Why do people think breastfeeding mothers should cover up?

Question

I would love to hear the reasons why breastfeeding mothers should cover up. Please note that I want to hear legitimate reasons why they should cover up. I don't want to hear stupid or shallow reasons. I also don't want to read sexual reasons why they should cover up. I want to hear legitimate, non sexual, non hangup reasons. Is that possible? Bring it on.

Millie Mills: Why is it inappropriate? Why do you feel the way you do? You say especially if you have a man with you..so what? What is the problem?

sasa: Sorry but your grandmother didn't know what she was talking about. You probably are or have listened to her advice and formula fed..so sad

Answer 1

Unfortunately, I was unable to breastfeed my two sons, but if I had been, I certainly would not have covered up, and would defintely NOT have gone to a restroom or dark corner of the mall to feed them.

Most of the answers you've gotten from the anti-public breastfeeding people have been ludicrous and nonsensical. People are way too hung up on this subject, and it's sad. Personally, I've seen more skin hanging out exposed on teenage girls walking through the mall than I have on any women I've seen who were breastfeeding. Why is it that Hooter's can put a gigantic billboard near the entrance to my apartment complex and it's fine, but a woman who is feeding her baby in public is scorned and criticized and given snide remarks and points and stares?

My advice to those who are against this: Same as with anything else you find offensive (posters advertising upcoming movies, prostitutes, teeny-tiny bathing suits at the beach, etc.--IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T F'ING LOOK!

As for the people who said their young children would be offended or confused if they saw...What exactly are you going to teach your children about a woman's breasts? That they're playthings for adults when they grow up? I plan on telling my two boys what their INTENDED use is...for nourishing babies!

Answer 2

What would those same people that don't want their kids to see a mother nursing and didn't know how to explain it do if that same child saw a dog or cat nursing it's puppies or kittens? Hide their eyes? No, those parents would explain that they are feeding their babies with their milk that comes out of their nipples. Why all of a sudden would it be so shameful if humans were doing it? There are so many people out there letting their kids play raunchy video games and see all kinds of things in the media, but yet god forbid they see.a women doing something pure.

And as far as covering your babies head with a blanket, I think people need to realize that most babies will not just sit quietly with a blanket over their head. They are strong and can pull it off in a second. Besides it can make it much harder to latch on properly.
I don't show skin more than a second and not at all if I can help it, but I'm not going to smother my child in the heat either, just for someone else who wants to pretend breastfeeding isn't happening.I wear layered clothes or nursing shirts.

For the record, almost all states laws protecting breastfeeding, don't require that you cover up, most women just do. So you're not going to be arrested for indecent exposure whether your breast is covered or not. I hear so many people complain about this, but I have never seen a mother with her breast hanging out anyway. I wonder if many others actually have.

All these negative attitudes towards breastfeeding is what ends up intimidating mothers not to breastfeed. Which is costing us billions and billions annually in healthcare, formula, and bottles.

Answer 3

Reason one: Baring a woman's chest in public (regardless of reason) will get her arrested for "indecent exposure." I'm sure that no woman wants to sit in jail, while her baby is sitting in the CPS office crying from hunger because it won't take the bottle of formula it's being offered, while the mother's in agony in her cell with impacted milk glands. Keep those breasts discretely covered, and this won't happen.

Reason two: I'm a woman (obviously), but I don't think that there's a person (male or female) alive that wants to go strolling through the mall or whatever and glance over and see a huge, milk-engorged, blue-veined, saggy boob hanging out.

Reason three: it lacks respect for people around the nursing mother. Why is it so difficult to understand that the little 80-year old lady doesn't WANT to see that? Furthermore, it's disrespectful to the baby. That child only wants to have a meal, it doesn't need the anxiety that will be flowing around it over what it's mother is doing. Regardless of how YOU feel about it, there are bound to be people that are going to be uptight and hostile walking around. Do you REALLY want to expose your baby to that sort of hostility???

Reason four: how does the respectful, decent parent explain to his or her 3-year-old child why some baby is latched onto a woman's chest? Do you think that kids have an innate knowledge of these things? NO!

I'm not saying for a minute that there's ANYTHING wrong with breastfeeding; I'm simply stating that todays moral and social "codes" decree that certain bodily functions should be done privately. Don't go running off to some dark corner, just be private about it.
I could go on and on and on. Bottom line, it should be a private, respectful thing that is done for the mother and the baby and those around them. It's would be about the same as some woman just squatting in the middle of the street and popping out her kid - its natural, but not EVERYone wants to see it.

Its not that hard to just have a little consideration for EVERYONE and put a small blanket over your shoulder while you nurse.

Answer 4

I'm used to dealing with people who could take offense to such things, so I'm used to covering up in places where people might be uncomfortable. But if the blanket or sheet won't stay, or it's hot enough, I won't cover up. Baby needs to eat, I'll feed. Even if that means I get a little exposed. Most of the time you can't see anything anyway. I've got clothes on one side and the baby pretty much covers the other.

Btw, to the person who mentioned it: It is not considered indecent exposure if you're breastfeeding. If you let it hang out afterward then yes, it can be. But it is not against the law to be exposed just enough to breastfeed.

Answer 5

Point one, for some who have answered, breatfeeding is the exception to indecent exposure laws. Most states have laws forbidding anyone to harass a breastfeeding mother (not that people care) and actually there are federal laws that apply even in those states who don't have their own laws.

Point two, we are working on equal rights for women- which is to say women should be legally allowed to go topless anywhere a man can. I think a couple of states have passed it already but unfortunately most women are afraid to take advantage of it.

Point three, to finally answer your question, people are asses. I breastfed all three of my kids and the first one screamed and pulled the blanket off if I tried to cover him. The second, just would keep crying and not eat. By the third I never even tried to cover up. My boyfriend also told me when I first told him I was going to breastfeed, that if we were ever in a public place and I was feeding the baby and anyone made any comment he thought was out of line, he would punch them. There are sites selling really cool tshirts with such slogans as 'boobies are for babies'. Unfortunately people think they are for men, therefor they think they are private. Anyone who doesn't want to tell their kids how babies are fed.....well, go ahead and tell them about the stork, too while you are at it. And if you're gonna teach them to be ashamed of their bodies, I would say you need to save for their future psychiatric help to get over it right alongside their college fund.

Answer 6

the reason is this, number one it is actually against the law to expose your self in a public place. Even if it is for something as natural as breastfeeding. Also people may not want their young children to see a woman's naked breast while out shopping in mall or something. I also personally don't see why a pregnant woman should find it a burden to cover just that part of her with like a light baby blanket. Why would she want the possibility of perverts staring at her. So it may not be because someone doesn't want to see it, but that she may not want the attention she may recieve from the inappropriate people of this world.

Answer 7

The only reason I can think of for breastfeeding Moms to cover up is if they want to. If a Mom feels uncomfortable not covering up, then she should do it. But if she's not uncomfortable with it, then she should breastfeed when she has to without worrying about what others think. People are too hung up on this issue. It's a NATURAL thing; it's part of life. I do understand that not everyone wants to see it, and I respect that. The only advice I have for them then is to look away and mind your own business. Be respectful of Mothers who are feeding their babies. It's not like they are beating them, they are FEEDING them!

Answer 8

Our society has a problem with nudity in general. Its perfectly all right for woman to walk around with itty bitty shirts, and itty bitty skirts on but its taboo for a woman to feed her baby. Most people dont realize that when a child is breastfeeding, the babys head covers most of the breast....you really only see the same amount of naked breast that you would normally see if a woman wears a low cut blouse. Yes, a woman could cover up but try explaining that to a baby who keeps yanking the cover off because she is too hot, or too interested in whats going on around her. When you need to eat, what do you do? You find somewhere to get some grub, and sit and eat. Well thats what I do when my babys got to eat. I dont put a billboard sign on that says "Whoa, check it out...Free boob shot". I sit, pull up my shirt and latch my baby on. Takes all of 5 secs usually. Breasts are beautiful, as I am sure most agree. So let it go, if you find disgust in a woman giving her child nourishment in this way, look away.....or better yet, stop staring at me.

Answer 9

Why is it that people think that you need to throw a blanket over yourself in order to be discreet?

I can nurse discreetly without putting up a tent for goodness sakes! Blankets and cover ups and such just draw MORE attention to what you're doing. It's like sticking up a HUGE NEON SIGN that says "DON'T LOOK! I'M BREASTFEEDING!" And it implys that it's something nasty that needs to be hidden!

Dress in clothes that allow easy access. Dress in layers to help keep yourself covered. Button down shirt over a tank top, etc. Buy some nursing bras and maybe even some nursing tops. Wear a button down shirt and unbutton it from the bottom up. Wear a roomy shirt and lift it up from the bottom.

I have NEVER hidden myself while nursing or thrown things over my children's heads. And I am willing to bet that the majority of the people who were not nursing moms themselves had no clue I was nursing.

Answer 10

I used to be embarrassed to breast feed my baby in public but once I knew what I was doing I didn't mind breast feeding in public. I nurse everywhere I don't care who is bothered by it. We are the only mammal that does not nurse our babies exclusively. People I have ran across seem to be more encouraging than "offend" but with my first baby I thought we were gonna own a Taco Bell because of the crap they pulled, they got in trouble. I nurse discreetly but I have never covered up the baby ever, unless it was cold outside but that was the only reason.

Answer 11

Because it is uncomfortable to speak to or be with someone who has their breast hanging out. Like a headlight, it calls quite a bit of attention to yourself. Not even sexually but more like an exposed bellybutton: it is loudly visible and seemingly present for judgement/criticism. If you choose to put a light blanket or nursing sheet over yourself, it isn't calling as much attention. If anyone notices you nursing, they only note the fact that you are being descreet, respectful and, unassuming. Further, it is a testimant that you are lovingly feeding your baby the best way available...but not shoving the idea in anyone's face.
Note: I breastfed three babies for one year each. I began as a woman who always left the room and, by month 3 of the first child, I even walked through the grocery store, with a blanket, nursing. I never felt uncomfortable when covered. I do feel uncomfortable when someone is talking to me with their breast hanging out of their blouse....sort of like one's fly being down. Though not a crime, it's just not right....just like nursing in church (but that's an other issue).