Q

Sorry this is a couple days behind.....

First of all I'm so happy to see a sizeable La Leche contingent on this
list! I think the groups philosophy (trusting your body to fulfill its
natural function, paying attention to your baby instead of the clock or what
society tells you is"normal", loving guidance instead of punishment, people
before things, etc.) is very much in accord with unschooling.
I would strongly suggest attending meetings during pregnancy, especially if
you had any problems breastfeeding before or think you migyht be
uncomfortable nursing in public, are concerned about nutrition, sleeping
arrangements, etc. It is just such a confidence builder to be around other
moms and their gorgeous, healthy breastfed kids, and know that you can do
it too!
About nursing in public......I had my "lightbulb" moment on the Tokyo
subway when my son was about 4 months old (and yes nursing constantly! Some
babies indeed, are just like that and it does not mean you aren't producing
enough milk). I glanced around as he started fussing for the breast, and
noticed that the man next to me was reading a pornographic manga with lots
of booby pictures and more(very very common in Japan, they'll read them on
public transportation because they are ashamed to take them home and upset
their wives!) At that moment I just decided that if he could look at women's
bodies in a sexual context in a public place and no one around us batted an
eyelash,
I certainly had the right to feed my baby. Never looked back. I've gotten a
few stares but no negative comments, Once when a dirty old man was staring
at me in a park I smiled and said loudly "Wait your turn!" and he was so
embarrassed he disappeared.

Much later I was in a restaurant and a woman had a baby who just cried and
cried while she got ready to nurse him. She had this big beach towel which
she fastened around herself with a clothes pin, and since it ws dark, hot,
and uncomfortable under there, the baby kept crying and it took forever to
latch on. It was so much more conspicuous and disruptive to the other
patrons than if she had just lifted up her
shirt and continued eating her lunch.

Oh and Olga, my take on "Where to look when a baby is breastfeeding" is
whereever. If the mother is comfortable enough to nurse in front of you she
most likely won't mind if you happen to see a bit of boob.


Hikaru


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