Breastfeeding in public
 

This article got me thinking-- do you think it's appropriate for women to breastfeed in public?

My bf and I were at California pizza kitchen for lunch this summer. We sat in the table next to a lady who decided to breastfeed her baby while we were eating our meal. She didn't bother to cover up AT ALL. :rolleyes:

Cover up and let the little one go for it.

<<< feeling like a little one;)

I don't personally think I would feel comfortable breastfeeding in a public place (both my girls were bottle babies), but I have no problem with women who do so long as they keep covered. If I don't have to look at the woman's booby it's fine with me.

I nursed all 8 biological babies and one of the adopted ones and there is NO way I'd have exposed myself in public! These women say it's a natural function and no one should be offended but pooping is one too and do we see pooping in restaurants? Or poop-ins?

Carnation, you've got me laughing my booty off! I had to read it to my grandmother (who breastfed all 13 of her children). She found it pretty funny too! We agree that as long as you're discreet, there shouldn't be a problem! I'll have that decision to make for myself in about four weeks! YIKES! THanks for the laugh!

aj

I'm not a fan of it one bit. Especially when women do it in church. I see that a lot from the granola-y, holier than thou "all 15 of my children were concieved through natural family planning - and they ewre all planned, I swear" types.

Now that's funny!

I don't personally have a problem with it but maybe that is because I'm a mom myself. I agree you should be discreet about it, not just whip out your boob whenever and wherever (ie: driving your car)

I have no problem with it--and I'm not a mom! :D Like so much else in life, discretion is key. Most run-ins I've had with breastfeeding have been discreet.

I'm thankful that 90% of my run-ins with breastfeeding mothers have been discreet ones. The other 10% simply have no common sense...have some dignity at least!

I think a mother should have the right to breastfeed wherever she wants. She shouldn't have to excuse herself to go to the bathroom and do it. If normal people don't eat their meals in a bathroom, then why should babies?

aww, me so sowwy

No you're not. Biiiiizaaaaaatch. LMFAO.

I agree w/ Bethany. I just don't want to see the boob.

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

Now, for the flip side----

SOME women produce an abundance of milk. Some women start secreting milk when they hear their baby cry. It can be a very painful situation and a gusher to boot. AS MOST HAVE STATED-

IF IT IS DISCRETE

I'd rather glimpse a woman breast feeding than a milk soaked blouse.

If the kid is hungry, the kid has to be fed. I have no problem with breastfeeding in public just as long as the mother is discreet...she does NOT need to have all her "bid-ness" hanging out! Use a receiving blanket to cover your shoulder and boob!

(and yes I plan on nursing my kids)

Oh yes if you are home and have guests, again use discretion...your guests do not need to be seeing your rack

How old is too old?

Now a newbie that is at least less than a year old... Yeah, cover it up and let the little one at it...

But I was in a restaurant where a 2 year old, who kinda knows a little something was allowed to be fed by breast and the tables were so close to my husband and me!!!

That was not cool.

Then the kid kicked me while feeding...

That was uncool.

But this is Pac Northwest... So what can I say...

At least in SoCal, folks would be point blank obvious with their objections and folks would get clowned...

But in Seattle--oh well...

Oh yeah...I live in the Pacific NW and I have seen this! :rolleyes:

Get this: If they can unbutton your blouse, whip it out and go to town, then it is time to wean their butts!

As far as toilet training: If they come to you with the diaper, wipes and powder...it is WAY past time for training!

I'm definately for nursing babies! I personally avoided public places, but sometimes, you have to do what you have to do! As JAM said, discretion is key. If you look, you can usually find a spot somewhere out of the way. Many department stores now have nursing areas.

I'm with you AKA_Monet - I think there comes a point when you need to stop nursing! I nursed all three of mine for roughly nine months to a year. I've seen people though who do it when the child is three years old! That may have been okay when we were walking around swinging clubs and living in caves, but I don't think a child's survival depends on that today! I think once the child has teeth that bite, or becomes cognizant of what they are doing, then it is time to stop and give them a cup of juice!

SOOOOO TRUE!!!

My mom does child care in our home for a living and it always surprises her to see children who are almost 4 (??!!!) who are NOT toilet trained. Toilet training at 2 seems to work well... maybe even slipping into the age of 3... but almost four?

As for breast feeding... I personally know once my children have enough teeth to bite - they're going on a bottle!

So you'd rather the kid starve? I'd much rather see a woman breastfeeding than hear a baby screaming that it's hungry. And as far as taking the kid in the dressing room or whatever (which I think most people would have done)...if she had other kids, she was probably trying to keep an eye on them. 3 small children + 1 adult in a dressing room makes for some cramped quarters.

I breastfeed in public. I have no qualms about it. I am discreet about it (the one thing I'm modest about-lol). My child's health and well being are more important to me than someone going "Ew, boobies".

ETA: Breastfeeding newborns often nurse every 2-3 hours. It's almost impossible to do anything without have to feed at least once while you're out and about.

Someone was discussing earlier on this thread kids not potty trained at four...but I was in a Child Development class and the teacher told us about her friend who BREAT FED until her kids were four. She said "I don't know about you ladies, but I personally would have a problem with my four-year-old telling me 'mommy, I want boobie!'"

And on the potty training subject (since it was mentioned) My sister-in-law's 3 year old can change his own pull-up diaper, but she refuses to make him potty train..and her five year old is potty trained, except when he goes #2, he'll sit on the toilet screaming "I'm DONE!" until she comes and wipes his butt.