My b/f and I were in Winners one day and saw a mom breastfeeding her baby. I have nothing against breastfeeding in public. But, what caught our initial attention was that she would hang her boob out (showing the nipple) and then put her baby up to it. I would've personally tried to cover it as much as possible. I, as a female, found that disturbing and my b/f just found it more disturbing. I'm more of a private person. I wouldn't want any people to glance at my nipple/breast if I was breastfeeding. I'd use a cotton cloth or something.
What do you feel about breastfeeding in public? I am defintiely for it. When the baby is hungry, you have no choice.
purelife wrote: [div style="font-style: italic;"]What do you feel about breastfeeding in public? I am defintiely for it. When the baby is hungry, you have no choice.[/div]
Americans are fine with breasts as long as they're used to sell cars, shoes, deodorant, candy, mouthwash, jewelry, appliances, vacations, sunscreen, speakers, coffee, and practically anything anything else under the Sun, but not when they're used for what they were originally intended for- feeding babies.
I'm okay with breastfeeding in public, no problem at all, but I also think a little discretion is a good thing too.
I don't have a problem with it. I don't get the big deal over it to be honest but here in puritain america though some lady would have screamed bloody murder or covered her kids eyes.
You know what? I tend to think that women in general get more offended over things than men do.
But thats just my viewpoint.. and Im sure its about to be proven wrong, lol.
I have no problem with breast feeding in public either. BUT...I don't just think 'a little discretion' would be nice....I think it's required. I don't think that a breast becomes any less a breast when there is a baby on the end of it. When moms feed their babes with a little receiving blanket over their shoulder, it allows us to see it for the beautiful thing that it is.
I tend to think that women in general get more offended over things than men do.
I agree with you on that one, Russ. (generally speaking, of course) Not all women get offended or sensitive over issues all the time.
P.C. wrote:
I have no problem with breast feeding in public either. BUT...I don't just think 'a little discretion' would be nice....I think it's required. I don't think that a breast becomes any less a breast when there is a baby on the end of it. When moms feed their babes with a little receiving blanket over their shoulder, it allows us to see it for the beautiful thing that it is.
ding DING! I agree with this. A little modesty consideration for everyone around.. goes along way.
I agree as well PC. Discretion is definitely a must in public. If you're around women in a public breastfeeding washroom, then, that's a different story. But when there are a mixture of men and women, young and old, boys and girls, that's a different story.
Ah, receiving blanket. That's the word I was looking for. I just called it a cotton cloth. hee hee...
OK. I'm doing the breast feeding part now so I know this issue initmately. It shouldn't be a problem at all if you're breast feeding in public. Why not? There's nothing against the rule that says you can't.
However, a little discrection is all it takes. I don't know many women who would want to whip out their boobies for the world to see just so they can feed their little ones. There are so many methods you can use that will hide you and your breasts while breast feeding.
I have nothing against a woman breast feeding bare in front of me either. In the past, this would have made me terribly uncomfortable but when you're finally a mommy and you're doing it, it doesn't seem that big a deal any more.
My only concern is for those people who would yelled at you for doing that in public. I once heard a woman commenting to another mother about breast feeding in public. That she shouldn't do it in a restaurant. Her words were something like this, "I wouldn't do it in restaurant so why should you?" I felt like saying it's my given right to breast feed anyway I want so who are you to tell me what I should and shouldn't do?
Bottom line, I'm all for breast feeding in public and it should really be up to the woman whether she wants it done discreetly or not. I'm not about to step in and tell her otherwise.
Lise wrote:
I have nothing against a woman breast feeding bare in front of me either. [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #bfffdf"]In the past, this would have made me terribly uncomfortable[/FONT] but when you're finally a mommy and you're doing it, it doesn't seem that big a deal any more.
The problem then becomes, that there are still a whack of 'spectators' that AREN'T , mommies yet.
Bottom line, I'm all for breast feeding in public and it should really be up to the woman whether she wants it done discreetly or not. I'm not about to step in and tell her otherwise.
[/DIV]Agreed Lise. Oh, that other women has some nerve to tell her what she should and should not do. I say, keep your beliefs to yourself.
Agreed. Too many naysayers (men in general - but I'm not saying the ones here) out there who THINK what's best for mommies to do this and that when they're not in her shoes.
wow lise if I was a woman and somebody told me something like that I'd be freakin' pissed! Why people have the never to tell somebody what they can and can't do when its a natural course in nature is freaking beyond me. Some people should just keep their mouths shut.
And boy if somebody talked to my future g/f or wife that way and I was around, oh boy I'd be livid.
Somehow picturing you breast feeding, SD makes me want to scream in public. (//vny!://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/Happy/12.gif)
Hey, you never know Lise...with the way science is going... ;)
If I had a zillion billion dollars in the world, I would donate a big part of it to go into the Science of Getting Men to Lactate on Demand.
What's "lactate on demand" mean?
lol!
You never know anybody seen Meet the Fockers? I could it do it, wouldn't bother me.
Yup, I saw meet the fockers. Ahh...*ding ding* now, I get what Lise meant. (gosh, took me a while.)
I've always had the view, I'm a guy I'm lucky I don't have to do what the women do so I will all in power do as much as possible to make their life easier.
Nice sentiment, Sportsdude. I'll do all I can to emulate you.
Well they say growing up is when you get the most of your views on life and well in the loving each other and helping each out department my parents are the best examples in the world. My mom had me and my sis and my dad dropped his weekday job to take care of us while mom had the better job. I've grown up with a Mr. Mom so to speak. I've been taught that having a family is like a team sport. You've got to all work well together and gell well and help each other out. Couldn't ask for better parents.
breastfeeding in public is pretty common nowadays in my area..........I don't think people notice it at all especially if the mother has a towel or blanket over her shoulder. I was at the airport waiting for my flight a few months ago and the mother was breastfeeding......I didn't even know 'till she pulled away and the baby cried, all along I thought the baby was sleeping in her arms.
You live in San Fran 49er try doing that here in the midwest you'd get those crazy people yelling at you.
Well, I think that's the point, 49er....you DON'T notice when a minimal amount of discretion is used. I always think it's kind of a peaceful moment between mom and baby.
Lise Wrote:
Bottom line, I'm all for breast feeding in public and it should really be up to the woman whether she wants it done discreetly or not. I'm not about to step in and tell her otherwise.
purelife wrote:[/DIV]
Agreed Lise. Oh, that other women has some nerve to tell her what she should and should not do. I say, keep your beliefs to yourself.
I agree with this, I thought I put it in this thread but I obviously put it in the PDA thread. To each his/her own. <rhetorically speaking> who are you to judge someone elses methods? Is it affecting you doing what you are doing? If it is.. ask yourself why.. are you in someone elses business?
I tend to feel that a little discretion will keep the comotion down between different parties that are vocal about it(thats what I meant by discretion, Im not one to care because it doesnt affect me, and if it does, Ill look away LOL)... interesting you say lise that you find men tend to tell women how to raise their kids.. Ive only noticed women doing that. Between my mother, her sisters, and anties telling each other, and then commenting on other kids in public and how they should/ should not be allowed to do this and that.
But since you ARE a mother(Im not and will never be) you probably have a better perspective than I do on who comments on what.
You're right about women telling women how to raise children. But men give judgement too, they don't say a lot but the way they look at a woman breast feeding in public.... well, the faces tell a lot.
I do it all the time, but I do it without showing anything.
I bought a special blanket that actually buttons around my neck and is quite large(as my daughter likes to move her hands and would expose me with a simple receiving blanket).
Again, as in the Public Displays Of Affliction Thread - I'll try to be fair.
First off, I'm not a female, nor a Mother, so I can't honestly speculate from that position.
All I can offer is that if nursing is a necessity for a baby's health, then of course, it's a no-brainer.
There is nothing more fragile than the life of an infant & in my opinion, we must do all that we can to ensure the protection & health of our children & if nursing helps carry life forward, then I'm all for it. Again, so long as the mother at least tries to be discreet - I.E. NOT ripping open her blouse to expose the twins to the elements.
so long as the mother at least tries to be discreet - I.E. NOT ripping open her blouse to expose the twins to the elements.
LOL, Bitter
I don't think the question should be or IS....should you breast feed in public....I agree....it IS a no brainer.
The question should be, do you believe you should try to be discreet while breast feeding in public or is it OK regardless.