Going public.

Today Georgia had her first public feed. Yes, the terminology again sounds awkward as I say it, but that's still how it comes out. We went to church and I packed up enough for one feed and one dose of one of her meds. I expected her to just need the one feed, but ended up the last 30 minutes of her feed I started at home went into sacrament meeting at church.

I have breastfed three children and was very comfortable feeding them in any setting, except at church.  Maybe that had something to do with the weird feeling I had feeding her in sacrament meeting. I was always jealous of mothers of bottle fed infants that they could just do it right there and not have to leave to the mothers lounge. Ok, another plus ;). The weird thing was I kept having this feeling like, should I be doing this in the mothers lounge?!?!?

Anyway, I got over it and because she's on a schedule of 1 1/2 hours on and 1 1/2 hours off it wasn't long before I had to feed her again. I step out to the foyer to hook her up and soon there is a large crowd of women around me. Some stare from a distance, others stand close asking questions, others stand closer offering assistance where and when they can.

In a lot of my support groups and blogs and forums so many moms get worked up about the staring issue, I found I didn't mind it because I've been guilty of it. I think it's natural to be curious about something that is new or different. I have never been exposed to anyone with special needs and honestly when I've seen a mom and special needs child lately I do stare because I'm trying to get a glimpse into what life is like. Maybe next time I'll find the courage to stand closer and ask questions and offer assistance or just an ear.

Overall, feeding Georgia out and about was great. Only thing that worried me was the cord to the tube. Especially when everyone got out of church and the halls were full I was sure someone would become hooked on her cord. Im sure theres a way to prevent this.  Another question for my blog mommas!