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You Don’t Have To Agree With My Choice To Breastfeed Your Baby, But You Have To Respect It

This is an open letter to all the women I notice giving me the eye on the subway, in the park, in cafés—you know who you are. Don’t think I don’t see you. Don’t think I don’t see that glare of smug superiority as you judge me for taking your baby out of your arms and beginning to breastfeed it.

I know exactly what you’re thinking up there on your high horse. You’re disgusted, offended, or both. You think that what I’m doing with your child is gross, or weird, or wrong. And hey, that’s okay. You’re entitled to your opinion. But here’s what you need to remember: Whether or not you agree with my choice to breastfeed your baby, you have to respect it.

Act aghast if you like, but the plain truth is that me breastfeeding your child is natural. Maybe it’s not something you would do if you had the choice. But guess what? It’s not your choice. I’m feeding your kid with my breast milk, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s just that simple.

The science is on my side. I could cite any number of studies and articles on the benefits of natural breastfeeding, but I shouldn’t have to. Because you don’t need to agree with me. You certainly don’t need to cheer me on. You just need to keep in mind that what I do with your child is my business and no one else’s.

I’m feeding your kid with my breast milk, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

You see, I made the decision to breastfeed your child a long time ago, and nothing is going to stop me. It doesn’t matter how often you say, “Not in public” and, “What are you doing, that’s my son!” I refuse to put my breasts away just because they make you uncomfortable.

At the end of the day, you need to understand that different people have different values. And despite what nosy people like you might have to say about it, I’m going to keep breastfeeding your children in the future. So, get used to it, or you and I are gonna have a problem.