Vacationing is never easy on kiddos. You’re in a weird house, eating weird food, keeping weird hours and oh, yeah you get to do fun things with a smile on your face, too! Even the most easy going child will experience a complete meltdown when asked to endure the joy of a vacation.
Ben, my 22 month old son, was doing really well getting adjusted to a week long visit at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. But, by the time we got to Museum day he had had enough. He decided he was not going back in the car. Ever. And I mean it. William, my four year old son, was already strapped in and my mother was patiently waiting to see what I was going to do. When we both realized that nursing him was the only way out of this alive, she offered to grab the blanket in the back of my car. It was a beautiful day and she found us a spot in the grass under a big tree. He settled in and began to calm down.
Now, I have four years experience nursing and have come leaps and bounds from huddling in the fitting room or car. I feel comfortable nursing in many situations. I’ve been lucky that I’ve never been asked to leave or cover up. I’ve never had any disapproving looks or remarks.
But as Ben grows older it becomes new territory. He is different from William in how frequently he nurses and when he asks to nurse. So I am being asked to nurse a child (not an infant) in public. And this is a learning process for me.
On Museum day, settled under the tree with the sun shining and my sweet child finally calm I knew that I could ward off any feelings of anxiousness. Besides, there wasn’t many people walking near me anyway. And then a mother with 2 school aged kids came to get into the van that was right in front of me and Ben. She got her kids into their seats and came around the front. I’m always prepared to smile and greet someone so they know that I’m comfortable with what I’m doing and that it’s normal and okay to speak with a women who’s breastfeeding. She smiled right at me a simply said
“What a wonderful place to be doing such a wonderful thing.”
I could barely find my voice to respond. I said yes it was and that it was just what we needed. But these, my friends, are the most supportive and simple and kind words I’ve ever heard regarding breastfeeding in public. In that sweet statement she told me she supported me; that she has likely been there, too; that she is not surprised by my walking talking child nursing at my breast; that it is normal.
I send out a huge thank you to that woman, not only for saying that to me, but for giving me something to say to other women who are enjoying a simple moment breastfeeding the child they love.
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