Motherhood Timeline
I feel very fortunate to be a Mother of two boys; I have always had a strong maternal instinct and really enjoyed been a stay at home mum. We are fortunate now to have all the modern technology to make been a parent that little bit easier. Unlike my grandmother who only had the option of using cloth nappies, I have had the choice of many brands and styles of disposable nappies to use on my children, I cannot imagine life without disposable nappies and the first ones were not even invented until 1947.
As a parent, I have taken many things for granted like hi-Tec baby and Ultrasound monitors. We live in an age where our babies can we scanned to check on their health whilst still in the womb, a little helping hand for Mother Nature! I did not realise that the 3D Ultrasound was not even invented until 1987; something my mum never got the chance to experience having her children.
Even though times have changed as far as parenting is concerned, one thing that remains pretty much in the dark ages is breastfeeding in public. An unbelievable 1 in 5 mums still suffer negativity when breast-feeding their child in a public place, and only 57% of mums feel comfortable doing this at all, shocking results really considering we live in such a modern world.
Benenden have created this great infographic showing a timeline of all the major changes in parenting that has happened from 1733 when the first pram was invented for the Duke of Devonshire’s children, right up until 2014, It is fascinating to see when all the things we take for granted today were invented.
This post is in association with Benenden
Hi Rachel, As a mum who is still breastfeeding, i found your write up about breast-feeding in public very interesting. Apart from in mums and tots, i’ve never felt confident to breast feed in public. In shopping centres i’ll go to the toilet or baby changing room and have only ever BF once in a restaurant and that was only because i was in a booth and very shielded. My mum in law bought me a little feeding apron thing (or as my husband calls it “My curtain of shame”!!) but it does at least let me feed in places where i do feel comfy. This is just a personal thing but i’d feel a bit embarrassed taking my breast out in front of people in a restaurant or other public area.
I’ve breastfed 3 children and have never had a problem breastfeeding in public (wearing discreet breastfeeding tops, rather than unnecessarily exposing myself). I’ve had some comments, but I’m pleased to say all have been entirely positive and encouraging. I can’t help but wonder whether the recent media reporting around negative comments towards breastfeeding has been disproportionate and drawn unnecessary attention to what is very much a minority view?
Also, I wonder if reports of 1 in 5 women having suffered negative comments are based on a statistically significant and objectively collected sample study – or could it be skewed by the fact that women with bad experiences are more likely to respond to surveys or come forward to share their stories. Of course, there is also the risk that by publicising negative responses, rather than tackle the issue, that actually it will have the reverse effect and make breastfeeding mothers more self-conscious about breastfeeding in public for fear of a negative response. I think the way forward would be to publicise more positive stories; seeing women breastfeed their children in public is something that should be considered normal, natural and beautiful.