Sunday, April 12, 2009

Boobs, Boobs and more Boobs

Ive had quite an education in breastfeeding and Nursing in public since moving to Alice, if you know me, you know I am a champion of breastfeeding, and advocate of nursing in public,nursing in general, how ever you like, for as long as you like. I thought I was up on my breastfeeding 101.

It is uncommon to walk more than a block here in Alice, with out being exposed to some form of nudity or indecency...a man in his underwear by the side of the road, some one taking a pee on a tree by the river, little naked kids playing in a puddle outside a town camp, you name it I;ve seen it.

I have, however been exposed to an entirely new kind of nursing in public. Be honest, most nursing mothers have accidentally flashed an unsuspecting old lady, or startled gentleman in the mall, at a restaurant, or what ever...we simply blush, smile, and promptly get back to feedin our squalling babes. There's not much that can be done about it, short of wearing a Birka or one of those cape like nursing aprons, breasts are natural and beautiful and people can just get ahold of themselves about it.

I love the natural parenting vibe in Australia, the low key, approach to parenting and childbirth...I have however reached my limits in viewing natural parenting. The local indigenous people here, seem to be very " breast is best" oriented, this I love. The culture has enough things to overcome, I delight in seeing Moms and nursing babies nearly anywhere...

But these Aboriginal Moms have come up with a NIP tactic I have yet to see before now, lets call it the " Pull your giant boobie out of your collar, and let it hang there" style. Imagine, a breast as big as your head, Nipples the size of dinner plates, swinging gently in the breeze, or in the check out isle, where ever. Sometimes there is a hungry baby or toddler blocking most of this interesting view, often not, no matter...let them hang...the poor check out man, nearly drops the milk trying not to stare, who can blame him, I can't stop either...I actually would like to snap a photo...

its like a little piece of National Geographic right in your front yard. Its hard not to oggle, or at least elbow your husband, who after the 10th time has lost interest in giant swinging boobies. I just can't get over it. Its not exactly obscene, but fascinating.

My kids are past the shock and awe, but Noah still likes to point on occasion, last week in church he asked me LOUDLY " Mama, do you still have milk in your boobies?" I shook my head and tried not to melt into the pew... then he declared " Every one loves boobs" Amen, thank God for Boobs.

3 comments:

  1. I think you need to rig some kind of incognito camera so you can get some of this on camera. I totally believe you when you say it but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the "local" culture.

    Get sneaky and get some pics!

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  2. Least they ain`t fully naked.
    How long are you stuck in the Alice for? Do you get to Darwin much (yeah I know Darwin is full of ferals also) It is such a different world in our top end.
    I know it is hard to embrace the local culture as such but you are living in a very special place, it`s the heart of our nation, it is ancient and it is spiritual, look for the positives.
    Rose

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  3. That is FUNNY! I just imagine myself when Ry hurry & pops off & my boob is exposed for 2 secs lol cant imagine just walking about with it hanging there!

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