transracial breastfeeding

Hi Amanda, We adopted our son when he was 5 months old from South Africa and I have been breastfeeding him ever since! He is now just over two years old...and our adoption is transracial/transcultural. I can't answer the question on birthmoms as our adoption was international, but I'll touch on the other questions. While in South Africa on pick up I felt extremely uncomfortable nursing him in public. It was really new to me, and given SA history, etc I wasn't sure about how it would be received. International adoption as a whole isn't always very accepted, so I thought I might be pushing it with nursing. However, by the end of our trip (5 weeks) I felt much more comfortable, and aside from a few surprised stares no one said anything. In public since we've been home, no one has ever said anything negative. The most I've heard is surprise that it is even possible. Sometimes, though, even that can be a bit uncomfortable. For example, when my FIL found out about it when I walked in carrying my breastpump he said "well, I've heard of a virgin birth, but never of this!". I was quite embarrassed to explain the process to my FIL, but he's been nothing but supportive ever since. Family has been great - in fact, at our welcome home party I had to ask my mom to tone it down a bit as she was announcing it to EVERYONE!!!!! No one has said anything outwardly rude - but I'm sure from interpreting a few stares they were thinking it. Too bad. I am 100% convinced that breastfeeding was the BEST choice for us. Our son is beyond attached, and had the best start in terms of nutrition. Anyways - good for you for your commitment to it - PM me if you want to chat or feel free to ask ANY questions! karyn

I am cc with 2 aa kids. I nurse my dd in public all the time, and I have never had a rude comment or dirty look or anything negative. If I am not with my husband, people just assume that the father was VERY dark.

LOL - funny you say that zombie, this just happened to my DH the other night. He went to a convenience store where an African was working at the cash. He had our 2 yr old with him, and the worker said "Oh my! The mother, she must be VERY dark!". DH just laughed and explained he was adopted - but the poor guy almost had a heart attack thinking about it all. :evilgrin: