Rebuttal for the Stir's "5 places mom's should Breastfeed Discreetly"

I am reposting this so I can rebut it:
http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/161099/5_places_moms_need_to?result=comment_added&comment_state=member&success=1#comment_4073979


First by law in our state a Woman can nurse her baby WITH or WITHOUT a cover legally anywhere she is aloud to be. That covers all but the airplane one.





To properly rebut all of these I am posting them in italics with the original text and my rebuttal underneath. 

• The Pool -- Might as well start with swimming pools since the mom from Illinois is who got me thinking about breastfeeding in public in the first place. Pools generally have tons of kids in and around them, and as the mom of a 7-year-old, I wouldn't want him splashing around and seeing a mom sitting near the pool with the top of her swimsuit down. I already shudder at the thought of him looking at breasts when he's a teenager, let alone as a second grader.

 At the pool I'd venture to guess that there is more boob or cleveage showing on those teen girls and other moms/women than there is exposed by a nursing tot/baby. And as to children seeing... they NEED to see a nursing baby. It's normal. It's natural. And only through seeing it will they understand that.

This is what boobs are for and our society has made them about sex. In the past it has been the Neck, wrist, or even ANKLE! Then it was legs. That said we've gotten past those hangups, Let's move past this America.

"but what do I say to my child? How do I explain it?"
Simple you tell them the baby is drinking mommy's milk that her body makes perfect for baby.
I'd like not to have to explain to my toddler/child that some babies drink formula. But I handled that simply by telling her some babies drink milk in a cup/bottle. She was fine with that explanation.

• Restaurants -- I've seen moms feeding their babies in restaurants on several occasions, and I'm fine with it when they're wearing a coverup. But I do remember one occasion where I looked over at the table next to me in the middle of my meal and saw a boob in its entirety (before the baby had latched on -- so I saw this woman's bare nipple). It made me feel very awkward and uneasy. It was just so ... out there. Didn't have much of an appetite after that.

Ok first if mom has a right to be there then so does baby. That said till bottles require a coverup breasts shouldn't either. (after all aren't they really a faux boob making them a sex object too?)  It's a nipple. Why are you looking at other people anyway? And seriously have you never seen a nipple before?
If it bothers you so much perhaps you should suggest to the owner that they instal a nursing room. I know I would have loved one because nursing a distract-able baby while eating is super annoying but it has to be done sometimes. 

• Airplanes -- Yes, I KNOW babies need to eat on the plane as much as anywhere else, but this one honestly has more to do with safety than anything else. With all of the cases of creepy men groping women or hitting on them mid-flight -- the more covered up moms are, the better. Honestly, I'd probably ask the flight attendant to seat me in a row of women if I was a breastfeeding mom.

 OH an airplane. First nursing isn't sexual. Second, if it turns a man on there is something wrong with him. Third let's give men more credit. Forth, I'd think you'd rather see my nursing kiddo than her screaming and crying the whole time. ;)

• Kids' sporting events -- Again, there are just too many children running around, and it's probably not a good idea for them to look to the sidelines and see breasts staring back at them. I just keep thinking about my own child and what he'd think (or say out loud) if he were to see too much skin.

 That depends on what you've taught your child. My daughter is 2. She simply goes. Oh the baby drinks mommy milk! and looks away. And is busy doing other things. It's really not a big deal unless you have some hangup you've taught your child.

• Church -- It's wonderful when moms want to bring the kids to church and nurture their faith early on. But a coverup is a necessity with a baby in tow. Do I really have to elaborate here?

I am a God fearing, Christian woman, who goes to church every sunday. I have been a christian since I was in Kindergarten and asked Christ into my heart. I do not beleive a coverup is necessary in church. I also don't beleive a talkative or screaming child should have to leave the service (but that is a post for another day.)
Being discreet doesn't mean you have to use a giant, animal print, neon, cover to "hide" what you are doing. It means latching baby on quickly and paying attention to thier cues so they don't need to cry to let you know they are hungry. It means making sure your baby is happy and content and not drawing attention to yourself.
Many nursing mom's don't use a cover but instead use the "one shirt up one down" method and find it to work quite well and cover everything.
I myself used this method in church as have many other women.

Any other problems we need to discuss? Leave them in the comments. ;) I'm sure I have a reply for them too.

Musing about my Hubby

I like to think I have the best, most wonderful man in the world at my side. Most days I'm sure of it. When I read about other hubby's who don't show thier wives love, respect, or treat them like dirt, it makes me sad and I want to tell them they deserve more. To demand more. To make them want more.
But I can't change the world's menfolk. Some are just not bright, some are jerks, some are rude, some are obstinate, some are not funny.

Thankfully my man in none of those. My hubs was supportive of  me from the begining. Through our dating, our early marriage, my many interests,(some of which he finds icky), and even now with our child.

He Does funny things like this:

I can't find the other photo's right now. But It always makes me smile when he adds things to my lists, or turns them into strange recipes. 

Or tells me he loves me in a note:

 Which he wrote on my small dry erase board the week Norrie was born.


Yeah my hubs is awesome like that.

Maternity Musings 2

So now that Ive blasted all the bad, non cute, maternity patterns I thought Id share some of the ones that are cute with you all. Now  these aren't perfect. So I've also included some non maternity patterns that could easily work for maternity clothing with very little tweaking.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/65438163/simplicity-6415-vintage-70s-misses?ref=sr_list_37&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=maternity+sewing+patterns

This sundress is pretty cute. Plenty high enough to make the bump look cute. and the bust looks fitted enough to be comfy. Maybe with the right bra pads in it you could even go without a bra. Several lengths good for anyone's taste.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70145279/simplicity3645-maternity-sewing-pattern

Now this one is a scrub top but in the right fabric this could be cute. I love the mock wrap front, and pockets! Score! If you are a mom to be who needs a bunch of scrub tops for work this is your answer!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69927707/simplicity-4704-maternity-dress-top

I love this pattern since it has so many options. The strapless dress in the example is fairly plain but it's something to work with. Add some cute trim, or details or in a really pretty fabric and this could make a mom-to-be her whole wardrobe!


http://www.etsy.com/listing/52654411/1970-smock-blouse-hippiesque-blouse

I am a sucker for hippie styled blouses. I think this top could work even in the summer if done with a nice breathable cotton or woven fabric. I particularly love the one on the african amaerican woman. The neckline is so pretty! This isn't technically as far as I can see a maternity top but it could easily get you though that awkward in between phase where regular clothing doesn't fit, but the maternity clothes are too big.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50986552/vintage-60s-simplicity-4506-maternity

Even though I hate adding them I love a simple ruffle. I love the neckline on this one, and the ruffled sleeve option is sort of charming. Though for summer I'd probably make the sleeveless dress with the ruffle on the bottom.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56713343/vintage-1978-maternity-top-pattern

 

Now you must ignore the little evil bow on view 1 and instead focus on how cute the middle option is. Cute yoke top, with pockets and looks like it would breathe well in the summer. I'm not super fond of the sleeves but change them out with the sleeves from a different pattern and I'd call this one a hit. 

Last I want to give you some current patterns! First Megan Nielson has some super cute modern maternity clothing. And I've herd great things about her patterns! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/megannielsen

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67374584/sis-boom-dana-top-with-scientific

 

 This top  has 2 options and is super cute. I believe option 2 is a dress. love that they have their own fabric too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62413964/fabulous-wing-blouse-pdf-patterns-and

I think the thing I love about this blouse is the sleeves. They are so pretty! And I love how I can picture it before during and after pregnancy.

I'm going to have to stop for now! I have many more to show you but my hubby is in bed and I should be too! It's getting late and I'm growing a person inside me after all. :)


Once again I hope the owners of these etsy shops are ok with me posting my musings on their items! I have provided a direct link to the items (with the exception of Megan's who I have linked to her etsy shop itself) so you can purchase them without a problem if your heart desires! Enjoy!

exciting news and updates to the blog

So I had something really exciting happen to me the week of the 16th. We found out we are pregnant! I'm very excited as is the hubby. This will be our first. I had to wait to post about it though as I have family that reads my blog and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.
we told them on Christmas day and the day after(2 separate families and get togethers) And everyone was surprised and thrilled for us.

as a result I've been learning all kinds of things about dealing with morning sickness, and heartburn, (both of which I'm experiencing a lot). And the hubby encouraged me to start blogging about it. Since I've been wanting to add more family stuff to my blog this seems like a good idea.
So I'll be updating on my progress in the pregnancy and new tricks I've tried to get rid of the ick feeling.
We have our first Doctors appointment on the 4th and are meeting with our possible midwife/doula on the 6th. We are probably going to use a birthing center rather than a hospital for many many reasons. And I'll be sharing those thoughts and plans with you all as well.
I have offically quit my job and will no longer be working and hope to spend the time stocking up my etsy store and preparing the babies room. Which means some major house cleaning. I will be combining the hubby's office with my craft room. SCARY! And that means downsizing as well. I will be packing and getting rid of things and just generally all that prep work that happens when one has a child. So excited!
Next post soon!