The ongoing debate about whether women should breastfeed in public has been a topic of discussion for years. Recently, a young mother has entered the conversation, determined to make her stance clear—despite the controversy it has stirred.
For many mothers, nursing their child is a constant challenge, dictated not by time or place but by their baby’s needs. While some mothers may feel self-conscious about breastfeeding in public, one young mother, Trinati, is breaking the mold by unapologetically nursing her 17-month-old daughter wherever and whenever necessary.
Trinati is committed to breastfeeding her toddler, regardless of where she is. This often means breastfeeding in public, a choice that has garnered her plenty of awkward stares and judgmental looks. She has even been directed to broom closets by store employees, who misguidedly think she would be more ‘comfortable’ feeding her child in these confined spaces.
Unsatisfied with these conditions, Trinati decided to take a stand. She had her son snap a picture of her breastfeeding his baby sister right in the middle of a Costco store. In a candid interview, she explained, “I never shy away from providing my children with what they may need from me, regardless of our surroundings.”
Trinati’s boldness in defending public breastfeeding extends beyond just strangers’ reactions. She faces frequent questions from friends and family about her breastfeeding choices, often asked, “How long are you going to do ‘that’ for?” Her consistent reply: “As long as she needs me to!” This response is sometimes met with uncomfortable jokes about her breastfeeding her daughter until kindergarten.
Frustrated by the sexualization and criticism of her breastfeeding, Trinati is resolute. In an interview, she vented her exasperation: “Really? Have you SEEN breastfeeding breasts? My nipples are far from looking like something someone may fantasize about! Ha!”
Through her actions and words, Trinati is making a powerful statement about normalizing breastfeeding in public and standing up against the unwarranted judgments that often come with it.
Trinati continued her passionate defense of public breastfeeding with humor and conviction. “Right now, these are basically udders. Get over yourself! I’m not trying to steal your man or lady with these bad girls! They’ve shifted from being a sexual part of my body to something that belongs to my child for nourishment, both physically and emotionally.”
Her message is clear: breastfeeding is about feeding and comforting her child, not about sexuality. She wants to raise awareness that the act of breastfeeding should be seen purely as a means of providing essential care.
“I don’t expect all men or those who have never breastfed to understand the endurance it takes to deal with nipple-pinching or the acrobatics of a breastfeeding child,” she said. “I’ve gotten strange looks and awkward giggles when people see my 1.5-year-old standing on my lap while nursing… sometimes balancing on one leg!”
In her effort to normalize breastfeeding in public, Trinati decided to make a bold statement. She had her son take a photo of her breastfeeding her toddler at Costco. The intention behind this was twofold: to make a point about public breastfeeding and to create a keepsake for her daughter.
“I asked my son to take that photo of us in Costco because I want to remember, and I want to show my daughter one day, the lengths we, as mothers, will go to ensure our kids are well cared for, no matter the situation,” she explained.
In the Instagram post accompanying the photo, she wrote, “My baby’s needs come waaaaaay before anyone else’s attempts to make me feel inappropriate for this sometimes-public act of nourishing and/or comforting my children.”
Trinati is determined to teach her children that their well-being is her top priority, far above the judgments or discomfort of others.
“Trust is a fundamental tool for developing healthy relationships, and it begins with the care we receive in childhood,” she said. “For me, breastfeeding demonstrates this to my children. I will never feel shame for allowing a baby of mine to nurse with me in any environment.”
Through her unapologetic stance, Trinati is not just feeding her child; she’s also feeding a broader dialogue about the importance of normalizing breastfeeding in all spaces.