Breastfeeding, I support it but...

[Anjelica]

I totally support BF.
While it may not have bothered the mother to be exposed, it may bother others to see her exposed. Especially if they have their own children with them.

IMO, it is not appropriate in a family oriented place to expose yourself like that. She could have been feeding discreetly.
Heck, a cousin of mine was so discreet when she breastfed all 4 of her children, that you could watch her doing it and never really know that's what she was doing.

ITA

 

[Nette]

I totally support BF.
While it may not have bothered the mother to be exposed, it may bother others to see her exposed. Especially if they have their own children with them.

IMO, it is not appropriate in a family oriented place to expose yourself like that. She could have been feeding discreetly.
Heck, a cousin of mine was so discreet when she breastfed all 4 of her children, that you could watch her doing it and never really know that's what she was doing.

Holy Moly! Americans have got to get over this weird attitude that NORMAL things are abnormal and must be done discreetly. Do you give your kid their lunch discreetly? No. So why is it a big deal for it to be obvious that someone is nursing their baby? I'm not saying that it is necessary for the mom to have both sides hanging out, but who cares if your kid sees a mammary gland? (And FTR, putting a big blanket over baby makes it MORE obvious that you are nursing him or her).

One of the reasons Americans are overweight and unhealthy is because of this bizarre attitude towards completely normal NATURAL things. People treat formula as the norm by describing breast feeding as having "benefits". In reality formula has "short comings". (That is not to say that formula is in anyway unsafe... I think it does have it's place and it's not my call to make in any situation but my own)

I have a theory that the reason for this is because children aren't exposed to the NATURAL normal side of things from an early age. I also have a theory that as we grow up not exposed to the NATURAL normal course of human development, we don't learn these behaviors and so cannot pass them on to our own offspring. Breast feeding is one of these behaviors that I think has gotten "lost". (Another example would be convenience foods. Think about all the people that have no idea how to cook from scratch... because our parents were so enthralled with the idea of premade "convenience" dinners in the 50s...)

OP -- it was nice of you to try and shield the mother in question, because I have no doubt you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart, but I am not sure I would have had the same compulsion. I think people need to be exposed to normal things more often.

 

[DizBelle]

Wasn't there a DIS poster who had a SIL that breast fed while completely topless? While at a restaurant with the rest of the family? And her brother massaged the other one while baby was feeding on the other?

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I seriously don't get the issue. Are art museums not family oriented? Do children's eyes have to be covered in front of the works of many of the greatest artists? I don't get when women's breasts became such a big taboo (and primarily in America, not a problem in most of Europe). What makes men's nipples acceptable in public, yet not women's? At least women's have a use!

This.

The woman was doing something that is completely natural (and completely legal). Only in a society, such as ours, where the breast has become "sexualized" would anyone feel uncomfortable about it. I'm just at a loss for why people are offended by someone else's body...especially when it is being presented in a completely non-sexual fashion (such as BF, some artwork, etc.)?

 

[C.Ann]

Holy Moly! Americans have got to get over this weird attitude that NORMAL things are abnormal and must be done discreetly. Do you give your kid their lunch discreetly? No. So why is it a big deal for it to be obvious that someone is nursing their baby? I'm not saying that it is necessary for the mom to have both sides hanging out, but who cares if your kid sees a mammary gland? (And FTR, putting a big blanket over baby makes it MORE obvious that you are nursing him or her).

One of the reasons Americans are overweight and unhealthy is because of this bizarre attitude towards completely normal NATURAL things. People treat formula as the norm by describing breast feeding as having "benefits". In reality formula has "short comings". (That is not to say that formula is in anyway unsafe... I think it does have it's place and it's not my call to make in any situation but my own)

I have a theory that the reason for this is because children aren't exposed to the NATURAL normal side of things from an early age. I also have a theory that as we grow up not exposed to the NATURAL normal course of human development, we don't learn these behaviors and so cannot pass them on to our own offspring. Breast feeding is one of these behaviors that I think has gotten "lost". (Another example would be convenience foods. Think about all the people that have no idea how to cook from scratch... because our parents were so enthralled with the idea of premade "convenience" dinners in the 50s...)

OP -- it was nice of you to try and shield the mother in question, because I have no doubt you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart, but I am not sure I would have had the same compulsion. I think people need to be exposed to normal things more often.

I have no issues with BFing, however some parents object to having their children see naked body parts exposed in public due to their religious beliefs..
Mother's are within their rights to BF - but parents are also well within their rights to practice whatever religion they choose.. I guess it all boils down to each side having respect for the other.. If it's possible to BF in public without being exposed, why not choose that option out of consideration for others?

 

[sunnyday123]

Holy Moly! Americans have got to get over this weird attitude that NORMAL things are abnormal and must be done discreetly. Do you give your kid their lunch discreetly? No. So why is it a big deal for it to be obvious that someone is nursing their baby? I'm not saying that it is necessary for the mom to have both sides hanging out, but who cares if your kid sees a mammary gland? (And FTR, putting a big blanket over baby makes it MORE obvious that you are nursing him or her).

One of the reasons Americans are overweight and unhealthy is because of this bizarre attitude towards completely normal NATURAL things. People treat formula as the norm by describing breast feeding as having "benefits". In reality formula has "short comings". (That is not to say that formula is in anyway unsafe... I think it does have it's place and it's not my call to make in any situation but my own)

I have a theory that the reason for this is because children aren't exposed to the NATURAL normal side of things from an early age. I also have a theory that as we grow up not exposed to the NATURAL normal course of human development, we don't learn these behaviors and so cannot pass them on to our own offspring. Breast feeding is one of these behaviors that I think has gotten "lost". (Another example would be convenience foods. Think about all the people that have no idea how to cook from scratch... because our parents were so enthralled with the idea of premade "convenience" dinners in the 50s...)

OP -- it was nice of you to try and shield the mother in question, because I have no doubt you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart, but I am not sure I would have had the same compulsion. I think people need to be exposed to normal things more often.

Ok, back the train up. Americans are overweight because of our "bizzare" reactions to natural things, like breastfeeding?? Are you kidding me?
And here we go with the whole judging formula vs. breastfeeding. You realize that is a big part of why a lot of people refuse to nurse? Because people shove it down their throats? ( no pun intended!)

Wasn't there a DIS poster who had a SIL that breast fed while completely topless? While at a restaurant with the rest of the family? And her brother massaged the other one while baby was feeding on the other?

And Oh. My. God. Also, I wouldn't be suprised.

 

[kpm76]

Holy Moly! Americans have got to get over this weird attitude that NORMAL things are abnormal and must be done discreetly. Do you give your kid their lunch discreetly? No. So why is it a big deal for it to be obvious that someone is nursing their baby? I'm not saying that it is necessary for the mom to have both sides hanging out, but who cares if your kid sees a mammary gland? (And FTR, putting a big blanket over baby makes it MORE obvious that you are nursing him or her).

One of the reasons Americans are overweight and unhealthy is because of this bizarre attitude towards completely normal NATURAL things. People treat formula as the norm by describing breast feeding as having "benefits". In reality formula has "short comings". (That is not to say that formula is in anyway unsafe... I think it does have it's place and it's not my call to make in any situation but my own)

I have a theory that the reason for this is because children aren't exposed to the NATURAL normal side of things from an early age. I also have a theory that as we grow up not exposed to the NATURAL normal course of human development, we don't learn these behaviors and so cannot pass them on to our own offspring. Breast feeding is one of these behaviors that I think has gotten "lost". (Another example would be convenience foods. Think about all the people that have no idea how to cook from scratch... because our parents were so enthralled with the idea of premade "convenience" dinners in the 50s...)

OP -- it was nice of you to try and shield the mother in question, because I have no doubt you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart, but I am not sure I would have had the same compulsion. I think people need to be exposed to normal things more often.

I agree with everything you said......

As for the poster who was in the Noodle Station enjoying ice cream and didn't know where to look when a mom was feeding her child, if you are that uncomfortable, turn you back. That child had as much right to receive milk from mom as you had to have ice cream.......BTW, that is a GREAT place to nurse and I have done it many times and will do so again in Jan.

This thread should get interesting

 

[Nomi]

Maybe it's because I was raised in an almost nudist household (sunday morning, who needs cloths?), but I really do not think I would give two shakes wither or not a women went topless. But then I guess I never really got how breasts became an entirely sexual thing (as opposed to legs or arms or midriffs or fingers or necks... well, you get the point).

Or why it's bad for kids to see breasts. They're just body parts, and not sexual ones in reality, we just tell ourselves they are. What's the thinking?

 

[Anjelica]

I think people need to be exposed to normal things more often.

I don't take my children to Disneyworld to be exposed to so called "normal" things such as a completely topless woman regardless if she is feeding her children or not. I have lived overseas, traveled extensively, etc. and know the attitudes, etc. in foreign countries but as an American raising my children in America there are certain situations and places that call for some restraint. Going topless at MK is not acceptable in any situation.

If I want my children to be exposed to certain situations than I will expose them at my choosing (if possible). Again, b***ies were never on any Disneyworld travel brochure I have ever seen so should I expect my children to be exposed to that there - nope.

No issues with BF, no issues with some skin showing, etc. but to go completely topless - I have issues with.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I agree with everything you said......

As for the poster who was in the Noodle Terrace enjoying ice cream and didn't know where to look when a mom was feeding her child, if you are that uncomfortable, turn you back. That child had as much right to receive milk from mom as you had to have ice cream.......

This thread should get interesting

But it'll be like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book! Will it become a thread about Public vs. Non-Public BF? Or maybe formula vs. breastmilk? There are so many possibilities!

 

[focusondisney]

Two questions.

Do you have pictures?

and

Was she attractive?

 

[kpm76]

Ok, back the train up. Americans are overweight because of our "bizzare" reactions to natural things, like breastfeeding?? Are you kidding me?
And here we go with the whole judging formula vs. breastfeeding. You realize that is a big part of why a lot of people refuse to nurse? Because people shove it down their throats? ( no pun intended!)



And Oh. My. God. Also, I wouldn't be suprised.

No, a big part of why people refuse to nurse is because they are afraid of the discomfort with public nursing and being accused of "exposing" themselves......

 

[Anjelica]

No, a big part of why people refuse to nurse is because they are afraid of the discomfort with public nursing and being accused of "exposing" themselves......

Really - of all the mothers I know that did not nurse it had nothing to do with being afraid of the discomfort with public nursing or exposing themselves.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I don't take my children to Disneyworld to be exposed to so called "normal" things such as a completely topless woman regardless if she is feeding her children or not. I have lived overseas, traveled extensively, etc. and know the attitudes, etc. in foreign countries but as an American raising my children in America there are certain situations and places that call for some restraint. Going topless at MK is not acceptable in any situation.

If I want my children to be exposed to certain situations than I will expose them at my choosing (if possible). Again, b***ies were never on any Disneyworld travel brochure I have ever seen so should I expect my children to be exposed to that there - nope.

No issues with BF, no issues with some skin showing, etc. but to go completely topless - I have issues with.

I must have missed the Disney brochures showing people changing their children's diapers and others smoking. Wait, but that happens there? You mean, everything allowed in Disney isn't in the brochures? Horrors. Seriously, what is it about breasts that you think you must shield your children from?

 

[disneybound2010]

I always wonder if the people that have such a problem with seeing a breastfeeding mother, steer clear of farms zoos and anywhere else there happen to be mammals with young Humans are no different. Breasts are for feeding babies. My DS has seen it and it's no big deal to him. The only children I have found that seem to have a problem with it are the ones whose parents make it into a big deal. JMHO

 

[Nette]

And here we go with the whole judging formula vs. breastfeeding. You realize that is a big part of why a lot of people refuse to nurse? Because people shove it down their throats? ( no pun intended!)

Ok, I honestly didn't mean to open up that can of worms. And I didn't express what I meant as eloquently as I normally would (call it pregnancy brain fog or something )... I have nothing against formula -- Heck, I was formula fed after 4 months. Someone had to work in my family, and expressing milk wasn't working out for my mother. I do have a problem with the backwards way we make the comparisons between breast and formula.

As for Americans being less healthy and overweight, Yes. I think exposure to all this unnaturalness is a cause of our chronic problems. Generations are growing up now that don't know how to feed themselves correctly. I blame the corporations for managing to sell the general populace on this "convenience" at about 65%, but the rest falls on the people themselves. We have to stand up and say, "Wait a minute! Why are we doing things this way? What are the consequences to doing things this way rather than the way nature intended!"

 

[focusondisney]

But it'll be like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book! Will it become a thread about Public vs. Non-Public BF? Or maybe formula vs. breastmilk? There are so many possibilities!

I'll throw "Dis police" into that mix. As in why the OP felt the need to "police" the situation & "block" the breastfeeding mom from public view. If the mom was in the wrong, all the OP had to do was point her out to a cast member. Or MYOB & just move along.

 

[Anjelica]

I must have missed the Disney brochures showing people changing their children's diapers and others smoking. Wait, but that happens there? You mean, everything allowed in Disney isn't in the brochures? Horrors. Seriously, what is it about breasts that you think you must shield your children from?

As a parent, I feel my children should not be exposed to certain things until I want them exposed to it. My son does not see me naked and my daughter does not see her father naked - is it wrong - not at all. But its my choosing. Disneyworld is not about people exposing themselves nor should any parent who goes to Disneyworld expect that behavior.

Disney has privacy areas for folks to breastfeed if they truly must go 100% au-natural. I think I saw that advertised in some of the brochures.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I don't take my children to Disneyworld to be exposed to so called "normal" things such as a completely topless woman regardless if she is feeding her children or not. I have lived overseas, traveled extensively, etc. and know the attitudes, etc. in foreign countries but as an American raising my children in America there are certain situations and places that call for some restraint. Going topless at MK is not acceptable in any situation.

If I want my children to be exposed to certain situations than I will expose them at my choosing (if possible). Again, b***ies were never on any Disneyworld travel brochure I have ever seen so should I expect my children to be exposed to that there - nope.

No issues with BF, no issues with some skin showing, etc. but to go completely topless - I have issues with.

Well, none of the brochures show buttcrack, braless women, women in skintight white shorts with nothing under them, butt hanger shorts (where the cheeks hang out), hairy necks, smelly people who don't have basic hygiene, camel toe, speedos,etc. but yet we get to see that on every trip.

 

[TinklednPants]

I have no issues with BFing, however some parents object to having their children see naked body parts exposed in public due to their religious beliefs..
Mother's are within their rights to BF - but parents are also well within their rights to practice whatever religion they choose.. I guess it all boils down to each side having respect for the other.. If it's possible to BF in public without being exposed, why not choose that option out of consideration for others?

Which religion is it that says breasts are taboo?