Opinions- Breast Feeding in Public

jasmineh7777

Lala's post got me thinking about this.What do you think about breast feeding in public? Appropriate? Disturbing?Go.

SarieP

If a mom has her breast covered while nursing, I see no problem with it.  If she just plops it out, I think is is inappropriate.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

It's fine, if that's what the mother chooses to do. I don't find it to be remotely sexual, and anyone who thinks that it is is disgusting. I would prefer that people cover themselves, but that's my issue, and I'll look away if I'm not comfortable with the situation.I really appreciate businesses, shopping malls, etc. that provide comfortable nursing rooms, and don't expect people to use a restroom. How disgusting an idea. I would never eat my lunch in a dirty public restroom.

*BeachBride0410*

I am totally ok with it as long as everything is covered up.

ac_in_dc

It makes me uncomfortable. But I think it's appropriate. Just be discreet, please.

danieliza1127

I don't have a problem with it, but I do think the mother should at least attempt to cover herself somewhat.

costumegirl77

UGH!Gross.  I know it's natural and all, but take it to the ladies' room or somewhere a little more private. Personally, I don't want the whole world looking at my babt suckling at my boob and I don't want to look at anyone else's!

WildRumpus

I don't think it's gross-the baby's hungry, mom needs to feed him.HOWEVER, I think they should at least be covered...

tidetravel

I'm all for BF and although it is "natural" I don't think it's appropriate in public - at least not uncovered.

Nebb

As long as its covered and I dont see tit, Im ok with it. I am perfectly capable of averting my eyes in any case, but I think as much as your child needs food you need to be mindful of the people around you.

bbyckes

I wouldn't say it's disturbing, but it isn't something I would do.  I don't stare when women are doing it in public, but I do take a second glance (for whatever reason).  Sometimes I think women do it in public for attention. Like "hey, look at me and what's attached to my boob!  I did that!  I did that!"

WildRumpus

Costume, I understand where you're coming from, but the bathroom, really? Would you want you eat in the bathroom? Or to feed your child in one?

Sooles

i would hope its covered up a little. no need for the whole mall to see your boobs. usually i see it happen witrh a little blanket blocking the view which i think is fine.

MeaghanandMichael

Also- I am glad to see more and more malls installing family lounges near the bathrooms with comfortable seating and toys for children. It is a nice respite for the mothers and it take the forced public display vs. bathroom dilemma out of the equation when it comes to BF.

jasmineh7777

Salt- The idea doesn't sit well with me either. Although, neither does the idea of something growing in my uterus, but that's another issue. There are some situations that just made me feel...wrong. There was one mom who would always come to rehearsals for the play I was directing. The kids were 5 and up, and she would just kinda whip it out while sitting in the audience watching rehearsal.

temerityjane

In my opinion, babies need to eat when babies need to eat, and nursing in public is often necessary.It becomes offensive when it's flaunted and done deliberately to make a point. I don't like having breasts and agendas forced on me. Yes, it's natural. However, that doesn't mean that the general public MUST be as comfortable with it as you are. I'm not uncomfortable with seeing a bare breast feeding a baby because I'm sexualizing it, I'm uncomfortable with seeing it because it's a private moment that need not be shared with the world.The women who insist on breastfeeding openly and boldly with no cover are usually the ones hollering that everyone who disapproves is thinking about it in a sexual manner. They're also usually the same mothers who behave like they are the first woman ever to get knocked up and pop out a kid, push their SUV-esque strollers through crowds and basically expect the world to bend over backwards because she's a MOTHER with a chiiiiiiild.

laladypoet

if it's a baby, and the mom is covered as best she can, then fine. you gotta do what you gotta do.now, if I'm in a waiting room and a 5-year-old walks over to his mom and whips out her boob, yeah, I'll side-eye that. for many reasons.

TiDa2009

I don't love it, but then again I don't love the idea of breastfeeding to begin with. (I know it's good for the baby and all that, but it still makes me feel icky.)My thoughts exactly, buuuut I can understand the appeal of breastfeeding and the need to do while out and about.  As long as a woman is covered up, I'm not gonna be too uncomfortable.  Plus, they make those shirts now that you can just unzip over the nipple - that and a blanket and I would never know.  IMO, someone who doesn't cover up is being inapporpriate.I was at my FSILs the a couple of weeks ago to visit my new niece and she had to feed while we were there.  She had on one of these shirts and used a blanket, but I still felt uncomfortable because I knew what she was doing.  If it were me, I would probably take it to another room even if I was in my own house.

lyndausvi

  Just to play devil's advocate I think some of the reason is our modern lifestyle.   BF is not anything new at all.  It's been done for 1000's of years.  But our lifestyle has changed.  Even 50-60 years ago there was not really any malls to go to.  Shopping was not a hobby. Kids were not in 12 different activities.  SAHM were not eatting at restaurants for lunch.  In some areas going 'out' for a meal was only a special occasion thing.    Those who could afford to eat out or shop often were rich and had nannies.    But for the majority of the  public I do not think BF in public was something that was done very often. As people we not 'in public' very often.  I just think our modern lifestyle just has not caught up to people's believes of modesty.  Just like woman in the workforce is normal.  I think BF in public will become normal... We are just not totally there yet.

laladypoet

um, ok. babies are barely aware of where they are. the milk goes from the nipple to the baby's mouth. being an adult and eating a whopper in a public toilet is NOT the same thing.

JMH77

I just had this conversation with DH the other day... on Sunday in church the woman behind us  whipped it out to BF during mass and did not cover up.  Now, I do not think it was appropriate at all to do that in the middle of Catholic mass.  They have crying rooms for the babies and parents where you can see and hear everything going on, why couldn't she go in there to take care of it? 

laladypoet

oh, and the "natural" thing doesn't work with me either. taking a dump is natural but no one wants to see it. that's why there's restrooms. sex is also natural, but it's considered taboo to do it in public. gimme a break. cover yourself up.

SarieP

um, ok. babies are barely aware of where they are. the milk goes from the nipple to the baby's mouth. being an adult and eating a whopper in a public toilet is NOT the same thing.Yes, but the baby isn't the only one to be considered in breastfeeding.  The mother has to be able to relax to get a proper "let-down" which is crucial in successful breastfeeding.   I know personally I could not relax knowing that I'm in a public bathroom feeding my baby.

temerityjane

The way I see it, if you're sitting off to the side somewhere, covered and discreet, no one is going to say a thing about it, or even really notice.It's when you sit dead center somewhere, shirt flung up, boob out, sitting there and pretty much daring someone to say something about it so you can get on your high horse and push your breastfeeding agenda that you're not just gross - you're an a$$hole.

vicmo5

Lalady, you only think that because you hate babies, which I find extremely immature, but whatever.

Soon-to-be Mrs. Vogt

Thank you Sarie. The other part of my point, lala, was the germ issue. It's just not a sanitary place for an infant to be. Their immune systems aren't developed yet, and public restrooms are disgusting.

SarieP

Tag Team Mrs. V!

vicmo5

It's when you sit dead center somewhere, shirt flung up, boob out, sitting there and pretty much daring someone to say something about it so you can get on your high horse and push your breastfeeding agenda that you're not just gross - you're an a$$hole.I agree with this, TJ.  And I think these people hurt their cause more than they help it.

missy68

JMH, our associate pastor's wife did that, too.... 20 years ago. During the service. It was a little too much for most of the folks in the congregation. I think that called for stepping into a private room, most definitely.

mrsandmrsbins

I bet we've all walked right by breastfeeding women and not even noticed.  These descriptions of women with naked breasts on display demanding attention are so few and far between they shouldn't even be worried about.

temerityjane

I can't help it. Next time someone disagrees with me, I am going to win the argument by saying, "Well, you only think that because you hate babies."I can't lose.