Toddler Nursing Under Cover
Why don’t I cover up while nursing my toddler in public?1
My main reason is currently about 3 feet tall, 31 lbs, and only climbs underneath a blanket for a game of hide & seek.
Allow me to demonstrate:2
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It’s healthy for kids: Nursing toddlers have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers.
It’s nature’s vaccine: Some of the immune factors in breastmilk actually increase in concentration during the second year.
It’s healthy for mamas: Breastfeeding beyond one year can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of certain cancers.
It’s normal: The median age of weaning throughout the world is between ages three and five years.
It’s natural: A toddler does not see a breast as sexual, nor should anyone who happens to view the nursing relationship.
It’s a child’s right: In all but 3 states, a woman’s right to nurse in public is protected by state law. There is also a federal law protecting nursing dyads.
Every time you nurse in public, you are inspiring others, demonstrating that breastfeeding is normal and natural, and helping make breastfeeding past infancy the norm.
So here’s my call to action: breastfeed proudly, regardless of your child’s age or where you happen to be sitting. Let’s work together to make breastfeeding in public (and breastfeeding past infancy) the norm!
Do you nurse your older child in public?
- Many thanks to Allison at Goofy Mama, whose “Nursing Etiquette” video inspired the one featured here today. ↩
- No, Kieran is not picking my nose in the beginning of the video. He was merely touching it. Tom and I got a good laugh out of that one. ↩
About the Author - Dionna
Dionna is co-founder of Natural Parents Network. She blogs about natural parenting and life with a toddler-almost-preschooler at Code Name: Mama. She also co-founded NursingFreedom.org, a site dedicated to normalizing breastfeeding anytime, anywhere.
