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Free Pattern to Sew Your Own Nursing Cover
Nursing covers are not for everyone, but if a cover helps you feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public, you might be glad to find these instructions to sew your own “Bebe au Lait”-style nursing cover. Heather at Sleek Mama created these detailed pattern instructions and sewed two stylish covers for just $8!
Materials:
• 1 yard of fabric
• D rings. They are the rings that you can adjust your strap with. They are in the shape of a D, hence the… More »
Talking about Breastfeeding in Public
Every time another incident occurs in which a mother is asked to stop breastfeeding in public, I go back and forth about whether or not to talk about it. In my nearly eight years of breastfeeding, I have never had anyone say anything negative to me about nursing in public. I did get a funny look from an elderly woman one time when I was nursing my 2.5-year-old curled around my big pregnant belly, but I can see why it… More »
The Boundaries for Nursing in Public
Last night I volunteered in my second grader’s classroom for the holiday party. Luckily the teacher welcomes younger siblings so I had my 5-year-old and 1-year-old with me as well. At one point, my 1-year-old asked to nurse (she patted me on my upper chest, a sign which some other women recognize and some do not ;) ). The students were all busy with their crafts and there were other parent volunteers to help them, so I sat down and… More »
Breastfeeding in Public as a Civil Right
When faced with legislation that would amend the state civil rights act so it explicitly covers breastfeeding in public, some legislators ask: Why a civil right and not, for example, another free-standing form of legislation under the rubric of, say, public health? That’s a valid and important question that has a very straightforward answer.
A civil right provides the necessary protection to a breastfeeding mother because it is an actionable right that gives mothers the ability to file a discrimination claim… More »
Breastfeeding Representative from Georgia
As women continue to fight for breastfeeding rights in the workplace, it is inspiring to read the story of former Georgia state representative Sally Harrell featured by Katherine Kam in the Babytalk magazine article “The Breastfeeding Mom’s Bill of Rights”:
he more women who are out there speaking up for their rights, the more the prejudices will get chipped away. Georgia state representative Sally Harrell is one such trailblazer. When her son, Joseph, was 10 days old, the state House of… More »
Worst Breastfeeding Incidents of 2009
Sadly, breastfeeding discrimination continues, as evidenced by the following stories of 2009:
1. Denny’s Restaurant harasses nursing mother. After Crystal Everitt was asked to cover up while breastfeeding at an Asheville, North Carolina, Denny’s restaurant, the regional management issued an unsatisfactory response. Local breastfeeding supporters went ahead with a nurse-in at the restaurant.
2. Dear Abby on pumping at work. Back in March, advice columnist Abigail Van Buren rightfully advised a woman not to be ashamed of pumping at work, but she… More »
Michigan Moms Needed to Testify
Michigan Representative Rebekah Warren has introduced a new breastfeeding bill, House Bill 5515. HB 5515 would allow a woman to breastfeed anywhere she may otherwise legally be. The law would amend the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to state in part:
Sec. 302. Except where permitted by law, a person shall not: (a) Deny the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public accommodation or public service to an individual because of… More »
Michigan Breastfeeding Legislation Sponsors
Great news out of Michigan this month! State representatives Rebekah Warren and Tonya Schuitmaker plan to introduce a resolution and a bill in support of mothers’ right to breastfeed. Rep. Warren states:
Michigan is one of only a handful of states that still fails to protect breastfeeding moms from being harassed, segregated, or otherwise discouraged from breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding moms must be allowed to feed their infants wherever they may otherwise legally be. This is more than a lifestyle choice;… More »
The Epitome of Peacefulness
This week’s breastfeeding picture embodies the epitome of peacefulness! As this mother and baby picnic in the meadow, you can practically see the breastfeeding hormones prolactin and oxytocin working to relax the baby and mother and to promote bonding between the two.
I think it’s lovely how breastfeeding helps a family get out into the fresh air together. I often hear women say “I can’t do because I’m breastfeeding” (whether that’s true or not) and so I think it’s really… More »
Photo of Toddler Nursing at a Wedding
Remember this Mom-to-Mom question asking for tips for traveling with a nursling and for advice about nursing in a dress at a wedding? This toddler nursing photo addresses the second part of the question by demonstrating one way of breastfeeding while wearing a fancy dress. The mother in this case wore a nursing bra underneath a dress that could be pulled aside at the top.
What a darling little flower girl! I suspect that toddler nursing break was just the… More »
Sewing Patterns for Nursing Clothes
Even a beginning sewer can sew nursing clothes for herself or as a baby shower gift. While special nursing clothes are certainly not necessary (and can be very pricey!), these patterns provide a frugal option for nursing mothers. In addition to the free instructions for breastfeeding projects available here on Breastfeeding 1-2-3, I have compiled a list of sources for sewing patterns for breastfeeding clothes.
Nursing Clothes Pattern Retailers
Blessed Designs – click on “Nursing Patterns” in the sidebar and you… More »
Breastfeeding Laws in the News
It never fails to amaze me how companies manage to get themselves into hot water for failing to follow the law regarding breastfeeding in public or in the workplace! Here are just a few of the most recent incidents.
Acosta Tacos: The owner of Acosta Tacos in Los Angeles, California has been ordered to pay Marina Chavez $21,645.00 in lost wages plus $20,000.00 for emotional damages after the owner fired Chavez for breastfeeding her baby on her breaks. In this groundbreaking… More »
I Want to Remember Today
Today my husband took my older girls to a major league baseball game while I stayed home with my 11-month-old. The minute her sisters (i.e., the entertainment) left she started fussing! Who wants to stay home with boring old mom anyway?! Now I say this in the most loving way possible: this child is like a dog, if only in the sense that she goes to the door, bangs on it with her hands and yells until I say we’re… More »
Nursing around Disapproving Family Members
Generally we think of “nursing in public” as nursing anywhere besides the privacy of our own homes. However, the laws that protect nursing in public do not apply in the privacy of someone else’s home. Sometimes, the people who should support a nursing mother the most — her extended family and friends — are the ones who are uncomfortable seeing her nursing. In the comments for the last Carnival of Breastfeeding on Nursing in Public, Jenny raised this very… More »
Nursing in Public: To Cover or Not to Cover
Welcome to the discussion of Nursing in Public for the June Carnival of Breastfeeding! If you are new here and/or have not yet joined the Facebook group I created in support of the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, please consider doing so!
Lots of carnival participants have shared their own stories and advice about nursing in public (see links at the end of this post), but first I would like to discuss the issue of whether women should or should not… More »
Breastfeeding in a Sling
This breastfeeding photo shows a mother nursing her baby in a sling, although you wouldn’t know it unless you read the title and captions!
Here’s the best part of this photo of a woman nursing her baby in a sling while they both rode the train in South Africa — the comments by the wife (the woman shown) and husband (the photographer).
Wife: “Home made sling, home made baby, home made food.”
Husband: “Technically, *hotel* made baby ;-)”
Thanks for the laugh guys, and… More »
Articles Wanted on Nursing in Public
The June Carnival of Breastfeeding topic is “Nursing in Public.” I have written a lot about nursing in public in the past, and now it’s your turn to share a story, advice, a photo, or other piece on the subject.
Have a story or tip you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by June 15, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on June 22, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that… More »
New Washington State Civil Rights Law
Excellent news on the breastfeeding legislation front as today Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a breastfeeding civil rights bill. House Bill 1596 (PDF) amends the state anti-discrimination statutes RCW 49.60.030 and 2007 c 187 s 3 to add the following civil right:
(g) the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.
The law goes into effect in late July, 90 days after today. It adds on to the existing Washington… More »
Shame on Parents Magazine
The debate rages on about breastfeeding in public and whether or not nursing mothers need to be “discreet.” Jennifer B. wrote in to share her concern:
“In the latest issue of Parents Magazine (May 2009), on page 106, there is a blurb about nursing in public. It really made my hair curl! The paragraph, part of the Manners section, asks the question, “It is okay to nurse my baby in a restaurant?” Jana Banin, the etiquette columnist, says, ”Yes, as long… More »
Now That’s How It’s Done
Without getting into a debate about how much breast or nipple it is appropriate to show in public, I simply want to share this breastfeeding picture as an example how nursing in public often appears. Absolutely no skin (aside from that precious baby’s) shows and many people might assume the baby is sleeping and not nursing.
Do I think all mothers need to be this discreet in order to nurse in public? Absolutely not. I believe a mother should do… More »
