Her husband had stayed at home with the other children. He too was struggling to keep his eyes open. Hopefully, the kids were finally sitting quietly watching the television, so he had time to cook dinner and recharge before another long night ahead. Newborns were deliciously gorgeous, yet exhausting.
She pushed the trolley to the counter and watched the checkout operator scan the groceries, willing the baby to stay sleeping so she could get home and feed her. They traveled everywhere together at the moment because there was no set routine. When a baby is hungry, it's hungry. And then it happened, the baby began to stir. "Please don't wake up yet," she whispered. "Please, please, please, please." But her pleas were useless and the baby begun to whimper and root around for food. And then the baby girl started to cry. The cry became a scream and the Mum began willing the checkout operator to go faster. And then the Mum pleaded for the ground to suck her up so the people would stop staring at her. She was so tired.
Once she paid for the groceries, she knew she had no choice but to find the closest chair in the shopping centre. She pulled her breast from her top - her ENORMOUS BREAST. It filled the entire shopping centre. It had lights flashing around it - "BOOB. BOOB. LOOK HERE'S A HUMUNGOUS BOOB". People were horrified and screaming: "She should have been more discreet and shown some common courtesy. Her breast is offending us. It is going to suffocate us. RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. AAAARRRGGGHHHH." The Mum was uncomfortable. Tears fell from her exhausted eyes. She felt alone, exposed and judged.
But as the people spilled from the supermarket, the woman looked down at her feeding child, oblivious to the uproar, sucking on her breast and filling her tiny belly. She was no longer hungry. She was no longer distressed. And that is all that matters.
The End
bigwords x
I love this!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant
ReplyDeleteLove. I will never forget BFing my babies when they were tiny.
ReplyDelete.... and that should be all that matters x
ReplyDeleteI've been that teary, judged mummy. Thanks for these words Bianca. It's a shame that this conversation needs revisiting. x
ReplyDeleteLove this. If the rest of your posts are as clever as this one I'll be back :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here with my boob out nursing my 22 day old laughing my head off. I've been there with mid three when she was a baby and I'm there again. It's amazing how judgmental and ridiculous people can be. And then there ae those who are supportive, considerate and even applaud you for lovingly taking care of your little person. It's a natural and beautiful thing, tedious yes but so much of motherhood can be. Thank you for waking me up, making me giggle after 3 hours sleep.
ReplyDeleteWww.PoppyFoxathome.com
This is so clever. Was almost crying one minute then laughing out loud the next.
ReplyDeleteI have seen your witty comments on twitter but this is my first visit to your blog and I'll be back.
On the breastfeeding issue... I am gutted that we have to keep having this debate.
It's not about bottle vs breast (although I wonder if giving a baby a bottle at the poolside would even get a second glance)... but again this is about the purpose of a woman's body.
Why does a naked gut and man boobs not generate the same disgust! Or a flash of builder's cleavage... Aaaaargh!
Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Especially since I read this with a hungry little Bubba feeding off me! My boobs spend way more time out in public than I thought possible.
ReplyDeletehttp://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
I guess many forget how it was that they were nourished as an infant. Great post. It is natural.
ReplyDelete... and that should be all that matters!
ReplyDeleteBrought me to tears. (good tears, that is)
ReplyDeleteLove it. Perfect. So so right. xxx
ReplyDeleteBrought tears to my eyes. It's like you plucked those words from my head.
ReplyDeleteJust absolutely perfectly spot on!!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteAfter 4 years of breastfeeding in total, I can say that carrying my baby in a wrap or sling close to my body (instead of in a pram/stroller) has been the easiest way to handle such a situation with almost no stress. I can no longer count the number of times I've simply popped my baby onto my breast while shopping or even in the middle of handing over money, with barely a murmur from my baby. I'm no longer bothered about being discreet, but I have to say that very few people realise I'm feeding my baby in the wrap.
ReplyDeleteEvery single person who connects sex to breastfeeding should be sent along to their closest reputable Clinical Psychologist for a good Freudian counselling.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not care if Mum pulls out the whole boobs without covering up. It's not for us to stare. Are we that separate from the realities life that we are offended by the purely natural?
ReplyDeleteFantastic and so true. xxx
ReplyDeleteMy hubby says "I'm not a cow, but I can make milk for my precious baby. You ARE a cow, but I don't tell YOU to Cover Your Mouth!"
ReplyDeleteI have a few of those Breastfeeding tops/dresses from Mother and Me or Ripe, and I have found them to be SOOOO helpful!
ReplyDeleteI've been out with my baby's, and been BFing coz they were hungry, and had people ask if they 'could please have a cuddle', and I've had to say, 'sure, but just wait until s/he is finished feeding, then you can burp her/him'
"What? Are you feeding? I'm sorry, I had no idea"!
Love, Love, Love my 'feeding' clothes. :-)
Lovely. You and Miss Holly are rocking my world today.
ReplyDelete(And I LOVE the comic! Classic!)
Love this. You have described the feeling exactly. Thank you xx
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed. And take that, you big Koch.
ReplyDeleteYES! Absolutely!!! It is ALL that matters! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, bought a tear to my eye.xx
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed this blog post so much. Ok l have two great kids but mate having to navigate motherhood can be hard.
ReplyDeleteI've linked your blog post to mine hope that is ok.
I applaud you're honesty there aren't many who would tell it like it is. Thank you
http://www.poppyfoxathome.com/2013/02/the-fragmentation-of-motherhood.html
Beautifully written with witty humor that does not overpower the wonderful moment. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThis was written so beautifully. It brought me to tears as well. You captured the angst of that moment of motherhood so, so well.
ReplyDeletePerfect. x
ReplyDelete