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 cover themselves with a nursing cover while breastfeeding in public. At first it might seem like a non-issue. I think most breastfeeding advocates would agree that women should not be told that they must cover themselves while nursing, but if a mother feels more comfortable using a cover, then she should use one — whatever it takes to allow her to feed her baby. To each her own, right? Well, maybe not.

I have posted instructions for sewing your own Hooter Hider-style nursing cover and have had several women say how much they appreciate it. However, I once had a breastfeeding advocate tell me that she was not inclined to post a pattern for a nursing cover because she believed it sent the wrong message to new mothers; that they might feel they had to cover up and had to breastfeed in as discreet a manner as possible.

So in the corner of Reasons to Cover:

~ It can make a woman comfortable nursing in public when she might not otherwise.
~ A cover can help an easily distracted baby settle to the task at hand (er, at breast).
~ The cover actually draws attention to the act of breastfeeding and might encourage other women to nurse in public if they see a way that they too would be comfortable nursing in public.

In the corner of Reasons Not to Cover:

~ Some babies refuse to be covered.
~ Without the “right” type of cover, some women have a difficult time seeing the baby and getting a proper latch.
~ A cover potentially can be hot and uncomfortable for mother and baby.
~ As I said, a nursing cover often draws attention to the act of breastfeeding — something a woman using a cover might actually have been trying to avoid!
~ Feeding without a nursing cover helps normalize breastfeeding.
~ Showing women that breastfeeding in public can be done without a cover might empower other women to do the same.
~ A cover might diminish a baby’s communication with the mother and his or her experience with the world, if only for those feedings in public.

In the end I do not think a breastfeeding mother is under any obligation to refrain from using a cover because it might send the wrong message. Just as the woman who does not use a cover is not “whipping out” her breast to make a point, the woman who does use a cover is not doing so to send a message that all breastfeeding women should cover themselves. A nursing mother’s only obligation is to her baby. Period.

What do you think? Do you use a cover and if so, why? Did you make a choice not to use a cover, and if so, why? Have your feelings changed as you have become more comfortable nursing in public? Leave a comment!

Other Carnival Participants (stay tuned for more links being added below through Monday, June 22 — this is a huge carnival!)

Lucy & Ethel Have a Baby: Nursing In Public (Boobs) Out and Proud
PhD in Parenting: Would You, Could You Nurse in Public?
Dirty Diaper Laundry: Breastfeeding in Public Talent - I Haz It
Kim through the Looking Glass: Here? At the Restaurant?
GrudgeMom: Nursing in a Room Full of People You Know
MumUnplugged: Aww, Is He Sleeping?
Massachusetts Friends of Midwives: Nursing in Public: Chinatown, the Subway, the Vatican, and More
Mother Mary’s Soapbox: Breastfeeding My Newborn in Public
Tiny Grass: Nursing in Public as an Immigrant
Mommy News and Views: Tips for Nursing in Public
Blacktating: Thank You for Nursing in Public
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Get Kicked off a Bus for Nursing in Public? Here’s How to Respond
Mama Knows Breast: Products That Can Help You Breastfeed in Public
BreastfeedingMums: Nursing in Public: What’s a Breastfeeding Mother to Do
Stork Stories: Little Old Men & Nursing in Public
Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Why Worry about NIP?
Warm Hearts Happy Family: Breastfeeding and the Summertime
Musings on Mamahood: NIP, no tuck
babyREADY: A Wee NIP in the Park
Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go: Plains, Trains and Automobiles, We’ve Breastfed in Them All
Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Nursing in Public, A Fresh Perspective on Nurse-ins
Never a Dull Moment: A NIP Product Alternative: Breastfeeding Hats versus Traditional Nursing Covers
Hobo Mama: Easy, Discreet Way to Nurse a Toddler 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 will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Welcome to the May Carnival of Breastfeeding! This month participants share stories related to breastfeeding (see entries at the end of this post). My story represents the end of the story — how it turns out when a mother practices extended breastfeeding.

When I had my first daughter, I fumbled my way around until I found my parenting style. It happened naturally. I couldn’t stand to hear my baby cry; what mother can? So I breastfed her on cue, wore her in a sling, and co-slept with her in my bed. Those things worked for me, my husband, and my baby. They continued to work for us, and we identified ourselves more and more with an “attachment parenting” philosophy.

Early on I heard whispers that my parenting style surprised and even worried others. The really bold people, the ones who thought they were doing me a favor by commenting on my parenting, harangued me with any number of myths: “You’re spoiling that baby by picking her up every time she cries! If you carry her everywhere she’ll never want to be put down! She needs to cry to exercise her lungs!” Sometimes I smiled and nodded and promptly ignored the advice. Sometimes I offered information and opinion. It depended on the person and the situation.

As my daughter got older and older, the admonitions became more urgent: “She won’t be able to separate from you. She’ll be clingy. You’re holding her back and making her dependent upon you.” Then came the disapproving looks and the stories that weren’t addressed to me but were meant for my ears. The message was clear: “Extended breastfeeding is wrong and you are harming your child.”

Well, let’s fast forward to the end of the story. My first “baby” is now a 7-year-old. She went to preschool after she turned three, and she didn’t shed a tear on the first day of school. I prepared her for the milestone and she separated from me easily. And guess what, she was “still” nursing at that time. I can assure you that her lungs work just fine. She is a happy, social, empathetic child, and I dare say that’s because of — not in spite of — attachment parenting.

As a new mother I was not armed with the information or ability to tell the naysayers that they were wrong. All I could do was listen to my instincts. I’d silently say, “Just you wait and see. The time will come when you realize that my way is not the wrong way. It might not be right for you, but it is right for me and my children.” That time has come, and look at that, I have a blog that lets me say a big fat “I told you so.” I say that “I told you so” not in the hope of reaching those who doubted me, but in the hope of reaching any other mothers who are struggling with naysayers. Listen to your instincts. Not only will you and your child benefit now from breastfeeding, but you will continue to reap the rewards long afterwards, and I won’t blame you one bit if you utter an “I told you so.”

Stay Tuned for Additional Carnival Entries:

Strocel.com: The Story of Hannah’s Weaning
Baby Carriers Down Under: Traveling to Kandy, Sri Lanka
Laura’s Blog: Weaning a Toddler
Stepping off the Spaceship: Life, Death and Nourishment
So Fawned: Sticking with It
Mommy News Blog: How Breastfeeding Changed My Life
All That Sazz: Flying Breast Milk
GrudgeMom: Breastfeeding Failures and Success
Massachusetts Friends of Midwives: Ben’s Story, The Best Breastfeeding Advice from the Least Likely Source
BreastfeedingMums: Breastfeeding Made Me the Mother I Am
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: “They Said the Latch Was Fine”
Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Breastfeeding Is Not Easy
Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Can Early Public Breastfeeding Sightings Shape One’s Future Breastfeeding Practices?
The Towells: Breastfeeding after Breast Reduction
Zen_Mommy: Celebrating . . . My Chest!
Blacktating: Nursing in Public
Crystal Gold: A Found Memory

For inspiration and support, it can be helpful to read other women’s breastfeeding stories. For the May Carnival of Breastfeeding we ask you to share a story: your birth story as it relates to breastfeeding, your breastfeeding experience, overcoming a particular challenge, a cute or funny story about your nursling, or your weaning story.

Have a story you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by May 18, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on May 25, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Welcome to the biggest Carnival of Breastfeeding to date! Many mothers submitted posts to share their “how to” knowledge, from how to wean from a nipple shield to how to get a spouse to help with breastfeeding. After I discuss how to teach your baby nursing manners, take a look at the links to the other participants. You might also wish to enter to win a free baby carrier, sling, or wrap of your choice (contest ends Friday, April 24, 2009).

If you breastfeed for the recommended year or more, you might experience some occasional unwanted behavior from your nursling. I share some tips on how to teach your little angel some nursing manners! Read more

The April Carnival of Breastfeeding will feature tips on “how to” do all sorts of things related to breastfeeding! Potential topics include how to deal with a plugged duct, how to pick a breast pump, etc.

Have a tip you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by April 13, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on April 20, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Image by Svilen Mushkatov

For this month’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, we are sharing tips for saving money while breastfeeding (see more entries at the end of this post). My tip is not strictly for breastfeeding, although I did share a reader’s tip yesterday on a frugal choice for a nursing bra, and I have previously written about Five Money-Saving Alternatives to Traditional Nursing Clothing, and I have several tutorials on how to make your own Hooter Hider-Type Nursing Cover, Knitted Nursing Tank Top, Pullover Crew Neck Baby Bib, Baby Bib with Neck Ties, Ring Sling, Nursing Necklace, Nursing Pads, Baby Booties, Cloth Diapers, Nursing Pillow, Nursing Shirt, Nursing Bra and Pumping Bra, Cloth Diapers, and More.

Dealing with Vomiting and Diarrhea in the Baby and/or Mother

My tip on how to make your own Pedialyte-type oral rehydration solution comes from my recent experience with rotavirus (if you don’t know what rotavirus is and how to treat it, then you probably don’t have a preschooler)! (Note that if you are breastfeeding and your nursling has vomiting and/or diarrhea, then the best thing to do is to continue breastfeeding! Of course watch your baby for signs of dehydration and consult your pediatrician for medical advice).

If you or your child (who is not nursing) is losing fluids and could benefit from an electrolyte solution, one cost-effective option is to make your own Pedialyte-type fluid replacer. A one-quart bottle of Pedialyte costs approximately $6, whereas you can make your own at home for much less. (And a bonus for breastfeeding advocates: Pedialyte is made by a formula manufacturer, so by making your own you are choosing not to support any form of breast milk substitutes.)

Homemade Electrolyte Solution Recipe

2 quarts water
1 teaspoon baking soda
7 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh-squeezed or bottled orange juice

Options:

Add a squeeze of lemon juice or more orange juice to each serving if desired for flavor (but just enough for flavor because juice has a lot of sugar and can make diarrhea worse).

Instead of the cup of orange juice (which provides some potassium for the electrolyte solution) and regular salt, you can instead add 1 (1/4 ounce) packet unsweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix and 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute (read the warning label on salt substitutes and consult your doctor).

Directions:

Stir all the ingredients in the water until they are completely dissolved. The solution can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, or for a treat to tempt a child it can be made into popsicles (an ice cube tray and toothpicks work well if you don’t have a popsicle mold).

Other Money-Saving Tips (stay tuned as more entries are added throughout the day):

Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Home remedies for breastfeeding problems
Blacktating: Do It Yourself: nursing cover, hands-free bra substitute, and hand-expression
BreastfeedingMums: Alternative money-saving uses for breast milk
Mamas Worldwide: How to make a regular bra into a nursing bra
Hobo Mama: Money-saving breastfeeding ideas
Milk Act: How breastfeeding taught me to be more frugal
ZenMommy: Musings on nursing and saving money

As the Beatles lyrics go, “The best things in life are free” — like breastfeeding! But breastfeeding accessories can be pricey, so for February’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, I want to know your tips for saving money while breastfeeding.

Submit your money-saving tips! Email me your submission by February 9, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on February 16, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Welcome to the January Carnival of Breastfeeding! This month’s carnival entries (see links at the end of this post) focus on breastfeeding goals. My little Nicole just turned six months old on January 17, so my discussion is on the goal of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Read more

As 2008 comes to a close, it is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the last year and any goals for the new year. For January’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, we want to hear all about your goals for breastfeeding. Did you have any particular goals in mind when you were planning to breastfeed? Give it your best shot, breastfeed exclusively, nurse until your baby was a toddler? Child-led weaning, having a different experience with nursling number two? Have your goals changed over time? Have you achieved any of your goals and made new resolutions?

Submit your thoughts on breastfeeding goals and resolutions! Email me your submission by January 12, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on January 20, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Image of 2009 ball by graphic designer Billy Alexander