Boobs are for sex! Not babies

I’ve been watching the Delaware mall breastfeeding controversy since it started. I actually follow all the breastfeeding stories that make it to regional or national news. I nurse my son in public often and have yet to be given a dirty look let alone a derogatory comment, but obviously some women are not as fortunate. I do use a burp cloth usually as a cover or a jacket now that it’s cold. I wonder if that helps? I haven’t used a nursing cover since my son was a couple months old. My big diaper bag was just too much to drag around, so I consolidated to a large purse with just the essentials. Personally, I think the nursing cover draws more attention to what you’re doing. It’s large and screams, “I’m breastfeeding my child!” to everyone. If you’re trying to be discreet, that may not be the best option.

But maybe you don’t want to be discreet? After all…the view of breasts in American culture (and other Western countries) is completely jacked up. The prudish cultural views about BFding in the U.S. needs to change! I would love to see a woman nursing in public daily when I go out!

You know what I really hate? The idea that a nursing mom should go into a family restroom or public restroom to nurse her child! Would you eat your lunch in a smelly public restroom? I wouldn’t! So why should my child?

There is an exception for me. There’s a Macy’s in a mall near here that has a mother’s room attached to the public restroom. You walk through the restroom to get there. But there are no disgusting TOILETS in the actual mother’s room…just couches, lamps, a sink, and a large change table. That’s fine. I’ll nurse in a room like that if it’s available. My son does get distracted if we’re in a public area and there’s a lot going on, so I’m fine with nursing in private if it’s an appropriate area. Restrooms are not appropriate!

I just don’t understand why people view nursing as “disgusting,” “sick,” or “gross.” Hello?! What do you think breasts were made for??? That’s where the real issue lies. We have this view that breasts are sexual objects. That’s why they’re dressed in lace, photographed, magnified beyond life, and pinned up on advertisement posts on buildings, shopping mall walls, etc. That’s not offensive. But attach a baby to it, and all heck breaks loose!

I know, they look like eyeballs. I'm not an artist.
I know; they look like eyeballs. I’m not an artist.

 

Sorry, men, but breasts were not made for you! So get over it! Otherwise, why does milk build up in them and leak out of them after a woman gives birth, even if she doesn’t want to breastfeed? Animals nurse their young from breasts…but we’re not supposed to?? It’s natural to breastfeed.

This is where ignorant idiots say things like, “It’s natural to fart.” or “It’s natural to urinate.” Really?! You’re going to equate defecating, urinating, and flatuating to feeding a baby the best food of his or her life?

Breastfeeding is undisputedly best for infants. I’m not saying formula is bad…it isn’t. But breastmilk is better. It’s better for moms too! It lowers the incidence of disease and health complications in both babies and moms.

For more on the benefits of breastfeeding, please peruse these pages:

The CDC reports that 75 percent of moms start out breastfeeding in the U.S., but only 13 percent…THIRTEEN…are still exclusively breastfed at six months! We need to have a culture that encourages and expects breastfeeding as the norm. As long as American mothers are ridiculed and treated like social pariahs for nursing their children in public, this will never happen!

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Cleava Review

Since I prefer to dress modestly, I was excited to have the chance to review the Cleava! The Cleava is a snap-to-bra mock camisole. It gives the wearer coverage but also the versatility to add or remove at a moment’s notice. The Cleava was invented by a woman for women, and it’s still a woman-run business. I love that!

Since I’m a nursing mother, I’m very, very happy with the Cleava! My friends and my husband can attest to my complaints regarding nursing tops or tops suitable for nursing: it always seems like they’re made for your boobs to hang out. Yes, you want easy access for nursing, but that shouldn’t have to mean looking hoochie! I tried wearing tank tops underneath, but if it was a nursing tank, then I’d have to deal with dropping two cups while holding a squirmy baby. If it was a regular tank, then I’d have to either yank it down under my boob, or pull the entire thing up to my neck.

Enter the Cleava. Now I wear the Cleava with my nursing bra and nursing tops to get coverage. Most importantly, I can nurse my son without having to remove or really mess with the Cleava! Whatever side I’m nursing on, I just slide the strap of the Cleava up above my nursing bra clasp, then let the clasp go and drop my bra cup. Easy peasy! When I’m finished nursing my son, I snap the bra cup back up, and slide the Cleava strap down.

BEFORE
(I didn’t want a “crack” photo on the Web, so thanks to my SIL for blurring it out!)
AFTER
Me with my Cleava, dressing confidently and ready to breastfeed my baby!

I wish I’d known about the Cleava when I was teaching! Before my son was born, I taught high school English in Florida. I used to wear tank tops underneath whatever shirt I was wearing, just to keep teenage boys from looking down my shirt when I was leaning over their desks (Yes, this happens). Unfortunately, the tank top obviously added an extra layer, and in 80 and 90+ degree weather, an extra clothing layer can equal misery…even in an air conditioned classroom (A/C in public schools is often an iffy thing). The Cleava would’ve given me the coverage I needed with very little extra fabric.

On a side note, wearing a tank top underneath a shirt adds more straps in addition to your bra. That can be really annoying sometimes if they are digging in or sliding off, depending on what you’re doing. I don’t have this problem with the Cleava!

Another way Cleava trumps tank top or camisole, in my opinion: DRESSES. Have you ever tried to wear a tank top under a dress? Maybe you had a good experience, but I rarely did. My tank top usually started to ride up or gather and bunch around my waist, which sends me running for the church bathroom to immodestly lift my dress and yank the tank top down. Again…the Cleava is great for this situation!

The Cleava is available in assorted styles and colors and is one size fits most. In my photos, I’m wearing the Original Classic style in White that retails for $19.95. The holidays are just around the corner, and the Cleava would make a great gift for any reason (or season).

Here are some of the currently available styles and colors:

Click on Photos to Enlarge
Rhinestone Splash- Black
Original Classic- Aqua Blue
Black Lace Edge Trim Fina- Gray
Lady Lace Corso- Black on Nude

To receive the ultimate exclusive inside information and deals, follow Cleava on Twitter, Pinterest  and Facebook and enroll at Cleava’s website through the Stay Informed Enrollment tab. They’ll send out information on new colors and styles, news releases and sale announcements.

Michelle De Sousa, the inventor of Cleava, is so confident that you’re going to love your Cleava that she is offering FREE SHIPPING on any orders over $50.00. Use code: FSLWP. Code expires Oct. 22, 2012. You also have The 30 Day Guarantee. If for any reason you are not happy with your Cleava, you can return it within 30 days. You have nothing to lose, so click here to order or call 1-888-692-5328.

One reader is going to win a free Cleava to add to their wardrobe! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter (open to U.S. and Canada).

Note: I received the sample reviewed above for review purposes only. I was requested to write an honest and sincere review. I was not requested to write a positive review. The opinions are my own, and others may differ. I was not compensated for this review or giveaway.

Winner:
Entry #167Mendy N.

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I’ve been slacking

My goal is to post every day, but yesterday I was just too tired to finish my post before bed. I was trying to go to bed early, but of course Mr. Stinky Pants sensed that, and it took me 2 hours to get him to sleep. Oh well! The bright side is that he slept two 4-hour periods in a row! That’s really good for him! AND we went to Walmart last night, so I picked up my favorite Starbucks iced coffee packets. Mmmmm. I’ve had one today so far, and I think I’m gonna have another. They’re just so delicious.

Uhm…delicious!

Here are a few things I’ve run across today (so far):

  1. Zulily.com has nursing apparel on sale. I picked up a long sleeve nursing top for the fall for about $26, including shipping. That’s still cheaper than Motherhood Maternity (online, at least), and I think this one’s cuter.
  2. Houswife Mama has a blogger opp coming up for $1 a link. Blogger opps are a great way to get your blog name out their and bring in readers. If you sign up…consider putting me down as your referral, because that would be really nice of you. =D
  3. This is gross.
  4. It’s almost Women’s Equality Day. As a Soldier, this list is awesome to see.
  5. The Knotted Pineapple is now on Facebook. Their custom products are adorable, and you have the chance to win one right here next month!!
  6. The blogger opp on Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog is still open for sign ups. It’s free!

I’ll be posting a list of newborn and preemie cloth diapers a little later today, so stay tuned!

Note: If you’re a Justin Bieber fan, and I’ve offended you…oh well.

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