It’s 2022 — yet the debate over whether women should be allowed to breastfeed openly in public places continues to rage.
That said, I think we can all agree it’s not easy for mothers to cover up during the summertime.
It’s simply too hot for both mom and child. When a little one is hungry, it’s important for women to feel comfortable enough to feed wherever they can.
Kade – 5 months 💙 Posted by Melanie Libson Dudley on Sunday, September 30, 2018
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful act. For many moms, it’s a key part of raising a child to be big and strong and giving them the right nutrients. It’s also a way to bond with the baby.
Whatever your stance on public breastfeeding, the reality is that a mom can decide to nurse in public anytime, anywhere. Some people are unbothered by it, while others feel uncomfortable at the sight.
When Melanie Dudley, mom of a newborn, was told to cover up by a stranger at a restaurant, she responded in a way that’s now being praised by thousands of mothers (and others) around the world.
Posted by Melanie Libson Dudley on Sunday, January 27, 2019
Back in 2018, Melanie Dudley was sitting in an 86‑degree restaurant with her three‑month‑old son and a few friends when her baby suddenly decided it was lunchtime.
Melanie, a Texas native and new mom, discreetly took out her nipple so her son could begin breastfeeding without exposing anything else. But a man at a nearby table still wasn’t comfortable with what she was doing.
Melanie responds
The stranger approached Melanie and asked her to cover up. Melanie agreed — just not in the way he expected.
“I was on vacation in Cabo San Lucas with my entire family, and a man asked me to cover myself. I’m usually discreet, but we were seated in the back of the restaurant,” Melanie told Yahoo.
A friend’s daughter‑in‑law was told to “cover up” while feeding her baby, so she did! 🤣 Posted by Carol Lockwood on Monday, July 30, 2018
“I did have the cover on, but it was so hot. It was like 95 degrees, and my little baby was sweating,” the Texan told TODAY.
“I said, ‘You know what? I’m on vacation, I’m taking this off.’”
Melanie didn’t see the problem — but the man did. So she responded by putting the cover over her own head instead, leaving the restaurant in fits of laughter.
“I just put it over my head. I don’t know why. It wasn’t like a salacious fight or anything. That was just my response. I had no words, so I thought, I’ll just cover my head instead,” she explained.
Posted by Melanie Libson Dudley on Saturday, October 27, 2018
Another woman snapped a photo of Melanie and uploaded it to Facebook. The post quickly gained traction and has now been shared more than 225,000 times.
Melanie’s picture drew widespread attention, and many praised her courage in sharing it. She wasn’t the first woman criticized for breastfeeding in public, but her creative response made the photo go viral, sparking a renewed discussion that major news outlets picked up.
Even though the event happened in 2018, people still comment on the post, and it continues to stir emotions — showing just how relevant the breastfeeding debate remains.
It’s a woman’s right to breastfeed her child, and breast milk isn’t called “liquid gold” for nothing — yet women continue to face criticism for doing what nature intended.
Suffice it to say, Melanie’s actions silenced the man who told her to hide. Please share this article to honor Melanie’s ingenuity.
