Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
Breastfeeding in Public - Guidelines for New Moms
Maternal instincts urge mothers to feed their babies whenever they are hungry, and mothers often have to do it, even if they are outside... or else deal with a hungry and howling infant! Some women are comfortable and confident in breastfeeding and do not mind exposing a bare breast or two to quell their child’s hunger, but not everyone is that confident. Most women prefer to cover up when feeding their babies when in public.
Breastfeeding your infant in public places like shopping malls, restaurants and any other area where you may be observed by others can be considered breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding is a very intimate experience between mother and child. This is why new mothers often feel uncomfortable at the thought of having to do it where they will be seen.
Is It Legal to Breastfeed in Public?
There have been some breastfeeding in public laws that have been passed to support nursing women. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says that nobody is allowed to harass or ask a nursing mother to stop, cover up or move elsewhere. Breastfeeding in public India is quite normal in rural areas where it is viewed as something natural, unlike urban cities where breasts are often seen as a sexual symbol.
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated by women across the country during which they promote the normalization of breastfeeding in public by having breastfeeding events. There was an event held in Bangalore where nursing mothers gathered together in a public area to nurse their children in an attempt to normalise breastfeeding.
Tips for Breastfeeding in Public
Knowing that it is not against the law to feed your baby in public, here are some tips to help you get into the swing of things:
Dress the Part: Opt for loose button-down shirts or anything that is easy to pull to the side and back in place quickly and efficiently to protect your modesty.
Practice Makes Perfect: Practice having your baby latch on in front of your partner, a close friend or a relative to see how much exposure you are getting in the process. You can do a mock latching session in front of the mirror if there is nobody around to help.
Cover Up: Always plan ahead and carry either a shawl or a blanket so that you can drape it around both you and your child, making a temporary tepee for your baby. Just remember to ensure that your baby gets enough air to breathe.
Sling It: Slings make everything easier for breastfeeding as it makes it look like your baby is simply taking a nap.
Be a Wallflower: Find a secluded spot where you can feel more comfortable feeding your child. Avoid loos; if you wouldn’t eat in there do not make your child eat there either.
Turn Away for Latch On: Turn away from anyone around you as you move to help your baby latch on to avoid any accidental exposure as your little one gets settled in to feed. You can turn back once you both are comfortable and you feel sure nothing unnecessary is exposed.
Ask, and You Shall Receive: Most public establishments like airports, shopping malls and sometimes even amusement parks have areas designated for nursing mothers. However, even if you are in a place that doesn’t, most people quite understand when it comes to nursing babies and would be willing to help you by allowing you the use of a more private area.
Feed Before the Storm: A fussing child always gets unwanted attention, making it difficult to help your baby latch on without being overly conscious about who is watching. If you are uncomfortable and distracted, you will not be able to calm your baby down for feeding. Make sure you feed your baby on time to avoid being the centre of attention and more importantly, so your baby does not experience stress from hunger.
Say Cheese: You are doing something important for your child, so if anyone looks at you with disapproval, just give them the biggest new momma smile you can. You are simply doing what is natural, and there is no shame in it.
Response Ready: It is rare for someone to say something to you about your breastfeeding, but in case they do, it is best to be ready with a response. A few ways to respond are discussed later.
What to Wear When Breastfeeding in a Public Place
Many women prefer to wear nursing tank tops under their clothes as they have built-in bras that make it easy for them to whip out and put things away without much fuss and bother. Other mamas simply don loose shirts or button down ones that make it easy for them to feed their little ones in comfort, while also being reasonably modest about it. Most dresses are not very wise to wear unless the style makes access easy without having to pull up the dress entirely, like the button down dresses. Whatever you decide, ensure that you are comfortable and able to address your baby’s hunger needs immediately.
What to Do If You are Harassed While Breastfeeding in Public
There are a few things you could try if you feel like you are being harassed for breastfeeding your baby in public. Here are a few you can try:
Move away from people who are criticising you and look for people from whom you will get some support.
If there is nobody around to lend support, and you feel uncomfortable, take your child and leave. You can always contact the manager or the owner of the establishment at a later time and share your concerns.
If you are feeling calm enough, simply inform the person that breastfeeding is not a crime and that you are within your rights to breastfeed your child when he is hungry no matter where you are.
Carry a copy of any laws supporting breastfeeding from where you live in your diaper bag.
It helps to ask for the name or business card of the person who is making the complaint against you. This will let them know that you will not simply keep silent on the matter, even if you do choose to leave due to your child becoming upset, and that you will be able to identify them if you ever needed to.
There are bound to be support groups for young mothers that you can reach out to for help or support if you feel the need for it.
Breastfeeding is not something that is really discriminated against, though there are instances where it does occur. Some people take the act the wrong way, especially if they see it sexually. Others are simply uncomfortable by women who breastfeed in public, viewing it through the same lens as the Calgary radio station which once caused a lot of rages when they compared breastfeeding to nose-picking. Most people in general, however, are very accepting and encouraging of the act. Nursing mothers are allowed to feed their children anywhere that they are allowed to be, no matter where they in the world they live.
If you do it modestly and with confidence, using some of the tips suggested here, you can help normalise it and help future mothers feel less anxious about it when the time comes. However an individual chooses to see it, breastfeeding is something that is an essential part of life and as a mother; it is within your rights to see to the needs of your child!
Also Read: Common Breastfeeding Problems & Solutions Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
How To Teach Goal Setting to Children - 6 Effective Tips
People who set goals in life are not only driven to achieve them, but they achieve them too. A person who has a purpose in life has a reason to get up and work for it. Even kids should be taught about setting goals in life and working for them. If you set monthly or yearly goals, it is suggested that you pass on this habit of yours to your child as well. Whether it is about setting academic goals or other goals, teach your child about setting a goal from an early age. If you are wondering how you can teach him, read this article. This article describes what goal setting is and how one can teach it to children about it.
What Does Goal Setting Mean?
Goal setting is planning for the future. For example, if a child makes a plan to study for his test or prepare for his big basketball game, then this is 'goal setting'. Similarly, if a child decides that he wants to become a pilot in the future, then this is his goal of life. We set goals in life, but we don't really work for them. To achieve any goal, proper planning and consistent efforts are necessary. Therefore, planning for how you will achieve a particular target or goal is what goal setting is all about.
Why Is Goal Setting Important for Kids?
Goal setting gives a purpose or direction to kids. This way your child knows what he is expected to do to achieve a particular target. This will increase his self-esteem, focus, and even help him in making better decisions. It is also observed that kids who have some goals to look forward to, tend to perform better than kids who do not have any goals in their lives.
How to Help Your Child in Goal Setting
Here are some ways that you may follow to teach kids about goal setting:
1. Start Small
When you start teaching your child about goal setting, start with small goals. You can set monthly or weekly goals and then gradually move to bigger goals. His small achievements will make him happy and he will be determined to set other goals and motivated to work hard for them.
2. Let Your Kid Follow His Dreams
It is very important that what you want your kid to achieve should be of his liking too. Imagine if your kid wants to be a cricketer and you integrate his efforts into becoming a good pianist. This may not work and will only draw you apart from your kid. Let your child discover his passion and help him work for it.
3. Lead By Example
Kids love to follow their parents, and if they see you doing something, chances are they may do it too. So, involve your kid in your planning strategies too, of course, the ones that are age-appropriate. If you are making a new kitchen garden, you can involve your kid in planning for the same. He will enjoy planning with you and he will also learn the act of planning with you.
4. Give a Reality Check
Kids are not matured enough to understand the importance of hard work in order to achieve something. Your child may often underestimate the amount of effort that may be needed to achieve a particular goal. And if he fails, it is obvious for him to get discouraged or frustrated. But it is very important that you explain the challenges that your child may be required to face. Explain him that if he falls, he has to get up and work again. Teach him that he should not quit in between and work hard if he fails.
5. Praise His Efforts
It is very important to keep your kid motivated throughout the journey. In the absence of proper appreciation and motivation, your kid may lose interest. Therefore, do not forget to praise and appreciate your kid for his efforts.
6. Consider the Obstacles
Just the way it is important to set a goal, it is also important to discuss various obstacles or problems that your child is likely to face while achieving those goals. Talking about obstacles will prepare your child better. Also, if certain setbacks are incurred during the journey, he will work harder to achieve them. It is important to assess the approach and establish the necessary amends that need to be made.
Fun Goal Setting Activity for Kids
Here are some goal setting games for kids that your child may enjoy and learn from:
1. Make a Vision Board
Ask your kid to cut out different pictures from various magazines and periodicals, which represent his dream. Paste these pictures on a board and place the board in your child’s room. Seeing this every day may help your kid become more focused for his dreams.
2. Play a Fun Question Game
Ask your child questions related to his goal as it would give you an idea of what he wants in life and you can help your kid understand better. For example, ask your kid what he should do if he wants to score good marks in a particular subject? If he says 'study and practice', then you know your child is on the right path. However, if he does not work hard, you need to make him understand that if he does not study he will never get desired marks. Explain in a gentle tone and he will understand.
3. Make a Wheel of Fortune
Make a wheel and divide it into sections. Write different categories such as academics, sports, family etc. Let your child choose anyone and then set goals towards achieving it. For example, if he has chosen academics, ask him how he will go about it. He can plan to study 3-4 hours daily and take a weekly test. Let him colour the academics section on the wheel so he can see it every day and motivate himself to work hard.
4. Make a Bowl of Dreams
Gather all the family members and write their aspirations, dreams, and goals (they want to accomplish in that year) on different pieces of paper and place it a jar or a big glass bowl. Keep this bowl at a place where all the members of the family can see it every day as it will remind them to work for their goals. At the end of the year or after a stipulated period take out the papers and read out the goals of each family member and ask them if they accomplished it or not.
5. Play Wish and Stars Game
This is a very interesting game. Ask your child to choose three things that he may be best at and make those activities or qualities, his ‘stars’. Later ask him about the qualities he needs to master and make those his ‘wishes’. Your kid's ‘wishes’ can become his goals and you may help your kid in achieving these goals.
It is important to help your kid plan his life rather than just wait for the things to happen on its own. With the above-mentioned tips, we hope you and your child will have a great time understanding goal setting. With these tips help your child in goal setting and see him succeed in life.
Also Read: How to Teach Child to Share Read more
Suggested for you
Playing with your Baby without Spending too much
Homemade toys and activities are a great way to keep children entertained and help them learn and grow. The best part is that it doesn’t cost you anything, and helps in the development of your child’s creativity.
Activities are a wonderful way to show kids that learning can be fun. These activities for kids include hands-on projects and games that are both interesting and educational. Alongside homemade toys, you can use readily available items such as fabrics, bottles, cardboard boxes, yarn, cooking pans, etc. to play with your little ones. This helps develop the child’s ability to process information and understand how things work. Toys and activities provide new opportunities for developing cognitive skills.
Types of Cost-Effective Games for Toddlers
1. Unstructured Play
This is the best game for young children. It is a kind of activity that totally depends on the child’s mood at that particular time. The child does whatever he imagines. Examples of unstructured play include:
Creative play (drawing or musical games)
Imaginative games (dressing up or building houses with boxes)
Exploring the environment (roaming around in the park or playground)
2. Structured Play
These games are organized and can be played at a particular place and time, and are often supervised by a grownup. Examples of structured play:
Swimming lessons
Storytelling
Dance or music classes
Board games
Ideas for Baby Play
Making faces with your child or poking out your tongue is a great way to play with him.
Amusing your child by making animal noises or singing.
Encouraging your child whenever he tries to crawl, walk or stand.
Reading to your child is important, as it makes him think that it is a special way to spend time with you.
Give attention to your little one and his interests.
Advantages of Playing with your Baby
1. It Boosts Your Child’s Imagination
Almost anything can spur your child's imagination, including everyday objects. Pretending or imaginative play, is one of the foundations of a young child's world. Kids begin demonstrating this behaviour around the age of 2.
2. Helps Develop Social Skills
Once your child is comfortable with the people around him and his friends of the same age, he will start to develop social skills by interacting with others on play dates organized by you.
3. Helps in The Physical Development of Your Child
Different types of physical play helps develop different skills. For example, skipping requires balance, climbing monkey bars builds strength, and sports activities involve coordination. Large motor skills, such as running, throwing, and pedaling can come in the later years.
4. Help kids Discover Their Emotional Self
From a very early age your child communicates his emotions via different physical gestures or pretend play, before he can speak. When children have experiences that are hard to understand, they review those experiences again and again through play, to get a better grasp of it.
So give your child a positive environment to give wings to his imagination. Let him have fun the way he wants, and encourage him to play with different objects at home to broaden his horizons. Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Contribution – Happy relationship is always a heaven💞. Phase of my life with a 3 Men.
Hi all, this is a innervoice of a women here to give a brief of men’s part in women’s life. I came from a womb and made a women to Amma. A Majestic Man was outside who was also parallely promoted to Appa from a Man. My Majesty is very tender to me because he thought that i have to leave him and my birth place for sure one day. He has been always accepting and appreciating me. He pampers me a lot all the time and also will have a water filled eyes while he renders my name from Majesties hierarchy to Kings hierarchy. He is the first man to have concern and frame the course of my life to be very elegant even after his span. My King, I holded hands with him and started my journey. King will occassionally appreciate and often argues. He tries to correct me whenever iam wrong. This man is not as biased as My Majesty, because he thinks that i own the responsibility and hold our family pride. A day came where my little Prince entered this world and promoted me to next phase as Amma. My Prince is my pride. Initially My Majesty accepted, My king argued and here is My Prince who is always admiring me. Iam teaching him the world, later he will be teaching about the world. Iam reliable to him always and work as a housewife. Yes, when My Prince is returning home from school/ college/ work, iam always there to share and hear the experience he received. I dont even mind people asking me about being a housewife, it’s my art, as my king takes care of the outside works and iam here to take care of my house works. We share our duties equally, so that our Prince will sure be a Great King one day.
And here are 3 men of My LifeMy Majesty – Mr. NamakodiMy King – Mr. VenkateshMy Prince – Master Suvidyut Eshav
Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
9 hours ago
Q. #AskTheExpert hello dr.
baby planning kar rhi kuch tips btayiye conceive ho jaye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. it's a natural process ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
7 hours ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
7 hours ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
7 hours ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
6 hours ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
now I'm 24 weeks. Sometimes I'm feeling pain in my thigh.
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
4 hours ago
A. For thegh query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Onlfine consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
Check out this new Memory
Mariyam
Mom of a 10 m old girl
1 min ago
#babyphotochallenge
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Mariyam
Mom of a 10 m old girl
2 mins ago
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
monika yadav
Mom of a 3 m old girl
9 mins ago
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
monika yadav
Mom of a 3 m old girl
12 mins ago
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Asha Parveen
Mom of a 1 m old boy
12 mins ago
#stylishbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive