The debate over whether women should be able to breastfeed their children in public is not a new one. In fact, it has been around for quite some time. Now, it seems another mother has stepped forward to make her point.
This young mom wanted to speak up — and in doing so, she has angered quite a few people. Keep reading to learn more about her story.
Anyone who has nursed a child knows that a baby doesn’t care where they are or what time it is when they’re hungry. While some mothers feel uneasy about breastfeeding in public, this young mom did not. In fact, she wanted to make a strong statement in support of public breastfeeding.
Trinati breastfeeds her 17‑month‑old daughter and makes it a priority to feed her wherever they happen to be. This often means breastfeeding her toddler in public.
And although she isn’t shy about it, that doesn’t mean those around her are always comfortable. She often receives strange looks, and at times, store employees have even ushered her into broom closets, assuming she would be more “comfortable” feeding her baby inside.
Of course, that wasn’t the case — broom closets are hardly ideal for feeding a child. That’s why Trinati decided to take action. She had her son take a photo of her breastfeeding his baby sister at Costco. She explained in an interview, “I never shy away from providing my children with what they may need from me based on our surroundings.”
But beyond judgment from strangers, she also gets questions from friends and family. They ask, “How long are you going to do that for?” and she always replies, “As long as she needs me to!” Usually, they follow up with awkward jokes about her breastfeeding until kindergarten.
Trinati is now fed up with people sexualizing breastfeeding and judging her for it. She said in an interview, “Really? Have you SEEN breastfeeding breasts? My nipples are very far from looking like something someone may fantasize about! Ha!”
She continued, “These are basically udders right now. Get over yourself! I’m not trying to steal your man or lady with these bad girls! To me, they’ve become so far from feeling like a sexual part of my body. Right now they belong to my child for nourishment, both physically and emotionally.”
She wants to raise awareness that breastfeeding is about nourishing a child — not something sexual. “I don’t expect all men or those who have never breastfed to understand the ways in which mothers have the endurance to deal with nipple‑pinching or straight‑up acrobatics while breastfeeding,” she said. “I’ve gotten the strangest glances and awkward giggles when people see my 1.5‑year‑old standing on my lap while suckling… sometimes on one leg!”
To help normalize breastfeeding in public, she had the photo taken so she could post it and make her point.
“I had my son take that photo of us in Costco because I never want to forget (and I want to show my daughter someday) the lengths we, as mothers, will go to when ensuring our kids are well cared for no matter the situation,” she said.
“My baby’s needs come waaaaaay before anyone else’s attempts to make me feel inappropriate for this sometimes‑public act of nourishing and/or comforting my children,” she wrote in the Instagram caption.
She wants her children to know they are always her top priority — far above the judgment or discomfort of others.
“Trust is a fundamental tool for developing healthy relationships, and it begins with the care we receive in childhood,” she said. “For me, breastfeeding demonstrates this to my children, and for this reason, I will never feel shame for allowing a baby of mine to do this with me in any environment.”
There is plenty to be said on both sides of the debate. What do you think about breastfeeding in public? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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