How do you feel about this?

[jkp_9192002]

the question was, "how do "you" feel about this"!? i gave my answer. i posted my reply to the question. why should i be looked down upon because i gave my input. i decided not to breastfeed because it was my decision. i did not intendt to start a debate. i just answered the question that was asked of the disboard members. if you don't like my response, then so be it. i am intitle to my own opinion. don't ask for opinions if you don't want to hear them.

 

[ssleblanc]

I just remembered a funny story. I was at the Smithsonian with DH and my youngest. He was not quite 3 months old. The benches outside the restroom at the museum we were touring were very hard wood, and no back. Not very comfortable. I went in the ladies room and noticed this really comfy couch in the waiting area of the restroom. So I brought my son in there to nurse. A lady walking out of the ladies room saw me and stopped. She asked who'd told me I HAD to be banished to the bathroom to feed my son. She was ready to start a riot, protesting the fact that a bf'g mom was forced to do so in the restroom (it wasn't like I was sitting on a toilet - it was the small waiting room just inside of the restroom, with another door to the actual stalls and sinks). I took some serious convincing to get her to understand that I found this big cushy/comfy sofa MUCH more comfortable than those hard backless benches in the hallway. So it was my choice. But she was seriously on her way to find security and launch a complaint to make sure that I could bf in public.

 

[100 acre wood]

sometimes, a "baby gots to do what a baby gots to do"....I bf my son til he was nearly two, and that included 3 or 4 trips to the world, and he probably nursed all over the 'world"!! here is some "pixie dust" Don't worry about what others think, first of all you will never see them again, and secondly if they have a problem, it is truly that, THEIR problem!

 

[sunny_]

What everyone needs to remember, though, is that it really doesn't matter what you find odd or unusual or even just plain strange. You are free, of course, to think whatever you want. However, if you go beyond thinking and make rude comments or ask a nursing mother to stop or move, you may find yourself in trouble. The law in Florida protects nursing mothers in public, with no age restrictions.

I was wondering if Florida had a law like this and am so glad that it does! I nursed 2 of my 4 children (am currently nursing a 6 month old) and we are going to Disney in September. My baby will be 7 months old. I have never nursed a baby at Disney before and I was nervous and told my husband that I flatly refuse to carry screaming Mikey the whole way across the park hungry to get to a nursing station! Disney parks are huge and that is completely unnecessary, imo. If I am close to a station, I'll take advantage of the air-conditioning and nurse at a nursing station though but I'm not going to take tons of time out of my trip and make the baby scream to get to a station! One tip I heard from someone was to take advantage of air-conditioned shows where you can relax in air-conditioning and feed the baby... I think I'll be seeing more shows this trip than I have on my previous trips!

I'm shy and I don't like people seeing my breasts (I know they are for nursing but i know many guys see them as purely sexual and that makes me uncomfortable) so I like to use a blanket when in public. But I don't want to put a blanket over the baby's head in the Florida heat... hence why I like the show idea!

I'm a bit stressed about this situation and seeing some threads on this board sometimes made me even more stressed! But this thread has made me feel better! I love to see women NIP! I hope bf and NIP becomes more and more commonplace in the years to come!

 

[carrie s]

I have no problems with someone bf in public,but there are alot of people who are uncomfortable with it,there may also be parents out there who dont want their kids seeing that,so I think moms should be respectful to those people and cover up.

 

[kkevcamsmom]

I BF'd all three of mine. I never got strange looks from people when I was feeding my child but did when I was holding him/her (1 g/2 b) in the feeding postion and they were sleeping. I was very discreet when feeding, but then I a pretty modest.

I do agree with some of the other PP though, I don't think the breast needs to remain exposed if baby/toddler is done or distracted.

I haven't been to WDW yet so I don't know about the baby centers there but I always found the mall ones here more comfortable then just nursing where ever.

Congrats to the mom's that are hanging in there. Mine all quit and wanted nothing more from the breast by 6 months, so I pumped for another 3 to 5 months... what a chore!!!

Lori

 

[Fitswimmer]

Why is it ok, or normal. For a woman to show her butt, with a floss between her cheeks at the beach.

I'd much rather see a woman nursing a baby than that!!! Yikes!

Having put that in, we did have a woman in our parish that bf all of her kids. Wonderful thing, except that she did it in the second row of the sanctuary, during Mass, and exposed herself completely before allowing baby to latch on. If anyone dared to say anything to her, she got militant about her "right" to bf anywhere she wanted. I would hazard a guess that 99.99999% of woman would never do such a thing. For her, it wasn't about the baby, it was about gathering attention for herself. She's the kind of person that creates negative attitudes about bf in public. It only takes one.

 

[tink1978]

I don't have a problem with it, but that's probably because I am a mother and have done it. As long as a person isn't just whipping it all out for everyone to see, it's fine. Babies have to eat and a child only a little over one is not too old. However, if I saw a three year old doing it, I might think it was a little strange, but I am not going to say anything.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I come with the idea that bf'ng is the most natural thing to do. I wasn't sure about nursing as DD9 had some digestion issues and bf'ng wasn't possible and I knew that from the beginning. So, when DD6 was born I didn't know what to do, well let me tell ya, she latched right on and taught me. It was without a doubt the best experience I ever have had. Knowing that I could give such a great gift to my baby. I am the biggest advocate of anyone feeding their baby any way that makes them healthy, whether it is a bottle or a breast. But what I have a problem with is someone telling me to cover my babies head with a blanket. I wore nursing shirts sometimes, but not all the time and YES there were times that my breast was exposed, but you know what I am feeding my baby, not posing for a porn magazine. We as Americans are way to hung up on the breast being sexual. There are other countries where women walk around exposing their breasts all day long, and it is no big deal when a child nurses. I would never ask my DD to cover head while she ate a cheese burger so why would I ask someone to cover their babies head while he/she had their lunch. That idea is so ludacris. The problem does not belong to the mom or baby it belongs to the onlooker.

 

[LisaBi]

Babies need to eat. I say nurse them where-ever you are. Just be discreet. One of my favorite little "feel goods" when I spy a nursing mom in public is to smile at her and give her a little thumbs up or other "signal" that I'm with her and approve/agree with what she's doing. I only nursed my boys for about 6 months and 9 months - but would love to have been able to for longer.

LisaB

 

[msgrimm23]

everyone has different views on this. My mom breast feed but never in public she had a breast pump and would bring the milk in a bottle. (confused the dad he once used it in his coffee lol) I will breast feed in my home but out in public i will use a bottle. as long as the **** is not hangin out i don't care i just don't think i have the confidence to do it in public.

 

[CindyAnn]

Go for it Flortlebap! I'm horrified to hear that you encounter negative reactions at home. In Canada breastfeeding rates are fairly high, and several years ago a series of commercials showing women breastfeeding in restaurants, malls, etc. was shown on television and on posters all over Toronto, in order to promote acceptance. I never encountered any negative reactions when breastfeeding in public, although often I was eager to seek out quiet spots to avoid distractions.

I remember several years ago on the DIS, one guy's "horrifying moment" was when a nursing baby disengaged, and the mom's breast fell out onto a table in a counter service restaurant. He wanted to know what he should tell his 12yo (if I remember correctly) son. I had to laugh, because if I had to explain breastfeeding to my 12yo, I'd feel like I'd kind of fallen down on the job of parenting.

"Yeah, honey, that was an accident. Accidents happen. We're mammals and that's how mammals feed their young. Let's go ride Splash Mountain!' How is that a big deal? It's much easier to explain to a child than watching someone be abusive to their family or watching people who don't know how to wait in line.

My secret suspicion is that the men who are horrified with public breastfeeding are actually the same ones who lurk at the bottom of Summit Plummet hoping for a bikini accident!

 

[Bird-Mom]

I have no problems with someone bf in public,but there are alot of people who are uncomfortable with it,there may also be parents out there who dont want their kids seeing that,so I think moms should be respectful to those people and cover up.

I refuse to worry about other people "not wanting their kids to see that." I am not responsible to anticipate parents who are afraid of natural, normal body functions. What is wrong with seeing a baby eating? It is normal, natural and what babies do.

I will cover up when you throw a cloth diaper over your baby bottle. I will cover up when you eat your lunch under a blanket. Not going to happen-right? I have been breastfeeding for over 4.5 years now, and I will say this, a blanket is a huge red sign that says "Nursing Baby Under Here!"

It is attitudes like this that 1)keep breastfeeding rates low and 2)keep the breast as a sexual object.

In all my years breastfeeding, I have never had someone say something nasty directly to my face. I did have someone complain about me nursing my tiny baby at Outback Steakhouse; I could hear her complaining to the manager (she was sitting across the aisle from me and wanted me to hear), and the manager told her sorry, nothing we can do. She is protected by the law. The baby is allowed to eat too.

I am a 38F and I have nursed discretely all over WDW and many other places. Nurse in a sling if you are worried. The worst part of exposure from nursing in public is definitely the post baby tummy.

All mothers are not required to pump to ease nervous onlookers. That is crazy. Pumping and carrying bottles is so much work. I did pump for my younger dd and supplemented at the breast. Cleaning that pump is a pain. I would never do it on a regular basis. I have never given either of my dds a bottle, but I do have experience with them from my days as a nanny, and they are a lot of work. No way for me; breast is so much easier.

Most women are very discreet. I would put money on the "one who whipped it out and let it hang" was either an exaggeration or a one time thing.

Oh and to end my long winded-ness, I will be NIP all over WDW with my 26 month old 8/24-9/2, so don't look, and don't expect me to cover up. She is a tall child, and she does ask for it. I think it is cute especially when she says "peease mama!" I will apologize in advance if I accidentally flash you, which I most likely won't.

 

[Simba22]

Discretion is the key in this situation. DBF and I were out to eat one night (not in WDW) and there was a couple at the booth next to us. They had a baby with them and suddenly in the middle of my meal, I had an eyeful of ****. I've got my own and don't need to see anyone elses! LoL Feeding public is perfectly fine, as long as I don't catch an eyeful.

 

[kennezgirl]

I have no problem with public breastfeeding and I actually worry about those that do. While I do respect the choices of all, it troubles me that our society has sexualized the breast to the point that some people actually worry about a child being scarred for life if they see one in an infant's mouth. That is what they were designed for and it is the most natural thing in the world. Should these children be ushered out of the room if an indoor pet is feeding it's young or if they visit a farm and it is lunch time?
Mice, ducks, dogs, elephants, and pooh bears....I doubt any of them ever sucked a bottle.
And for the record I did bottle feed two, breast fed one......both were great experiences...that is a matter of choice. Just the whole shock of the public nudity is absurd.....no different than all of those male little boys being changed in the female restrooms when I take my daughters in! You just explain it, don't make a big deal of it and go on.

 

[kennezgirl]

I just re-read my post and realized I sounded angry and nasty. Not at all what I was trying to do. Not going to argue and sorry if I offended anyone. Good thread and glad to see that everyone generally has the same feelings.

Have a wonderful Disney Day!

 

[ducklite]

I've seen plenty of people BF in the parks. They all were covered but it wasn't hard to tell what was going on. As long as it's done discreetly, I don't see why anyone would have a problem with it.

I'm in total agreement here. For babies and younger toddlers I've got no problem with it. That said, I don't think it's appropriate to BF a toddler/preschooler in a very public setting. By the time they are two they are eating solids and no longer NEED to BF. It's the mothers perogative to do so, but IMHO it's somthing that can be done in the morning before you leave for the parks and then again at bedtime.

I find a four year old clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out in the middle of a theme park or restaurant a bit obnoxious. By the time they've figured how to unbutton and unhook to get to it, or how to verbally ask for it, it's time that it's done in private. At that point there's no more being discreet about it in public--it's obvious and distracting.

Anne

 

[Hixski]

I'm in total agreement here. For babies and younger toddlers I've got no problem with it. That said, I don't think it's appropriate to BF a toddler/preschooler in a very public setting. By the time they are two they are eating solids and no longer NEED to BF. It's the mothers perogative to do so, but IMHO it's somthing that can be done in the morning before you leave for the parks and then again at bedtime.

I find a four year old clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out in the middle of a theme park or restaurant a bit obnoxious.

Anne

We had a neighbor that bf all of her girls till they were 7 or 8. She was actually bf all of them at the same time. She was probably the most vocal too about doing it anywhere and everywhere. One got done and the next one latched on. And then the next......

 

[ducklite]

We had a neighbor that bf all of her girls till they were 7 or 8. She was actually bf all of them at the same time. She was probably the most vocal too about doing it anywhere and everywhere. One got done and the next one latched on. And then the next......

OK, that's just bizarre. There's something emotionally wrong with a woman who breastfeeds an eight year old. By that time there is no health beenfit to the child. The child does not need to BF to bond with the mother. Sorry, but that's a woman who's got issues, and unfortunately her children probably do as well.

Anne

 

[disneyjunkie]

We had a neighbor that bf all of her girls till they were 7 or 8. She was actually bf all of them at the same time. She was probably the most vocal too about doing it anywhere and everywhere. One got done and the next one latched on. And then the next......

That's sick

I feel sorry for the kids. Can you imagine what a school age child would have to deal with if his/her peer knew they were still nursing.