What is your opinion about breast feeding in public?

Question

Although I get a little uncomfortable when I see it, I see nothing wrong with it as long as the mother uses a blanket or something. Babies are human too, they get hungry like the rest of us, and sometimes it's difficult to get to a private place to do it.

Anywho, what do you all think? Please don't be rude.

Note: I'm not a mother, but I have family members with wee ones.

I agree. As long as the mother isn't exposed, go for it. The act of breast feeding is a natural beautiful thing. Psychological studies show that children who were breast fed tend to be a bit more well adjusted.

Plus I don't think it's fair to the hungry baby to have to wait for Mom to find a private place.

Answer 1

As long as they cover with a little blanket it's fine. I think it's VERY important to breast feed, but also please don't expose yourself.

Answer 2

There is absolutely nothing wrong with breast feeding in public. If you don't want to see it, look away when you are sure that it will be happening. To anyone who thinks that a mother should take her baby to the bathroom, would you eat your dinner in the bathroom? I doubt it so don't expect my baby to take their dinner there either. A baby eating is nothing comparable to you urinating, defecating or vomiting in public. The baby is eating, not disposing of unwanted waste matter. Do you duck into a corner or otherwise hide yourself while eating? Whether you do or not, my baby will not be. Most all women who breast feed are discreet. If you have somehow run into someone who wasn't, that is rare. As far as pumping so that you can bottle feed later, life is busy enough when you have a baby, why would you insist on making a mother go through the hassle of that whole process. Plus, they may have to heat the bottle if it is being kept cold, and when in public places there may not be anywhere to do that. Keeping it stored in the woman's body always assures that it is fresh, just the right temperature and highly convenient.

My son was breast fed and he has NEVER had an ear infection nor has he even had a cold. He is now almost 5 and has still never been sick, EVER. I strongly believe that breast feeding is the number one reason for that and I will defend any woman's right to conveniently breast feed her baby anywhere she needs.

I guess I've made my point. I'll shut up now. I'm not usually so sharp but a few of the answerers hit a nerve. Thank you for listening.

Answer 3

I am the mother of a two year old, and I'm expecting another baby in January. I breastfed my first child until he was 8 months old, and plan to breastfeed my second. I feel that breastfeeding in public in fine in a couple of situations. First, that the mother uses an adequately sized blanket (I once sat behind a breastfeeding mother at a football game who used only a burp cloth, and boy was I uncomfortable). Second, that the mother finds a somewhat inconspicuous spot to do it. And third, and most important in my opinion, that the child being fed is still young enough to nutritionally NEED the nourishment from breastfeeding. I won't give my opinion on breastfeeding 3 year olds, if a mother chooses to do so, I won't fault her. However, there is no need to breastfeed a child that is older than 18 months or so in public. Once they've reached that age they can eat most foods and should be capable of drinking from sippy cups and they no longer need the nutrition provided by breastfeeding; at that age it's merely a comfort, and would be rude to do in public.

Answer 4

It is a normal part of life. Only in america do we take the absolute most natural thing and try to make it dirty. If a woman is to feed her baby, she should have a blanket to cover up with. But the crap I am reading in the papers is nonsense. Some times a mother might not have a blanket, but it is not like you can see anything. AGAIN, this is the most natural act there is.

Answer 5

I agree with you totally. There are times when your baby is hungry and the easier option is to feed it right there. But, like you said, the mothers should definitely be using a blanket.

Answer 6

If the mother must nurse the baby in public at least be modest about it. I am not fond of the sight of an engorged breast with a baby latched onto it.

I am a mother who nursed her baby for 1 year and tried to be modest about it.

Answer 7

I agree...it is not possible to go out in public when you breastfeed and not be able to....I think that women need to be very careful and discriminatory about where they do it, ie. the food court might not be a good choice of venue, but I do think they have the right., But we need to excercise good judgement when doing so, otherwise the few that dont follow common curtesy rulles will ruin it for the rest of us....

Answer 8

It doesnt bother me, but I would understand if it bothered others. A lot of women try to find some private space or somewhere they can sit down out of the way, but when thats not an option I think as long as she is at least mostly covered its alright.

Answer 9

There is nothing immoral with the human breast. I really can't understand sick People who have no problem with bombing babies in foreign countries but think a baby drinking milk is immoral. I guess when you get your morals from a talking animal book what can you expect.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you. I have two children and I did breastfeed in public with a blanket always. As long as people are discreet about it do what's natural. I can't stand woman who leave it hanging for all to see...ewww.

Answer 11

i think its okay as long as the breast is not showing. But once a titi pops out then the mother has crossed the line!