Do you think its right for a woman to breastfeed her child in public?

Answer 1

Absolutely -- breastfeeding is best for both mother and child. Many states have laws that protect a mother's right to breastfeed in public. In 1997, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a breastfeeding policy statement recommending that all babies, with rare exceptions, be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, and that breastfeeding continue, in combination with complementary foods, for the second 6 months of life and beyond as mutually desired. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b100/6/1035
Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. Those who are uncomfortable with a breastfeeding mother should just remove themselves from the situation. The burden is on them not the mother and child.

Answer 2

It is not only right but necessary if you need to do anything outside of the home. I have an 8 month old who I am proud to say is breastfed and does not take bottles or pacifiers.

I had to wait at the DMV for 3 hours the other day and during that time my son needed to feed. He is older so blankets no longer work for him, he pulls them up and out of his face. Even without a blanket you can still breastfeed rather discreetly if you hold your infant close and wear a long loose top that covers your breast while you are feeding. Nobody said anything to me and I think most would rather have a happy feeding infant versus a screaming one.

I refuse to compromise my sons health and give him formula when I know that breast milk is better for his health. It is very sad to think that moms choose not to breastfeed because they are not educated on the normalcy of it and the numerous health advantages that it provides not only to the baby but also to the mother.

Answer 3

A baby needs to be fed often. If a mother makes the choice to breastfeed she has the legal right to do it in public, covered or uncovered. Those who do not like to see it have the legal right to look away. How many times does this question need to be asked and answered for people to get the fact that breastfeeders are just trying to do what they feel is best for their children and not out to flash and shock the general public?

Krystina - that was gross and uncalled for. Not to mention that the two do not compare. Grow up!

Answer 4

Yes, I think breastfeeding is best for baby. If people have a problem with it being done in public, then don't look! It's a wonderful experience for both mother and baby. When I see a mother breastfeeding her baby, it makes me happy that she gets to experience that bond with her child. Unfortunately I could not breastfeed my son for long, due to medical issues. I was heartbroken. I'm glad I got to do it for a little while. Hopefully I will be able to breastfeed my next child exclusively.

Answer 5

Yes!!!
Couple of months ago I was stuck at an airport for 8 hours, and a woman had to feed her baby. A worker came and told her that she has to feed the kid in the bathroom, which was totally gross.Would adults eat their lunch in a bathroom?
As long as adults can eat it in public, babies should too.
And all the people who feel the need to stare and think it's like porn are perverts.
I do not have kids, nor I want to have them , but I have never been disgusted by mothers who breastfeed.

Answer 6

This is a reason why Mothers sometimes DON'T breastfeed.

There are so many opinions on breastfeeding in the public that they don't even want to try so they go right to the bottle.

I think if your child is hungry and you didn't pump enough milk for your baby you can breastfeed. There are ways of making it so it just looks like you are holding your child.

Answer 7

It should be made law in the UK that it is OK to breastfeed in public. Its appalling that ignorant people say its "disgusting" what do these people think women's breasts were made for? What's disgusting about a hungry baby feeding, these are the first people to complain and give you dirty looks if your baby is screaming because its hungry. Plus not all breasfeeding babies will drink from a cup or bottle so that is not always a viable alternative nor should they have to. I find it ludicrous women even need to ask this question and very sad.

Answer 8

Definately! There is nothing wrong with a mother feeding her child. I don't think mothers should care about anyone else's feelings by smothering your baby with a blanket, unless she is the one with the issues. I breastfeed anytime anywhere and if someone doesn't like it that's too darn bad. I have yet to be told to leave or cover up. Nobody better dare say a word to me.

Answer 9

Absolutely! Babies need to eat and their natural food source is mom! Of course mothers should breastfeed their children in public, wherever the child needs to eat.

Most breastfeeding mothers show less than the celebrities you see on the red carpet at the Oscars and FAR less than you see in the Victoria's Secret ads on TV.

America has some WEIRD hang-ups about breasts. It's fine for a woman to go out in a plunging neckline gown that shows off all her assets, but HEAVEN FORBID that a mother lift her shirt up and latch a baby on! *eyeroll*

I've nursed all three of my kids in public. You can be discreet WITHOUT putting a tent up over your child. For moms that feel they need a blanket for their own comfort, that's great for them. To me, it was more like putting up a neon sign that flashed "DON'T LOOK! I'M BREASTFEEDING!" I find that it's more discreet to just latch the child on and go about what you're doing. I'm not doing anything dirty and I don't feel any need to try to hide while I'm doing it. Most of the general public usually thinks the child is just sleeping.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is natural but women are made to feel like we are nasty for trying to feed in public.Most are discreet but if its 100 degrees would you want a blanket on your head? One day the world will catch on and we will get back to what nature intended and bottle feeding will be the shocking thing.And yes they do have bottles in 2006 but many breastfed babies will not take one and so then what? Should i say "well i dont want to offend anyone by breastfeeding so he can just wait" Screw that,i could care less who i freaking offend,im doing what nature intended and most who are offended come from a long line of snotty,stuck up,uninformed families who breed generations of stupid people who are to busy to read up on how important breastfeeding is,its not like choosing between pepsi or coke,breastmilk has no equal,nothing can compare to it no matter how much companies try.And when is the last time someone has been offended by seeing a nursing calf? Or seen a cat feeding a kitten a bottle? People are becoming stupider every year.