Where can someone breast feed there child?

[GEM]

Actually, I've been calling you an idiot all along. Maybe you didn't read closely enough? (And, I think moron and pervert have also been tossed around a bit, just in case you're keeping track.)

And, it had nothing to do with not agreeing with me. It has to do with the way you've presented your arguments and with your inability to see that attempting to harass a mother feeding her baby is just a STUPID thing to do, no matter how you feel about what she's doing.

Oh, and since you have no problem with innocent videotaping, I assume you'd have no problem with any other man taking some great footage of your wife or daughters (if you have them) by the pool in their swimsuits, right?

Oh, man. I said I wasn't going to reply again, didn't I? This is it. I promise. I won't be posting here again, even though I know it will mean letting you have the last word. Oh well.

I'm taking my very supportive husband out for a Father's Day dinner. What a truly ironic day to be having this discussion with you.

 

[Jon99]

I never said anything about harrassing, just taking a few shots of the sights and scenes of WDW... Apparently its YOU that doesn't read real close..

 

[mom2my3kids]

Come on people..Please enough already..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have NO PROBLEM whipping my video camera out and making them feel a little embarrassed...

Here you go pervert. Hardly taking photos of the "sights and scenes of WDW". Even if I wasn't breastfeeding I would still alert security if you were taking photos of me and my family. You don't have to like what anyone does that's your right- but it is not your right to be a weirdo and cause intent to harass, alarm, annoy, or threaten. That would be harassment- look it up. As far as you being 6'4" 240lbs- well sweetie- didn't anyone ever tell you that size doesn't matter? Have a great day!

 

[Jon99]

Pervert???? First you claim its a natural act and now you claim I am a pervert for taking pictures of a natural act??? You can't have it both ways no matter how hard you try...

Is it against the law for me to take pictures of people????? hmmmmm

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Pervert???? First you claim its a natural act and now you claim I am a pervert for taking pictures of a natural act??? You can't have it both ways no matter how hard you try...

Is it against the law for me to take pictures of people????? hmmmmm

It is a natural act but if you are taking photos for your sick pleasure then yes, you are a pervert. Again- if your in photo taking you cause intent to harass, annoy, alarm or threaten it is harassment. Since you clearly stated that you are videotaping to embarass people you would have to make it known that you are doing just that, so yes, that would fall under harassment.

 

[Jon99]

Taking a picture of a woman on a bench is NOT harrassment....

 

[glass slipper girl]

Taking a picture of a woman on a bench is NOT harrassment....

Taking a photo may not be but by your original statement which was...

I have NO PROBLEM whipping my video camera out and making them feel a little embarrassed...

in my opinion that implies more than taking a photo...that implies making comments of doing things to draw attention to and attempt to shame the mother in question. THAT would be harassment. I don't think I was the only one who interpreted your comment in that way. How on earth would you think that just taking a photo, with no commentary from you and nothing else but taking a photo...how on earth would that make the nursing Mom feel embarrassed???

As for your size. My husband is 6'4" and 235. My father is 6'3" and probably about the same. I'm not impressed and it doesn't matter if you are 6'4" or 5'2", what you are talking about doing is wrong. And to think it's over how to explain it to your kids is sad! You offer no more information than is needed....that woman is feeding her baby. If your child asks more...Mom's bodies make milk to feed their babies. That is how your Mom fed you too. THAT'S IT...no discussion of breasts in a sexual context. Small children don't look at breasts in a sexual context anyway!

I am offended by people that almost brag about how they feed their children wherever they choose and most men I know feel the same way.

That is sad. Most men I know have no issue with it at all. My husband certainly does not. The men in our circle of friends have never had an issue with it and most of the Moms in our circle have not only breastfed their kids, but done so around everyone in "the group." Most of these men may avert their eyes for a few seconds when Mom gets baby latched on if they are aware of what is happening but quite frequently they are NOT aware unless Mom throws a blanket over herself and baby first. Once baby is latched on, these men go right on with their conversations with us with no problems at all. So your "random sampling" of men says they are all offended...mine says they aren't, that they view it as much as a natural act as the women do.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I go 6'4", about 240-245... I think I will be ok...

Folks, its my OPINION.. I am offended by people that almost brag about how they feed their children wherever they choose and most men I know feel the same way.. I consider what you are doing rude in many cases, just as you would find it rude if I was taking pictures of you..

LEGAL IN FLORIDA BUDDY! LEGAL IN FLORIDA!

No more justification needed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And its also totally legal for me to video tape this healthy and wonderful event. So whats the fuss?

Actually no it isn't.

At any time someone can request you to stop filming or taking their picture as I would do.

Once you have no consent--if you continue, you are violating my rights and your actions have now become illegal and I would have no trouble filing charges against you for harrasment.


So just try video taping an innocent act buddy. You might just find there really is Disney Jail.

Buh bye now!

 

[jodifla]

Actually no it isn't.

At any time someone can request you to stop filming or taking their picture as I would do.

Once you have no consent--if you continue, you are violating my rights and your actions have now become illegal and I would have no trouble filing charges against you for harrasment.


So just try video taping an innocent act buddy. You might just find there really is Disney Jail.

Buh bye now!

Sorry, this isn't true. If you are out in public, you can be photographed or videotaped. How do you think newspapers get their pictures? They don't ask permission.

You could try to file charges, but it probably wouldn't stick.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Hey I nursed mine anywhere and everywhere. I say you can nurse anywhere you want and if anyone says anything and I'm nearby, I'll jump on your bandwagon to defend your right to feed you kid anyday. Also, I agree anywhere but a bathroom, no one would ask a child to eat a cheeseburger off a toilet, so why would you ask a baby to have their meal on a toilet. Go for it mama anyplace you want.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sorry, this isn't true. If you are out in public, you can be photographed or videotaped. How do you think newspapers get their pictures? They don't ask permission.

You could try to file charges, but it probably wouldn't stick.

To take my personal photograph AFTER I have requested that it not be taken.....would be in violation of my rights.

The creep in question is not a journalist and it is on private property.

Please don't tell me that in the rights of women--you are justifying his right to be an a$$.

 

[FredS]

Although, I will admit that I love seeing nursing moms when I'm out and about because every woman out there who nurses in public makes it a little easier for the next one.

Yes and no. Sometimes I will realize that a woman is breastfeeding but you can't really "tell" because she is being discreet. I think those women make it easier. The ones who set back public breastfeeding by leaps and bounds are those who seem to be more intent on either a)exhibiting what they've got, or b) putting their interests before their baby's.

I will never forget, as a high school student, being in line at an amusement park with other teenagers and, right at the point where everyone had to go through the individual turnstile and give their ticket this woman was leaning up against the wall literally a few inches away from where everyone was, and she had her shirt completely off and was holding a baby. There were numerous benches nearby, as well as a quiet indoor area. The baby didn't seem hungry and she didn't seem concerned about it eating. We all honestly felt like she was a perv and just wanted to be seen. I have seen similar situations a couple of other times.

More common, and what I find really sad, are women who seem more intent on "living their lives" than finding a quiet, calm place for their infant to eat. Nursing a child is a wonderful thing for babies, but if you are in a noisy, crowded place, not maintaining eye contact and cuddling your child then, IMHO, your child is missing out on a huge part of the nursing experience.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

More common, and what I find really sad, are women who seem more intent on "living their lives" than finding a quiet, calm place for their infant to eat. Nursing a child is a wonderful thing for babies, but if you are in a noisy, crowded place, not maintaining eye contact and cuddling your child then, IMHO, your child is missing out on a huge part of the nursing experience.

My babies nursed with their eyes closed--so no eye contact is necessary.

My babies are calmed by nursing--so it wouldn't matter if World War III were going on--if they were being fed and were all nice and snuggly--we were not missing one bit of the nursing experience.

Some babies are not this way. But you cannot generalize that they all are.

Some babies get bottle fed in very noisy places out in the open. Are they not being nurtured properly either? Should we demand those moms take their babes to quiet corner for proper nourishment and nurturing?

And let's talk biology--it ain't like a bottle--proximity is necessary for nursing. It isn't always necessary for bottlefeeding (i.e. you can feed at arms length if necessary). So to say that no cuddling is going on is rather innacurate (and pretty darn difficult I would imagine for most moms unless I am missing out on something).

And opinions like these do discourage other moms instead of encourage them whatever their circumstance.

 

[GEM]

Fred, I want to respond to what you said, because I understand the points you are making, and more importantly, I respect the spirit and attitude in which they were made.

Yes and no. Sometimes I will realize that a woman is breastfeeding but you can't really "tell" because she is being discreet. I think those women make it easier. The ones who set back public breastfeeding by leaps and bounds are those who seem to be more intent on either a)exhibiting what they've got . . .

First, I want to say that I've never ever seen anything like what you described at the amusement park. People often throw out stories about women showing all they've got to the world while nursing, but I just honestly have never, ever seen it. And, I notice and look for nursing moms everywhere we go! I'm not saying it never happens, but it is very, very rare, I believe. Honestly, it just doesn't happen as much as opponents of public nursing would like everyone to believe. The VAST majority of mothers are discreet and polite (and for the record, that doesn't mean covering up with a blanket or totally trying to hide what they are doing).

More common, and what I find really sad, are women who seem more intent on "living their lives" than finding a quiet, calm place for their infant to eat. Nursing a child is a wonderful thing for babies, but if you are in a noisy, crowded place, not maintaining eye contact and cuddling your child then, IMHO, your child is missing out on a huge part of the nursing experience.

Again, I understand the point you are trying to make here, but I think what you have to remember is that you are only seeing a tiny glimpse of the nursing relationship when you notice something like this. Little ones nurse very often. Newborns can nurse as much as every two hours - and some babies keep that schedule up for a long, long time. I, as a matter of fact, had one of those babies that pretty much just nursed 24-7 for the first 6 months of his life. Seriously, he was latched on all the time! With all that nursing going on, you can't expect every feeding to be a bonding/cuddling fest with mother and baby gazing into each other's eyes. Yes, that's great, and probably 75% of our feedings were just like that . . . BUT there were times when life demanded that I get out there and get things done. There were times I nursed while chatting on the phone, while sitting on a bench talking to a friend, while waiting in line at the Wal-Mart, or waiting for Illuminations to start, etc. So, remember that if you see a woman out and about nursing in a busy, crowded place or talking to someone else instead of gazing at her baby, that you are only seeing one out of what might be many nursing sessions that day. Lots of times it IS about having a wonderful, quiet moment together - but sometimes it's just about feeding the baby and getting on with whatever you are doing. That's just the way it is. And, of course, different babies have different nursing styles - some like to relax and enjoy their dinner, some chug it down and move on to the next thing, some need a quiet place with no distractions, and some (like mine) could have nursed happily in the middle of a rock concert.

Anyway, I just wanted to respond. Back to your regularly scheduled debate.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

My babies nursed with their eyes closed--so no eye contact is necessary.

LOL! My dd did, too, and even if she didn't, eye contact would have been extremely difficult, as my nipples point out, not down, and she therefore faced my breast when nursing, not my face.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I will never forget, as a high school student, being in line at an amusement park with other teenagers and, right at the point where everyone had to go through the individual turnstile and give their ticket this woman was leaning up against the wall literally a few inches away from where everyone was, and she had her shirt completely off and was holding a baby. There were numerous benches nearby, as well as a quiet indoor area. The baby didn't seem hungry and she didn't seem concerned about it eating. We all honestly felt like she was a perv and just wanted to be seen. I have seen similar situations a couple of other times.

Wow! I am a nursing Mom and would find this a bit odd so I am sorry that you had to witness it. That being said I have never seen anyone take their shirt off to nurse. I am sure that there might be some out there but I have never seen that. From your story it seems like the Mom might have had some issues. Anyway- I would have to say that most of us nursers are not exibitionists. Just as my dh how self conscious I am in a bathing suit! Also- I am not "living my life" if I am nusring while walking or in a noisy place not making eye contact. My house is a noisy place! (3 kids under 4!) My kids like the cuddling and rocking or walking and usually have their eyes closed and fall asleep within minutes. We're not missing out on anything. So different nursing styles work for different people. There are times when we NEED a quiet place because my baby is more interested in what's going on than nursing and then I find one, but mostly they just want to be held and snuggled so they can relax and sleep. Just wanted to point that out.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

There were times I nursed while chatting on the phone, while sitting on a bench talking to a friend, while waiting in line at the Wal-Mart, or waiting for Illuminations to start, etc.

I nurse while DISing! I'm doing it right now! Quick, Jon, grab your camera!

NAKers of the world, unite!
Hey, can we ask for a breastfeeding smiley?!?!?!?

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I will never forget, as a high school student, being in line at an amusement park with other teenagers and, right at the point where everyone had to go through the individual turnstile and give their ticket this woman was leaning up against the wall literally a few inches away from where everyone was, and she had her shirt completely off and was holding a baby. There were numerous benches nearby, as well as a quiet indoor area. The baby didn't seem hungry and she didn't seem concerned about it eating. We all honestly felt like she was a perv and just wanted to be seen. I have seen similar situations a couple of other times.

Wow! I am a nursing Mom and would find this a bit odd so I am sorry that you had to witness it. That being said I have never seen anyone take their shirt off to nurse. I am sure that there might be some out there but I have never seen that. From your story it seems like the Mom might have had some issues. Anyway- I would have to say that most of us nursers are not exibitionists.

I also have never seen anything like this either. Nor have I seen any breastfeeding mom show more skin than she would in a bikini top at the beach. oops, disclaimer: That is, I've never seen that in the United States. I have seen more breast exposed on breastfeeding moms in other countries where breastfeeding is more accepted.

I too, don't disbelieve anyone who says they've seen this, but how often do you really see it? Fred describes one situation, then adds that he's seen it "a couple of other times". Now, I have no idea how old you are Fred, but let me venture to guess you're at least 30, so you've been around at least 12 years or so since that amusement park incident. In 12 years of going about your daily life, WDW, other amusement parks, shopping malls, beaches, swimming pools, restaurants, museums, libraries, kids athletic events, professional athletic events, concerts, movies, heck even leisurely strolls through the neighborhood park, I betcha you come into reasonably close proximately to a breastfeeding mom on average at least once a week. 52 times a year, times 12 years = 624 breastfeeding moms (and really, I bet that's on the low side, especially if you're a parent). 620 or so of which you barely noticed, 3 or 4 of which were acting as exhibitionists.

These same behaviors get brought up every time there is a breastfeeding thread. People never notice most of the 500-1,000 or more women who breastfed discreetly, they only notice and remember those 2 or 3 or even 10 women who let it all hang out. This type of concentration on the actions of such a tiny percentage of any other group of people would be shot down immediately as unfair stereotyping or prejudice.