"The Places You'll Feed"

Oh Brilliant!! This is brilliant - the Places You'll Feed!

Unfortunately, D was way too curious about the world for me to ever truly nurse in public the first year. She had to see the world and feed which ended up in the world seeing my boob while she saw anything that moved! sigh... But once in a while she obliged. My favorite spots are many. Four that stand out:

1. D was 6 months old. We landed in Indianapolis. The baggage area emptied. And there I sat on a bench/seat and nursed. It was just three of us in the whole floor. Bliss


2. D was 9 months old. We were in Tucson, visiting N's former director home that overlooked one of the valleys of cacti forest. There was a bench at the edge of the cliff in their backyard. I can still feel the calm.


3. D was a year and half. We were in Chennai. We got our visas renewed and were at the VFS center to pick it up. N went in to pick it up. D & I waited outside in the sweltering humid heat. It was horrible. There was one fan that only gave relief if you stood right in front. People had me in front of it with the child. Then an Indian male security guard and had me sit on the chair and said, "mom's milk is the best rehydrating liquid. Feed the child!" D wasn't making any noise but she clearly looked miserable. And so I did. No one ambushed me. No one made me feel ashamed. No one asked me to go use the bathroom. Everyone gave me space and carried on with their conversations.


4. D was just a month short of turning 2. We were in Yosemite National Park. I sat under a tree and nursed. It was the only thing that calmed that poor tired out child who just wanted to do everything.

I am sure these memories will fade away as the years go by. But I doubt I will forget the security guard's generosity and concern. I hope this country (and rest of India) moves towards that acceptance some day!