Advertisement

Will you openly breastfeed in public?


Will you openly breastfeed in public?
SHARES

Recently, a Malayalam magazine Grihalakshami launched their February issue with a bold cover wherein a woman is shown breastfeeding a baby. The cover line read: “Mums tell Kerala: don’t stare – we need to breastfeed.” This line and the magazine cover instantly garnered praises for its bold cover photo, however, some thought the act was way too pretentious and superficial.

The magazine took an inspiration from a real-life woman Amritha, whose photo went viral on Facebook, where she is seen publicly breastfeeding her daughter. Her husband had posted the photo to wipe out the stigma of breastfeeding in public.

When I first saw the cover, I fell in love with it instantly. Seeing a woman breastfeeding a baby openly, without covering, is a praiseworthy step. But, in reality, is it possible? Well, we cannot deny the fact that tribal women still breastfeed their baby openly but the same is not entertained in the urban or rural area.

We call ourselves progressive, but we cannot separate ourselves from our patriarchial societal norms and regulations. Since childhood, we have been taught about covering ourselves, esp our private parts, as it attracts anti-social elements. The earlier generations have imbibed this thought to such an extent, that not only men but women themselves don't support others when such a bold step is taken to drive the change.

And, the same is applicable when it comes to breastfeeding. It is a big deal for a society if a woman breastfeeds her baby in public, leave alone covering.



Breastfeeding a baby is a feeling which men will and can never understand. A woman, at first, raises the baby in her womb for nine months and then she delivers it with utmost pain. But she never complains. And then it is followed by the most beautiful thing in this world and i.e. breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is not just about taking care of the child's needs, but it also helps in strengthening the bond between the mother and the baby - a pure and natural process which brings the two closer.

Despite all this, will the society ever accept this? In a situation today, I believe one cannot tolerate our women showing off their breasts feeding their babies as it is something sacred and women should cover their breasts & their babies as well.

Grihalaksmi’s cover picture did not fascinate Mittal Olkar, a mother of two. She recently gave a birth and enjoys her breastfeeding but with a cover.

I would definitely breastfeed my babies in public if he or she is hungry, but not without covering at least not in India. And the reason is I will not feel comfortable. It's a private and cherishing moment for me and my baby. I won't like some stranger staring at me when I am enjoying the whole process."

It is not a question of liberty or guts but it's risky, said Kavita Gavas, who believes that mentality matters.

No, I cannot breastfeed my baby without covering as usually, I am anxious about my body.”

However, Thane's resident Priti Bhosle thinks otherwise. She is of the opinion that breastfeeding baby without covering is necessary for some women. She believes that it becomes difficult for some baby as they feel uncomfortable covered in a veil.

It is a most beautiful sight to see a mother and child engaged in such an intimate display of pure love. People who find it obscene need a psychiatric test done."

Commenting on the magazine's cover picture, Priti gave an example of tribal women adding that they don't cover their breasts even otherwise. If skin show is ok for marketing then what is wrong with a woman showing breastfeeding baby is a problem?

She further added that our dressing style is changing and mother who wears a t-shirt and jeans should do in such situations.

I also spoke to 20-year-old Jay Vira, who believes that breastfeeding is a normal and a natural thing.

I have seen men staring at women even when they are breastfeeding a baby with their dupatta or cloth on. Ultimately, it all boils down to mentality. I am absolutely okay with women breastfeeding babies in a public space without covering themselves.

57-year-old Asha Joshi, a mother of two grown-up children, is okay with breastfeeding in public without covering. However, she firmly believes that it is not possible in near future in India and that is because of mentality.

Breastfeeding should be normalised but we (women) know it is not going to happen. Unless the mentality and perceiving women's body parts as a sex object does not change and end, breastfeeding in public will never be looked as a beautiful thing.

RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates