{"id":5396,"date":"2019-10-31T02:37:56","date_gmt":"2019-10-31T02:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=5396"},"modified":"2019-11-04T03:32:11","modified_gmt":"2019-11-04T03:32:11","slug":"what-to-do-when-your-family-asks-you-to-cover-up-when-youre-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=5396","title":{"rendered":"What To Do When Your Family Asks You To Cover Up When You’re Breastfeeding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Guest post by Lindsay White, Owner of The Little Milk Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breastfeeding isn\u2019t easy. In fact, it might be one of the hardest things you\u2019ll ever do. From the cluster feeds, to the all nighters, to the \u201cno break\u201d days\u2026 your baby literally depends on you for life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

And whether you\u2019re able to make it 3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years\u2026 support plays a major role in the success of your breastfeeding journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we expect our closest family and friends to be right there by our side right? To stand up for us if we get a snarky comment from a stranger while breastfeeding in the park. But what if they\u2019re not supportive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all got an uncle Tom, old fashioned mom or aunt Kim who thinks breastfeeding in public is a big no no. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My name is Lindsay, owner of The Little Milk Bar<\/a>. A brand that empowers breastfeeding moms everywhere. And today I\u2019m sharing what to do when your family asks you to cover up or to go to another room \u201cand do that\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.S. I\u2019m all about supporting all breastfeeding mamas, because let\u2019s face it\u2026 we could all use a little encouragement. So I have 3 FREE \u201cThank you for breastfeeding in public\u201d downloadable cards that I hope you print off, keep in your diaper bag and hand out to every breastfeeding mama you see. You can download them <\/em>HERE<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s a few things that might help you next time your mother in law tells you to cover up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know your rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First off, it\u2019s important that you know your rights. In 2018, the last two remaining states, Utah and Idaho, changed their laws to protect breastfeeding mothers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s your legal right to breastfeed your baby in public, with or without a cover, in all 50 states. You absolutely do not have to reach for a cover, or go to your car, to feed your baby just because your cousin Amber asked you to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to your partner beforehand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them have your back. Hey, they\u2019re not the one breastfeeding your baby, they can\u2019t read your mind. It probably hasn\u2019t even crossed their mind that your palms start to sweat every time your baby gets hungry at family get togethers. So tell them, be up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey I\u2019m still a little nervous to feed in front of your family, will you make sure to sit with me when the baby gets hungry?\u201d It could be as simple as that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give your partner the opportunity to be there for you before you even need it. I don\u2019t know why, but when my husband was sitting with me, I never had uncle Tom say a word to me. Maybe because it gives off the \u201clion defending his cubs\u201d vibe that no one wanted to interrupt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Focus on you and your baby.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to ignore everyone around you. Focus only on you and your baby. It\u2019s simple\u2026 your baby is hungry and you need to feed him. That\u2019s it, there\u2019s nothing else to it. Don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re \u201coffending anyone\u201d, their opinion doesn\u2019t (and shouldn\u2019t) matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby comes before anyone else and filling that little belly of theirs should be the only thing you\u2019re worried about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use your voice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So your mother in law had the audacity to walk over to you, hand you a blanket and tell you to cover up while \u201cdoing that\u201d. Ugh, I know\u2026 so rude. Try not to judge her. She grew up in a different time and is obviously not educated enough in the subject. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of responding with the come back you\u2019ve gone over and over again in your head for weeks, keep the peace while standing your ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo thanks, we\u2019re comfortable where we are\u201d….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or \u201cThanks, but we don\u2019t use a cover. We\u2019re pretty comfortable without it and Allie hates when I cover her when she\u2019s trying to eat.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or \u201cMy baby\u2019s comfort comes before anyone else’s. Breastfeeding is 100% natural and I just need to make sure she gets fed right now. But thanks for the blanket, her feet were getting cold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or you can do what I did the first time my mother-in-law handed me a blanket while I was feeding my son Koda (in my own home). I smiled, grabbed it and laid it on the couch next to me, while continuing on with my conversation. This was my usual reaction\u2026 until I found my own voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To all the women who feel empowered to feed their baby already and have no problem standing up for themselves\u2026 all the freaking power to you. I couldn\u2019t love you more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for those of you who haven\u2019t found your voice yet, who don\u2019t yet have that confidence, that\u2019s okay too. Sometimes a simple smile and setting the blanket down, instead of using it to cover yourself, is your own empowering moment. It\u2019s you burning your bra in the middle of the street for everyone to see. High five!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try the 2-shirt method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t already heard of the 2-shirt method\u2026 be prepared for it to change your life! No joke. It\u2019ll save you a TON on \u201cbreastfeeding friendly\u201d clothes\u2026 spoiler, you don\u2019t need any. And it makes it SUPER easy to feed in public (or around uncle Tom), keeping your tummy and breasts covered while your babe eats with ease. So YOU feel more comfortable. Because no one else’s comfort level matters, except you and your baby\u2019s.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know what the 2-shirt method is, I made a video for you \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n