This family makes a great point about shaming mothers who breastfeed.
Brock and Lauren Smith's video makes a great point about society's expectations.
How comfortable would you be if you had to eat with your head under a blanket? Or while sitting on the toilet?
Seems like a pretty ridiculous request, right? Well, that's essentially what's being asked of newborns and infants anytime someone suggests mothers cover up or excuse themselves from public areas while breastfeeding. Weird, right?
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, nearly 1 in 5 Americans don't believe mothers should be able to breastfeed in public. A quick search of the internet reveals countless stories of women being shamed for breastfeeding in public places.
Lauren Smith feeds her 2-month-old daughter Everly. All photos courtesy of Brock Smith.
The absurdity of shaming women for breastfeeding in public is exactly what new dad Brock Smith is highlighting in this hilarious 19-second video filmed by his wife, Lauren.
"We hear horror stories all the time about the harassment and looks [breastfeeding mothers] receive," Brock tells Upworthy by e-mail. "It is ALWAYS a topic of conversation for us, especially since my wife exclusively breastfeeds."
As for the video, it just sort of happened naturally.
"This evening that we filmed the video, was abnormally hot, and our daughter Everly was having a rough time latching to my wife — because she was hot and uncomfortable under the cover," he says. "So [Lauren] says, 'Well Brock, would you like to eat underneath a blanket!?'"
To be funny, Brock says he threw the blanket over his head for the rest of his meal and dessert.
"Thankfully my wife had her camera rolling!"
While the video is purposefully silly, it comes with a really important message: Don't shame moms for breastfeeding.
"She is my superhero," Brock writes in reference to Lauren. "She is completely selfless in raising our children."
"I want men to take away from this video that our wives and partners need our support with nursing," he says, explaining that Lauren "Wants women to take away that THERE IS A COMMUNITY of like-minded moms! Don't feel like you're alone!"
"Something that is so beautiful and natural has been tainted by society's over-sexualized media," Brock writes.
"And there is an obvious double standard."
Left to right: Brock, Everly, Lauren, and Elliot Smith.
Maybe this video will help people see how absurd some of the demands being put on mothers and babies are; maybe it'll bring comfort to new moms feeling shamed.
What's important is that it can help spark conversation and reduce some of the stigma that surrounds one of life's most natural acts.