Public Breastfeeding Is Endorsed By God So Look Away, Haters

Pope Francis baptized 33 infants in the Sistine Chapel yesterday and let mothers know that they should feel free to breastfeed them as they see fit. In the Sistine Chapel. Did you hear that, haters? The Pope doesn’t see anything wrong with women publicly breastfeeding — and either should you.

NBC News reports that the Pope said, “You mothers give your children milk and even now, if they cry because they are hungry, breastfeed them, don’t worry.” He departed from his prepared text, which said “give them milk,” and changed it to “breastfeed them.” He also added that they “should not hesitate.”

If it’s okay in what many Catholics think is the holiest room in existence, shouldn’t it be okay at Anthropologie? Or Kmart? Or even in a courtroom? I think so. NBC News points out that the Sistine Chapel is the place where cardinals elect popes in secret conclaves. It’s kind of a big deal. And the Pope himself has no problem with women feeding children there.

It’s 2015 and we’re still seeing news stories very regularly about women being shamed for breastfeeding or told to cover up. It’s simply not okay. The Pope sent a very clear message yesterday. I will translate: leave breastfeeding women alone and get a life. They can feed their children wherever they see fit.

Breastfeeding is normal and healthy. What’s not normal and healthy is sexualizing it or projecting your issues on women who do it. Look away. It’s that simple. There is not a single public place where breastfeeding should be considered inappropriate. No woman should feel ashamed to feed her hungry child because of the weird hang-ups of others.

(photo: Getty Images)