Breastfeeding Is Gross
We live in a weird country. In most countries NOT breastfeeding is strange and open to ridicule. Here, there is controversy over breastfeeding. I like to think its getting better but it all depends on where you live and who you talk to. I have stated before that no matter what you do as a parent, there will be someone who criticizes you. We all are going to have these stories and I’ll probably post more but this is one that has been on my mind for a while.
I work in a nursing home. I am a certified butt wiper, okay a nurse’s aide. Basically though I wipe butts for a living. One night I was at work and a day shift nurse stayed since we were short handed. She could only stay half the shift as it was the first time she was away from hew newborn for that long. Once or twice she had to pump. She went into the med room to do it. Basically it was the med room or the bathroom. Both have solid doors but the med room has a real chair and is bigger. Truthfully I was so thankful she chose the med room as I have to pee every 5 minutes being pregnant and all.
After she left, the other nurse and one of the other aides wee carrying on about her pumping. Apparently the regular nurse walked into the med room without knowing the other was in there. She was totally grossed out by the sight of the nurse siting there with the pump (electric). The pumping nurse basically was sitting there with a tube running out from the bottom of her shirt. What’s so gross about that? She also found it so disgusting that the nurse stored milk in the fridge. And on top of all that, she was annoyed that the nurse had to take a break to pump. This same nurse doesn’t seem to have a problem with the other aide taking smoke breaks, including the extra ones she always seems time for.
I just told them they were gonna hate me then when I had to pump. What I really wanted to do was say “Are you freaking kidding me? We clean up old people after they poop themselves and you are offended by breast milk??? Also, this woman was nice enough to stay and help us out or else we would’ve had only one nurse the entire shift. She is giving her child a wonderful thing by breastfeeding. It would be a lot easier for someone who generally works 45-50 hours a week to formula feed but she is doing what’s best. You should not be condemning her, you should be applauding her.” I might add that the nurse who made the comments is 50 and a mother of 1. I don’t think she’s very maternal. Anyway, it just really shocked me to hear a nurse talk this way.
So you see, you will hear comments EVERYWHERE. Please share your story of ignorant people.
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