The Boobie Beanie: Accentuate the Positive?
It is no big secret that I am a big fan of both boobs and crafts. Behold the boob beanie, the perfect intersection of the two.
The boob beanie is a hat meant to look like a breast, which is meant to be worn by a baby while breastfeeding. The result is a kind of wooly trompe d’oeil, a cartoon boob where the real one would be. My first exposure to the yarn breast was via Jordana Munk Martin and the creative and charitable Knit-a-Boob project at Oak Knit Studio. These were actually wearable prostheses for breast cancer survivors. But the boob-as baby hat idea has since spread through the hooks and needles of the crafting community, populating the channels of Etsy and Pinterest and the like, bringing joy to some and outrage to others.
There is a seemingly never-ending stream of controversy about the idea- and the reality- of seeing women breastfeed. The boob beanie, um, brings it to a head.
Squeamishness about public breastfeeding is one of my biggest pet peeves about the way the world looks at mothers of babies. It really bums me out that breast exposure is considered totally acceptable for fashion, but not for function. I hate that we are expected to bury our babies under layers of fabric to accomodate the fact that people can’t deal with seeing a baby being fed with a body instead of a bottle. And I love how the beanie bucks this trend, poking fun at the idea of women “whipping their boobs out” in a cute, non-threatening way.
I’m guessing there are a lot of people who think this item is in poor taste, or perhaps even offensive. But to me, it’s a way of being honest and raising awareness about the importance of cultural tolerance for public breastfeeding.
What do you say? Would you put your baby in a boobie beanie?
photo: boobiebeanie.com
I think that putting a boob shaped cap on your kid’s head to make some kind of point is silly.
Would I personally put my kid in it? Nope. But I do think it’s hilarious, and I’m fairly conservative.
Love it! Hat’s off to Jordana and to you. And what’s wrong with silly hats? I’ve worn silly hats and I’m a middle aged man. Would I put a kid in this? I’d have to see what it looks like when not nursing. But it’s a super nursing cap.
I love it! Wish I found them when I was nursing!
Right on! Nothing more poignant than to feed your child wherever they may be hungry with your own nutrients.
Yes! I think these are adorable & hilarious, not to mention a great think to embarrass your teen with later (as in, baby pix with boob hat). But I’m also a whip it out wherever kind of gal.
I was just introduced to the boob beanie the other day and I love it! I agree, it’s a less threatening jab at the breastfeeding averse.
Love it! I wish I would have had one, but I probably would have put a ring in it. LOL!!!!
I think it’s absolutely hilarious and would’ve totally used one, had there been a point. As it was, I used a nursing cover (the kind w/ a neck strap), so nobody ever saw his head.
isn’t life hard enough? Do you want to create little dramas and statements with fricken’ hats? Just feed your kid. It is your legal right, god-given right, momma right. Just do it, no gimmicks needed. Bravery and sense have no tricks.
Yes, I would and just because it’s funny.
http://jennibrenni.blogspot.com/
I love these hats. Wish i could knit. Would so have one. I fed my son for 22months. And intend to fed this baby. My son has perfect teeth etc. I know kids same age that has had to have teeth removed due to formula. For which the dentist said it was the formula. Keep up good work.
I agree Meghan there is enough back and fourth out there about the ideas of breastfeeding, no it shouldnt be hidden, or considered gross or out of line. However why go looking for trouble where there is none? I’m just saying breastfeeding Moms want the right and everything that comes with it being ok without the lude comments, if you wear this, your just asking for it! I personally am a Mom and wasn’t able to breastfeed I was very depressed I couldnt and I do beleive in it however I also believe in modesty of ALL TYPES not just in this situation
I took it to a new level. I made it large enough for me to wear, and added a pink flower to it. It is now my breast cancer boob hat!
I’ve taken it another step further and am making adult size boob beanies for cancer awareness. Been having a great time sporting mine around.