I started to write a post last night, but to be honest, my heart just wasn't in it. This morning, the topic of Hooter Hiders has been brought up a couple of times, and I've gotten fired up.
If you are not familiar with the term "Hooter Hider," (still sexualizing the breast by referring to it as "hooters" and implying that they should be hid for the purpose of breastfeeding) you are probably familiar with what they are. I've seen them called different things - Udder something-or-other (we are not cows and we do not have udders), etc. -- but they are all pretty much the same thing. It's a piece of fabric that ties around a mom's neck and acts as a cover-up while she breastfeeds her baby. They have become quite trendy, like an "accessory" I heard one mom describe, and this is my concern.
One of the reasons I am such as advocate for breastfeeding is because of the closeness this provides for both mom and baby. Baby gazes up into mom's eyes and often smiles while nursing -- getting emotional just remembering this tenderness -- and mom can look into her baby's eyes, stroke her baby's hair or cheek. It's a very comfortable exchange.
By putting this cloth between the two of you, you miss out on that exchange. It becomes only about nourishment, not "nursing." Breastfeeding is hidden, but everyone knows what she's doing. I feel more uncomfortable around a mom using one of these cover-ups than I ever felt with her casually nursing her baby.
Have you ever heard that when a woman nurses her baby around other women, it gets oxytocin flowing in the other women? I love to see a woman nursing her baby, stroking her baby's head, so in love with this baby. In contrast, when I know a baby is under there, all I can think is how hot he must be (I had a baby that sweat like crazy every time he nursed) and how sad it is that he can't look at his mama and she's not looking at him.
So, are women that embarrassed of nursing in public? Are you afraid of offending people? Are you afraid of people seeing part of your breast for a split second? Or are you afraid of the roll of fat hanging over your jeans? (I was always much more conscious and concerned about that!) What has driven women to start using these cover-ups?
I should quickly point out that I would much rather see a mom using a cover-up than a bottle, whether it's breastmilk or formula. If you really can't get over the embarrassment factor, by all means...
I would just like to see women taught by other women how to breastfeed comfortably without all the cover-ups. Breastfeeding should be casual and comfortable for mom and baby. I can't imagine that either one is very comfortable with this cover-up situation, especially baby. Mom might feel more emotionally comfortable, but I highly doubt that she is physically comfortable. Let's get to both places.
There are lots of companies that sell nursing clothing. A few of my favorites include: Motherwear, Expressiva, and Glamourmom. Ladies, this is much more empowering to be able to have a simple opening in your clothing to have access to your breast to nurse your baby. You don't have to lift any clothing. No blankets or cover-ups. No sweating. Your baby will thank you.
Ultimately, let's not hide breastfeeding. Let's make it casual and comfortable, as it's meant to be. Happy nursing!
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