it's my trusty milk transporter!
my 6-year-old coleman mini-cooler is a bit worn around the ages and scarred with numerous scratches. but the most important thing is that it still works!
i've had too many people shooting weird glances at me when i carry my coleman cooler. at the workplace, some would confidently jerk their heads towards the box and ask, "you're going for a picnic?" or "is that our lunch?"
i really never know how to reply them without making them (mostly the men) feel squeamish or downright uncomfortable. so my answers will range from "er...no. it's for my baby. i'm breastfeeding" (the most straightforward reply) to "no, it's my baby's lunch" (this adds further confusion).
most of the guys will zip up immediately and look away, but not before revealing an embarrassed 'woah-too-much-info' expression. the ladies often nod with enthusiasm and smile, "that's very good! keep it up!" or "wow, you're still breastfeeding! how old is your baby?"
actually, i'm quite unfazed by the questions and reactions. especially since i've been lugging the coleman out and about since xian's birth in 2002, after i returned to work following my 2 months of maternity leave. what's more, i take the public transport so you can imagine the stares i get whenever i board the bus or train.
it can be super bulky and horribly inconvenient, and i've even brought it to town when i'm on half-day leave and need to run errands. but it serves the purpose of keeping my expressed milk freshly cool until i reach home and transfer the bottles into the refrigerator or freezer. in fact, right after i pump out the milk, i store them immediately into my coleman (with 4 ice bricks) and it functions like a mini-fridge!
ah, the things mums do for their kids. i sure hope my girls will appreciate all my efforts when they grow up. in the meantime, i'll still be carrying my coleman cooler around till wei gets older and doesn't rely entirely on my milk for sustenance. and that's probably in about 6 months to a year's time.
No comments:
Post a Comment