Breastmilk is the best and most natural food a mother can provide for her baby. There are so many awesome benefits, such as less respiratory diseases and allergies, that motivate people to breastfeed their newborns. Breast milk produces antibodies that inform a baby’s body of how to fight viruses and bacteria. Babies who consume their mother’s breast milk for at least six months tend to experience fewer ear infections, are overall healthier and appear brighter. Breast milk is the superfood of baby food.

It’s no wonder why some breastfeeding moms fight back against the harsh critique of public breastfeeding. They want the best for their little ones, and when baby’s cries require food or else, baby tends to win. This is best spoken on once you have actually lived the life of a breastfeeding mother.

The truth is, you don’t truly know the intensity of an infant’s cries nor the unwavering commitment to respond until you’ve parented your own babies.

That’s what this issue is really about — feeding hungry babies and soothing frantic ones as nursing can be an activity of pure comfort for some little ones as well.

People and their sensitivity to bare breasts are really not the mother’s problem. Now granted, I cannot stand in alignment with the aggressive ones, you know those moms who are the jump offs waiting for a problem, wishing a ninja would say something about her exposed nipples all up in Starbucks? Those.

The times when I was nursing my babies were usually sweet, tender moments of bonding. There might have been a time or two when I unintentionally flashed a stranger or family member, but for the most part, I made sure baby and I were covered. I held no qualms about nursing in public but was every bit eager to keep my nipples a mystery when I could help it, in an effort to preserve our intimate space and the public’s right to not see me. It is the public’s right to be sensitive about seeing your nipples, just as it is your right to feed your baby anywhere you darn well please.

Let’s meet in the middle here. Can we all agree breastfeeding is natural, beautiful and a mother’s right? Mom’s, have your way and be reasonable in public. Is it really asking too much to cover up some? Her nipple, if you happen to see it, is a bottle made of flesh, not a sexual object, okay?

How do you feel about public breastfeeding, and what have been your experiences? Let’s get the conversation going, Blavity fam!

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