Breastfeeding in Public

     This is a subject my friend Natalie and I were talking about today at work and I really felt I needed to write about.  Everyone knows that unless there is some anatomical, chemical, cultural, or psychological reason a woman shouldn't breastfeed her baby that it is always the healthiest alternative for both mother and child.  While I would never condemn anyone for choosing not to breastfeed, I strongly support doing it if possible.  Goodness knows it is not easy!  I always thought that breastfeeding was just a natural instinct and babies came out looking for a breast and would go right to work; easy as pie.  Anyone who has breastfed knows that is far from the truth.  It can be very difficult, so I understand not being able to commit to it.  I would still urge anyone who is able, to at least give it a try.
     What I don't understand is the taboo surrounding breastfeeding an infant in public.  It saddens me to think that we, as a society, are so sexually fixated that we view a woman nourishing her child as offensive.  No one asks you to go out of sight when you are eating.  Why then should we feel the need to shield ourselves from this beautiful miracle of nature?
     There was a picture of a profile view of a woman's breast with an infant nursing from it (no nipple showing at all) that was run on the cover of a parenting magazine a few years ago.  This caused such a controversy that many establishments would not display it in their stores.  How sad.  It was a beautiful picture of a beautiful thing.  It worries me that this stigma would discourage mothers from proving this wonderfully beneficial nourishment to their babies.   
     The main two arguments I have heard against public breastfeeding are first, "I don't want to see that, it makes me uncomfortable," and second, "I don't want my kids exposed to that nudity."  Let me argue these points right now.  To the person who is uncomfortable I have a couple of responses.  The first are questions.  What about a mother feeding her baby could make you uncomfortable?  Are you that uncomfortable with sexuality that you could possibly see that in a sexual way?  I mean really?  If you really are uncomfortable, your solution is simple.  DON'T LOOK!  For the person who wants to shield their own children from "such a display," I urge you to change your perspective.  I see it as a wonderful teaching opportunity.  If they are old enough to question it, they are old enough to hear a frank explanation.   
     I'm not saying that women should just sit around in stores or restaurants all exposed, but anyone who has children knows that when that baby decides its hungry, the time to act is five minutes ago.  How great it would be for mothers to be able to immediately meet that child's needs in a stress free environment.  Nursing a child is great for bonding time, it is also free and abundant.  Breastfeeding is a natural, healthy, beautiful thing that should be celebrated, not shunned.  

I got this image from cafepress.com