Breastfeeding Cards

[Novella]

This weekend we went to bunnings and as always the big girls had a play on the play ground. DD3 was hungry so I sat down to feed her and another mum was doing the same with her five month old and we struck up a conversation. She was telling me an older lady had walked past a few minutes before and given her a little card which she showed me. I can't remember the exact words but it in a nutshell it said 'from one mum to another thank you for breastfeeding in public and making it easier for other mums to do the same'. It had made this mums day from what she was telling me


I love the sentiment but the card giving seems a bit strange to me, I guess having a conversation with someone and telling them seems a little more 'natural' to me but then you dont always get that opportunity. What are your thoughts?

[Arcadia]

I actually like the idea! I try not to look weird when I smile at breastfeeding mums, but I want to support them! A card would achieve this. Interested to read other replies.

[PumpkinZulu]

I think it's really cute, especially if the person doesn't want to make a fuss.

[nothing2lose]

What if the person doesn't want to feel fussed over?

Not everyone who breastfeeds wants to be seen as making a political statement.

I wouldn't hand a card out to a same sex couple showing affection/kissing or an overweight person tucking into a meal with relish, so why would I hand one to a breastfeeding mother?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I would be creeped out. When I BFed Liebling in public it was because he needed a feed, not to make a statement or to support other people, just to support Liebling. TBH, I'd be upset a passerby had not only noticed but felt the need to give me a card. A card? A political card, at that. No thanks. Just let me parent the way I want without your written opinion on it, be it good or bad.

I don't mind a smile, or but even a "how nice to see a baby being breastfed" is starting to be a bit too close for me!

[buffy1]

How interesting Novella, have never seen/heard of that before.

Have to agree with n2l.

I'd like it if someone told me personally though. And I love those smiles of acknowledgement from other women. I hope FF Mums get the same.

[PumpkinZulu]

I loved it when people acknowledged me breastfeeding. I think the point is to encourage women who BF in public, because there is so much negative association with it and lots of people sneer and turn their noses up. I don't really see the harm. It's not about making a political statement, it's about banding together and making others feel like breast feeding in public isn't something to be ashamed about. If being given a card or being told 'good for you're whatever makes someone feel uncomfortable, well, the good news is it's certainly not going to be happening very often. I'd prefer a convo as opposed to a card too.

[blessedatlast]

I had cards and I gave them out. I think it's beautiful.. If I got one I would love it

[Phteven]

That's just creepy. Why give someone a card for feeding their baby the normal, natural way?

[Amy_jellybean]

Yep exactly what Onyx said.

[Heaven]

Not creepy. The ABA makes the cards and gives them out to give to other people. It's not like it said 'saw you feeding, nice rack'

[Phteven]

I find the concept of communicating by giving someone a card instead of talking to them creepy, regardless of the message. A smile is far easier to give than a card and it uses less resources too.

[Teeki]

If I was given a card I'd think it was a little weird! I still breastfeed DD in public when she needs it (which is rare now anyway) and every now and then a stranger will need to have some kind of interaction with me. What I appreciate the most is that they look me in the eye, talk to me as they would anyone else, and basically behave as if DD wasn't having a drink. That's the way I prefer it, there's no need to draw attention to it, I'm just feeding my baby! Just the same as I wouldn't expect anyone to bring attention to anything else my DD is doing while they talk to me about an unrelated topic.

[leesha]

I find it quite rude for those mums out there who would love to breastfeed and can't.
No one sees them feeding with a bottle and gives them a card saying nice try sorry you can't breastfeed but good on you for not starving your child.
I am breast feeding number three bubs and I did with number two also. But our first bub had a bilateral cleft lip and could not breastfeed. I exclusively expressed for 10 months and he had nothing but my breastmilk but from a bottle. Nobody ever asked me if it was formula or breastmilk and I know I was judged because he was feeding from a bottle. It's very rude and made me mad I was being judged and I felt like screaming from the top of my lungs every time I fed him "this bottle has breastmilk in it "
So I think the cards are stupid.

[Heaven]

The cards were only talking about breastfeeding, not bottle feeding. Same old thing, if you say anything good about breastfeeding it seems to mean you're really trying to say that all formula feeders are terrible mothers. No, that's not the case.

Sure, some people would like the cards, some would think they're weird but it's pretty obvious their intention wasn't negative.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I don't think that acknowledging the BFing is normal, or that BM is the best way to nourish your child is saying Formula Is Evil. Because those are facts.

But this card would make me feel that I would be judged negatively for using a bottle in public, because it IS a judgement card on using BFing, even if it is a positive one. It is an opinion, a judgement, not a fact. Or that I was making a political statement. Or that my breasts were up for public comment - which is what I really hate about the current "girls wearing next to nothing to advertise everything" culture (or should that be un-culture) we currently have.

[~ Mylitta ~]

I loved it when people acknowledged me breastfeeding. I think the point is to encourage women who BF in public, because there is so much negative association with it and lots of people sneer and turn their noses up. I don't really see the harm. It's not about making a political statement, it's about banding together and making others feel like breast feeding in public isn't something to be ashamed about. If being given a card or being told 'good for you're whatever makes someone feel uncomfortable, well, the good news is it's certainly not going to be happening very often. I'd prefer a convo as opposed to a card too.

I agree with everything you wrote

It's not like it said 'saw you feeding, nice rack'

Lol!!!

I find the concept of communicating by giving someone a card instead of talking to them creepy, regardless of the message. A smile is far easier to give than a card and it uses less resources too.

I guess the cards could be used when a conversation is not possible. Perhaps in a busy place, or if the other person is with friends, if you didn't have time to stop etc... Also, some people find it really hard to strike up conversations with strangers.

The cards were only talking about breastfeeding, not bottle feeding. Same old thing, if you say anything good about breastfeeding it seems to mean you're really trying to say that all formula feeders are terrible mothers. No, that's not the case.

Sure, some people would like the cards, some would think they're weird but it's pretty obvious their intention wasn't negative.

I also agree with everything Heaven wrote as well.


Imagine that you were a breastfeeding mother that likes to feed your baby/toddler whenever they are hungry, but there are absolutely NO other woman in the world that ever do it. Would you feel comfortable going out into public and doing it then? Now imagine that EVERY mother that could, and wanted to, breastfeed did so whenever their child was hungry and they were in public. That it was a totally normal everyday occurrence to see when out in public. I bet you would feel much more comfortable breastfeeding in public in that scenario. I think anything that promotes the normality of breastfeeding in public is a good thing. There are so many woman out there that would like to breastfeed in public, but still feel uncomfortable to do so. I'm not making a political statement each time I breastfeed in public. I'm giving my children what they need, and if at the same time I am helping to make other woman feel more comfortable to do the same, then YAY! There's nothing wrong with a little pat on the back from time to time

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Imagine that you were a breastfeeding mother that likes to feed your baby/toddler whenever they are hungry, but there are absolutely NO other woman in the world that ever do it. Would you feel comfortable going out into public and doing it then?

Yes, I would. Because I had researched the topic before my son was born and felt this was the best thing for him and for me. So sod the world - they can do things they feel are best for them, I'll do what's best for me. And yes, I did that. I used a sling so much I was criticised for not even having a pram (I did, just didn't use it so much). Came under fire for wanting cloth nappies, as well as for using them. For BFing past birth/6 months/1 year. For bedsharing with my son and not my husband. For not using CIO techniques. For still going to Liebling at 2am in the morning for a cuddle when he wants (needs) one.

But you know what? I did what I knew to be best for us. I don't see why anyone should judge me on parenting. It isn't as if decent parenting or different parenting choices is child abuse!