Breastfeeding?

Question

I recently read an article in a magazine for parents about breastfeeding and found out some very new and interesting things. Why do you think so many people bothered at the sight of a mother nursing her baby?

Answer 1

Babies have the right to eat where their mommy feels comfy feeding them. If someone doesn't like it then they can simply turn away! I don't know why so many people can't get over the fact that when a mother nurses her baby in public in their presence.... it isn't about them and their feeling "uncomfortable." It's about the baby that is hungry and the mother that has a legal right in most states to breastfeed her baby anywhere! I nursed my first child and I continue to nurse my sixteen month old son. The only people that have to be comfortable with that is me and my son. I read the same article that you're talking about (or one very similar---BabyTalk) and loved it, loved the cover, and I emailed the magazine to let them know just how much I appreciated them writing the article and putting the nursing baby on the cover.

Answer 2

I'm a first time Mom to a beautiful baby girl who is going to be 11 months old on Monday. I have thought about this for the last several months as well. I, personally, before my daughter was born thought that it was a beautiful thing to see a Mother nursing her child then I realized I have not really seen it in years. I felt very uncomfortable about nursing my child around strangers and came to the realization that it wasn't me it was them! I have come to somewhat of a conclusion that we here in the U.S. have this idea that everything is better as unnatural from many of the foods we eat and ESPECIALLY our image. I don't even think that it is a consious decision. It's just really sad. I feel that more Mothers would breastfeed if this were not the case.

I want to add that it can be done in public places tastfully with a blanket over the shoulder but people will still stare because it is not the norm anymore.

Answer 3

Because Americans are Puritanical at heart. We are so removed from all that is natural that we seem to think all nudity is sexual. We forget that God make breastfeeding and that God made it the best possible food for babies. A breastfeeeding mother is not sexual but we as adults don't seem to see it that way. Show the cover of Baby Talk magazine (the one with the nursing mother on the cover) to a 2 or 3 year old who has recently breastfed or a bother or sister of that age that has a sibling breastfeeding and they'll say "That baby is eating" not "I don't want my thirteen year old son to see a breast he doesn't want to see!" (Actual comment from someone about that magazine cover. Is there a thirteen year old boy that ever didn't want to see a boob???)

Answer 4

Todays society is too focused on the human breast being a sex object. You can't turn on the televison, open a magazine or see a billboard that doesn't have a woman showing proposterous amounts of cleavage. So, when a breast is bared for it's actual (natural)purpose the brain just goes into automatic sex-mode, registering in the minds of ignorant people that they should find that offensive. This is the only reason I can find to justify why find it so offensive to see a woman breastfeeding in public.

Answer 5

It's our society unfortunately..they view breasts as sexual and even a lot of breastfeeding mothers find it offensive to see a mother breastfeeding her baby..they say they are "exposing themselves" like it's being done on purpose or like they are committing a crime, shame on you who say and think that. A mother and child should be comfortable while nursing and shouldn't care if anyone is offended. I can't speak for anyone else but other people's comfort levels are last before my baby's comfort and nutrition.

Answer 6

So many people expose their breasts to turn men on or for the shock value of it that we (society) has lost sight of the fact that breasts are there to provide nutrition for our babies. It has become dirty, disgusting, immoral and low-class. We think we are above all other mammals and societies and therefore have evolved beyond this 'disgusting habit'. How ridiculous is that?
Personally, I think that photo was beautiful - I wish I had the opportunity to read the article.

Answer 7

Not really. Although I saw a mother nursing her baby in front of mens bathroom at the beach. That was weird

Answer 8

It shouldn't bother people---unless they are weirdos and automatically asume something is sexual. There's nothing sexy (no offense) about a woman breastfeeding. People have made boobs into something sexy when really all they were made for was to feed your kids. If you want to breastfeed in public--I say go for it! It's a great thing and you shouldn't do it in private just because some weirdo has a problem with it.

Answer 9

It is not a natural thing for most people. Society seems to put into minds that it is dirty and sexist but it is natural and a wonderful thing to do for your child. I have a 4 yr old who is never sick and I know it is from nursing him. My hat is off to anyone who breast feeds and ignores the ones who have something negative to say about it.

Answer 10

I breast feed, and I think that it is inappropriate to expose yourself in front of people. They have covers that look like ponchos so no one has to see or some malls have nursing areas. It is still exposure of your breast even if a child is attached, I know children need the milk but do it in private!! I did and it is not difficult to do! It is respectful for the people around you.