Breastfeeding in Public... Yeah or Nay???

We have been living in Spain for almost a year now.  Last year we arrived right at the end of summer, so this was our first ¨European Summer¨.  Most people think that Puertorican´s don´t wear enough clothes, but they have no idea what they are talking about.

I am ready for this summer to be over, not only because it has been scorching hot, but becasue I am so sick of seeing topless and naked people (So much that I close my eyes while I take a shower... just kidding !!!) I think I have seen every type of boob out there... white, black, pale, tan, huge, microscopic, wrinkly, taught, old, young... the list goes on and on.

When I just so happen to glance at a naked adult, it really just makes me want to gag. I think that what really ticks me off is when I see kids running around naked. I know that the excuse is ¨There just babies, it doesn´t matter¨ ... YES it does !!! It´s not like you are in the privacy of your own home, your out in public. The other day there was a boy that could´t be younger than 7 years old stripping down right in front of me, what in the world !!! It seems like people have forgetten to teach their children the importance of decency.
I have been told that I will grow accustomed to it... I hope that I never do.

Okay,,, so lets get back on track,, sorry, I needed to vent.

Breastfeeding in public is a touchy subject. Ever since the invention of the bottle, many people have come to the conclusion that there is no longer any need to breastfeed a baby anywhere else than your home.
Having the convenience of bottles has not only discouraged the act of breastfeeding, it has also encouraged formula feeding. Hey, why take the time to nurse your baby, when you can prepare a bottle and ask your mom or hubby to feed baby.

Bottles can be used in conjunction with breastfeeding.  Many moms have to, or choose to return to work after having their baby.  I admire moms who go to work everyday.  I have to be honest and say that I HIGHLY admire those that decide to continue to breastfeed and pump breastmilk while at work.  It is a job on its own, not only the time that it takes to actually pump milk, but the storage, cleaning, steralizing, and packing ... it all takes time.

There are also times when a breastfeeding mom, needs to go out for a few hours, run a few errands, or just have some alone time. A bottle can be a ¨sanity-saver¨ . The sticky situation in this case can be a baby who doesn´t want to take a bottle :-) Breastfed babies can be very picky, I think they are smart, They want the real thing !!!

My son was a picky one, and it wan´t until he was past the 8 month mark that he grew out of it.  We tried a few bottles, including but not limited to... Milk bank, breastflow, avent, soothie, the bottles that came with my medela pump...which in the end, he didn´t mind.  Finally I splurged and payed 18 dollars for the  mimijumi, very hungry baby bottle... and it worked for us for the few times that we needed to bottle feed.

I love the packaging...If I remember correctly , on the side of the box it says, my mommys milk :-)

So cute, I really don´t know why I didn´t keep it :-Z

 Okay... once again, back on track.

The big debate,,, breastfeeding in public, yeah or nay? covers? no covers? nursing rooms? anywhere you want? discreet nursing? whiping the boob out?
There are so many diferent ways that moms manage to nurse their little ones in public. which at times can be very tricky :-) especially if your baby is fidgety.

I think that one of the reasons why it is such a big deal, is because we live in an unbalanced world.

I am a Christian and I believe that God created us all with a purpose, everything about us (our body) has a purpose as well.  When it comes to breast, they are dual purposed ;-) One of those purposes is most definitely asthetic (beauty, sexual, pleasing to the eyes).The other one is nurturing (to feed and console our baby) The imbalance comes when we fail to recgonize the dual nature of the boob.

Now, it is my opinion that the first purpose of the boob, was the asthetic ... God created Adam, put him in the Garden of Eden and when he saw that it was not good for man to be alone, he created him a help meet, EVE !!! (Here it comes) and when he saw her,,he said WO- MAN !!!  I had to put the joke in there ... Well I have no idea what he said or how he felt.  But I am pretty sure that he really liked what he saw, hey where did you think Cain and Abel and the rest of humanity came from.  Obviously, once Eve had her children, she breastfed them (boob purpose number 2).

The Bible is very clear about the fact that we are supposed to be modest in the way that we behave and dress.  I believe that this principal should be carried out in every aspect of our lives.  Yes, even when it comes to breastfeeding.

Just to fill you in, my son is almost 20 months old and he has not yet weaned.  He pretty much eats most foods you give him (everything a 1.5 year old can eat)  so we don´t nurse much in public anymore. If you haven´t read my recent post about Nursing in public , Oh The Places you will nurse... Move over Dr. Suess, than click on the link now. I have nursed many places, and I am about 95% sure that I have managed to do so in a modest way, WITHOUT COVERING UP MY CHILD.  If nursing covers are your thing, well than go for it. Covers never worked for us, I bought a really cute one and had to return it because the second I put it on, Ivan looked like he was having a panic attack :-) It was a little funny.

I am sure that many , if not most people don´t believe the way I do about nursing in public... and that is okay.

-Do I think that you should just whip out your boob and nurse your baby in front of everyone present? personally... NO. Would I give a bad look, and mock or bad talk a mom who does...NO.  I would probably defend her right for feeding her child. Hey, some woman can manage to do that without anyone knowing, I on the other hand have been very well endowed and believe me, It isn´t as pretty when your boob is bigger than your baby´s head ;-)

-Do I think that if there is a Nursing room provided than you should nurse there?  No, I think that Mom and baby should have the liberty to nurse where they please.



Breastfeeding is a natural thing and our unbalanced world needs to balance itself out. I think that Nursing moms play a big part in this. Lets face it, not everyone wants to see boobs, not every mom wants people seeing their boobs ... me ! and some people could care less. It´s ironic how most of those who don´t agree with public nursing, don´t mind lingerie adds ... which sometimes show even more skin.

The important thing is that we respect eachother. Which means, people around nursing moms, don´t stare, don´t give bad looks, don´t invade their space... just let them feed their baby. Nobody likes being stared at while they are eating.  Moms, respect the fact that others also have rights.  The world we live in is getting further and further away from modesty, breastfeeding is a beautiful thing; unfortunately, some people don´t realize it.  Let´s help them remember.

This Weeks Favorites

At the Park 

Cute stuff <3

Types of Cloth Diapers

I am going to start from the most basic (Old Fashioned) and work my way up :-)

Flats
Flat Diapers are pretty much a sheet of fabric. One ply. Quick dry time and the most cost effective you can get. So cost effective, you can even make them out of an old bed sheet or t-shirts that you already have.
Flat diapers fit a range of sizes, you just need to learn how to fold it onto your baby.  You can use either a snappi or diaper pins to secure it onto your child. Flat Diapers are not water proof and NEED a cover if you want them to be.

flat diaper

One of many flat diaper folds

Prefolds
Prefolds cost just a bit more than Flats. They were created to make the diapering process simpler, less folding than with flats, because they have less material. They have multiple layers, with more absorbancy in the wet zone.  They are reffered to as 2x6x2, or 4x6x4 etc. which means that a 4x6x4 has 4 layers on the left, 6 layers in the center, and 4 layers on the right. This is a very popular option, especially for newborns, who go through what feels like millions of diapers a day, and pretty much anyone who wants to diaper the cheapest way without so much folding.  You can find pre-folds in walmart and people use them as burp cloths. Your best bet is to buy on-line !!! gerber isn´t known for there quality prefolds, so don´t waste your time or money.
Prefolds are not water proof and NEED a diaper cover if you want them to be.

Prefold fastened with a snappi

Chinese Prefolds

Fitted Diapers
Fitted Diapers have the shape of an easy diaper (aio) but are not water proof, the whole thing is made out of absorbent material; making this a good idea for nighttime diapering. They sometimes have closures, but most likely won´t, you can use a snappi or diaper pins to fasten onto your baby. Another option is to just put a cover on top, this really takes care of the fastening onto your baby part and you wont need to use pins or snappi. Fitted Diapers are not water proof and NEED a diaper cover if you want them to be.

Fitted Diaper

Fitted Diaper

Diaper Covers
A diaper cover is what you place over the prefold, flat, or fitted diaper to add a water proof outer. Diaper covers are usually made out of one of 3 materials. PUL, fleece, or wool. PUL being the cheapest and wool usually the most expensive. They can all be used more than once (as long as they haven´t been soiled with you know what). PUL comes in either velcro or snap closures, fleece and wool are usually the pull up type, but ocassionally fleece covers have velcro or snap closures.

Fleece Cover

Wool Cover

PUL Cover

Pocket Diapers
Pocket Diapers are quick and easy. They consist of 2 parts, The water proof outer with a lining and  opening (either in the front or back) and the insert. Pocket diapers come with either velcro or snap closures  Pocket diapers are a convenient way to diaper your baby. They are quick drying and are very easy to use, no folding or pinning, just fasten onto your baby.

Pocket Diaper

All in One
The AIO diaper is the most convenient diaper out there. They are the most similar to there disposable counterparts. there is no stuffing the insert into the pocket, no pinning the diaper onto baby, no folding, no cover needed.  AIO´s are a one step diaper. You simply fasten the diaper onto your baby and Voila,  thats it !!!

All in One diaper

All in One Diaper

There are other variations to each of these categories, but this is the most general explanation I can give. Let me know if you have any questions.

Cloth Diapers ??? what? how ?

Lately I have been getting a lot of questions from friends and family about cloth diapers... How do you use them? What type of diaper is that? How about washing them? So, this is what I am going to do...

I am going to write a few posts about the basics... this way, I won´t have to write and re-write the same information for multiple people ( Not that I mind... It is my pleasure to help out,,, this will just make it quicker and easier for everyone ).

Topics I wil be covering :

1. What is a cloth diaper and the different types of cloth diapers
2. How do I care for my cloth diapers
3. Updated cloth diaper stash ( my diapers,,, favorites and not so favorites)
4. Cloth diaper accesories
5. Why you should really consider cloth diapering

This list may change :-)
stay tuned ...

This Weeks Favorites

Here are a few pictures from this week :-)

Rub-a-dub-dub Ivan´s in the tub :-)

Bubbles are yummy . . .

My big boy  18 mo. (This pic. was actually taken @2 weeks ago)

LOVE

From Daddy with love <3