Breast feeding in public... gross or okay?

[DWGal210]

As a woman who never bf in public (and only bf my first for 6 weeks), your post comes across as a bit offensive. The amount of skin that is exposed when a woman bf's her baby is no more than a woman wearing a bathing suit, or even a low cut shirt. For the life of me, I can't understand anyone's problem with a woman actually using her breasts in the manner they are intended for, and yet have no problem seeing the same amount of skin on the front of magazines in the supermarket.

MTE!! Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Really, though, you said you see more women who don't cover up than who DO cover up, and I'm wondering if that's really the case, or if maybe you just haven't noticed the women who do cover up.

Exactly!

Maybe I am oblivious in my 9+ years of being a mom and my 6.5 years of bfing (we extend feed in our household though usually I stop NIP at a certain point due to the offensive stares of others who can't handle a toddler being NIPed).

But I have NEVER seen such a display as what you describe in my entire life. Except once--in someone's house..but hey it was her home, she had a new born and she was exhausted and it wasn't public.

I actually only hear about it from staunch opposers of NIP.

I doubt she was walking with the kid on one breast with the other breast flopping about as you seem to be describing. With nipple and areola exposed? On the non-nursing side? Really?

I apologize for doubting you--but that isn't even what pro-bfing supporters advocate and not what laws are intended to cover.

Yet the ONLY time I hear about it is from people who seem to be overall disgusted with the notion of NIP.

I've nursed in a Moby and a sling and the only breast that is not in the cup of the bra is the one that the baby is nursing on as is the case for pretty much anyone I have personally noticed to be nursing.

Great post. These are my thoughts, too, (except that I didn't nurse as long as you did and never did figure out the sling! )

As far as being "discreet", we all see it differently. To me, discretion only requires that the baby latch on and off quickly and the clothes be moved out of the way (and back into place) quickly, while the baby's head is in front of the breast, blocking it from the view of others. Other people think that discretion requires a blanket. Still others think it requires locking oneself in ones home or a bathroom where no one could possibly see them. Seriously, I have (not often, but occasionally) seen people get upset and suggest that a woman "go somewhere else to do that", when she and baby are completely covered by a blanket! These people obviously have a problem with the very idea of breastfeeding, not the exposure of skin.

 

[minkydog]

Well, OP, aren't you glad you asked

 

[ilovejack02]

Well, OP, aren't you glad you asked

People that don't have kids and havent been around breastfeeding honestly don't understand. Age also can have a play in the reaction.

If the woman was flashing a bit more chest than she should have been I prob would have been very surprised also lol. A PP mentioned seeing this type of situation at the grocery story also.. without the benefit of the sling .

I never learned how to walk and feed either.. hope to get that trick down if I get the chance to have another little one.

I promise OP I will keep other breast covered at all times.
; )


I have a very good friend that has 3 little ones, I swear she has been breastfeeding for 6 yrs now.. she gets one kiddo weaned, just about the time another is born.
It NEVER gets old to see the look on my hubby's face when he sees her breastfeeding . She always discreet, so much so you can hardly tell what she is doing .. baby always just looks like they are sleeping.. she doesnt use a cover either. Hubby has been know to walk about behind and lean over to say something sweet to the baby or pat the baby .. he always gets a very startled look and backs off fast. She and I get the biggest laugh out of it!

 

[Disney Doll]

Actually minky, you've been around here for a while like I have. This is going pretty well for a breast feeding thread.

To answer the follow-up question...I think when a child is old enough to come up and unbutton your shirt to breast feed is probably the time to not do it in public.

 

[luvmy3]

BTW-- I must say that the only time I have been uncomfortable with somebody breastfeeding was that woman in England who breastfed her 7 1/2 year old daughter. I couldn't watch without it turning my stomach.

OK, that is just wrong


I have no problem with woman breast feeding in public and exposing their breast in order to feed their baby. I wish I wasn't so modest to be able to do it when I nursed my babies. Instead I would struggle to get my shirt up, the nursing flap down on my bra and baby's head covered all with one hand, in time before I let down and was dripping milk all over myself and the baby. Sorry TMI I know, but Oh how nice it would have been to just whip it out

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

OK, that is just wrong


I have no problem with woman breast feeding in public and exposing their breast in order to feed their baby. I wish I wasn't so modest to be able to do it when I nursed my babies. Instead I would struggle to get my shirt up, the nursing flap down on my bra and baby's head covered all with one hand, in time before I let down and was dripping milk all over myself and the baby. Sorry TMI I know, but Oh how nice it would have been to just whip it out

http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/05/22/breastfeeding-an-eight-year-old/

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I agree with what has been said already.
I think if you have a hungry baby feed them. You don't hear breast feeding mommies say uggh look another formula feeder
I have also learned not to judge how long someone nurses their child for. As long as they are not going to graduation and having a little mommies milk before hand then it is okay with me. We don't know if their is medical reason that child should be nursing longer then other children. And why are we so fast to give our children milk that is meant for a cow instead of milk produced just for them

 

[luvmy3]

http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/05/22/breastfeeding-an-eight-year-old/

Oh No I didn't just see that

 

[Handbag Lady]

I don't mind it at all but I hate the miliant women who try and get a rise out of people by purposely exposing their breasts longer than necessary. OR the ones who try and start arguments when a man happens to glance and see what is happening.

I know it is natural but for a man, it can take them by surprise and embarrass them when they least expect to see a breast get exposed.



My big complaint is poopy diapers. Why do moms think that because I am a woman and over 40 that I wouldn't mind seeing/smelling a child's poopy diaper in the woman's room? For the record, it turns my stomach. Please try and carry around plastic bags so that when you have to change the diaper, you can enclose it quickly. I also don't understand why it is acceptable to have those changing diaper tables in the open. I REALLY don't want to see your child diaperless and the poopy diaper. Can't they make curtains for that?

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Oh No I didn't just see that

you'll never forget it

 

[luvmy3]

you'll never forget it

And here I thought a 5 year old with a bottle was crazy. I don't even know what to say, its like shock and awe all at once

 

[ginna74]

that is soooooooooooo wrong on so many dif levals. I think I would rather see the flasher then that lolol.

 

[pearlieq]

Well, OP, aren't you glad you asked

And, keep in mind, who do you think is hanging around the DIS at 10am on a weekday? The response pool is probably a little bit biased.

 

[MulanUSAF]

Well, OP, aren't you glad you asked

You bet! Like I said, it's quite a revelation to me on how women who breast feed feel about this topic. But I see the point of feeding babies whenever, wherever since they do need to eat and it's not really different than feeding them with a bottle in public. However, if I ever have kids some day, you won't ever see me going around bare chested with a suckling baby. That is all, thanks for the nice informational replies from the wonderful people on the board.

 

[AKL_Megs]

It doesn't bother me one bit.

Most, in fact almost ALL, women cover up when they nurse their babies.

I have a family member who has REAL entitlement issues with breast feeding, and belongs to some group that promotes breastfeeding in a way in which the idea seems to be MORE about letting it all hang out than the actual breast feeding itself. She will walk around with "it" hanging out. Would it kill her to throw a burp cloth over herself? SHE is the only breastfeeder who has EVER bothered me.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You bet! Like I said, it's quite a revelation to me on how women who breast feed feel about this topic. But I see the point of feeding babies whenever, wherever since they do need to eat and it's not really different than feeding them with a bottle in public. However, if I ever have kids some day, you won't ever see me going around bare chested with a suckling baby. That is all, thanks for the nice informational replies from the wonderful people on the board.

You'd be surprised at what you might do!

I wasn't planning on breastfeeding. But my DH saw cost savings and really really wanted me to try. (I don't want to imply that I was forced, b/c I wasn't). It wasn't really all that bad.

Also hadn't planned on NIP so much until it really complicated things to try avoiding that.

And remember--there are many women who support momma and baby's right regardless of how they feed their babies. Given that legislatures are mostly male in the 50 states, it's safe to presume that there is some legitimacy to the right to jump to the conclusion that it is only the likeminded breastfeeding mommas who support the right.

 

[bookgirl]

Slippery slope. I don't have a problem with BF. That's a mothers choice and more power to you. Personally I find it in very bad taste the extent to which some women show thier breasts to acomplish that. But that's my opinion.

I've seen mom's who can manage it without the baby's discomfort or the public around them's discomfort. I've also seen women who do not handle it as well but you can tell they are trying to feed thier child without also making others uncomfortable around them. Then there are the women who seem to show as much skin as possible and dare you to be uncomfortable or to have any opinion other than that they are earth mother supreme. Including leaving a bare breast hanging out while they burp/readjust the baby/switch sides.

My best friend was in the first group. I sat next to her and never batted an eye. In the children's section of the library we have tons of BF mothers. Most of which are the first or second group. Again I have no problem with them and have even helped thier other children get a drink/fix the computer/get a book because the baby was latched on and mom didn't have an extra hand to help.

However I have little respect for the third group. I figure they have a right to breastfeed and I have a right to think they're tacky if they are that militant about it and choose to make others uncomfortable for no reason other than that they can.

I've seen it handled so well, that I have little patience for those who handle it so rudely.

 

[lovepurple]

I was at the Magic Kingdom last month and a lady near me in the Pooh line actually got on the ride while breastfeeding her baby. As a mom myself who breastfed, that seemed a little risky to me because that ride has a few bumpy parts and I think it might be uncomfortable.

 

[Boxley]

It's the mom's choice, besides its not like she is whipping out a **** for fun, she is feeding her child.