Breast feeding in church

[Planogirl]

Again, people need time to adjust to this. I don't think that BF has EVER been as out in the open in our society as it is now. You just can't expect some people to suddenly switch their attitudes.

As for saying, it's "their problem", I agree with that. However, a little tolerance from both sides goes a long way IMO.

 

[staci]

I would risk exposing my breast over my tummy any day of the week, having just delivered baby #2 at 43! I don't remember my tummy looking this way 6 years ago!

Oh, im 25 but I SO agree with this statement! And Im not a fan of exposing anything, but the idea of any part of my back or tummy accidently not covered by fabric after 9 months of pregnancy and stretching, then sitting down and squishing it all together...... I would be so embarrassed!

 

[DVCLiz]

Jesus comes down from the heavens and comes to your church. Jesus sees a woman breast feeding her child and a parishioner looking at disgust at the breastfeeding child/mom....who do you think he is gonna have a problem with?

I think Jesus is going to say, "Why aren't those babies in the nursery?"

 

[staci]

wow, thank you for sharing that post. That is such a good point that I think people who judge bf moms need to hear. Good for you for feeling more secure about it it now. I wish it had been easier the 1st time. Both my DH and my parents are very suportive of breast feeding and that has helped me emensily.

.

Thanks. I think so often this turns into an arguement that people try to turn into two molds

1. Fanatics who just want to run around naked shoving their b__bs in others faces
2. Prudes who would like people to dress as if they were a nun and rather feed a child ANYTHING that didnt involve skin touching.

In reality, thats just not the case .

I admit that I really use to be uncomfortable about the idea of bf like many on these boards, mainly because I never knew anyone who did it growing up. I think that many people who disagree with bf in any public place fall into that category. ( I can actually remember the first person that I saw bf ever - in 1993 at Busch Gardens in Florida, I was turning 13 that week and I remember thinking EW GROSS It was something I have NEVER seen at home.) But after i decided (due to health reasons and cost) that I would bf ds, i got the unique position of still being a little squeamish about someone accidently seeing something, and being horribly worried and stressed that if my baby were to need something while we were out, if I would be comfortable enough in whatever situation we were in to give him what he needs. Most bf moms are not trying to rile anyone up or make a political statement, it is very simply a mom trying to meet the needs of their child.

I also agree, there are places that I would not consider appropriate for bf; all of those places being places that CHILDREN in general would not be appropriate. A very fancy restaurant, the opera, an adult only dinner party. So that is where church can fall into the slippery slope. I have known both types of churchs (those who welcome children to the service and those who dont) but I guess in my original statement I was referring to churches that allow children in the service. I can see both ways (I actually work in a church nursery), but its my personal belief that children should be a part of worshipping the Lord. They may disrupt occasionally but it is all part of a learning process for them. So that is the TYPE of church that I had in mind when stating I would bf there. If children were not invited to the worship service, of course I would not bring them in to bf, but I probably wouldnt go to that church either!


Im sorry, Im just rambling now, I just feel so passionately about this, because I know that so many people are still squeamish (as I was when I was younger), and if there is anything I can say to help them understand the bf mom a little better, im ready to try! It really ended up being such a good experience for us (ds's health, saving money) and I dont want anyone to MISS that experience because the idea of bf makes them nervous or squeamish. And as that commercial says "Please give a bfing mom your love and support!"

 

[DVCJEN]

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

 

[bride03]

First of all, well said hugsquared...I agree about going from sexy to nourishing. I think that this thread should be put to death because everyone has their opinion. Just know that when you are BF in public, you are going to have mixed opinions around you. If you like that and it doesn't make you uncomfortable...fine. I do agree with the fact that some Mom like just being able to say ha, I can do it and you can't do anything about it. Whatever.

Where exactly is it written ANYWHERE legal that a person has a right not to be uncomfortable at the sight of another person?

I have relatives that are "offended" at the sight of interracial couples. Should all those couples be obligated to not walk around holding hands while my relatives are around to see it?

Good point, and exactly why we should stop arguing over this. We are never going to reach our point, no matter what side we are on, because everyone has their own point to bring up.

 

[maryliz]

its my personal belief that children should be a part of worshipping the Lord. They may disrupt occasionally but it is all part of a learning process for them. So that is the TYPE of church that I had in mind when stating I would bf there. If children were not invited to the worship service, of course I would not bring them in to bf, but I probably wouldnt go to that church either!

Well said! We can't expect our children to all of a sudden one day know how to sit through a long church service if they aren't exposed to it. I'd much rather see a disruptive child in church where the parents are making an effort to take them there, than no children whatsoever.

I think discreetness is the key, and I just can't believe that people have actually said that they would never even bottle-feed a child in church either. Babies do not understand "you'll have to wait until this is over" And if you start letting your babies dictate where and when you'll be somewhere when their infants, good luck trying to control them when they're older!

MaryLiz

 

[Tigger&Belle]

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

Should the bottle feeding be done in the nursery, too?

 

[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!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I gave my then 3 year old cheerios to snack on in church.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

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!

If I was sitting a few rows in front of the baby/mother I would be more distracted by the crying/screaming and the Mom getting up to take the kid out. I probably wouldn't even know whne she was BFing. I would only know the kid quieted down and I would be grateful.

 

[melomouse]

"Frankly my focus is not really on them but the job I am doing interpreting the service and on the worship experience."

Thank you, Talking Hands!

What a pleasure for the BF mom to be able to multi-task!

I nursed my kids everywhere.Maybe because I was an older mom, maybe because I found it to be more important and satifying than I knew before I had DS, maybe because DS was the fussiest baby ever born and I would have been homebound forever....

Those were much simpler days. They have never been as easy to satisfy since their nursing days!!!

 

[kidshop]

Even though it's innocent and natural, it's also distracting. Church service is only 1 hour!

Why is it distracting for you?

And from another post, bfing in public is not about saying 'ha ha...look at me bf. I know you hate it, but you can't stop me!" That's ridiculous! It has become that though (viewed through the eyes of those who are squeamish). Not b/c of those who bf, but from those who complain about a mom feeding her baby. That's why we needed laws passed, and why moms need to defend themselves for feeding their babies. The problem is not with the bfing mom. All she wants to do is feed her baby, same as a bottlefeeding mom.

 

[Marseeya]

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!

Do people often gaze around at their fellow parishioners rather than paying attention to the sermon?

Sounds like some of these preachers need to step it up a notch!

 

[tobias sampson]

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!

Maybe if you minded your own business, you wouldn't have to worry about being distracted. When I go to church, I am busy worshipping, etc, not nosing around about what my neighbors are doing.

It is ignorant to lable nursing as rude. Too sad for you.

 

[maryliz]

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!

you think a baby can wait an hour to eat ??? I think that God would much prefer that a mother provide nourishment to her baby while still getting the spiritual benefit of a church service, as opposed to leaving, or not coming at all. Our church does not have a nursery, nor a place to go where one could still hear and participate in the service. So I guess all Mom's should just stay away from church until their children are old enough that they don't need to be fed during the service??? I think that thinking goes along with the theory of locking women up during that time of the month 'cause we all know they're a little crazy during that time.

And when my kids were still under the age of 5, I always had fruit snacks or raisins or crackers for them during the service if they wanted something. They were always well behaved and I much preferred them feeling like a part of our church rather than them hating it because I was always telling them to "wait for a snack" and to "shush". If you make your kids hate church when they're little, they'll hate it even more when they decide it's not "cool" to go.

MaryLiz

 

[jbdreamer]

Maybe if you minded your own business, you wouldn't have to worry about being distracted. When I go to church, I am busy worshipping, etc, not nosing around about what my neighbors are doing.

It is ignorant to lable nursing as rude. Too sad for you.

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.

 

[transparant]

Been there done that. Feeding my child is way more important to me than what other people think. If someone has a problem with me snuggling and nursing my child - TOO BAD.

 

[hugsquared]

Again, people need time to adjust to this. I don't think that BF has EVER been as out in the open in our society as it is now. You just can't expect some people to suddenly switch their attitudes.

As for saying, it's "their problem", I agree with that. However, a little tolerance from both sides goes a long way IMO.

You know, normally I find myself on the opposite side of the fence from you on a lot of matters but here, I agree. Everybody has a right to their own feelings and their feelings are valid no matter what other people think.

 

[jbdreamer]

you think a baby can wait an hour to eat ???

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.