Breastfeeding in Public....

dixoncrew

They make nursing covers for a reason. I always fed my babies whenever they were hungry, it didn't matter where we were. Nursing covers are handy

TyTy76

I'm in!

ldrosophila

Of course. The prudes who are so against it are positively ridiculous. It's a breast. It isn't a sexual organ. Sexually-repressed puritans need to get a life. And frow the guck up.

There are some interesting studies out there that suggest that female breasts are somewhat sexual from a evolutionary standpoint, some reasoning related to the fact that humans tend to copulate face to face and breasts being... available.

This in no way means I think breast feeding in public is somehow wrong, I don't. I just mentioned it because, well, it was interesting. Gotta keep an open mind.

this is true and the fact the human breast is so large compared to other primates. Also we dont have fur covering our breasts. I'm sure our male ancestors were watching our female ancestors breast feed and found the milk leaking erotic hence the sexualization.

AllTehBeers

Of course. The prudes who are so against it are positively ridiculous. It's a breast. It isn't a sexual organ. Sexually-repressed puritans need to get a life. And frow the guck up.

There are some interesting studies out there that suggest that female breasts are somewhat sexual from a evolutionary standpoint, some reasoning related to the fact that humans tend to copulate face to face and breasts being... available.

This in no way means I think breast feeding in public is somehow wrong, I don't. I just mentioned it because, well, it was interesting. Gotta keep an open mind.

I think they are both sexual and functional.

I also think eyes are sexy. The nerves on my neck. A soft breath into my ear. a tongue. These things are all sexy too. Not perverse, though.

tongues are X rated.

ldrosophila

Breastfeeding doesn't work if you try to do it on a schedule (it's a supply/demand system and both change at will and without notice) and a lot of babies hate being covered up. I breastfed both of my kids for about 2 years, it's really no big deal, most of the time people didn't even know what I was doing.

If it makes anyone feel awkward or uncomfortable, I suggest checking in with yourself on what that is all about. Not slamming formula feeding moms at all (I had my share of trouble getting things to work right with my first) but it has life-long health benefits for kids, including a reduced risk of obesity later in life. If you think it's a shameful thing that should not be done in public you are essentially saying "F your child's health, b00bs are only for the entertainment of adult males."

speaking of obesity I was a bottle fed baby and my brother was breastfed. I am the obese one he is the thin one. Coincidence who knows.

Depends, were you drinking a calorie surplus of formula when you were becoming obese?

LOL who knows it was in the 70's God knows what they put in that stuff back in the day. Nestle was gonna make healthy American babies.

Mario_Az

even if women were allowed to be topless i can pretty much guarantee a lot of them would not go topless anyways so really it is not that big of a deal

delicious_cocktail

I think they are both sexual and functional.

I also think eyes are sexy. The nerves on my neck. A soft breath into my ear. a tongue. These things are all sexy too. Not perverse, though.

Mrphl. I'll be back in 15 minutes.

Isakizza

Personally I always tried to do it in private or covered up. I just felt more comfortable that way.
I have no issues with a mommy needing to feed her baby.

CorvusCorax77

Nothing is more disturbing than the article on the 13yr old kid still breastfeeding. I do not even want to know the weirdness level that scales at.

EDIT*in reply to the parental attachment thing*

In regards to OP, it's whatever, but I was a bottle baby and personally think breastfeeding is weird. Breasts are purely cosmetic to me, but once I have a child, I know that view will change, so I withhold judgment of those that actually do it publicly. My views apply only to me, so if a mother out there breastfeeds, GOOD for her and the kid.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=13yr+old+breastfeeds&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IE10TR
AND LET THE CREEPY CONTINUE! This whole search is just... BAAAHH there was an article on this woman who thinks it's totally normal that he kid is 13! anyway, I can't find it, but 'll just leave this here.

call me crazy, but I refuse to watch those videos. That is in no way natural or ok. It's like insisting on wiping your teenager's bits after they go to the bathroom because you did it for them when they were infants. It's not necessary and it serves no purpose. And I would think it's abusive. I feel that nursing a five year old is pushing it. Most kids wean themselves by three. A 13 year old must have not been allowed to wean and that just is messed u, and abusive, and not natural, and stunts emotional development. Obviously, by this age, a kid should be pretty autonomous and should be thinking about girls at school...

that's awful.

Trueray

Give me one good reason to be topless in public if you are a woman?

give me a good reason to go topless in public if you are a man, and you will have your answer. duh.

If there are parents around with kids, would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless woman and feel that it is inappropriate or would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless man and feel that it is inappropriate?

I am pretty sure 9/10 that a topless woman would offend others more(especially women).

Achrya

Give me one good reason to be topless in public if you are a woman?

Hmm, I'm gonna say...Cause I feel like it!

Survey says!

CorvusCorax77

Give me one good reason to be topless in public if you are a woman?

give me a good reason to go topless in public if you are a man, and you will have your answer. duh.

If there are parents around with kids, would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless woman and feel that it is inappropriate or would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless man and feel that it is inappropriate?

I am pretty sure 9/10 that a topless woman would offend others more(especially woman).

I am not asking who is ignorant or would be offended. I have a child. I wouldn't cover his eyes. But then again, I have no problem with nudity and regularly visit co-ed clothing optional places.

BenchPressingCats

I feed my baby when and where she's hungry, and you can be really subtle without using a hooter hider. My kid has never had a bottle, so boob was the only option for a long time.

Also, in South Carolina, it's illegal to kick a woman out on any public place for breastfeeding.

No place should ever have the right to kick a woman out for nourishing her child. Seriously, the freaking kid is eating, why do we make that sexual?!

Also, I feel sorry for those who cannot tell the difference between breast feeding and stripping. It must be difficult to be that ignorant.

MyChocolateDiet

I breastfed all my babies in public.. it was simple they were hungry and needed to eat. I was discrete as I respect that it makes some people uncomfortable.. but at home not so much.

dittos. except to add that the normal state of my bewbages makes most women uncomfortable *wink* so there is no way I was gonna parade then in their swollen state. plus yeah respect. i knew people might get weird, in fact it just happened the other day to my friend. I invited my friend (who I knew is nursing, and flashy about it) out to eat. I chose my fave place regardless where the waiters all know husband and I and they get some pretty upscale people sometimes. As luck would have it two women seated next to us made a big deal of staring when junior needed a comfort pucker and friend was even sporting some kind of new holster scarf apron type modesty thing. The behavior of those ladies struck me as not only awkward and juvenile but further contrived. Bad form. Husband and I and kiddo kept talking like nothing was wrong and at some point kiddo became aware of the two ladies behavior and clearly considered that strange and turned to give them two a look as though they were from another planet. Haylarious. Waiters also had no problems at all and stayed on top of our table in their usual dutiful and seamless style.

ETA: i forgot to say that I of course had to correct kiddo's staring behavior by pulling him close and reminding him that "it's not polite to stare" lols.

BeachIron

Give me one good reason to be topless in public if you are a woman?

give me a good reason to go topless in public if you are a man, and you will have your answer. duh.

If there are parents around with kids, would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless woman and feel that it is inappropriate or would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless man and feel that it is inappropriate?

I am pretty sure 9/10 that a topless woman would offend others more(especially women).

0/10 would avoid at parties

CorvusCorax77

even if women were allowed to be topless i can pretty much guarantee a lot of them would not go topless anyways so really it is not that big of a deal

again, true. I wouldn't go topless when I lived in NY unless I was in a place where I felt comfortable doing so, or if I was nursing and had that other purpose. Reason: people's reactions aren't fun.

But I think it should be legal, and am glad it is.

tmauck4472

They were made for feeding the babe. I fed my son till he was 9 months old, I didn't do it in public but that was my decision not for anyone else. But I think it's awesome for the mother and the baby and if anyone else has issues with it the the issues are theirs not the mothers.

BinaryPulsar

New, young mothers are going through enough adjusting to motherhood, recovering from birth, learning to breastfeed (nonstop), not sleeping at night, wildly shifting hormones.

They don't need jerks giving them a hard time about needing to breastfeed. And possibly having an issue, trying to cover up with a flailing baby learning to latch on (and sore nipples or infections). So, you might see the breast for 1 split second. Eeek, breasts!!

I guess people prefer screaming babies.

brower47

even if women were allowed to be topless i can pretty much guarantee a lot of them would not go topless anyways so really it is not that big of a deal

I know I wouldn't go topless. That would just be painful if I ever needed to break into a jog for any reason.

scarrletti_girl

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol Plus you can breastfeed at home and just give the child baby formula in public or you can do the breast pump at home and bring that with for later and warm it under the sink at the store or restaurant or where ever. Cuz it's very distracting and people are going to stare whether you cover or not. but that's just my opinion.

Bel0602

I think its totally ok as long as you cover yourself properly. I wouldn't want to see someone boob while I'm eating my dinner in a restaurant lol

TyTy76

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol but that's just my opinion.

AmyJo527

I breastfed both of my babies, and did it in public any time I needed to. It was a whole lot easier than pumping and packing bottles. Women should feel comfortable to feed their babies any time, anywhere.

brower47

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol but that's just my opinion.

And the room is about to rumble...

Trueray

Give me one good reason to be topless in public if you are a woman?

give me a good reason to go topless in public if you are a man, and you will have your answer. duh.

If there are parents around with kids, would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless woman and feel that it is inappropriate or would the parents cover the eyes of the child with a topless man and feel that it is inappropriate?

I am pretty sure 9/10 that a topless woman would offend others more(especially woman).

I am not asking who is ignorant or would be offended. I have a child. I wouldn't cover his eyes. But then again, I have no problem with nudity and regularly visit co-ed clothing optional places.

It is a valid opinion but I am trying to leave personal opinions out of it and look at it purely from outsiders perspective based on society and what is perceived as the norm.

fightthefatyankeefan

I was recently breastfeeding in my car, with a cover and slightly tinted back windows. Well a car full of ignorant men pulled up and started making unnecessary comments. I was so embarrased I didn't even go back into the store I came out of. Now that I look back I should have walked right up to them and told them to mind their own business. I think it's a shame that I had to feel embarrased when I am nurishing my child and being as descreet as possible. I understand some people may be uncomfortable so I try to feed in my car when i'm out but I do wish that people understood it more and didn't make us women feel like we are doing something wrong. It's ok to looks at boobs when it's all about sex on billboards and tv but it's not okay when it's to provide food to a baby?? Society is so screwed up....

_KrisMarie_

As a former childbirth educator, homebirth mom, and breastfeeding mom, it's sad to me that any woman (or man for that matter) thinks breastfeeding is "weird," as a previous poster said. This is what your breasts were intended for, to feed your children. How can that be weird?

The problem is not enough people do it in public, so it's become this strange occurrence. I personally breastfed my daughter until she was 2 and half (the WHO recommends to at least age 2, and beyond as desired), though keep in mind, once they're past a year or year and a half, it's mostly night nursing or just a few times a day. And I never used blankets or covers, I just kept my shirt down enough and didn't flash the people around me, lol. It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it at home.

And I never was militant about it, giving other people dirty looks or anything like that. To each their own. Though breastfeeding is great for nutrition, bonding, and a host of other things, not everyone can pull it off (though I think most that want to can). So no judgment either way. My mom only breastfed me for 6 weeks and I think I turned out just fine.

BenchPressingCats

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol but that's just my opinion.

Oh, you don't want to see it? Easy solution: look away.

BeachIron

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol but that's just my opinion.

What is disgusting about breasts? We usually have to pay good money for that kind of show

Achrya

no its disgusting. i dont wanna see some chicks breast in public. I get the kid needs to eat and all that but go to the car or the bathroom or do it at home before and after. I mean that is a personal thing and the whole world doesn't wanna share that intimate moment with you and your kid. lol but that's just my opinion.