Monday, February 20, 2006

Got milk...somewhere else?

I'm a huge proponent of breastfeeding and the rights women have to nurse wherever, whenever necessary.

Note that I said "necessary."

Bella's gym class is 45 minutes. The children in her class range from ages 18 months to 2 1/2 years. At this stage in their life, a child does not need to be demand fed, correct? We have, at this point, taught them that no drinks are allowed in class but they are more than welcome to a snack before or after class.

So when 22 month old Emma drops the purple ball she'd been bouncing off the shy girl's bum and runs to her mom on the edge of the mat screeching "boobie! boobie!", you'd think the mom would quietly take her obviously breastfed child over to the side and explain now isn't the time. Or at least take her to the little office and feed her there.

Did that happen?

No.

Instead, the mother very loudly fake whines "Emma! Right here? In CLASS?" and before the word "class" escapes her mouth, her shirt is up, child attached. Then the big to-do about her child biting her and hurting mommy. Then her FRIEND who was visiting for the one freebie class decides to nurse her child too.

Seriously?

Neither woman could wait to nurse their child? The children couldn't just be distracted with some other activity? Ooooooh, I was irritated. Those two mothers are what make so many uncomfortable with public breastfeeding.

In my fragile state, I'm not sure I can keep quiet next time...

7 comments:

Amanda said...

NIP - what a funny acronym! i am overjoyed with that one!

okay, back to the issue at hand. i think it is funny that you have kept your mouth shut this long. i think i would have to say "you could use the office if you wanted" or something like that.

if the kid wants a snack at gym class, give her a power bar at that age.

Amanda said...

Absolutely disgusting. I guess I am the only one who thinks 2 years old is a little long to be breastfed.

Jennboree said...

I nursed Bella till she was 19 1/2 months. I used to think 2 years was long, but it really isn't. The longer a baby nurses, the healthier for baby and mom, but it is certain that nursing at that age is more about comfort than nutrition!

And I've noticed moms with boys tend to wean closer to a year while moms with girls may go longer. Interesting...

Michelle said...

I weaned Little Man at 10 months because it started getting oogie when he started looking more and more like a little boy than a baby...
I admire you for going on as long as you did, because I don't know if I could have gone another 9 and a half months wearing a bra every hour of every day...

Jennboree said...

I guess staying at home made it easier because I wore tank tops. I too would have had to stop MUCH earlier if a bra were required 24-7!

Never did I anticipate nursing as long as I did, but there's alot about being a mom I didn't anticipate!

Eve said...

I breastfed my daughter until 14 months, and by that age, you are TOTALLY right- they can go 45 freaking minutes without a feeding.
I don't mind seeing babies nursing in public, but it does bug me to see mothers being bossed around by their toddlers like that.

Anonymous said...

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