Breast Feeding in Public:
 

How do you feel about women breast feeding in public places?

I really don't like it. Yes, I know its natural, but hey, its also natural to urinate, but people don't just go doing it when and wherever they need to, and call it okay by putting a blanket over the area.

I personally find it rude that these women have the attitude of "I am a mother, therefore my breasts and their milk should be welcome wherever"

If a woman wants to breastfeed her child, and doesn't want to think ahead and make a reserve bottle, she should at least find someplace secluded like a restroom.

I think the worst I ever saw was a woman walking up to take communion at Christmas Eve mass, with her kid up under her shirt going to town http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif

I think that it is acceptable if they cover the child and breast with a blanket. I have seen women just popping both breasts out to feed, which I don't agree with. I think that the American culture has really made it a big deal, though -- it seems like we are the one country that makes such a big deal out of it.

Sometimes you can't plan ahead. My sister has 3 young ones, and I learned that fast. We as adults are capable of knowing when we're hungry, and doing something about it -- babies aren't. And I'd rather a woman cover herself and feed her child than to hear a screaming baby. Ideally, yes, a secluded spot would be the best place, however -- most public bathrooms I see are nasty -- I don't want to be in there, much less feeding my baby in there. I'd probably use a dressing room if I were shopping or something, but otherwise, as long as I'm being discreet, I don't think its anyone's business.

I had posted this on the PDA thread.

I have this aunt through marriage that no one likes...well she breast fed one of my cousins until the age of 2...and in public.
THAT'S SICK.

I also used to work in a Children's Shoe Store. Well once time this woman came in and while I was trying to fit her children's shoes, she whipped out her breast and started feeding her child. Now I know it's only natural but I found it VERY uncomfortable because I was trying to get my work done and ask her questions, and she was sitting there doing that. What's worse is after I'd done all my work she just sat there and continued to feed her child in the store while her kids ran around. I dunno if I was embarassed to look or just embarassed for her.

For me, it depends on how old the kid is...if it's a little baby (3 weeks-3 months), it's okay...if it's a 2 year old who can walk around (I HAVE SEEN THIS!)...that's just gross.

There seems to be a sense of entitlement with breast-feeding mothers, which is annoying, to say the least.

Discretion is definitely the key. Although I nursed 8 of mine, I would've been mortified if somehow forced to do it without a blanket and out in the open.

And would you believe that some people nurse children until they start kindergarten? Not my idea of acceptable!

I have no problems with women breastfeeding in public so long as they are discreet about it. However, it was still a shock to me when I was at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum last summer and this little boy of around 5 or 6 ran up to the bench where his mom was sitting, lifted up her shirt and went to town! There are limits!

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@~Tracy~@

By the light of the lamp, by the light of the lamp, by the bright shiny light, by the light of the lamp...if you are a DeeZee, you're the best that you can be, by the bright shiny light of the lamp!

This topis is one that definitily hits close to home! My mom is a gynecologist and a registered lactation consultant - and everyone on her side of the family (7 brothers and sisters) is in the medical field and has breast fed every single one of their children - so it's something i'm used to. i grew up seeing cousins breast fed at family functions and so on so to me it's not uncomfortable for out of place. babies who were breastfed are proven to be more intelligent later in life and generally healthier. of course i think 2 year olds being breats fed is ridiculous, and breast feeding at christmas eve mass is also pushing the limit. but if it can be done discretely and quickly, i don't see a problem with women doing it in public - just cover yourself with a blanket!

Breast feeding is wonderful, but PLEASE keep it private. I guess I'm kind of a prude about this - one time a good friend of mine "whipped out the pump" in front of me and I was somewhat embarrassed.

I definitely think that in malls, stadiums, and other large public places, there should be a clean and comfortable lounge area in the restroom where mothers could nurse. This should be just as common as the baby changing tables. I also think if you can think ahead to have diapers, car seat, etc. you can think ahead to bring a bottle.

A 6 year old nursing - I'm sorry, but that's just disgusting, borderline child abuse if you ask me.

I think it's fine as long as one can be discrete about it. I agree, use a blanket. While at a resturant take the baby to a bathroom. I really don't want to see breatfeding while I'm eating. Some places (ex. malls, resturants, movie theaters ect.....) have special places set up for this in their bathrooms. They may even have rocking chairs.

My thoughts exactly!

http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif
Not only is that creepy, its gonna warp that kid. 20 years from now, there'll be some new boobie porn mag on the stands, and it'll be founded by this kid who used his mama as a soda fountain till he was 6.

I agree with breast feededing, I was breast fed, one day I hope my children will be breast fed, but be discreet about it. Im working at The National Gallery of Art over the summer and this woman was WALKING AROUDND THE GALLERY WHILE BREAST FEEDING HER CHILD! It was kinda weird. I have another story about this. When I was like 14 I was helping clean-up my elementary school's playground and the council member from our ward was there. And this lady was talking to the council member while breast feeding her child. There was no blanket or anything, just her white pale, huge breast. I think discreet is the key, mothers should find a nice quiet place to do it.

Would you eat your meal in a restroom? Why should my baby have to?

I love it when I see a woman BF is public and think it's beautiful. Yes, just 'whipping it out' could be a bit disconcerting, but today's nursing clothes make it easier than ever to discreetly feed your infant in public. In fact, I've had to 'look twice' to confirm that a woman was BF in public, because it was so hard to tell at first glance.

Breasts are to provide nourishment to human infants. They are not there to sell beer or pleasure men. Breast milk is the most complete and perfect food for human infants, constantly (naturally!) changing it's nutritional components to satisfy the changing needs of growing human infants. No other food product on this earth is more perfect for humans than breastmilk.


The average age of weaning in countries outside the US is 5 years of age. In the US, it's 6 months. The Pediatric Association recommends breastfeeding for at least 1 year, preferably 2 years or as long as mutually desirable. Extended breastfeeding is a natural process that has been perverted by American 'morals & values'. Breastfeeding a toddler will not turn them into breast-obsessed maniacs, it is NOT child abuse and it is NOT pornography.

The longer a woman breastfeeds, the better it is for her and the baby. Recent studies have shown that a woman's risk of breast cancer diminishes greatly for each month past 6 months a woman breastfeeds and diminishes even more for BF past a year or two. The percentage risk goes down even further with subsequent children that the woman has and breastfeeds.

You know what? I used to be a "Breastfeeding is gross and disgusting and perverted" kind of person. I did ALOT of research and saw the truth of the matter - it's better for the baby, it's better for me and it's better for the world. Breastfed babies are healthier overall - it helps prevent obesity, diabetes and other diseases. It makes an infant feel secure and loved. I don't support corporate greed when I breastfeed and I save A LOT of money when I breast feed. Breast milk is free. Formula can run as much as $500 a month for the specialty forumulas. Wouldn't that money be better spent in your child's college fund?

I realize that there are many women that can't breastfeed due to physical limitations and are forced to feed formula. Two of my close friends will never be able to BF and it's horrible to see how they are treated by women that don't know their story. But if you are physically able to breastfeed and don't, I think you are doing your child and your own body a great disservice.

Informational links (if pictures of breastfeeding infants offend you, do not visit):

http://www.breastfeeding.com/

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Pediatric Assoc's statment on BF: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html

http://www.waba.org.br/

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/

Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warror Princess) is featured (while BF) on
Australia's poster for World Breastfeeding week. It says, Breastfeeding...my best role ever. http://www.ausxip.com/lawless/pictur...ert-poster.jpg

http://www.promom.org/

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/

Thank you, PnguinTrax, for that excellent article! :)

Public restrooms are completely disgusting. I avoid using them at all costs therefore why would someone want to feed their baby in there? I don't see how someone could be "offended" by a mother nursing her child! And yes urination is natural but please don't compare that to breastfeeding!

Thanks PnguinTrax for the very informative links. I was going to post everything you said, but you beat me to it. I really think that breastfeeding is healthier and women who are able to breast feed and don't are really missing out on a large part of being a woman. From a financial standpoint, the price of formula is ridiculous. When I used to work in a grocery store, new mothers would come in and buy $90 cases of formula. I used to think, why spend $90 on something I can *make* for free...:D

anything that will get us closer to full public nuditiy

The problem with breastfeeding in public is that the media has made something so natural as unacceptable.

Several generations have grown up seeing ads on bottles and baby formula or watching television that only shows bottle feeding, but never shows discrete breastfeeding. Thus, breastfeeding a 2 or 3 year old is gross, because we have been conditioned in the U.S. to see it that way.

However, just as a regular person has manners when eating in public (like not talking with your mouth full or eating in a store), I believe a woman breastfeeding in public should use manners and discretion. Using a coverup and asking for a booth or side table in a restaraunt is showing consideration of others. Also concentrating on the baby, rather than doing other things like walking around or trying on shoes (that was really funny), is better for the baby.

I do not think that I could ever breastfeed a baby once they start really walking/talking because I would not have the patience to breastfeed that long, but if you can more power to you! I have a sister who is trying to breastfeed till the baby is 2 and I think it's great.

after reading some facts and opinions here, if a woman wants to breastfeed when a kid can walk and talk, that's fine with me. however, if the child is old enough to do that, he or she is also old enough to wait to eat until a more convenient time, unless it's apparent that it's going to be an unnecessary wait. I know when babies have to eat, they have to eat NOW more or less, but a 2 or 3 year old can wait a little while to save his mother, and if nothing else, the people around her the embarrassment.

That's sick to think of breastfeeding in public as way to bring you closer to public nudity!

OH DAMN YUK, OH DAMN YUK!

Now as an Adult, maybe that is different!:D

Natural my ass, I do not need to see a womens Boobie on a bus! Hell the damn Kid can wait or scream its ugly head off!

Well, I guess if she has Nice Breast! NO NO!

Sorry, I am some what limpid on this deal!

NOW, If I was the baby on this deal I may think DIFFERENT!:D

You're my hero!
 

Ok all I have to say is that you came up with an amazing jingle.
"Gonna have the best,
and that's the breast!"

-Rudey
--I wish I knew a girl named Megs, so I could touch her legs!

Two questions:

1. Can you buy human breast milk?

2. If everyone is so worried about it . . can't you use the pump to put the milk in a bottle for public consumption . . .?

I saw the pump in a movie once.

1. There are certified milk donors - you can buy it with a doctors prescription. This is usually in the event that the mother cannot BF and the child cannot be fed commercial formula.

2. Pumping and bottlefeeding expressed breast milk is an option once the child is old enough. During early infancy the risk of nipple confusion is great, ie. bottlefeeding is a much different (and easier) sucking method than BF. You need to BF exclusively for a couple of months so that the baby learns how to feed itself that way, otherwise if it gets used to bottlefeeding, it will often refuse the breast.

There are some moms that will pump exclusively and bottlefeed. Pumping is time consuming, much more so than actual breastfeeding. Women need to do it, though, especially if they are going back to work and want to continue BF their child. Luckily many workplaces provide lactation rooms with a refrigerator so that working moms can pump as needed during the day and store the milk to take home and use as needed.

Thank you for the quick response Barb:)

This past weekend I was standing in my store towards the front, board as usual. So I look over and this woman and her friend are walking and the girl is like breastfeeding at the same time. Walking and breastfeeding ~ now that takes some talent!

bump (due to other thread).