Forced to breast feed in public

 Not much was as important to me as breastfeeding our babies. I wanted them to get all the benefits possible -- but it wasn't always easy because America is not that breastfeeding friendly, whether you're a breastfeeding nazi or a breasfeeding prude. I dealt with all types of things while trying to make our children healthy: 

1. One of my kids' doctors liked to play the guilt card. Even though I was nursing at least three times a day, I sometimes had to supplement with formula. This was necessary because of my scheule, sometimes, and my lack of milk other times. The doctor wasn't helpful in providing a recommendation, saying "breast is best." Ugh. I know that. But we have to be real about expectations.

2. My in-laws also liked that I would do everything for the grandbabies -- but, I should be under 25 layers of blankets to do so. Once, I had to go into the lobby of a restaurant to nurse. I was properly covered (although it wouldn't really bother me to have been less covered!) and no one would have been able to see anything unless they climbed under my blanket. Still, both in-laws shook their heads at me and muttered something along the lines of "not here, not here, too much."

3. I would get weird looks as I carried a mega-sized water bottle in the bathroom at work. That was my pumping place and I had to have the water to help with my milk production. I didn't want to go into an explanation; it was awkward enough having to pump in there in the freakin' stall, with no other alternative. If they rolled their eyes at me in person, I can only imagine what they said behind my back.

I made it through despite the less-than-supportive people in my life, and now I'm thankful I breastfed both of our children, one for over a year and the other for nearly nine months. And I'm glad I never faced a TSA officer, who misunderstood the rules about pumps, and would make me pump in a front of everyone in the bathroom. I'm not really shy but doing what this woman did would have been too much for me. Hope none of you ever face this situation!