Why can't you just use a nursing cover when you're breastfeeding in public?

Why can’t you just use a nursing cover?

I have seen this comment, and variants of it so many times in social media and breastfeeding related articles. It really grates on my nerves for so many reasons. Firstly, what business is it of yours whether or not I use a breastfeeding cover?

“My opinion is that anyone offended by breastfeeding is staring too hard” – David Allen

Breastfeeding mums aren’t streaking, they’re not breaking any laws (in fact, breastfeeding in public is protected by law, including breastfeed in public without a cover), and they’re nourishing and nurturing future generations.

Secondly, unless you’re telling shirtless men to put a shirt on as well, then I suggest you have a long hard think about your stance.

Finally, mothers have it hard enough trying to look after their babies in a culture that really isn’t very friendly to young families in many ways, without you making it worse.

Apart from all of the reasoning about why my breastfeeding in public is none of your business, many women have practical reason for not using a nursing cover. If you asked nicely, you may find reasons such as this:

• "My hands are full. In some cases, because I have a fast flow of milk, my kids need me to recline to help slow down the milk. I often have a cloth in another hand to help catch any wayward milk, and trying to navigate holding my child, holding a cloth AND keeping a nursing cover positioned is just not possible."
• "My kids hate being covered. Did you know a breastfeeding baby’s head radiates more heat when breastfeeding? Any time I have attempted to use a cover, my kids stop nursing and start trying to bat off the cover. And fair enough too – have you tried eating your dinner with a blanket over your head? Trying to breastfeed a child who is trying to pull off your nursing cover risks much more exposure!"
• "If I’m breastfeeding my baby I want to see what is going on. I want to be able to look at my baby’s face when he’s nursing and see his face relax and his eyelids flutter. Breastfeeding is about bonding, closeness and nurturing. I am not just producing milk for my baby to drink. If I’m struggling with a nursing cover then I’m not able to relax and enjoy the experience."

On the other hand, other mum’s DO enjoy using a nursing cover. Of course, that is wonderful too. The point is that whether or not she uses a nursing cover, the choice completely up to the women breastfeeding her child.

Why don’t you do that in the toilet so everyone is more comfortable?

Hmmm… You think I should use the bathroom to breastfeed in, but really, would you eat in a bathroom or toilet? Where would you sit? On the toilet? Gross.

You don’t see me peeing in public. Why should you be able to breastfeed in public

I’ve also read comments that if men can’t pee in public, then I shouldn’t be allowed to breastfeed in public. I really don’t get this. How is breastfeeding in any way related to peeing? If I were to compare breastfeeding to something adults do, it would be eating. Urinating is your body’s way of removing waste, it stinks, and really, that’s what toilets are for. Breastfeeding is FEEDING. See the difference?

In summary, a woman who is breastfeeding her child in public should really be congratulated. It takes guts to go against culturally ingrained ideals about public breastfeeding, however as long as we make it more difficult or awkward for women to breastfeed their babies in public, we make it more difficult for women to be part of society when they become mothers. So, next time you see a women with a baby (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or not), please, just smile nicely and ask if she’d like a hand with anything.