Thanks to PM for pointing out the other threads which I remember seeing and reading with interest.

As the husband of a former International Board of Directors member of LaLeche League, I suspect you can guess where our family lines up on this one.

BUT, discretion is the absolute key.

AAaaaa--men!

Definitely, discretion is key. I nursed in plenty of public places, probably one or two Burger Kings along the way, and was never asked to stop or go nurse in the restroom or whatever. Sure, maybe someone thought that, but no one ever came and said a word to me.

It's not hard to keep covered while nursing, so why moms don't do so is beyond me.

I was never in a position where it was necessary in a public place.
After all, isn't that why most women express their milk? I've seen mothers who retreat to the ladies room or a secluded corner and that seems perfect. I also had a friend who whipped it out more for HER comfort than that of the child's. (Her kid was pretty big and got a little bit old to be on breast milk alone.) I don't have a problem AT ALL unless the MOTHER'S attitude is insensitive to the people in the vicinity.

Actually, I think it's a beautiful sight.

I did get caught once-Some construction work was going on in our home and this elderly gent came round the door and after a brief pause...he asked me if I wanted to check something or other. I was slightly embarrassed.

I would NEVER do it. But I suppose if other people insist on doing it, it's fine as long as they keep it covered up.

seriously! breast feeding in public is gross, let's not talk about this anymore

as long as I don't know what's going on it's fine, but I don't want to see a woman whip out the boob while I am eating-yuk

Yeah! And there's a baby sucking on it! (stolen joey zinger)

I plan on breastfeeding, and that will be sooner than a lot of you! And, I was split on the issue until I actually became pregnant. I know that I certainly don't want people oggling me while I'm trying to feed my son, however, if it's 'time' then it's time! I know that it is possible to be discreet, because often times you cannot even tell what is going on! I don't plan on making it a public spectical!

I waited tables in college at a nice restaurant in Houston. Women who needed to breastfeed (and there were only a few) would request a specific booth that we had where discretion was absolute. Quite honestly, when I'm eating out at a nice restaurant, I'm not really paying attention to people who are around me. I talk to whomever I'm eating with!

aj

I don't mean to be crass, but, aren't there breast pumps that were invented primarily for this purpose? Wouldn't it just be easier, while in public, to have already have expressed the milk from the pump and have it in a bottle? I mean I am not a mother and personally don't care if a mother breast feeds or not but breast pumps just would seem an easier proposition than to have to whip it out in public.

This is actually a really good point.

What do you discreet people think? This would be even more discreet.

Because some people--in fact, most women I know who've tried--have been unable to pump milk for various reasons. Also, it takes a long time. A teacher I taught with last year would hole up in the bathroom for 45 minutes at a time and come out with very little milk and in tears...when she breastfed her child, though, she always had plenty.

Not to sound like a bitch, but I think it's kind of trashy. I realize it's natural and what not but there are certain things that people don't want to see...while it doesn't make me uncomfortable, I liken it to the one time I was eating at McDonalds and these two people were giving themselves what I assume were insulin injections by hypodermic needle at the next table. A public place is a public place- that's a little more information than the rest of us need when we're trying to eat a meal.

Breastfeeding in public is fine with me, as long as it's discreet.

I think it is fine as long as it is covered up for not all to see.

We sold a car to a family that just had a baby and when they came over to pick it up she came inside with the baby to stay warm. My entire family was there along with some friends because we had just moved in and this lady sat on our couch, took one arm out of the sleeve of her shirt, whipped her boob out and sat there naked chested in front of everyone and fed the baby. Keep in mind they were there for about 15 minutes at the most. It was very wierd and uncomfortable