Breast feeding in church

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Again, yes, BF is natural, but so is throwing up, peeing and lots of other things that I chose to do in private. There is a fine line and while some folks know where that line it, many do not and are more thrilled to be making a statement of "I can do this and there is nothing you can do about it".

That is a disgusting comparison. BF is not to be equated with bodily elimination. It is nourishment.

I'm very glad for my rights to do it--but most moms aren't making a statement. They just care about feeding their baby.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But in this instance, in nearly every state in this nation a Mother and Child have the legal right to breastfeed in Public.

If anybody is "offended" by that then I think they are just gonna have to learn to deal with it.

correction--in ALL 50 states...

 

[cepmom]

Yes, I do.

Babies are not feed every minute of the day. You can arrange their feeding times around a one hour service. I don't see every mother feeding their children during church. If fact, I never have. Maybe that's why if I did see it, I would think it rude.

I am not trying to start a debate. I am just stating my opinion, which the OP has asked for.

uhm....you can't always force a baby to eat before church. A baby should eat when they are hungry, not based on the church service schedule

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Anywhere else-- I have no problem. But at church I think it is best done in the nursery.

...anywhere mom and infant can legally be.....

 

[luvmydogs]

I realize BF is a natural thing, but so is going to the bathroom! You don't do that in public. Nor would you change your babies diaper on the church pew. Why? because it's rude.

I think it is disrespectful to BF in the middle of a crowded church service. Even though it's innocent and natural, it's also distracting. Church service is only 1 hour!

To whom is it distracting, disrespectful or rude?

I can only imagine those comments pertaining to the worshipers who have their focus on the breastfeeding moms--isn't one's first priority in church to listen to the words of the person conducting the service? I would find it distracting, disrespectful and rude if I were the pastor, priest, rabbi, etc., and the attendees were choosing to focus on a breastfeeding mom, and not the Word of God. And a breastfeeding woman can *easily* feed her child without missing a beat of a sermon--she's not performing surgery, she's just got a child at her breast. Comparing changing a diaper to feeding a hungry child is hyperbole, and really detracts from the validity of the point you're trying to make.

Boy, I'd love to see you hold a screaming, squirmy hungry baby for an hour in church (or anywhere!) while it waits for it's 'schedule' to catch up to it's physical cravings and needs! That's when I'd feel it'd be perfectly appropriate for the church attendees to be giving an evil eye to the responsible adult.

And once agian, this is all from a woman who did not breastfeed.

 

[hugsquared]

That is a disgusting comparison. BF is not to be equated with bodily elimination. It is nourishment.

I'm very glad for my rights to do it--but most moms aren't making a statement. They just care about feeding their baby.

Fine, you find it a disgusting comparison. Why aren't people who don't agree with you allowed to have their own opinions?
I've stated time and time again, I personally have no problem with breast feeding. I'm a nurse and know what a great source of nutrition breast milk is and that it help increase an infants immunity. But like it or not, some folks find it distasteful to do in any public setting, regardless of the laws, and these people are entitled to their opinion. Just like you're entitled to yours. I've been playing a kind of devils advocate because I can see both sides of the issues, but a lot people walk around with blinders on who feel like if someones thoughts don't match their own, its a crime. And these people are on both sides of the BF aisle.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Fine, you find it a disgusting comparison. Why aren't people who don't agree with you allowed to have their own opinions?

B/c you equate eating with peeing and puking.

Nurse or not--it's gross to do that.

The next time you have a sandwich--just think of peeing and puking simultaneously. Same deal!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I realize BF is a natural thing, but so is going to the bathroom! You don't do that in public. Nor would you change your babies diaper on the church pew. Why? because it's rude.

I'm always amazed when someone compares breastfeeding to going to the bathroom. Hmm, same thing!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

but a lot people walk around with blinders on who feel like if someones thoughts don't match their own, its a crime. And these people are on both sides of the BF aisle.

One last note--for BF moms--it is a crime when that opinion compromises the moms rights via being forced to leave--or finding a new location to nurse. It's against the law. So often, one's opinion and acting on it can become a crime.

 

[hugsquared]

B/c you equate eating with peeing and puking.

Nurse or not--it's gross to do that.

The next time you have a sandwich--just think of peeing and puking simultaneously. Same deal!

Sweetheart, I've eaten lunch inbetween cleaning up puke, poop and all sorts of things. I get in all kinds of trouble at my mom's for talking about "inappropriate" things at the dinner table when we're there, so it really doesn't bother me. But thanks so much for asking.
I still want to know why someone can't have a different opinion than you? And if they do, why that makes them a bad person. And before you jump up and tell me you never said "yada, yada, yada", you have made you point quite clear. Just give other people the respect for their thoughts as you wish people would have for yours.

 

[Dopeygirl]

Boy, I'd love to see you hold a screaming, squirmy hungry baby for an hour in church (or anywhere!) while it waits for it's 'schedule' to catch up to it's physical cravings and needs!

I was thinking the same thing, luvmy. I've never seen anyone who thought it rude to BF somewhere offer to hold a screaming baby that needs to BF. Not that I would have take anyone up on it but I'd appreciate the offer a lot more than the nasty looks & rude comments I've gotten.

While my daughter is now at an age (13 months) where she goes to the nursery, there was a time when she came with me to service. My church nursery doesn't generally take infants under 8 weeks as they believe the baby & mother are better off together (they will take them but strongly discourage it and I've yet to see anyone do it). At that age, if my daughter was hungry during service, yes, I'd nurse her discreetly (we always sat towards the back so I could make a quick getaway if needed). She rarely needed to nurse but I was always ready. Kept her from crying, rooting, etc.

Also, putting a BFing child on a schedule (not one they develop themselves) can be detrimental to the mother's supply & the baby's growth, most esp. early on in the relationship. BFing on demand is the best way to ensure both of those are kept high.

 

[hugsquared]

One last note--for BF moms--it is a crime when that opinion compromises the moms rights via being forced to leave--or finding a new location to nurse. It's against the law. So often, one's opinion and acting on it can become a crime.

I can't find one post where someone suggested a BF mom should be forcefully hauled from a public place. Some people are simply uncomfortable with it and they are entitled to their opinions.

 

[jbdreamer]

On Sunday, a woman was breast feeding her baby during service. I found this most uncomfortable and felt she should have taken the baby into the nursery. You can hear the church service from there. What is your opinion on this?

What is your opinion.

That's all the OP wanted. Why does this have to turn into an ugly debate? People have a right to their opinions, they shouldn't be crucified for it.

Stop the ugliness! I'm new to Dis boards, I thought it would be a friendly palce.

 

[Kermit]

I'm not trying to be nosy. But if someone is BF right in front of me it's hard not to notice. It may or may not distract ME, but I guarantee it's going to distract someone wether it's rude or not.

And your right, we should be worshiping - not nursing.

What exactly do you think nursing entails? I lie the child down on my lap and with very slight hand motions that you won't notice unless you're looking right at me, position my clothes so that he can latch on. I don't jump up and down and yell, "It's time to get my breast out!" I always sit on the outside of the pew, so that I can get out quickly if necessary. DH sits on my other side. So the closest people to me are the people right behind me, and I really don't think they can tell what I'm doing. I guess maybe they could if I spent 3 minutes getting a blanket carefully arranged over my baby and shoulder, but I don't do that. It just draws unnecessary attention and covers up something that's already covered. I have to admit that I always wonder if the women who do that are topless under their blankets.

As for worshipping, I can do that easier with my child at my breast. If I'm not nursing him, I have to make sure he's safe and not distracting anyone. I know that he's okay when he's nursing. Nursing doesn't require any more attention than sneezing, and I do that at church, too.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Some people are simply uncomfortable with it and they are entitled to their opinions.

Of course they are! They also should respect the feelings of others. If they can't deal with someone discreetly nursing then they have the option of leaving. Whoever is the one that owns the discomfort should be the one to remove themself from the situation. Now if a nursing mom is not comfortable in that situation, they should remove themselves. In that case the mom would be owning the discomfort.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Orginally posted by jbdreamer
"I realize BF is a natural thing, but so is going to the bathroom! You don't do that in public. Nor would you change your babies diaper on the church pew. Why? because it's rude.

I think it is disrespectful to BF in the middle of a crowded church service. Even though it's innocent and natural, it's also distracting. Church service is only 1 hour!"

Breast feed infants need to eat every 2 hours, sometimes more often then that. And that is from the time you started not the time you finished. I know many a church service that is longer then 1 hour. Time to sit, and get back to you have time it just right. Not easy to do. Newborn (mine was) are very sleepy and often will just sleep in their car seat carrier or mothers arms, until they get hungery. If a mother who breast feeds a young baby has to do it in the nursary she has to desrupt the whole service and get up and walk out when the baby is hungery to go the nursery to feed the baby, or remain in the nursary the whole time just in case. Also if the baby is in the nursary with out her most likely ther thought are not on the serive, but "I wonder how the baby is. Is she hugery? Is she crying? Should I go check." What if she has other kids and DH couldn't make it to the service. Should she leave them alone on the pew so she can leave and nurse the baby? What if her husband is out of town?

 

[Dopeygirl]

I don't jump up and down and yell, "It's time to get my breast out!"

You don't?! I thought eveyrone did!! Maybe that explains why so many people think it necessary to stare at me while I BF!! I'll refrain from yelling it out next time and see if people leave me alone.

 

[suzannen]

Perhaps it depends upon the church. In the church I attended growing up, there was an extremely good nursery system set up, with speakers playing the service. It was expected that babies and young children be taken there and not disrupt the service. I would never have dreamed of breast feeding, bottle feeding, or feeding Cheerios to my children in the middle of a worship service. If, on the other hand, I belonged to a church where young children attended the entire service, then attendees are probably more used to it. If in doubt, I might ask my minister what his preference is for the handling of young babies during his sermons. He's the one who will hear most of the complaints from his parishioners anyway.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I can't find one post where someone suggested a BF mom should be forcefully hauled from a public place. Some people are simply uncomfortable with it and they are entitled to their opinions.

In many states--just suggesting to a woman to move--especially in a public place such as a restaurant, disney world, hey--even a church...would have legal problems.

B/c their opinion is that it will make everyone more comfortable--by making a suggestion or request...they have broken the law.

Noone here has said that---and while the opinions are "safe" here--expressing them elsewhere--even in your hospital cafeteria...could become a legal problem .

 

[Dopeygirl]

If in doubt, I might ask my minister what his preference is for the handling of young babies during his sermons. He's the one who will hear most of the complaints from his parishioners anyway.

While I think it is perfectly fine for a mother to BF in church, speaking with the minister about it is a good idea.