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It is amazing in this day and age that the question of whether or not mothers should be "allowed" to breastfeed their babies in public is even asked. What is so offensive about a mother feeding her hungry child in a public area?

Breastfeeding is one of the oldest and most natural practices in the world and it's difficult to understand why women who breastfeed are still discriminated in this day and age. The benefits of nursing have been brought to new heights of awareness and it is incredible that any percentage of the population still shuns the concept of nursing a baby.

Thirteen years ago when I had my first baby, I was pretty private and self-conscious about feeding my baby in public or private as I was unsure of myself. This hesitation stemmed from the fact I would receive derogatory "cow" comments from multi-generational friends and family who knew I was breastfeeding. This was at a time when appreciation about the benefits of breastfeeding was not as common. A few people were supportive, but for the most part breastfeeding was treated as taboo. Since that time, breastfeeding has become much more acceptable as a practice and I thought for the most part people were tolerant of it in public.

Now that I'm nursing my third baby, I have learned not to be shy when my baby is crying to be fed. My child's needs take priority over any apprehensive feelings I may have had with my older children. This revelation occurred one day in Washington D.C. when I was in a position where there was no place to feed my hungry baby. I decided to forego shyness and nursed her right in the cafe we were in. The nursing was discreet, I had a blanket and even though my baby pulled the blanket off, no one really noticed or for that matter, cared. After this experience, I have nursed my baby in many public places and have never run into any issues or condemnation. Why such a natural, good and healthy thing for babies is criticized in this current age of awareness is beyond belief.

Those opposed to public breastfeeding often declare with all worldliness and knowledge that it would be more preferable if nursing mothers should feed their infants in bathrooms or pump the milk and use a bottle. Sorry, but that's out of the question, I don't see anyone else eating their ham and swiss sandwich or nursing a cup of coffee in a public bathroom. Most people won't even sit on a public toilet, yet mothers are supposed to sit and balance themselves so their baby can eat in this environment? As for the bottle, many babies used to the mother's breast will not take a bottle. None of my three would touch a bottle.

We live in a society that is heavily focused on sex - skimpy outfits, TV programs, movies, magazines, billboards - with little left up to the imagination both visually and through suggestive or blatant dialogue. It is ridiculous when people are not offended by the many other things brazenly shown in public, but yet remained offended by breastfeeding.

Nursing a baby in public isn't an exploitive sexual act; it's a natural one, and one which can be done discreetly. Most mothers know how to do this with the utmost discretion. Does anyone really think nursing moms want to flash their breasts for the world to see? I can assure you, as a veteran nursing mother, giving others a flash is the furthest thing from our minds, if anything, our goal is to do it as quickly and with as little attention drawn to us as possible.

In this age of inclusiveness, awareness and equality, women should not be condemned nor "forbidden" to nurse a hungry baby in public. A nursing mother should not be treated any differently than a mother who chooses to bottle feed.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
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