Covert Stealth Breastfeeding and Pumping While in Uniform
So many people do not know what a basic military uniform consists of and how much of a pain in the butt it is to feed a baby or pump quickly so you can go back to work. I have heavy, very high waisted cargo pants, complete with heavy duty web belt that sits right under my rib cage. Tucked neatly into that is my sand colored, fitted tshirt. Over my tshirt is my blouse. It is heavy, hot and when worn, has to be completely buttoned up.
I used to just unbutton and hike up my tshirt to feed or pump, but then I had to undo my belt and pants and readjust my uniform after each time. Not complicated, but I'm a woman who moves with purpose and hates wasting time. Plus, when feeding Chloe on a crowded airplane in uniform, it was very hard to undress, without looking like I was undressing inappropriately. Pumping too was quite an annoyance when I had such a short time to pump and store the milk and get redressed.
I tried what I knew our "flyers" (you know, the pilots and crew in flight suits? Like green handyman onesies) did to stay cool...chop off my tshirt and have it cropped under my blouse, but then when I fed her, the bottom of my bra and my jelly belly was exposed in all it's glory- not the best way for people to view a Technical Sergeant in the Air Force. I came up with a compromise, I cut ten inch opening down either side of my shirt, close to the seams starting under my arms and down the sides. So now when I nurse, I open my blouse, slyly stick my kid in and she has covered access to my milk supply. When I pump, I am able to easily do so quickly and get back to work promptly. No fussing with my belt, button fly or retucking of my tshirt!
I do use a black "nursing cover" when I'm really exposed and in uniform, but I have yet to be told by anyone that it is out of regulation to feed my child in uniform. I was forced to stop breastfeeding my first child and refuse to give up my right this time around. (Long story short, went on a mandatory trip when Sophia was 6 1/2 mo old, was not given any time to pump.) I feel that although I have to give up a lot of menial freedoms to serve, breastfeeding my child will not be one of them.
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