've never eaten next to someone using the bathroom. But if the occasion would arise, I'm sure I'd be pretty grossed out. True, an infant likely has no idea what's going on in the next stall, but I do. Gross. Unsanitary. I was pissed off that that's what I had to do to make *him* comfortable. I decided then and there that the next time it comes up, he's going to deal with it. I know my legal rights. I'm not someone who will raise a stink, but I'm also not going to let my daughters think that it's okay to feed their babies in the bathroom either. So, sorry honey. You lose this one.