I nursed all three of my boys and did so in public many times. I always carried a large baby blanket along with wearing nursing-friendly clothing whenever we went out in public. Nursing allowed me to fly in peace with a 3 month old who wouldn't take bottles or a pacifier (for our nursing-friendly GC'ers, he was a comfort nurser! Yikes! Kudos to Mrs. DeltAlum for her work, I'd have died without my consultant!)

The only time anyone anyone ever lifted an eye to me was in a mall one day (and trust me, I was paranoid about nursing in public!) I was sitting on a bench in a quiet and secluded part of the mall, with both my jacket on and the blanket to cover me and baby, and he'd been nursing for about 5 minutes already. Then this older lady walked over to me and in a loud voice announced something to the effect of "I think it's wonderful what you are doing for your baby." I was sitting there afraid she was coming to yell at me!

Seriously though, folks, modesty is key when breastfeeding. Bathrooms are NOT the place to nurse, unless they have a separate sitting area from the facilities. Trust me, modest nursing is much better than a screaming parent and leaky mom ;)

There are other things more offensive than breast feeding.

I'd rather see a woman breast feed than someone chatting their ass off on a cellphone, kicking my chair at the movies, or not saying please and thank you!

It['s a beautiful thing, let them be...

For the record-I am cool w/discrete public breast feeding....

But I have an oogy BFeeding-story to share! Years ago, my DH was a waiter at the Black Eyed Pea, and he was waiting on a family (mom, dad, 6-7 year old boy). Everyone had their own meal, you know, chicken fried steak, etc, but the kid didn't order a drink. DH found out why soon enough, when 6-7 year old kid (who was old enough to cut his own steak!!!) moved over to mom's side of the booth, lifted her shirt & proceeded to breast feed in front of everyone (mom just continued to eat & talk like there was nothing unusual about it). Fortunately there weren't many people in the restaurant at the time, but DH didn't realize what was going on until he went to the table to give them their ticket...said he just froze & didn't know what to say.

THATS.JUST.WRONG!

what if I said: "seeing people with four and five year old children running around and screaming and throwing their food on the floor bothers me, so keep your kids out of my dining experience and eat at home (or in the bathroom) until your child is 12", or "the color red really makes me sick to my stomach, so anyone wearing red clothes should have to eat in the bathroom"? none of that would fly, sometimes things happen in public places that make us uncomfortable but I kind of have to say: TOO BAD that's why they call it PUBLIC, if you want to moniter and filter out what you see and what you do and how you feel all the time, stay on your property where it's private; that's why it's called PRIVATE. we're not talking about sex on the street, we're not talking about anything sexual at all (which is where this uncomfortablity stems from). When I examine why this would make me uncomfortable I am confronted only with sexual and nudity social norms that teach me that the human body is something to keep covered and shameful. I've seen breastfeeding and it's not noisy, noticable, or gross. Be discreet ladies, and breastfeed where you will. I respect everyone's opinion on this, this is just mine.

I think breast feeding in public is acceptable as long as it is discrete - I wouldn't want to be sitting in the food court of the mall having a peep show, but if you are in a quiet secluded corner and have everything covered to the best of your ability, go for it. I'd rather see a little breast than hear a kid screaming, because we all know how much I enjoy small children. :p

I don't like the idea of breastfeeding in a bathroom because so many mothers bring their small kids into the bathroom with them, and they would just ask questions and be impolite - or they could be one of those charming mothers who still brings their 12 year old boy into the women's room. :rolleyes:

Now that is worse that breast-feeding in public...bringing little boys into the ladies' room! I understand if the kid is pretty young, but I have been in bathrooms where boys just stroll right in who are obviously well old enough to go pee-pee on their own. That makes me so mad! :mad:

Anyway, back to the issue at hand, I concur with everyone who said that it's fine as long as the mother is covered up, i.e. no peep show going on.

<hijack>

The worst was when I was at UWP on the track team - we used the general women's showers and I was showering up one day after practice and all these women and kids come in. Most of the boys are like 5, 6, so I'm not overly concerned, but one mom comes in with a boy who was at least 10 or 11 and goes "Oh no!" then puts a towel over his head. I'm glad to know I'll be providing him with lovely dreams for years to come. :p

Then you would be my hero. :D If you can't control your children in public you SHOULD eat at home until your child is 12. I don't mean the kid cries because he falls and hurts himself, or touches something hot, but CONSTANT noise and misbehavior that goes unchecked by (I use the term loosely) parents.

Re: Boo....hiss....
 

Absolutely! I didn't breastfeed my girls, but I support the rights of women who do just so long as they are discrete about it.

33girl: I know, I hate it too, I guess my point is that no one is publishing articles about stuff like that and breast feeding seems way less annoying. I was just questioning why people feel that this is so controversial (I was not trying to be rude, sorry).

edited for spelling

AMEN!

I don't mind the idea of breastfeeding in public, as long as it's discreet. I'd rather see a little body with his head mysteriously inside his mother's blouse or under a blanket, than hear a baby screaming and crying because he's hungry. I'd rather not see mommy's boobs, though, unless it's unavoidable.

I would prefer not to see a baby nursing when I'm trying to eat in a restaurant, but if you're stuck, you're stuck. I wouldn't want to have mother and baby relegated to the restroom (ick!)

If I am blessed with children, I intend to breastfeed them, but only for a few months. I know all about the advantages of breast milk, I myself was breastfed, but I fully intend to continue my career after a reasonable maternity leave, and I can't imagine that breastfeeding at work is very feasible - do I run to the day care center every 3 hours? (And besides, when the baby gets hungry at 3am, I want the option of making my husband feed him or her :p ) NO WAY will the little one still be nursing at age 6 or 7 (or even 2) - at some point, the bar will close!

And 33girl, I'm with you on keeping misbehaving kids at home. If they can't behave (and their parents can't control them), they don't deserve the treat of a dinner out. But the kids should be given the chance to go out in public if they can behave - a lot of cultures relegate children to the nursery until they're 12 or so, even if they really are the little angels their parents claim they are.

I nursed all three of my darlings for roughly 8 months each. I rarely breastfed in public, only when necessary. It can be done discreetly with the proper clothing and blankets. Most people are completely unaware of what is going on. Some "exposure" may occur when initially guiding the baby to the breast, but that takes only a second in most cases. I think it is a beautiful thing, and it is a bond that can only be understood through experience.
I would never nurse my babies in a stinky bathroom. No way, no how! As far as bottles go, Deltalum is right. The pumps are not nearly as effective as a baby, and everytime a bottle is given is time the mother is not reducing her supply. To be frank, the milk builds up, and it HAS to go somewhere! When you give a bottle, the milk in the breast is not going anywhere, and gets fuller and fuller which is VERY uncomfortable for mommy.
As far as explanations for children viewing nursing, it should be described as an alternative to the bottle, not as something taboo or disgusting. I laugh at my girls because when they play with baby dolls, they don't use a "bottle" to feed the baby, they pretend to nurse her! Sorry, but the breasts came long before the bottles, and is nature's way to feed a baby.
Kay, I'll get off my soapbox now!

I am against public nudity and this is one of the times I stay by my decision to be against it.