The debate about whether women should breastfeed in public has been going on for a long time. It’s a topic that stirs up strong opinions, and now, a brave young mother is stepping into the spotlight to share her experience and make her voice heard.
Meet Trinati, a passionate mom who is determined to normalize breastfeeding in public. She has a 17-month-old daughter and believes that when a baby is hungry, it doesn’t matter where they are or what time it is.
While some moms might feel shy about nursing in public, Trinati is not one of them! She proudly breastfeeds her little girl wherever they are, whether it’s at a park, a store, or even in a restaurant.
However, not everyone is comfortable with this idea. Trinati often receives strange looks from people around her, and sometimes, store employees even try to usher her into broom closets, thinking it would be a more “comfortable” place for her to nurse.
But Trinati knows that a broom closet is not a proper place to feed her baby, and she decided it was time to take a stand.
In a bold move, she had her son snap a picture of her breastfeeding her daughter at Costco. “I never shy away from providing my children with what they may need from me based on our surroundings,” she said in an interview. This photo was not just for fun; it was a powerful statement about the importance of breastfeeding in public.
Trinati often faces questions from friends and family who wonder, “How long are you going to do ‘that’ for?” Each time, she confidently replies, “As long as she needs me to!” Unfortunately, these conversations sometimes lead to awkward jokes about her breastfeeding her daughter until she’s in kindergarten, which can be frustrating.
“I’m fed up with people sexualizing my breastfeeding and judging me for it,” Trinati said. She made an important point when she added, “Really? Have you SEEN breastfeeding breasts? My nipples are very far from looking like something someone may fantasize about! Ha!”
She wants everyone to understand that her body is not a sexual object; it’s a source of nourishment for her child. “To me, they have 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.”
Trinati is passionate about raising awareness that breastfeeding is a natural way to nourish a child and should not be seen as something inappropriate. “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 explained.
She has experienced many strange looks and awkward giggles when people see her 1.5-year-old daughter standing on her lap while nursing, sometimes even balancing on one leg!
To help normalize breastfeeding in public, Trinati decided to share her experience with the world. She posted the picture taken at Costco on social media to 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 in the future) the lengths we, as mothers, will go to when ensuring our kids are well looked after no matter the situation,” she shared.
In her Instagram post, she wrote, “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.” Trinati wants her children to know that they will always come first, no matter what others think.
“Trust is a fundamental tool for developing healthy relationships, and it begins with the care that we receive in childhood,” she added. “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.”
Trinati’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting mothers and normalizing breastfeeding in public. She’s a true advocate for her children and all mothers who want to nourish their babies without fear of judgment. So, what do you think of Trinati’s inspiring journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
