As the debate over public breastfeeding rages on, some moms are just getting more and more badass under pressure. Mom Aleigha Jean was shamed by another mother while Aleigha was discreetly breastfeeding her baby at Walmart, so she responded in a brilliant Facebook post that has since gone viral.
Aleigha was shopping at a Walmart in Cobleskill, New York, when her 7-month-old baby woke up from a nap. She pulled up her shirt and began to feed her daughter. None of her skin was showing — her tank top completely covered her breasts and stomach. However, another mother in the store still took issue with the public breastfeeding.
"You know they make blankets for that," the mom said. "Because that's exactly what my 5- and 7-year-old sons need to be seeing."
Aleigha responded in the only appropriate way: "Go f**k yourself."
But when she got home, she had some more words to share with the woman and any others who feel that way. So she took to social media to voice her opinion.
"To the a**hole lady, in lack of better words, at Cobleskill Walmart who felt the need to mom shame me in front of a crowd of people today," Aleigha began the post.
She then proceeded to completely tear the judgmental woman's words down, starting with the fact that she was actually completely covered.
“When my daughter wakes up from a three hour nap and expects to be fed I’m going to because that’s my job as a mother no matter what the circumstances or where I am.”
Aleigha pointed out that the woman's sons weren't present, but even if they had been, they should be taught how to be respectful of the situation. Sometimes you don't have a clean blanket on hand or simply don't want to use one.
“I shouldn’t ever have to feel ashamed for feeding my child but you ma’am should definitely be ashamed.”
Aleigha's post drew a lot of attention, both positive and negative.
Some fellow moms commented that they have been in the exact same situation.
Often, there's no judgment at all.
Because a baby's gotta eat when a baby's gotta eat. Parents don't get to decide when their little ones get hungry.
What's the alternative — starving? It seems like having a screaming baby next to you at Walmart would be much worse than a woman discreetly breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a necessity no matter where you are.
It's totally natural, after all — and women have been doing it since the beginning of time.
But of course, some people disagree with Aleigha and other moms who breastfeed in public.
"That's why they make breast pumps," wrote one person.
Which is why many moms feel they need to hide away while breastfeeding.
But with so many speaking out about this issue, there's no need to be ashamed anymore. Public breastfeeding should be 100% acceptable.
Breastfeed away, mamas!
