Yay to Maggie Gyllenhaal for Breastfeeding in Public

So there is a bit of a controversy in the blogosphere about Maggie Gyllenhaal breastfeeding her young daughter in public and being photographed doing so. I think it is very weird that someone took a picture of it but that is another story.

I think breastfeeding is an awesome, natural, wonderful thing. I don't care if women breastfeed in public and probably wouldn't care too much if they didn't cover up though they shouldn't be surprised if someone looks or if someone takes their picture if they are a famous actress.

I don't know what Maggie's intention of doing so publicly was (other than feeding her daughter). She seems like a "jump on my bandwagon" type of gal so I'm guessing she knew she would be photographed and didn't care. She might be trying to send a message and I think it is a great that someone who has some type of celebrity is actually sending one that might open the eyes of some people.

I never had the opportunity to breastfeed in public. However, I did have the janitor cleaning the hallway leer through the doorway while the lactation consultation was trying to help me feed Aidan. Nice. I was uncomfortable. I also pumped milk in the car once. I was uncomfortable.

Aidan's heart problem made it difficult for him to breastfeed so I pumped and fed him exclusively for 15 months.  You could say that I had a real commitment to breastfeeding because pumping and feeding is a real way of life and isn't always easy.  Aidan was super healthy despite his heart problem and has a great palate for all types of foods. We may never know all the benefits he will have in life by having breastmilk during those vital months.

All that being said, if I have another child and an opportunity to feed in public, I don't know what I'll do. I like to think I have a bit of modesty left even though you lose a lot when you give birth. I don't think it is wrong yet I don't know what is right for me. I support women who feed their children in public. I think discretion might help the cause but I am not sure if I think it is wrong to not be discreet.

I am hoping that Maggie will help some people learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and the use of breasts as something besides a sex object. Maggie probably is in wonderment of what her body can do right now. However,my guess is that the pro-breastfeeding in public people will cheer and the anti-breastfeeding in public people will jeer and all will be the same. But you never know... maybe just  a few people will think about the issue deeper than what it appears to be on the surface.

My gut feeling on the whole matter (and I have seen the picture) is lucky baby.

Comments

[missy]

I think she's just a good mom... if a mom has the luxury of feeding her baby only breast milk (i.e. she doesn't have to go back to work, etc.) and the baby only likes breast milk... then ya gotta feed em when they're hungry! LOL! I BF'd both my girls for a year... and all the time in public. If my babies were hungry... I fed them... just like any bottle feeding mom would :)
Dang... 3 comments in one day... I'll stop now. LOL!

[knittymama]

Yay for Maggie! And you are my new hero for exclusively pumping for 15 months to make sure Aidan still got the good stuff despite his troubles. I pump at work and pumped those few days I was out of town and it can be such work,but it's one of those things you just do because you need to do it, right?

I BF in public with both boys all the time. I was so nervous about it at first. Now I'm so used to it it's like any other thing:-) I'm so glad you posted about this, thanks!

[michelle]

breasts were made to feed children....so ppl shoudnt get so worked up about it!

[judy]

You go Maggie!
And Yay to you Priscilla this is a great post! I breastfed both my kids and I have to say I was much more embarrased by anyone seeing my flabby tummy than if someone got a quick glimpse of by working-overtime for my baby breats!

[Melissa]

BTW, John says he's all for breast baring in public. Not surprised, are you?

[Melissa]

I think maybe she just likes the attention, didn't you ever "Secretary"?????
jk
me