Our society has a long list of things considered shameful or inappropriate in public, breastfeeding being one of them. A normal act of feeding one’s baby is deemed vulgar, all because women’s bodies have been overly sexualized. It’s appaling how breastfeeding in public is considered taboo, rather than being recognized as a basic necessity.
An artist, healer and a mother, Shayoon shared her experience in a conversation with Humans of Bombay, revealing how she’d be stared and looked down upon at multiple occasions. She even recalled an incident wherein she was asked to leave the restaurant ’cause her baby demanded to be fed.
The post read, “This is so inappropriate!’ ‘Do this in private.’ These were the comments I constantly heard when I used to breastfeed my baby in public places. Each time I’ve fed my child in public, I’ve been stared at, people have gotten uncomfortable and I’ve even been asked to leave. Yes. Once at a restaurant, when I started breastfeeding my baby, I was told, ‘Ma’am, could you please leave?’ Isn’t it funny that at a place that serves food, I couldn’t serve my baby his food. It’s interesting how everyone loves babies, but when it comes to the natural processes of childbirth and breastfeeding, many people look away. I find that really telling about how we view these amazing moments.”
It’s astonishing how people react with discomfort and judgment towards something as natural as breastfeeding or childbirth. On my way home in the metro a couple of months back, I saw a mother breastfeeding her baby. While she did try her best to cover herself, there were moments when slips happened. What she faced were judgemental stares from both men and women. We all know that when a baby is hungry, it needs to be fed. At that moment, the last thing on a mother’s mind is to find a secluded spot. And even there she won’t be safe!
This also brings us to investigate whether there are clean feeding rooms available easily. Do all public areas, including parks, malls, offices, theaters, museums, railway stations, bus stands, etc have feeding rooms? I bet the answer is a big no.
Further in the interview, Shayoon added, When I saw these raised eyebrows of people, I knew I had to take a stand. One day, while on a shoot, my husband just clicked a picture of me breastfeeding. I was sitting on the terrace in my lehenga, blouse unhooked and staring straight ahead. When I saw those photos, I wanted to post them online. Not for attention, but to make a statement – I knew it was a really powerful one. That was my way of trying to normalize it.”
Can you imagine shaming a mother for feeding her child? An act that should be met with a welcome nod or no reaction at all, attracts such negativity. Let’s hope we grow as a society so new mothers can have one thing less to worry about!
Featured Image: Shayoon | Instagram