I was talking to a co-worker today when another co-worker walked up and said something to him. He asked if she had a sore throat as her voice sounded scratchy. She answered, “Yes, I think I am coming down with something.”
And at that moment I thought, “Hmmm. My breast milk would probably knock that right out. I should offer her some.” This was quite thoughtful in my mind. Breast milk is the veritable elixir of life. Baby’s tear duct is blocked? Drop a bit of breast milk in it. Sore or cracked nipples or skin? Rub a little breast milk on it. Bug bites? Ear infections? Squirt a bit of breast milk on them. It heals what ails ya!
Nonetheless, my internal conversation continued and I thought, “Good God, woman, are you mad? You can’t offer your breast milk to a co-worker. If you do, she’ll look at you weirdly and never make eye contact with you again. She’ll talk about you behind your back and not even accept a cup of coffee from you lest it be tainted. Rumors will spread and the whole office will ostracize you. You’ll need to find another job. In another city.” And I walked away in a fog missing the rest of what was said between my two co-workers.
Am I the only breastfeeding mother this has ever happened to?
Hell, I don’t know, but that was damn funny!
I never thought about offering anyone the milk, but I did have to be real careful to remember that to most people, breast information and lactating talk made them very uncomfortable, while for me and my husband it had become very matter of fact. One co-worker came into my office while I was putting away the aparatus (by this I mean the Medela, not the breasts), and he did a double take, as if his retinas had been burned and said “I didn’t need to see that!” I thought, “It’s milk. In bottles. What’s to be grossed out about?” But some people do see it as “obscene,” as all the latest talk has revealed. And yes, you would have had to move to a new city.
That guy you speak of, Moondance, the one that thought breast milk in a bottle was obscene? Yeah, that was me four months ago!!! Oh, how it is so different now!
And I am laughing at you for more than just this post. TeeHee You beez in my shoes, now, lady.