Husband behind the times

DEAR ABBY: I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl three months ago. I had breast-fed my 15-year-old, so it was natural for me to do the same with my new daughter. The problem is my husband, "Jerry," does not support me breast-feeding in public.

I'm somewhat large-chested, so I always cover up for fear of offending strangers. The last time we went shopping and the baby got hungry, when I attempted to feed her in a dressing room, Jerry got so upset he stormed out of the store and took the baby bag and stroller with him.

I had a receiving blanket tucked into my tank top and had covered my breast so no one would see anything. I asked him what the problem was, and he said just because I thought it was OK didn't mean some kid trying on clothes would think so. He told me I should breast-feed in the car or a bathroom.

I don't plan to stop breast-feeding or going for outings with my baby girl, so how do I approach the situation without a fight?

- Trying to Make Him Understand

DEAR TRYING: How about this: Go without Jerry. Your husband is behind the times. There is nothing shameful about this normal function, and you shouldn't be banished to a car in a parking lot or a public bathroom in order to carry it out. If a parent had felt her child needed to be protected from the sight of a mother nursing her baby, she would have been perfectly free to shield the child's eyes and usher him or her from the dressing room.

DEAR ABBY: How does one "break up" with a hairdresser? I'm not unhappy with "Flossie," my current one, but I'd like to try someone else for a change of pace. I know people of both sexes who have stayed with a hairstylist they are unhappy with because they can't bring themselves to break up. I'd love to hear from hairdressers how they would prefer this be handled. Do they take it personally?

- Trendsetter in California

DEAR TRENDSETTER: My advice is to call Flossie in advance and let her know you won't be coming so she can schedule someone else in that time slot. Then try the other stylist. If you don't like that stylist's work, you can return to Flossie with no hard feelings.