Deciding to breastfeed my son was one of the first decisions I ever made as a mother. In fact, I think I decided to breastfeed way before my partner and I settled on a name. I was so thankful that, when my son was born, I was actually able to breastfeed, but I wasn't necessarily thankful for some of the situations that come along with it. Turns out, from the outright shaming to the ways people don't realize their angering breastfeeding moms, there are so many less-than-pleasant situations that can be difficult to get through when you're sustaining another human being with your body. Let's just say, I've learned how to grit my teeth with the best of 'em.
That's not to deter women from breastfeeding, to be sure. I am very thankful for my breastfeeding experience, and consider it easily one of the best things I've ever done for an extended period of time. The good far outweighed the bad, for me, although I realize that for many women that's not always the case. Just like motherhood itself, breastfeeding is never going to be completely positive or completely negative. No, usually it will be a mix of both, fluctuating at various times and creating juxtaposing feelings that wouldn't make sense in any other setting. You'll feel powerful but vulnerable. You'll be rejuvenated and you'll feel exhausted. You'll be proud of yourself and you'll wonder what in the hell you were thinking. You'll love the fact that you're able to feed your child with your body, and you'll wish someone else could just take over for you.
I realized pretty early on in my breastfeeding experience that taking the good with the bad was the name of the breastfeeding game. I also realized that, because so many people don't see realistic representations of breastfeeding in the media (or have never been around a woman who has breastfed. Like, ever.) they can accidentally piss you off, and rather easily. It's not always intentional, to be sure, but it doesn't make it any less infuriating. Until we have open dialogues about breastfeeding are shown more positive representations of breastfeeding on our television shows and in our movies, and effectively remove the stigma of breastfeeding, things will probably remain awkward and annoying and sometimes infuriating.
So, in the name of open dialogue and helpful information, why not look over the subtle ways people end up upsetting breastfeeding women. Live and learn, guys. Live and learn (and don't do the following things anymore).