A few quick notes in response to this article, “Dear breastfeeding moms, Is it really that hard to cover up?”
__________________________
“This post isn’t meant to start a war against the public breastfeeding movement.”
Public breastfeeding isn’t a “movement.” Mothers have breastfed their babies anywhere and everywhere since always.
“…for me, there’s just an elephant in the room.”
“Here’s the deal: Strangers don’t want to see your areola. (Yeah, that’s it.)… I don’t get what part of that is offensive.”
Personally, I’m not offended that people may not want to see my areolas.The issue is that people find female areolas so offensive.
“I’ve breastfed all of my children, so I totally understand that covering up can be a pain. At first, it’s fine, but once they hit 6 months, they’re old enough to realize they don’t want a blanket sitting on their face while they eat, and the whole feeding is a fight.”
So it IS that hard to cover up, and you actually agree with this fact here several paragraphs into your piece. I won’t bother to answer your title question because you effectively answer it yourself (not to your benefit, I might add).
“These days, when you tell someone you breastfeed, you get compliments and praise. It’s not the 1950s, when baby formula companies created anti-nursing ad campaigns to boost sales.”
If you breastfed in public (without a cover), you’d know there’s still a great stigma. I was harassed once as I nursed in the front seat of my own car. Your experience of feeling accepted is but one. It’s not the only one and likely not the standard. I was stalked by formula companies at my home address for months after I gave birth, and many of my friends tell a similar story. (By the way, definitely took note of the Carnation formula ad featured in your article).
“The truth is, I don’t want to see your naked boobs.”
I’m not particularly interested to see your boobs either. But it’s fine, we can both just look away.
“I don’t want my husband to, and come to think of it, my preschool son either.”
What is the imminent threat in the idea of your husband seeing a breast? Sexism at its finest — it goes both ways. And what is this fear of your son seeing a breast used for its intended purpose, really? Will he be less likely to conform to a society fit for body objectification?
“[A]t least in my opinion, no amount of kids eating on a naked boob is going to change the fact that the breast is still considered a ‘naked part’ in our society.”
An uncovered breast is a “naked part.” Yet also, uncovered skin anywhere on one’s body is a “naked part.” Gloves for all, then?
“Your vagina helped make the kid, and I don’t see you flashin’ that around.”
Vaginas don’t make babies, uteruses do. While we’re enjoying this anatomy lesson, breasts aren’t genitalia and they don’t excrete potentially biohazardous waste product.
“Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m ignorant. Maybe you’re just trying to prove a point, and I just don’t get it.”
You say you don’t get it. But I hear ya, loud and clear, I get it — you don’t want to see my breasts. So stop staring, or scroll on?
“Unless you’re my sister, my mom or my friend, I would really appreciate not seeing your naked parts. I’m sorry… [D]on’t hate me because I don’t want to see your naked breast.”
No need to feel sorry. I don’t hate you. I don’t care either way if you’re incredibly interested to look at my breast, or cannot stand the thought. Your opinion really has little to do with me, as a breastfeeding woman. I just know you’d feel better (i.e, not needing to feel sorry/guilty) if you actually “got it.” But no worries, plenty of time to learn. 
Mama's Milk, No Chaser 
Sitting here reading this as I nurse my son to sleep. Can’t. Stop. Laughing.
This would, most definitely, be my reaction to this article as well. Thanks for a great read. Love seeing logical and informative responses to people who are negative, uniformed, or just “don’t get it.”
thank you! i just lost 42 IQ points reading that stupid blog, yours has restored them.
Agreed!
Thank you! You said everything I was thinking when I read that “article”. It IS hard to cover up. Covering up is a choice. Don’t like it, don’t look!
YES YES YES. So much yes.
Lovely. Well done!
I LOVE this article! Thank you so much!
Nursing my little nugget right now, trying not to disrupt her with my constant head nods and “exactly!” while reading! Consider it shared 🙂 happy nursing!
Yeah….people don’t wanna see your breasts chick and there’s nothing you can do about it. Stop playing victim.
@Brutal Honesty
“people don’t want to see your breasts”
… Is someone holding a gun to your head?
“Nothing you can do about it”
Actually there are laws in place to allow it!
“Stop playing victim”
She’s not, but maybe you should stop attacking nonetheless
I love this response! the only thing I take issue with is the part where you say that breasts don’t excrete biohazardous fluids. they can in fact. if a woman has hiv , it’s passed through her breastmilk. but like I said , I love this reply !
I find it laughable that people don’t want to see women breastfeeding in public…SOLUTION: Don’t look, don’t stare, don’t ogle….However, if this was a shapely woman at the beach in a bikini which had a top that barely covered her nipples, there would be stares, wolf whistles, and come-ons. Just how can people be such hippocrits ….boggles the mind ….
I’m thinking that many people think they’re supposed to be upset when seeing a bare breast. I suspect they’re mostly uncomfortable with feelings from their own conditioning and react how they think they’re supposed to react. Could it be the knee-jerk response that is learned and passed along rather than actual upset? Humans are funny.
I agree. Many people don’t seem to stop and think what is actually making them upset (or imagined so). And humans are funny; sometimes you just have to laugh …
Perfectly answered!! Thank you.
Yes yes yes!!!! Nicely put!
Thank you so much. That article really bugged me too. Someone shared it on Facebook and it came up on my feed and I find the whole thing rather disturbing. People need to get over the fact that the biological purpose of breasts is for breastfeeding, end of story. There’s nothing disgusting about it, it’s no big deal. Please, everyone let’s just get over this and move on and have some compassion for mothers who have enough challenges as it is.
I still nurse my three year old in public. I have never and will never cover myself. God help you if you ever make a negative comment to me or my child!