Booby Feeding
 

oh I agree. Breastfeeding in natural, but I don't want to see or know its at the table next to me.

Its called respect lady, geesh!

Here is another vote for not breast-feeding. Seriously, I would take the baby to the car or something.

Personally, I think it's fine. It doesn't bother me in the slightest if I see a woman breast feeding her baby. I also think that it's easy for us to judge how we feel/think about it when we haven't been faced with our baby screaming bloody murder and needing food RIGHT THIS SECOND, maybe it's too hot in the car for the mom to go to, maybe there isn't a place where she can sit down in public, etc. I doubt the Taco Bell public bathroom is clean,comfortable enough for her to sit down comfortably and feed her baby. Mothers need to multitask as much as possible and I think we need to cut them some slack.

(I hope I'm not coming across as harsh -- it's just my opinion)

That being said, however, and I don't have kids yet so my opinion may change, I feel it's important to respect and honor my baby's privacy and while I could care less if people see my boob while feeding my baby in the most natural and healthy of ways, I think I am going to be private about it and go to the rest rooms, cars, another room, etc. And bottle my breast milk as much as possible for Taco Bell situations. But, again, I'm not a mom yet and haven't been in the situation where I've have 15 minutes sleep in the last six weeks, I have four deadlines at work, my husband is away on business and all I want is a taco bell meal and my child has the "audacity" to be hungry while I'm sitting down for the first time since I can remember.

Breast Feeding in Public


Bravo to Pnguintrax!

I don't live in Ontario presently, but I also wanted to point out that breast feeding is protected there by law....
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/english/guides...tfeeding.shtml
Ontario Human Rights Commission’
WHAT ABOUT BREASTFEEDING?
You have rights as a nursing mother. For example, you have the right to breastfeed a child in a public area. No one should prevent you from nursing your child simply because you are in a public area. They should not ask you to "cover up", disturb you, or ask you to move to another area that is more "discreet".

I think the reason why people in North America find breast objectionable (whereas in Europe, it's not a big deal...hello, watch a shampoo commercial in Germany and you will see breasts on TV) is because North American has a puritan legacy upon which it was founded...and I think we are still seeing our values and mores affected by it today.

Ditto CP2K!

As long as the women uses a towel or some other piece of cloth to cover her breast so there's not a peep show going on, I'm for it. It's a natural process, and I, for one, would rather see it than hear a kid screaming their bloody head off.

If a mother is discrete, she can breastfeed a child in public and nobody around her will realize it.

All three of our children were breastfed -- thank goodness. The advantages are well documented and enormous.

As in anything in life, a few women who aren't discrete can ruin it for everyone else. Nobody wants to see an exhibition. There have been a number of very public debates involving public breastfeeding -- including a couple of court cases as I recall, all of which were decided in favor of the breastfeeding "couple."

I'm not going to get on the soapbox here, but will simply say that Mrs. DeltAlum was, over the years, a LaLeche Leage Leader District Advisor (and professional lactation consultant) in Michigan, ran the organization in Colorado and Wyoming, was Regional Administrator for the Mountain/Southwest and SoCal, and then on the International Board of Directors for LaLeche League International -- the breastfeeding support and education organization which is active in more than eighty countries around the world. It is a fabulous organization, founded by seven Chicago area Mothers many years ago -- all of whom are still active. All of those positions with the exception of lactation consultant are volunteer.

Obviously, I support the rights of breastfeeding mothers and babies -- provided some degree of discretion is used. To be honest, the way some folks dress in public is more disturbing to me.

Boo....hiss....
 

I just read that Taco Bell article:

"Jones said the restaurant was nearly empty, and her shirt hid her breast while she was feeding the child. But, the manager of the restaurant apparently tried to put a stop to it, Local 4 reported. "

So
a) the restaurant was nearly empty and
b)her shirt hid her breast...
sounds like this poor woman was doing everything that she COULD to be "discreet", but even THAT wasn't enough.... the Manager was just being a mean and nasty jackass..... Sheesh.

And for those of you who think "feeding in the bathroom" is a viable solution, I challenge *YOU* to take your meal in there and eat it in the bathroom, in a room that reeks of $hit vapours. I for one, have found that at times, I practically have to hold my breath when I "do my business" in a public restroom, because sometimes those fast food restaurants are barely ventilated at all and they stink to high heaven.

I'm with PM_Mama on this one:

I have a right to eat my dinner in peace. I don't want to encounter questions from my five year old daughter. If I am in the middle of my dinner when someone decides to feed, it is too late for me to leave.

It is a societal problem, but I still don't want to encounter boobie feeding while I am having my dinner.

When I worked in the restaurants we provided a chair in the restroom if the mother had to feed. But lots of women would just do it right there in the booth, while the restaurant is full. I understand that it is natural, but they need to have some consideration for others. The people dining across from them might not be so liberal. And they are paying for a nice dinner as well. And we wouldn't let any other customer get away with anyting that disturbed other diners.

Edited to add:
I completely concur regarding discretion. I am all for the right to breast feed in public, if common sense is used. I just really have a problem with it in a restaurant where I am spending a lot of money to enjoy a dinner with the family.
And I was going to mention that men in my family get uncomfortable if one of my sisters or I wear a blouse that is too low cut. I would never subject them to my breast feeding.

VERY WELL SAID Kristin AGD!!!

The real question is why she was eating in Taco Bell to begin with...if I'm not mistaken what you eat has an effect on the breast milk...poor baby. LOL.

HA! You're exactly right!

And to be really crude, what you eat (and the baby as well when he/she begins some solids can really affect the smell of the baby's stools. (Bananas are the worst!)

Well, I said it was crude. Sorry.

Check back in with us when your time to have children has come. I think you'll find that the "products" (which can, in some cases, actually impede the bf process) are not easy to use -- and that the pumping, bottling and storage of breastmilk is highly challenging. And the equipment is fairly difficult to transport and keep clean -- the latter of which is absolutely essential.

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.

Huh? You gotta be kidding. Did you read the stuff above?

oh i know women cover themselves but i am still not ok with it if they are in such a public place as a restaurant or store. Its like cussing in public, its against society's norms and it bothers people so we don't do it, just like this will bother somebody. If i do something people think is annoying or bothersome i should get asked not to do it, same with breast-feeding.

So it's more appropriate to wear a shirt that leaves nothing to the imagination than it is to feed a crying infant? I beg to differ. I think these are pretty twisted times we live in if that is indeed true.

Sorry, it's a fact of life, and I believe women are fine doing it whereever they find it neccesary. If people are that bothered by it than separate nursing facilities should be included in every public building.

I am against revealing clothing as well.

For some reason I don't consider this "public nudity" the way I would consider girls at Mardi Gras flashing the floats to get beads. It's not meant to be provocative or sexual--it's simply a mother feeding her child in the way nature intended. How is it "annoying" or "bothersome"?

fine i didn't want to go into t but you made me...

My mom didn't breast feed me as a baby and i am jealous.

you happy now.

ROFLMAO. Mom didn't breast feed me either. Everytime I'd bring home a failing grade, I'd blame it on her.

How do you know if you were breast fed? I don't want to ask my mom. I'd feel weird.

-Rudey
--If you have one of those freaky "outtie" belly buttons does it mean you weren't breast fed?

I remember asking my mom about it after those researchers did a study and concluded that babies who were breastfed grew up to be "smarter" than the babies were weren't.

My mom couldn't breast feed me. She said she got sick too often and she was allergic to everything...so the doctors told her not to.

The way clothing is made for breast feeding mothers keeps exposure to the minimum.

I have no problem with public breast feeding. Now, if I saw a woman just leaving herself exposed in order to do so, it may be a different story. I've been in a few different places and seen breast feeding mothers, but I have yet to see a mother completely exposing herself. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the short time that I breast fed my own child, I probably would have been clueless.

Send them to the restroom? How many of you would want to have your meals in a public restroom? I'm guessing no one would volunteer. And, like someone else said, mothers absolutely have to multi-task. If she has 3 other children, all of them with her, should she have to drag them all to the restroom, too? After all, it isn't anyone else's responsibility to watch them while she's feeding the baby.

Mothers, especially those with newborns, have so little sleep one might wonder how those women can stand on their own. Add in household duties, a job outside the home, and every spare second devoted to the needs of the children. Hot meals? Forget it. Everyone else eats before mothers do. This woman was probably just thankful for her $.99 burito in the few minutes she had to sit and eat.