Is it improper etiquette to breastfeed in public?

Question

If you were in public and were breastfeeding is that wrong? Do people have a problem with it when they see a woman do that?

Answer 1

Depends on the situation most of the time I would say no as long as you cover yourself. However I was a waitress once and this lady came in sat down in the center of the restaurant and started breastfeeding I thought that was a little much.

Answer 2

Some people have problems with it. I'm in the South and it usually isnt a big deal as long as you try to cover up as much as you can. There was a big deal about that some years back, though- remember that? At a Burger King? I can't remember where it was exactly but it made national news. The manager at Burger King made a woman leave because she was breastfeeding and a bunch of woman's rights groups jumped all over it. I personally dont care. When I had my 1st I thought I would breastfeed whenever, wherever and who cares what anyone else thinks but - after I had her- I was careful about making sure I was covered up. Not necessarily because of the others but because I didnt want strangers seeing my parts.

Answer 3

There's nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public, the baby has got to eat!! I think what most people have a problem with is a woman who has no couth or respect for others around her. It may not bother some people to see a breast, but for others it would. The proper thing to do would be to bring something to cover up with. A good friend of mine breastfed all 4 of hers and never needed to cover up, she was that good at it. She told me that she practiced in front of a mirror until she had it down. She totally understood how it might offend someone, yet also understood that her baby has to eat and that it was the best thing she could do for her. I myself, always brought a small blanket to cover up with.

Answer 4

Some people do have a problem with it because our society says that a woman's body is sexual. They think it's gross. It isn't wrong to feed your baby, you are doing what is natural, your baby is hungry and needs to eat. Telling breastfeeding women that they can only go out when their baby isn't hungry is unreasonable, life doesn't work that way. It is proper to have a blanket or shawl or something to cover the baby up so that other people will be more comfortable.

I've also heard people say, "I have a small child and I don't want them to see breastfeeding because I don't want them to ask me about it. I don't know/want to tell them." I don't see what's wrong with telling the child, "A new mommy's body makes food for the baby and that mommy is feeding her baby." It's true, it's not gross. If the kid asks, "why don't you make food for me that way," all you have to say is "because you are big enough to eat food like mommy and daddy now."

Answer 5

no its not wrong first of all back in the days thats the only way babies were fed, second its the best food you can give your baby, third i have a 2 wk old baby and i breast feed and there is no way that i would not feed my baby because someone else has a problem with the way that i feed him, it is the ignorance of others that keeps moms from breast feeding sometimes, hun if you want to breastfeed so what makes you feel comfortable if your comfortable covering up then do so if you comfortable being uncovered then do so, personally the only reason that i cover up is if there is a breeze or it is cold where i am at.
good luck

Answer 6

In the US, there are some people who think it's socially unacceptable. If it is done disceetly (as one answer stated, "not as long as you cover your breast..."), then anyone who has a problem with it, needs to look at why they are so uptight about natural acts of nature and motherhood - my own opinion there.

You have to remember that this country was founded by a group of Puritans - a fact that I think most people seem to forget. Because of that, the US has a long history of sexual taboos, Puritan ethics and moral values.

Personally, I think breastfeeding in public is totally acceptable and I find it a beautiful expression of the bonding between mother and child.

Answer 7

It is perfectly fine to breastfeed in public. I would carry a blanket with you though, just for the whole dignity purpose. Your child needs to eat, and if you breastfeed you are doing something wonderful for your child. And it is very natural! Some people may have a problem with it, but so what that is their problem. It isn't illegal and I would encourage others to do the same.

Answer 8

i have no problem with women breast feeding in public, covered up or not. i have a 2 year old and he sees women breast feeding in public all the time, some covered up some not. The first few times i just explained to him that the women were feeding there baby's and that was that. Id rather see a women breast feed her baby than some teenagers making out in public and have to try to explain that to my 2 year old.

mother of 2

Answer 9

You can purchase special blankets and cover ups to breastfeed your baby in public. There is nothing wrong with it. Just be courteous around other people. I applaud you that you would make the effort to breast feed. I had 3 kids and could not do it.

Answer 10

It depends on the situation. I was in a business meeting one time, and a woman I was working with pulled out a breast and started feeding her child. In that case, it was a tactic. She was on the losing end of an argument and wanted to draw sympathy, but she was too obvious about it and it didn't work. Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's okay for every situation. Peeing is natural, but if I whipped it out and peed on the street, I'd get in trouble.