Breastfeeding in restaurants- what do you think?

Question

I work at a restaurant, and today some lady started breastfeeding her baby in plain view of everyone. I think that it is disrespectful, rude, ignorant, and disgusting.

Why couldn't mothers go to their car or the bathroom to do that instead of whipping out their breast in front of people who are trying to enjoy a meal?? Who wants to see that when they are eating, or anytime for that matter?

I know it's natural and neccesary, but it doesn't have to be done in front of a bunch of people.

Answer 1

Going to the bathroom is natural, but we do it in a bathroom. Or the very least, behind a bush.
Breast feeding is natural , but that should also be done in private. Not necessarily in a bathroom or your car, but in an area where others will not see you. I think the baby would like privacy during his/her meal.

But yes, exposing your breast is very inappropriate in a public setting regardless of what it's for. I am very offended by women who breast feed in public. Even if they have a blanket over that "area", you still know what's going on and it just bring shivers to my spine. It puts my mind in a place where I don't want it to be, especially if I'm trying to enjoy by baby greens or chicken breasts!

There are many natural things like masturbation, pooping and sex that are just not done in public. Breast feeding is another one of those things.

Answer 2

This question is disgusting!
It's a restaurant - everyone has a right to eat there. If you don't want the mother to breastfeed there then I suggest they add breastmilk to the menu. Or better yet - eliminate a few booths and add a lactation room (but, hey, allowing a nursing mother a clean, private place doesn't generate income now, does it?).
Seriously - do you eat in the bathroom? Do you pee at the table? Why should the baby eat where people pee? Now that is disgusting. When you eat at a restuarant do you bring your food out to the car so people do not have to see you eat?
Remember, this baby is young and dependent on this food. This mother's boobs are most likely the cleanest thing in the restaurant.
Even before I had my son I thought breastfeeding was the most beautiful thing you could do for your child second to giving it life. Anyone who thinks it is disgusting needs to get their minds out of the smut magazines.

Answer 3

While we all agree it's a free world - there are just certain things that won't be acceptable in public. Breastfeeding is one of those things. Maybe many mothers would disagree, but I am a mother too and breastfed as well. There are things you could do to avoid the situations where you have to breastfeed in a public place because your child is hungry. Before you go out take the time to pump the milk in the bottle and store it in a cool place; you could also keep a spare ready to feed formulas in your diaper bag. When you are in a public place, you have to keep in mind that you have to respect those around you as well. Changing baby's diaper on a restaurant table ( which I have once witnessed) or breastfeeding is just disrespect to others as well as you. Also, breastfeeding should be private since it's a bond in a way between a mother and a child. There are many mother's on the go and you don't see them breastfeeding on the trains, buses, or restaurants. In any case prepare before you go out - it's quite doable.

Answer 4

I don't feel sorry for a culture who has made the breast into a sexual object rather than its original design, but since this is the way it is, I would guess that the objection is not to the nursing but to the yanking out of the boobie, waving it about and plopping it into the hungry childs mouth.

Yeah, some discretion would be the answer here, I have been around nursing moms and most people would not guess what is going on under that shirt, nappy or shawl.

As for the bathroom, would you eat in there?

Answer 5

If the mother whipped her boob out then yes, that's not good. But if she had a blanket over there is nothing wrong with it. Babies have to eat ALL of the time especially breast fed ones. Not only is it unsanitary to feed a baby in a bathroom but most bathrooms arent equipped with chairs, etc for nursing moms to sit down which leaves the toilet. Not good. Also, babies will sometimes nurse for VERY extended periods of time and you can't expect mothers to sit in there cars or bathrooms forever and miss out on eating a meal or enjoying company. I do believe there is a discrete way to do it however, and it is offensive when women just whip out the boob for all to see.

Answer 6

I agree that there are often other places to take care of breastfeeding... but as a new (and probably very tired) mom, the chances you are going to relocate every two hours to breastfeed are slim.

People should be mature enough to think "Oh, it's a breast, and an infant, big deal" and turn away - just as the mother should be considerate enough to cover herself with a towel or blanket (and I hope she did). So -- your thoughts aren't uncommon, but it's kind of critical (and very American) to even care. It's a boob, being exposed for a very valid reason-- no big deal. (Again, that's not to say the woman should not have been receptive to some people's uptight views and done her best not to offend anyone).

And while this question is a fair one... I think calling someone who does that "ignorant"...is pretty freaking, well, ignorant.

Answer 7

a womand recently did that in a restaurant that I was eating in with my husband and another couple. (A four-star restaurant, nontheless!) The topic of discussion at our table quickly turned from whatever we were talking about to the fact that she was breastfeding in the middle of the place. And NO, she didn't use a towel or a blanket, it was just out there in front of everybody. Now, if WE were talking about it at our table, chances are we weren't the only ones. I did think it was very rude to disturb so many people's meals. I understand that the kid needs to eat, but if she knew she would be going to dinner at that time, (and considering how far in advance you have to make reservations at that place, trust me, she knew...) you would think she could pump out a bottle ahead of time or something. I'm all for breastfeeding, but I don't think it's appropriate to do it publicly.

Answer 8

I agree it doesn't have to be done so out in the open. I wouldn't go as far as ignorant and disrespectful, I would say more along the lines of inconsiderate. I think that maybe as a mother sometimes they don't realize that they are putting other people in an uncomfortable situation and they are focusing on their child instead.

Answer 9

Do you eat your meals in the bathroom?

I beleive there is something known as "discrete breastfeeding" in public places -- and this I have no problem with, but some women expose everything to God and country when they nurse.

I think if done discretely public breast feeding is fine. I would not want to drag my child to a stinky, germy restroom to nurse, nor would I want to be stuck in the hot car.

Discrete - fine.
Hanging out for the world to see - not fine.

Answer 10

once you're a mom, you're damned in case you do and damned in case you do not. you likely may were purely as offended if her toddler became screaming, yet for her to furnish her toddler the only ingredient that consoles its screams you persecute her for that. decrease go into reverse . . . with each and each and every of the terrible mothering that occurs why ought to you hate on someone for being an effective mom. Breastfeeding is organic . . . no longer organic like sex or peeing, organic like sweating, eating, crying . . . once you've the right to attempt this in public, so ought to she. The breast isn't a sex organ, it performs NO sexual function. It has purely been stigmatized in our society. the only function it performs is to feed youthful . . . considering this is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue, the regulation is on her aspect. She has the right to breastfeed her toddler everywhere you're allowed to bottle feed yours . . So the ignorant responses do not remember anyhow. If the sight of a breast quite offends your urge for foodstuff, you may evaluate in search of tips, or you should purely no longer inspect it.

Answer 11

Well it personally doesn't bother me, but I do agree that it should not be done at a restaurant, I know that your eating & baby also gets hungry but that's no reason to do it in front of other people while they are eating. That can be gross.