breastfeeding in public
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Oh, come on. Thats like saying they should see sex so they arent weirded out about it. Sex is just as natural as breastfeeding... No children shouldnt see either one without their parents approval. Parents have this right, not strangers in public.I'm currently still breastfeeding my baby girl. If we're in public, I make sure to cover everything up. I know that not everyone is comfortable seeing someone breastfeed for whatever reason and I don't want someone (namely a kid) walking by and saying, "mommy, what is that lady doing to that baby?" I also don't want to just flip a boob out in front of everyone - I'm a little self-conscious I guess.
Why shouldn't everyone know what breastfeeding is? Shouldn't children know what it is so that THEY aren't weirded out by it like everyone else seems to be?
You're pointing out the same thing that we are trying to seperate from breastfeeding. Breasts are for feeding babies. That's what they were made for. Not sex.0 -
On the "formula is child abuse note," I'd like to know how many of the breastfeeding moms who say formula is terrible for your kids & don't provide all of the nutrition that breast milk provides have had to give your babies iron supplements around 9 months? Unless you are in the extreme minority of breastfeeding mothers, you have. Formula fed babies don't have to take the extra supplements that breastfed babies have to because the formula really is PERFECTLY created for their nutritional needs.
Interesting statement there about iron supplements. I would like to see a credible source for that information. My wife breastfed both of our sons, and they never needed iron supplements. The brief reading I just did on the subject suggests that iron in breast milk is actually more readily absorbed than from other sources. Unless the mother has a problem with anemia, I don't see why it would be an issue.
I'm not a formula-basher, but nobody knows better than Mother Nature what a baby needs. I have never heard of a nursing mother having to give their child iron supplements. The iron in formula is actually less readily absorbed than the iron in breastmilk. The only supplement I've ever heard of a "majority" of nursing mothers "needing" to give is vitamin D, but that's not because of anything inferior in breastmilk -- it's because vitamin D is not naturally found in foods and you're supposed to get it from the sun, but people don't take their babies outside because they have been brainwashed into thinking that the baby will freeze even if it's 70 degrees out.0 -
I breastfed my son everywhere until he was about 5 or 6 months - resaturants, malls, sitting by Niagra Falls, hockey games, ball games, airports, in the car wherever he needed fed and thankfully did not come across any ignorant people or comments! There are things available on the market that allow you to do it without showing any body parts but still allow the mother to see the baby. I don't see any issues with breastfeeding your newborn anywhere! I'm not a fan however of seeing a child walk up and ask for it - IMHO that could probably wait for another time!0
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Hahahaha! Seriously, that's hilarious!0 -
Good point, but sex is how we create the baby. Its for the baby too. Sex is not suppose to be for pleasure only.Oh, come on. Thats like saying they should see sex so they arent weirded out about it. Sex is just as natural as breastfeeding... No children shouldnt see either one without their parents approval. Parents have this right, not strangers in public.I'm currently still breastfeeding my baby girl. If we're in public, I make sure to cover everything up. I know that not everyone is comfortable seeing someone breastfeed for whatever reason and I don't want someone (namely a kid) walking by and saying, "mommy, what is that lady doing to that baby?" I also don't want to just flip a boob out in front of everyone - I'm a little self-conscious I guess.
Why shouldn't everyone know what breastfeeding is? Shouldn't children know what it is so that THEY aren't weirded out by it like everyone else seems to be?
You're pointing out the same thing that we are trying to seperate from breastfeeding. Breasts are for feeding babies. That's what they were made for. Not sex.0 -
Actually, if it isn't done in public, it's none of anyone else's business. You do it in public, you make it everyone else's business.SHUT UP!!!
If the kid didn't come out of your body, its none of you damn business.
If I caught someone "making it their business" while I'm sitting and nursing my baby, I'd squirt them for it. Seriously. If you are so intent on my boobs that it has suddenly become your business that my child is eating, you are looking a lot too hard and need a good squirting/lashing to get the hell away from my child and me....
Seriously, though... 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of all nursing moms are simply trying to get their baby satisfied so that they aren't screaming their fool heads off so that they can go about their errands and finish things up after having a near-sleepless night and a lot of crap to do before they get to lie back down for another near-sleepless night of nursing around the clock. We aren't going out in public just to force everyone to stare at our breasts. We have things to do just like the rest of the world.
GET THE EFF OVER IT, people. You're adults.
My children are no more offended at the sight of anyone's breast than they are a foot. Because I am not raising a bunch of crazies that are fixated on sex and sex acts.0 -
They should not do this in public. They should pump ahead of time. Being a mom is not easy by any means. It cant be good for your child to be rushed in a target store breastfeeding your child. Think about the baby and plan or dont go out. If women can control it at work than women can control it in public!
Not everyone can pump. Read my above post.
PS. Not all women work outside of raising children. I work DAMN hard-at home. Raising babies. Breastfeeding babies. I have a pump that didn't do a bit of good. My taps work better, are more effective, put baby to ease better, and offer better nutrition than pumped milk... YOU don't get to choose whether I have to take extra time to pump unless you are splurging for a hospital grade pump for every nursing mom in the country.
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Oh, come on. Thats like saying they should see sex so they arent weirded out about it. Sex is just as natural as breastfeeding... No children shouldnt see either one without their parents approval. Parents have this right, not strangers in public.I'm currently still breastfeeding my baby girl. If we're in public, I make sure to cover everything up. I know that not everyone is comfortable seeing someone breastfeed for whatever reason and I don't want someone (namely a kid) walking by and saying, "mommy, what is that lady doing to that baby?" I also don't want to just flip a boob out in front of everyone - I'm a little self-conscious I guess.
Why shouldn't everyone know what breastfeeding is? Shouldn't children know what it is so that THEY aren't weirded out by it like everyone else seems to be?
My thoughts exactly! Although BF is natural so is the act of conception but we don't do that in public. I chose not to BF my 2 who are now 17 and 20 years old and perfectly healthy. I don't bash anyone for BF but you aren't a public filling station so be discreet, please and don't bash the bottle feeders.0 -
I'm a woman and I'm all for breastfeeding. I think they should throw a blanket over at least. I don't prefer to be walking through a store and see someone's breast hanging out.0
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People are again confusing the issue. The sex act is not done publicly, but the act of NOURISHING LIFE is done publicly all the time: pregnancy is nourishing a life. Breastfeeding is nourishing a life. Bottle feeding is nourishing a life. Sitting and eating in a restaurant is nourishing a life. Those things are all legal. Sex in public? Not nourishing a life. Not going to kill you if you don't do it. Illegal in public. See a difference in those itty bitty brains yet folks?0
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oh...one more thing about taking the infant into a bathroom stall to feed the infant etc. I have other children. They were often the purpose of my out of the house trips. They had needs, appointments etc. With my oldest we just lived around her schedule but as the family evolved we learned how to manage. My 4 year old was at a basketball game at 10 days old...his sister's first basketball game ever...we weren't missing her event and the little guy slept the whole time. One time while shopping for school clothes, my mom came with me so when I stayed in the dressing room we were already in to finsih feeding a child she took the other kids to the next store. On the trips that we were out and I didn't have another adult with me to entertain my other children what the hell was I supposed to do with them while the baby nursed for 20 min in a bathroom stall...oh and sometimes a hungry baby eats longer than 20 minutes... so at the mall we would go to the play area so they could play and I could feed the baby...or we would all get our lunches while I fed the baby etc but to sit in a bathroom stall and keep my other kids safe and occupied without playing on bathroom floors I made different choices. Again discretion is possible but still if it is ok for a baby to have a bottle in said location it is ok to breastfeed the baby in the same place.0
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I breastfeed three kids and in public (covered up) if I had too. Go breastfeeding moms.0
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As long the woman covers up it doesnt bother me. I say do what ever is easier on the mom and baby.0
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whats wrong with out in the car?0
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It amuses me in a place where so many tell us "we should learn to listen to our bodies" there are so many determined that babies should be taught to ignore theirs.0
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I've breastfed all of mine.
My goal was discretion but when a baby gets to a certain age, discretion can be a challenge. My husband is a natural guy and told me not to worry about it, just do the best I could. I've seen people watching me latch my babies on and decided I couldn't worry about it. Babies have to eat when they have to eat.
Its really an American thing. I've known several women from other countries and watched them breast feed their babies and they NEVER worried about covering. They exposed their whole breast, latched the baby on and then (sometimes) pulled their shirt down accordingly. It never bothered me or my husband. I would go on to say that I have 8 sons, ages 23- 3 and I've watched them time after time around my breast feeding friends and they all know its a natural thing.
Personally, I love to see women breast feeding. Especially young mothers, who are just starting out. There is something so special about breast feeding.
Some of the best art work around is of mothers breast feeding their children.0 -
oh...one more thing about taking the infant into a bathroom stall to feed the infant etc. I have other children. They were often the purpose of my out of the house trips. They had needs, appointments etc. With my oldest we just lived around her schedule but as the family evolved we learned how to manage. My 4 year old was at a basketball game at 10 days old...his sister's first basketball game ever...we weren't missing her event and the little guy slept the whole time. One time while shopping for school clothes, my mom came with me so when I stayed in the dressing room we were already in to finsih feeding a child she took the other kids to the next store. On the trips that we were out and I didn't have another adult with me to entertain my other children what the hell was I supposed to do with them while the baby nursed for 20 min in a bathroom stall...oh and sometimes a hungry baby eats longer than 20 minutes... so at the mall we would go to the play area so they could play and I could feed the baby...or we would all get our lunches while I fed the baby etc but to sit in a bathroom stall and keep my other kids safe and occupied without playing on bathroom floors I made different choices. Again discretion is possible but still if it is ok for a baby to have a bottle in said location it is ok to breastfeed the baby in the same place.
I think feeding in a bathroom is gross - just like I think sitting on a Target aisle nasty dirty floor in the middle of a shopping area is gross. I think what you did is right and I think this is what most mothers do - it is the minority who are the reason there is any debate in the 1st place.0 -
whats wrong with out in the car?
It's 1) inconvenient. 2) hot. 3) just a general pain in the *kitten*.
"What's wrong with people not staring?" is the best question.... 0 -
It shouldn't really be an issue at all. Breasts are for feeding and babies get hungry in public! On the other hand I think that breast feeding mothers should consider covering up their breasts while doing so. Some just don't care about exposing themselves. Not everyone is approving of an exposed breast so just be considerate on both sides.0
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THIS!! I've nursed 3 kids. I'm not gonna go hide in a bathroom, but I can find a quiet corner and be discreet. She was offered a dressing room right? Ideal (IMO). To each her own though I suppose. Airplanes, there's really no other choice.Do what you got to do, but just remember to be discreet and sympathetic to others around you.0 -
I've breastfed all of mine.
My goal was discretion but when a baby gets to a certain age, discretion can be a challenge. My husband is a natural guy and told me not to worry about it, just do the best I could. I've seen people watching me latch my babies on and decided I couldn't worry about it. Babies have to eat when they have to eat.
Its really an American thing. I've known several women from other countries and watched them breast feed their babies and they NEVER worried about covering. They exposed their whole breast, latched the baby on and then (sometimes) pulled their shirt down accordingly. It never bothered me or my husband. I would go on to say that I have 8 sons, ages 23- 3 and I've watched them time after time around my breast feeding friends and they all know its a natural thing.
Personally, I love to see women breast feeding. Especially young mothers, who are just starting out. There is something so special about breast feeding.
Some of the best art work around is of mothers breast feeding their children.
Yep. My kids (I have five) don't bat an eyelash to the sight of another breastfeeding mother. That's because they are not being brought up by a prude though.
And I am very modest. I believe that a woman's cleavage should be covered. I believe a man's a$$crack should be covered too. I don't think women's thongs should be sticking out the back of their pants. I wouldn't be caught dead in a two piece bathing suit, and neither would my daughters. But a baby needing to eat, needs to be fed-regardless of the method.0 -
I breastfed all mine when it was needed publicly or privately but I made sure NOTHING was seen by anyone outside of my cover!! So if someone has a problem with a mother nursing a baby UNDER a blanket in public they have more issues than just breastfeeding.
Now if a mother is nursing a child where EVERYONE can see her breast then heck yea I have a problems.
We adults and out children eat in public everyday. there are some kids I would prefer their parents put them in a barn to eat cause of the disrespect they show when in public but yet we still allow them, so what is so wrong with a baby eating in public as long as its covered and respecting others around...0 -
when i was nursing my 2nd daughter, it was often done in public .usually i would wear a tank top under my shirt and then just pull my shirt up and feed her.. sometimes we were shopping, sometimes we were at a restaurant. the main reason for the tank top was because i didnt want my fat belly hanging out >.> however, my daughter wouldnt really tolerate a blanket over her while she ate.. she would either fuss and pull it off, or it would make her too warm and she would fall asleep before finishing eating. we never really had any issues with being told to feed her in the bathroom or something like that - and sometimes people started. i would just smile at them until they realized what they were doing...most of the time they would blush and turn the other way.
pumping isnt the same as nursing - you dont get nearly as much milk and it can decrease your production. i had to pump with my first daughter and i hated it.. but i just couldnt get her to latch on. i gave her as much as i could pump, and supplemented with formula.
while i think breastfeeding is natural and not a big deal, i can understand some people being uncomfortable around it. but all this bashing of BFing mothers and telling them to feed their children in the bathroom stall (ugh *vomit* really?!) is ridiculous. yes - some stores and restaurants have nursing rooms and such, and thats great for those who wish to use them...but it shouldnt be a forced thing.0 -
It's ridiculous that this is even debated!!!!
I was a breastfeeding mother and a hungry baby doesn't care WHERE you are when it's time to feed... PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THEIR SENSITIVE *kitten* ELSEWHERE AND DON'T STOP AND STARE if it bothers them...
I breastfed in public and I have to say that I doubt anyone ever even knew I was breastfeeding unless they stopped and thoroughly looked me over...which would mean they had a serious problem to start with... I always wore clothing FOR breastfeeding and always covered with something...
It's totally natural. Don't down someone for doing the best thing and most natural thing for their baby... MOVE THE FREAK ON and don't stop and try to get a peep at a boobie... IDIOT!0 -
Try that in Buffalo in February. Also, not everyone has a car.whats wrong with out in the car?0 -
Yea it's all natural and everything. I don't have a problem with it, but it makes people feel uncomfortable. Mom's need to be a bit discreet about it.0
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Free dem puppies.
Just don't judge when I stare.0 -
Babies have to eat. Breasts are the default method of feeding them. Moms have stuff to do out in the world. Babies have to breastfed out in the world.0
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Pro breastfeeding. Alot of stores don't provide private places. Would you eat in a bathroom, so women should be told to use one to feed their children. Majority of women use shawls or some type of coverings when breastfeeding their children. This is what the breasts are made for. People need to stop sexualizing it.0
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whats wrong with out in the car?
It's 1) inconvenient. 2) hot. 3) just a general pain in the *kitten*.
"What's wrong with people not staring?" is the best question....
:drinker:0
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