Breastfeeding in Public: My opinion

I support breastfeeding. I believe its pros far outweigh the cons It is natural and so healthy for the baby and mama also.

I believe that employers should step up and make it easier for their employees. I encourage businesses to reach out to Moms and give them a place of comfort and privacy to nourish their babies.
Nothing is more precious than the mom and baby bonding when feeding.  Even in nature, we find that nursing babies; ponies, puppies, kittens. Well, it is a sweet and awesome moment.

Breastfeeding is not simple and as easy as some make it look. In the beginning, it is painful. Even if you do the things your doctor tells you about toughing up your nipples, it still hurts. Your breast becomes engorged with fluid and they become hot to touch. And then if your sweet little baby can latch on. OWE....but when you get settled in and your sweet little baby latches on and his little soft lips begin to suck...Your heart grows so big. You bond with your baby.
Of course there are babies that won't latch on and no matter how hard you try, it just doesn't happen. So you are forced to pump. Now pumping is not so bad. There is times when it is necessary. This allows a mother to be away from her baby for longer periods of time. But going back to one of the cons...my grandson would not take a bottle. We tried every kind on the market. We tried boob bottles and every nipple we could find. This is discouraging, because as much as you love that sweet little baby, everyone needs a short break. Even if it is just a trip to the grocery store alone. Or maybe that night out to a movie or dinner.  Feeding a baby the breast is much more time consuming. And while you would love to sit and feed your baby all day, the reality is life goes on and Mama is needed elsewhere. I have so much respect for the moms that can breastfeed their baby and make it seem easy.

Now here comes the but.... I do think that it is a beautiful thing, but I really don't want to see the actual full on view. I think that with everything else, modesty is not a bad thing. I don't want to see women's breast uncovered for any reason. I am not a prude...just like to keep some things private. I think there is always a way that you can feed your baby in public and yet use discretion. A soft blanket or cover can keep mom discreet and more people less offended.

But the bottom line, is that it is a choice that a mother has to make. I don't feel like life is going to be ruined if we see a woman feeding her baby. I admire her for what she does. But I. will turn away if she chooses not to be discreet. And don't go all righteous on me if I don't like it.  I was offended to see the baby sitting on Mom's lap on Santa's lap. But I am a big girl and I can pull my panties on....but I did not like it. I did not think it was cute and I don't think it sent a good statement for women wanting respect for breastfeeding their babies in public.

Everyone has the right to choose what is Right for them, and everyone has a right to like it or not. That is what makes this the best country in the world to live in, I am sure that some will agree with me and some will not. That's ok.

Christmas Repost

A repost from Dec 2012


Here it is Dec 2. Just 23 more days until Christmas. This is definitely my favorite time of the year. I just wish I could somehow figure out how to slow it down. It seems we are so busy living life, working, taking care of children, or going to school. We have a busy regular life and then we have to  squeeze in so much Christmas in 25 days. Is it any wonder why we try so hard to begin earlier and earlier each year?

For the retailers, we know that they are trying to squeeze every last dime from us to make all their numbers come out in black and staying out of the red. Christmas trees in stores in September before Halloween decorations, they do have an agenda. Have you ever noticed how they begin to play reruns of Christmas movies in the heat of summer? Hmmm...I don't think it is an accident. They play on all those warm and fuzzy feelings that we all get this time of the year.

That is just it...we all play right into that. It is such a magical time of the year, full of love and good will...we crave it.. we all want it. It is magical and it does bring out the best in almost everyone. Of course I know that it isn't wonderful for every one. There are still the lonely and homeless. Those that are sick and dying. People without family that love them. Children that still go to bed hungry. But the fact is everyone wants to make a difference. Just like the Grinch found out..Christmas comes no matter what. We all want a part of making it happen..It makes our heart grow so many sizes...just like the Grinch's did.

Everyone wants to reach out and help. People say "excuse me","Thank You", and "Please".  You see people reaching deeper into their pockets to help their neighbors and even strangers. This is the one time of the year that people give of themselves with no other thought but to help.  And it makes us feel so good. There is no other time of the year that people are more generous and giving. I just wish that we could keep Christmas in our hearts a little longer.

I know that God gave us his son on that first Christmas so many many years ago. Jesus was the ultimate gift. I can only imagine God's warm and fuzzy feelings for giving such a perfect gift. This is the reason for the season. And even when we get caught up in the commercialism of it all... I honestly believe that most every person knows that giving is better than receiving. The gift of giving is one that God has passed down to us. Learning to stretch that feeling throughout the year, would be a gift into itself.

So once again this year I will be trying to enjoy all 25 days.  I want to feel Christmas every day of the month. It seems I am not very good at it, because it is always over way too soon..But I will try. :)