Laws regarding public breastfeeding

[gwynne]

The poster I quoted was responding to another poster who said its indiscreet for a 4 year old to nurse in public. They were not referring to the Time magazine article. I brought up the article in a separate part of my post. Other posters (who I did not quote) mentioned the child being 5 and another 6. I was referring both to those posters as well as people I have heard talk about the photo IRL.

It doesn't really matter how old people "think" he looks. The article (as well as other articles referencing the article/photo) indicates clearly that he was 3. That was kind of my point-- people think it looks inappropriate, so they feel the need to exaggerate the age to make their gut reaction seem more justified.

Well, you are absolutely correct about the kid being 3.
I tend to think there is are probably some overall differences between a child that is three years, 0 months and and child that is 3 years, 11 months.
I believe the photo was staged for an obvious reason. It did get attention.

 

[aaarcher86]

I think the value in reading about how breastfeeding happens in other countries is that it reminds us that there are other ways to look at issues like when to wean and breastfeeding in public.

Eh, I disagree. I don't think we can just pick and choose when it's okay to use these comparisons. If I started using developing nations in examples of different stuff people would blow that reasoning down pretty quick.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Eh, I disagree. I don't think we can just pick and choose when it's okay to use these comparisons. If I started using developing nations in examples of different stuff people would blow that reasoning down pretty quick.

Well, I think it tells us that breastfeeding for longer than North Americans tend to think is normal may, in fact, be pretty normal in biological terms.

 

[JanaDee]

Well, I think it tells us that breastfeeding for longer than North Americans tend to think is normal may, in fact, be pretty normal in biological terms.

Normal to us as a culture is what we experience on a daily basis. What third world countries do has no basis on what I consider normal.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Common isn't the same as normal. Things that are uncommon can still be (biologically) normal. For example, being right-handed is much more common than being left-handed. But being left-handed is still normal (despite efforts made in the past to re-train the left-handed kids to write with their right hands). Breastfeeding for a short period of time is common in our society - in fact, many babies in the US get no breastfeeding at all. That doesn't mean that breastfeeding for a much longer time is abnormal. In biological terms, it is perfectly normal. It's just uncommon in one part of the world.

 

[tzolkin]

I don't really know what you're defending in the quote system? The poster you quoted said the kid was 4. Even someone defending the article is getting the age wrong and they don't have anything to justify with it either.

Sorry, I thought I explained, but I guess I was not clear. The PP I quoted was referring to this:

I also think that when your kid is 4 years old and unbuttons your shirt themself to breastfeed, that's not particularly discreet.
Yeah...I've seen that too.

Their mention of "4 year old" had absolutely nothing to do with the Time magazine article.

My comments about the time magazine article were separated from my response to the quoted poster and prefaced with "on another note", so I thought it was clear that my post included two separate topics. I apologize for being more confusing than I had intended.


And, neither I nor any previous posters were "defending" the Time article. I only referenced it since it had been mentioned (incorrectly) several times on this thread that it depicted a BFing 6 yr old.

I think there is a difference between a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old, just as there is a difference between a 3yr old and an infant, so it's relevant to have the facts when discussing what's appropriate and what's inappropriate.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I think discrimination is a bit strong here.

Me judging someone for utilizing their boob as their own personal Theraputty isn't discriminating against them. Telling them they can't do it would be.

I do find it a little ironic that everyone insists that people should have a little common courtesy for others in all aspects of life EXCEPT when it comes to breast feeding.

Breast feeding doesn't disgust me in the slightest. But someone flicking their orangutan nipples (which I can only assume we will now justify as meal prep) when I'm trying to eat my meal does. Feed your kid. No need to show boat it.

You call yourself "TinkerT$ts" on the other website that can't be named. Really, that speaks volumes about your thoughts on breastfeeding.

 

[lizabu]

What do you mean you don't know - it's a simple question. Regardless of what the guy down the street does, if you are a woman do you really want to perform mundane, everyday tasks in a public setting without your shirt on. Yes or no?

Of course the question is absurd and I posed it that way specifically to emphasize how ridiculous the rhetoric on this issue becomes. I'm amazed that people feel so strongly about "having rights" they would never, ever exercise...

My sister has smaller breasts than my dad. Hers don't dangle at all. Shes an A cup and only wears a bra if she wants to. My dad is overweight and would probably be a D cup if they made bras for men. So I guess you're saying it's all about the size of the breast whether or not it is offensive?

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Normal to us as a culture is what we experience on a daily basis. What third world countries do has no basis on what I consider normal.

The United States is considered a multicultural nation. Surely you understand that there are different cultural norms within our society and we should not dictate to each other. Your norm may not be my norm but, hey, we live in a free country, right?

Some women cover their legs, arms, faces and hair in our society. It's certainly not for me but this is their cultural norm. I appreciate that they not dictate whether or not I chose to do the same regardless of their comfort level.

 

[gemini2727]

It always amuses me when people have to ask these kinds of things.
Yes, in comparison to show boating your boobs. The EXTREME version of breastfeeding.

Lol, the "extreme" version! Breastfeeding is breastfeeding, get over it. I have to say, that women (in this thread) are so offended by what is a part of their own body amazes me. Breasts were made for feeding. Simple solution of you don't like to see it, don't look. It's not the nursing mother's responsibility to worry about your sensibilities.

 

[aaarcher86]

You call yourself "TinkerT$ts" on the other website that can't be named. Really, that speaks volumes about your thoughts on breastfeeding.

Not really. Tinker is in reference to Tinkerbell. And tits because it flowed together well and sounded funny. My other option was VaginaWizard. That doesn't make me a lesbian. I'm not opposed to mine being tinkered with under the rigt circumstances but...

I have no idea how you put that together to come up with a perception on my BF thoughts.

 

[aaarcher86]

Lol, the "extreme" version! Breastfeeding is breastfeeding, get over it. I have to say, that women (in this thread) are so offended by what is a part of their own body amazes me. Breasts were made for feeding. Simple solution of you don't like to see it, don't look. It's not the nursing mother's responsibility to worry about your sensibilities.

Well, like I said it's not as if these women had a major effect on my inner psyche. I was around them for maybe a collective 10 minutes and would've have thought of them again if this thread or a similar one didn't come up.

I don't consider my stories normal or natural breast feeding. So, if I don't like it I will quietly judge, carry on my business, and post about it when a relevant thread comes up for discussing it. Cool? Cool.

 

[aaarcher86]

Sorry, I thought I explained, but I guess I was not clear. The PP I quoted was referring to this:


Their mention of "4 year old" had absolutely nothing to do with the Time magazine article.

My comments about the time magazine article were separated from my response to the quoted poster and prefaced with "on another note", so I thought it was clear that my post included two separate topics. I apologize for being more confusing than I had intended.


And, neither I nor any previous posters were "defending" the Time article. I only referenced it since it had been mentioned (incorrectly) several times on this thread that it depicted a BFing 6 yr old.

I think there is a difference between a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old, just as there is a difference between a 3yr old and an infant, so it's relevant to have the facts when discussing what's appropriate and what's inappropriate.

My bad then. I thought your quote was from Teresa Pitman so my 4 year old comments aren't even relevant.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm amused by all of the back and forth on this. Clearly people will never agree.

I would love it if some men joined in and gave their thoughts. I think that most men see breasts as sexual items and I doubt that many of them will think any differently just because of how they are used.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

oops

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I'm amused by all of the back and forth on this. Clearly people will never agree.

I would love it if some men joined in and gave their thoughts. I think that most men see breasts as sexual items and I doubt that many of them will think any differently just because of how they are used.

Most men "in North America." I read an interesting article by an anthropologist once - if I can find it again, I will link to it - pointing out the large numbers of human societies where men and women don't see breasts as sexual at all. It's very much a cultural thing.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Not really. Tinker is in reference to Tinkerbell. And tits because it flowed together well and sounded funny. My other option was VaginaWizard. That doesn't make me a lesbian. I'm not opposed to mine being tinkered with under the rigt circumstances but...

I have no idea how you put that together to come up with a perception on my BF thoughts.

I rest my case.

 

[Planogirl]

Most men "in North America." I read an interesting article by an anthropologist once - if I can find it again, I will link to it - pointing out the large numbers of human societies where men and women don't see breasts as sexual at all. It's very much a cultural thing.

But it is our culture. Those perceptions don't change in a day and at this time, I don't see as what other cultures believe as particularly relevant to us.

 

[gemini2727]

Well, like I said it's not as if these women had a major effect on my inner psyche. I was around them for maybe a collective 10 minutes and would've have thought of them again if this thread or a similar one didn't come up.

I don't consider my stories normal or natural breast feeding. So, if I don't like it I will quietly judge, carry on my business, and post about it when a relevant thread comes up for discussing it. Cool? Cool.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but could you answer a sincere question? Because I really wonder this...why are some women offended to see another woman's breast, especially in a non-sexual situation such as nursing a baby? I guess I find it odd to be offended by something which you yourself have?

 

[aaarcher86]

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, but could you answer a sincere question? Because I really wonder this...why are some women offended to see another woman's breast, especially in a non-sexual situation such as nursing a baby? I guess I find it odd to be offended by something which you yourself have?

Well, I'm not offended by it so I don't know if I could really answer this question that well.

And as I've said, I have no problems with public breast feeding. I don't see the need for your unused boob to be hanging out if it's not serving the purpose of nursing a child. Take offense? No. Find it odd and unnecessary? Yeah.

So, I don't know. I don't really think I'm the best person to answer this question.