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Would you feed your baby in public?

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Would you feed your baby in public?
Anonymous
04/15/02 at 03:00:28
[slm]

the other day I was on the train and I heard this baby cryring, from its cries I knew
that it was hungry and it wanted its momy for the feed. With all due respect to the siter I
thought feed your child woman, feed it. Yet it carried on wailing for the next half an
hour on the train, I could see the look on the other passengers thinking silly woman how
can you let your baby go hungry.

If my baby was hungry then I'd make sure that she is fed, and my wife is comfortable in
feeding her.

What are your views in feeding a child in public, should or shouldn't.

salaams

a concerned parent.
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
amatullah
04/16/02 at 00:31:08
Bismillah and salam,

I guess if the baby was very very hungry and i wasn't going to reach where I planned to go soon, i would have to find the most secluded place and turn my back to people, cover with dangly front part of hijab and do it.

I would plan things better though. alot more comfortable with timing the feeding and making sure all is good to go before I head out. It isn't so bad infront of other women but it just feels wrong to me otherwise.
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
nouha
04/16/02 at 01:10:39
[slm]

people shouldnt think that just becuase a baby is crying it wants food, there could be other reasons,. dirty diaper perhaps? or just simply irritated? maybe its too hot? or too cold?

ive heard of mothers complain how ppl come up to them and say rudely "feed your child, its crying" i think of ALL people the mother would know if her baby was hungry or not, u dont need to tell a mother to feed her child...

but to continue with the conversation :)....

if there was no possible way to feed privetly, then i would feed publicly, i would make sure to carry a blanket with me, u know those REALLY cute baby blankets  :-*, and just cover my self with that... but until i have a child that is my opinion

wasalam
nouha:)
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
M.F.
04/16/02 at 06:03:34
Assalamu alaikum
Would I breastfeed in public?  I don't think I could.  I'd be too afraid that no matter how well covered I was something would show.
But if I were going out with my baby to someplace where I wouldn't be able to breastfeed I'd certainly have a bottle ready.  Insha Allah :)
Usually you can tell from the way a baby's crying that it's hungry.  Not all cries are the same, you can tell from the way it's crying  what the problem is.  Or so they say...
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Barr
04/16/02 at 06:06:50
Assalamu'alaikum :-)

Yup, I'd feed my baby... On the bus, in the train, during lectures, in the park... whereever, inshaAllah.

I think the hijab is one of the most useful tool to help breastfeeding in public. With the right technique, one can avoid exposing anything... and with the right sized hijab, even the baby can't be seen! Well, perhaps, cute tiny feet! :)

I'd only find a more secluded place, or have my back turned etc etc if my child is  big and cheeky enough to play peek-a-boo with my hijab.

So... a tip... start investing in bigger hijabs and button-front outfits :-)

Wassalam
[i]Momma[/i] Barr :-)  ... inshaAllah

04/16/02 at 06:10:34
Barr
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Dawn
04/16/02 at 08:26:09
[quote author=Anonymous link=board=sis;num=1018854028;start=0#0 date=04/15/02 at 03:00:28]What are your views in feeding a child in public, should or shouldn't.[/quote]
In short, should!  (Been there, done that  ;) )
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Kathy
04/16/02 at 08:47:22
[slm]

Tee hee- Once Ali was hungry at an unexpected time and I had to feed him "in Public"

My husband was so worried about my modesty. He took us to a parking lot- faced the car away from pedestrian traffic, covered the windows with blankets and put a huge one over the baby and I. To top it all off he stood guard with his legs in a stance and arms crossed.

oh... He drew so much more attention to us!

Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
arielsharon
04/18/02 at 17:26:11
i would have no problem with feeding in public...
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Anonymous
04/23/02 at 15:38:38
Yes I would and I did. 22 and 24 yrs ago.
                You know those little recieving blankets???  Two sewn together
                make a wonderful cape.
                I use to make them so I could feed my babies when they were
                hungry. You can use velcro to fassen them.
                I have nursed them both on a bus and an airplane but under a cape.

Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Anonymous
04/23/02 at 15:49:18
Assalamu alaikum,

                I fed my daughter for 14 months and feeding in public was very easy to do, especially if you wear hijaab. We went on long journeys often which meant I fed her in the back of the car discreetly under my scarf.

                I could never be like some women though who just "get them out" in public, with no concern to cover up or conceal, even though it is the most natural thing for a mother. There's  a limit!!
06/22/02 at 05:39:28
Kathy
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Barr
06/22/02 at 04:08:05
Assalamu'alaikum :-)

I came across this article, and thought of this thread. Hope it's useful, inshaAllah.

=======================
From UmmZaid's website =>http://www.cybermuslima.com/bffaq.htm

5.  I've established a nursing relationship with my child, but I feel tied to the home.  How can I, as a Muslim woman, think about nursing in public?!

Public breastfeeding is a hangup that our sisters from the East do not have.  It is not uncommon to see women publicly breastfeeding throughout the Muslim world.  If there is any group of women that has successfully combined public modesty with public breastfeeding, it is Muslim women.  Just because you are a Muslim woman, or a nursing mother, does not mean that you are tied to your house for as long as your child nurses! With a few modifications and
practice, you will find that you are soon nursing in public like a pro -- discreetly and modestly.

The first thing you are going to want to do is evaluate your wardrobe.  Jumpers, dresses, thobes, and other items which do not open in the front will no longer be practical, unless you can adapt them for nursing by adding slits to them.  Two piece outfits, abayas, and jilbabs which open easily will be the easiest thing to wear.  There are some jilbabs which have an extra panel over the chest.  You can probably cut a nursing slit right under this flap
and pin it or sew buttons onto it, without completely wrecking the style of the jilbab.

If you do not already, you may also want to consider wearing 60"x60" scarves, or a cape-style khimar (the 2-piece style which comes down to at least the wrist).  I was never a fan of this style of khimar, but as a nursing mother, I have discovered that it is the easiest style to wear, and allows me to nurse discreetly.  You do not have to worry about it sliding off, unlike a blanket that you toss over the baby.  I have also noticed that you can now
find these khimars in colors other than black and white, and sometimes with pretty designs at the hem (although I've yet to see any that aren't in a solid color).  I myself own several, including grey, burgandy, and lavender.  With a cape style khimar, no one will be able to see if you leak milk onto your clothes (as so often happens in the early weeks). Also, with the cape style khimar, you can leave your jilbab unbuttoned at the top, allowing for
less hassle when baby wants to nurse while you are out and about.  And hey-- all you sewing sisters out there!  You can design your own cape-khimars in prints and various fabrics.

Finally, if you still feel a little shaky, try "practicing" in front of a mirror, your husband, or someone else.  Have them walk about you and look at you from various angles, and point out if anything is showing.  When you do go out in public, and you are getting ready to nurse your child, look at something other than the baby.  If you are looking down and fumbling with the baby, other people's eyes will be drawn to this area of your body.  

Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
UmmZaid
06/23/02 at 00:58:03
Salaam 'Alaikum

I was about to answer the question and then saw that Barr posted some 411 from my website.  :)  

Umm Zaid
Re: Would you feed your baby in public?
Aliya
06/25/02 at 11:18:08
Good advice from Umm Zaid!!  


Personally I think if u are going to do something in public (planned or unexpected) BE SMART and think about that before 'going  public'. U will feel comfortable...

06/25/02 at 11:18:44
Aliya


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