breastfeeding in public

epona_mus

Far out... dont come to Australian beaches then.

^^This!

In fact, most beaches outside of N. America have a good chance of offending the prudish!:laugh:

Cristy_AZ

Seriously, if someone finds THIS offensive you need psychiatric help:

Love it!!! Beautiful!!

taramaureen

After reading some of the comments on here I am so glad that the law protects me and my baby instead of people looking for something to be offended over.

IMO if you ever see something inappropriate while I'm breastfeeding you're looking entirely too hard.

I so agree, I can't even beleive this is an issue. My daughter had a woman call security on her for nursing on a bench by the play center while her other 3 children played (and I KNOW my daughter is descreet, she is very shy) Luckily the woman that complained got asked to leave and the security guard apologized for the hassle!.

Funny my daughter noted on the same day there were a group of teenagers wearing bikini tops and short shorts (you know the ones that are stamped sexy or cute on the back) with thong showing through ... she wondered if the lady tried to get THEM kicked out of the mall too! They sure were showing a lot more than she was!

I've only been hassled once about it in a resturant. The server asked me to go to the bathroom. I picked out a woman who had the skimpiest dress on I've ever seen in my life, pointed to her and told the man politely that I would go to the bathroom to hide when she did. He then proceeded to STFU :laugh:

daffodilsoup

Breastfeeding Baby > Shrieking Baby.

It doesn't bother me to see it in public, but I wouldn't say it's particularly "beautiful" either.

buzzbug

Women should be able to feed their babies in public without harassment from ignorant people. This should be a non-issue. If someone has a problem with it, that says more about them than anything. Breasts are made for feeding babies. And, even so, I have seen adults consuming food in a way that "grossed me out" and I didn't ask them to go in a dirty public bathroom to eat lol.

kiwi_dee

Seriously, if someone finds THIS offensive you need psychiatric help:

Nawww

DevanEve

I'm 22 and plan on having kids with that special someone someday. I do plan on breast feeding but I will be wearing a sling or trying out the tank top idea I saw on here (I would like to be covered). While it's not for everyone I'm really excited to have that bond with my future children because of all the stories I've heard from older friends. I love the fact that it's legal to breast feed your child in public and completely agree. I can see how some conservative people might not appreciate this but you don't necessarily have to look. I can imagine if someone was staring at the woman breast feeding it might be uncomfortable for her too.

Another thing is that I'm also from Austin, TX and that is one very liberal city. I don't see myself having issues breast feeding in public over here (thankfully). There might be the occasional conservative here and there but it's not like they'll have to worry about seeing anything. As a person trying to lead a healthier life I would like to provide my future children with that little boost and give them the chance to bond with their mother. Honestly, I've seen women breast feed out here in parks, stores, etc. all the time and I've never seen anything. Normally they have blankets, slings or shirts layered.

I can understand if some girls don't want to breast feed and that's fine - it's not for everyone. My mother didn't (maybe that's why we argue so much, lol jk) and neither did my sister or other women of my family. I'm going to though because that is my preference. To each their own - I'm not one to judge because I wouldn't want to be judged either.

Staceydoodles

I'm all for women breast feeding. Only in America (the issue was a Target in Texas and also in the Midwest where the "bible belt" is) is it usually an issue. Anywhere else around the world it's not uncommon.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

No there's a huge debate here in the UK too. I'm all for breastfeeding!
And as for the ahem, man, who said that just because its natural you don't have to do it in public, the things you mention as your argument are things we, as adults, are able to control. Urination, picking your nose etc, we know not to do that coz society has decided its not right and we're trained not to. Getting proper nutrition though should not be an issue! Besides if she doesn't feed the baby, its gonna scream. I think you'd complain then too...
Personally I feel women should be praised and feel proud that we can support an actual life, just with what our bodies can make. How awesome is that!! Men are just jealous xx

DeBiKin

People eat in public all the time, babies are people and if they happen to be in public when they get hungry they too should be allowed to eat. However... The female breast a body part that is still considered a "private" part and reasonable care should be taken to keep them private. BTW, I breast fed my children.

karmaticgeek

I breastfed my son and you couldn't see more than a quarter inch of skin, if that. I wouldn't go into the toilets, I wouldn't hide out in the car but I also wouldn't go out of my way to do it somewhere very public. Babies past a few months get distracted easily so it would only stop him feeding if I chose a busy thoroughfare.

It's funny how this has become so controversial when it wasn't long ago that bottle feeding was even an option. I once had an elderly gentleman tell me how wonderful it was to see mums breastfeeding again. In his generation, everyone did it and doing it in public was a non-issue!

Clarecbear82

I personally don't care if people feed in public or not a baby needs feeding. But peoples weird attitudes to it really effected me feeding my children I tried to bf my first for a month but I was so shy and worried people would comment while I was out I used to freak out and ignore her if I was out and she was hungry. I used to rush home and feed her there.

I tried again with my second but was so paranoid I couldn't even feed him on the maternity ward, so with my third i just bottle fed from birth. The weirdest thing is with him was the only time I got someone being nasty about how i fed him. I was out with him in a subways and this woman came over to ask how old when I said 2weeks she proceeded to tell me how it was disgusting that I was bottle feeding a baby his age!

zendarah

Seriously, if someone finds THIS offensive you need psychiatric help:

Do you really think it's appropriate to be that happy? Cover up that smile. The thought of someone being happy while breastfeeding is gross.

/sarcasm

Nice work!

kenzietea

Breasts are for feeding babies.

Yeah. They might be fun to look at and play with, but they are for really only one reason.

I personally don't care, I rather see a boob than hear a baby scream because it is hungry. If anyone gets a sexual charge by seeing a baby breast feed, I think that is the bigger issue that needs addressing. That being said, if you can cover up or there is a quiet (clean!) space available, it would probably be more comfortable for your baby and yourself.

4thehardman

I always felt a bit uncomfortable breastfeeding in public but I have huge breasts, catch me at the wrong angle and it looked like I was feeding a 2 headed baby.

I don't mind really that other people breastfeed in public. Im more bothered by people who let their babies scream restaurants down in the evenings or take infants to the movies. There is a time and a place for these things. If a breast fed baby is hungry a mother should be able to discreetly nurse him or her. If a baby is dirty there should be facilities to safely change them. These are basic needs of babies and it should be respected.

What I don't like is the breast feeding Nazi's who head out to protest for their rights to get their tatties out to feed their overindulged kid in Taret because they are too busy doing their shopping to stop and find a nice, clean quiet place which is more suitable for nursing a baby. I would rather sit in my quiet car and nurse my child than a grotty Target where there is so much noise and distraction that my child ends up with wind and feeds badly. Breastfeeding is a calm, tender and beautiful way of nourishing your baby, women need to remember that when they are protesting that McDonalds, Starbucks, Target etc don't provide places to feed their babies. I wouldn't want to bottle feed my baby in any of those places either. If you respect your child then you work your day around their needs. There is no reason why women can't plan ahead and be sure that they feed before or after they finish their shopping. In the photo of the Mumma feeding her baby you can see it is away from crowds, quite comfortable and baby can concentrate on her feeding. A perfect example of how is should and can be done in public.

lilyinlove

I did it and think its totally ok to do in public. Its not like I was squirting my milk at people passing by.

4thehardman

I did it and think its totally ok to do in public. Its not like I was squirting my milk at people passing by.

LOL!

dakitten2

I did it and think its totally ok to do in public. Its not like I was squirting my milk at people passing by.

Amen!

With all the real crisis in our country and around the world, it's a shame that something as natural as breastfeeding is such an issue.
It's a known fact that breast milk contains much more nutrients for the baby and also provides a close bonding between mother and child.

We really need to get over this issue and worry about the real issues we are facing in our country.

AmandaCaswell1982

I have two children which I breastfed- My son is almost 11 and my daughter 3. When I was 18, I had my son and chose to breastfeed. I remember being at a mall with my son's father and grandmother. His grandmother told me that if I breastfed my son in the mall she was going to walk away from me. Needless to say, I never breastfed my son in public. I had my daughter at the age of 25. Breastfeeding to me, being a more mature adult, meant sustinence for my child. I breastfed my daughter in public-- whenever she was hungry. I sat next to a friend who never knew I was breastfeeding once.
Moms who breast feed do not want to be flashing their boobs all over the place. It's only our weird stigmas that we've placed on something that is there to feed our children. I think it's kind of strange that people even have an issue with this.

jmvh59

Babies need to eat. I think it's up to mom (and not society--or grandma) to decide if baby should eat in public.

mpetty1975

i breastfed and babies don't get hungry when it;s convenient. i do think that having a little blanket to throw over your shoulder is a good idea because i personally didn't want ppl to get a free shot at my nipple, but it doesn't bother me. if you live in an area with a high immigrant population it's not as taboo. americns get too caught up on stupid stuff.

sgtlittle

If your child is hungry, feed it no matter where you are at. It is a natural and beautiful occasion and should not be stopped because of "offending"someone. It offends me that people are so up tight. LET WOMEN FEED THEIR CHILDREN!!

taramaureen

I always felt a bit uncomfortable breastfeeding in public but I have huge breasts, catch me at the wrong angle and it looked like I was feeding a 2 headed baby.

I don't mind really that other people breastfeed in public. Im more bothered by people who let their babies scream restaurants down in the evenings or take infants to the movies. There is a time and a place for these things. If a breast fed baby is hungry a mother should be able to discreetly nurse him or her. If a baby is dirty there should be facilities to safely change them. These are basic needs of babies and it should be respected.

What I don't like is the breast feeding Nazi's who head out to protest for their rights to get their tatties out to feed their overindulged kid in Taret because they are too busy doing their shopping to stop and find a nice, clean quiet place which is more suitable for nursing a baby. I would rather sit in my quiet car and nurse my child than a grotty Target where there is so much noise and distraction that my child ends up with wind and feeds badly. Breastfeeding is a calm, tender and beautiful way of nourishing your baby, women need to remember that when they are protesting that McDonalds, Starbucks, Target etc don't provide places to feed their babies. I wouldn't want to bottle feed my baby in any of those places either. If you respect your child then you work your day around their needs. There is no reason why women can't plan ahead and be sure that they feed before or after they finish their shopping. In the photo of the Mumma feeding her baby you can see it is away from crowds, quite comfortable and baby can concentrate on her feeding. A perfect example of how is should and can be done in public.

If you're refering to my photo I was actually in a crowded baseball stadium surrounded by thousands of other people


I always fed my chidlren on demand. They demanded it, I supplied it. Neither of them were on a schedule I could work around. Of course I'd always try to find a quiet place to nurse but it's not always possible. I perfected the art of nursing in a sling while shopping and moving about. Trust me, the kiddos didn't care as long as they were getting fed. I normally also ate myself while I was feeding them so in a resturant they'd be on my lap nursing and I'd be eating my dinner. We travel quite a bit for day excursions and in the summer especially it's not nice or possible to shut yourself up in a car for a good half an hour... nor should you have to.

suzycreamcheese

I love to see breastfeeding in public. Its a joy to see people doing the best thing for their babies, and the more it is normalised the less pitifully low our breastfeeding rates might become. Women should be fully supported to naturally breastfeed their babies wherever necessary, and not felt bullied into feeling like they need to cover more than anyone in a low cut top does any day of the week or bullied into giving formula prematurely.

If you dont like it, dont look

Suziq2you

With all that is going on in the world, how is this even relevant? Yesterday I clicked past the show "Toddlers and Tiaras". These parents dress their 4-6 year old daughters up to look like hookers, yet breastfeeding in public is obscene and sexualized. Only in America.

cobracars

"back in the day" you used to just throw a flannel blanket over your breast and all was good. I don't think anybody would suggest you not feed your baby but everybody does not want their child to have to deal with someone else’s naked breasts. Breast-feeding is done very differently when the mother is trying more to make a point than to feed her child.

Completely agree 100%, especially about mothers trying to make a point. How did this get on the news? Because someone was screaming for attention and trying to make a point.

Do it wherever and whenever you want, and a little discretion will avoid any issues for mother, baby, or the general population.

gc2052

Ok I guess if that is what you want BUT sitting on a nasty floor breast feeding is unhealthy for everyone.

rml_16

"its perfectly natural"
"its beautiful"
"its best for the baby"
blah blah blah

I think the ones who choose to breastfeed publicly are crying for attention, and they are sure to get it.

Or maybe their baby is hungry.

Drape a blanket over your shoulder and you're good to go. I have no problem with others doing it, though I personally wasn't comfortable doing it.

gc2052

Agree

suzycreamcheese

how come in all my 11 years of parenting, going to mother and baby/toddler groups, being around mothers, having friends and family breastfeeding, ive never so much as caught a glimpse of nipple, and i dont think anyone was going out of their way to be either discreet or indiscrete. I think the only place where breastfeeding is obscene, is in peoples imaginations.

froggzy1015

I breastfed both of my boys. I went into a dressing room most of the time when I was out just because my kids were all over the place while they nursed and I would have flashed the world. I like being covered, but that is my personal preference. I have used a cover and sat in a booth and nursed my babies and no one seemed to look at me strangely or say anything so I'm assuming they didn't know or didn't care. I would never take them in a bathroom to eat, never.