COMMUNITY
MUM IN DOHA: Breast milk or formula?
Words by Lynsey Riach Images by Carmen Rowantree of With a Little Grace Photography
As our newborn baby boy thrives from his diet of milk and yet more milk, the debate goes on. And let’s be honest, it’s an ongoing divide between mothers the world over, not just here in our Qatar community.
W
hilst I choose to breastfeed again, I was surprised to hear many of my friends and family back home were astonished that I could do such a feat as breastfeeding in public in a Muslim country. The ‘issue’ isn’t really about modesty or religion, it’s about personal opinion and each person’s stance on what they feel is appropriate public ‘behaviour’. But can we really call a natural act of feeding your baby ‘behaviour’? It’s not so much of a choice to feed a hungry baby, is it? And if it happens to be in public, then that is where it happens to be. No mother will let her child go hungry, but with that comes the stigma attached to breastfeeding.
42
With my first boy, I often found myself hiding in the car or public restrooms to feed him, with a blanket over his head or my whole entire body hunched up in a corner to ‘hide’ what I was doing. Feeding the soul that relies on me and only me – how can that be anything to be ashamed of? Yet the debate continues.
be discreet with their own clothing or by sitting in a quiet area of the establishment. Yet most still felt awkward to do so here, mostly because of modesty reasons. I was left wondering if we can ever break through this. At least that is what these images by Carmen are trying to help showcase.
So as I educated those closest to me on the perils of feeding in public here, simultaneously a project by local photographer Carmen Rowantree of With a Little Grace Photography was happening. Her goal? To ‘normalise breastfeeding’ specifically in public here in Qatar.
For me, how you feed your baby is up to you. I believe ‘fed is best’ and like most things parent related, it’s probably best not to cast judgement or opinion on others whilst we all try our best to do our best.
Now whilst it is quite accepted and perhaps even encouraged to do so here, she wanted to capture beautiful images of precious moments between mums and their babies out and about feeding in the place we all call home away from home.
Remember to be kind to mothers, you never know how many times she has been up in a night to tend to those who rely on her so heavily. Until next time, hug your babies tight and smile at the miracle that is life! n
It might feel a little daunting for some, but she hopes to encourage mums to feel more confident when broaching both the subject and acting it out. Ultimately, Carmen just wants those who breastfeed to feel more at ease when doing so and for others to be that little more empathetic to the cause. I spoke with many breastfeeding mothers and it became quite apparent that all (including myself) have never encountered a single negative experience, comment, or problem here. Most of the women choose to frequent regular cafes and coffee shops with friends. Whilst some use a nursing apron or shawl to cover up, others just try to