Do you think it's appropriate for my friend to breastfeed her baby in front of my husband?

Question

Her baby is over a year old and sometimes will pull her shirt down with her whole breast exposed. I'm pro breastfeeding and think it's wonderful to breastfeed your children, but in front of other men? What do you think?

Answer 1

I am 100% pro-breastfeeding too, andI think your friend is being inappropriate. I just weaned my daughter at a year old, and I would never have done that. I would feed her, but cover myself up first. I always asked if people minded too, because I do think you should show respect for others. I would talk to your friend and tell her it makes you feel uncomfortable, and ask her to cover up. If she's a true friend she'll take no offense.

Answer 2

I don't think it is an issue if you breast feed in public rather how you breast feed.Mothers in the past would carry a shawl to cover the baby when feeding so it was all very discreet.Today it is as if the mother is trying to challenge you to say something or make a scene.Why should everyone be witness to your breast.Trust me I've seen this and it shows no respect for anyone.People complain about the lack of modesty of today's young girls and women.Does the breast milk flow faster if everyone can see the breast.Everyone says it is a natural act, how many of these young mothers hug their children in public with as much zeal? Some men feel awkward( due to their age) since public breastfeeding was unheard of in the past. Changing a babies diaper is routine too but you pick your location to do it. Nurse your baby , it is a wonderful experience, but try use some discretion. A few years ago a mother was told not to breastfeed her baby in a HOT TUB and she successfully won her argument against the public pool. Whatever happened to common sense. I'd be afraid of the baby getting into the hot water.

Answer 3

Well, I know it's natural, but what you're asking is an ethics question. I did it all the time, but I was more discreet. I had a light blanket and would throw it over my shoulder. When I was finished, I buttoned up under the blanket and my baby would be wrapped in the blanket. Of course this takes a lot of practice and balance and I only breastfed him until he was 6 months. Once he learned to crawl, I started feeding him cereal and formula. My mom said I was breastfed until I was 3 and she would breastfeed me and my younger siblings (2 younger) all at the same time. She found it easier on herself. She told me she would do it in a private room.

Answer 4

I'd advise you to discuss this issue with your husband. Does he object to your friend's behavior? Also, if you feel so uncomfortable with your friend nursing her baby in front of your husband, you should talk to her and let her know that. However, that said, I don't see what the big deal is.

As a man who works as a professional face painter and who reads aloud to preschool children for the Children's Museum of Denver, I have been present many times and many places where women have chosen to nurse their children. While I sensed that some initially felt awkward about breastfeeding their son or daughter with me being there, that didn't stop them from attending to their child's needs, which seems more important than my opinion as to whether it is or isn't "appropriate." It helps that I don't ogle nursing mothers. My focus is either on painting the faces, arms or legs of children who come into my tent or reading to a mixed audience of children and parents in a public facility.

I appreciate that some women prefer to breastfeed their children and I'm not going to tell them they can't when they're in my tent and they've got two or more kids in tow. I've never had any woman simply whip her boob out in front of me, rather all have lifted their blouse or shirt as discreetly as possible and began doing what mother's around the world do.

I believe breastfeeding is a very natural behavior and I'm not hung up on the issue of women choosing to suckle their children in public, specifically in front of me. I've seen many a women's bare breast but I'm not turned on by a woman breastfeeding. I can't imagine your husband is either. Nor do I believe that your friend is being overtly sexual by nursing her baby in front of your husband. It's a necessary step in the nurturing process for lots of women. I don't know why we have to be so puritanical about this topic. However, if I were ever in the presence of a women who requested I leave so that she could have some privacy to attend to her child, I would.

Answer 5

Whoa, back up. That kid is still nursing & it's over a year old?!! That's the weird thing here. I'm all for breastfeeding, and as long as it's discreet, it shouldn't matter if the Queen of England were around. But to nurse a kid who's over a year old, & pull the whole shirt down & everything else? That's not right at all.

Children who have teeth are too old to nurse.

Answer 6

As long as she covers her breast and the baby with some kind of blanket or something - I think it should be fine. If her nipple is showing, I think that is going a little to far. Breastfeeding is great and stuff (I did it for 16 months with my daughter) but you have to cover your breasts in the presence of other. This also has to do with how your husband reacts. If he is fine with it, then let it go. If it bothers him, let your friend know that he feels uncomfortable when she breastfeeds her child in his presence.

Answer 7

So your husband has on no account considered your boobs? Hmmmmmm. You pass into the bathing room? you're taking slightly infant into the bathing room to feed it? Come on !! first of all your residing room settee or chair may well be lots greater comfortable for you and the newborn. in case you do not choose your husband seeing then you definitely in simple terms take a towel or a receiving blanket and use it to cover up. Secondly, you would be semi breast feeding in case you're in elementary terms feeding each and every now and then. the newborn has to suck with a view to make milk. in case you in elementary terms enable the newborn semi breastfeed you will not produce sufficient milk for the little guy.

Answer 8

Breastfeeding is a special gesture between only the mum n child. I did so till my child was 3 yr old. Perhaps it'll be nice if you can take the initatives in helping your friend find a private place or a corner to breastfeed. normally if my child is very persistent, i'll pull out my shawl to cover up (i kept in my bag whenever im out with my baby). Revealing one's breast to opposite sex seems kinda unacceptable in my opinion;p

Answer 9

Considering the age of the child the mother could try to establish a sign othe than pulling on her shirt to know when the child is ready to nurse. If it bothers you kindly ask her to go to a room more private (if she's in your home). If you're at her home maybe you can tell her that it bothers you when you are with your husband and maybe she'll leave the room for a while

Answer 10

I breast fed my kids, but weaned at a year and covered up with a blanket if in public. If someones spouse was there I would go into another room. Yes, nursing is natural, but come on, I have no desire to share my body with other men. Besides, public nursing makes everyone around you feel uncomfortable. Why put your friends through that? Yuk.