why do people feel uncomfortable when new mothers breastfeed in public?

Question

People don't mind when couples are indecent in the street and yet they mind about breastfeeding???

Answer 1

This is only true in societies where we attach social taboos against bearing the breast(s) in public. In many parts of Africa, it is perfectly acceptable to walk around with bear breasts and feed your child in public without embarassment.
In our culture, a woman's breasts are supposed to remain covered and breastfeeding is also supposed to be a private matter.
The rules of society are changing in this area, but it is still impolite to look at a woman breastfeeding her baby or to breastfeed in full view of the public.

Answer 2

because they are stupid. and most people don't appreciate a loving mother anymore. breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for a baby. i would just throw a blanket over me in public. i didn't really care what other people thought. its natural and i never showed myself. it bothers me when women who are completely capable of breastfeeding don't. then they wonder why their kid is always sick. i tell ya what, it is a very sad day that people can practically "do it" in the street and a woman cant feed her own child. plus if people had this much concern about indecency then they should start looking at the movies or TV or even the way teenagers and preteens are dressing now days. you cant tell whether a girl is 12 or 20.

Answer 3

Does anybody remember seeing the recent BabyTalk cover? I read one comment from a mother with a couple of children. She said she found the cover to be gross and distasteful. She also stated that it was too sexual and she didn't want her sons to see it. What is wrong with people today?

True story:
My cousin who breastfeeds her son (usually not out in front of people) made the comment at her daughters birthday party that she needed to go feed her son. I went in the house with her to help her get his jar food ready since he was being very fussy that day. About half way through his feeding her bother-in-law (wife was just pregnant at the time) and says "there better not be a boob hanging out in here." My cousin went of on him and her sister just walked away a little embarrassed. This guy is so against breastfeeding that he refused to let his wife do it.

Answer 4

No one should feel uncomfortable with breastfeeding because its normal but the only thing, the mom should cover up. Its the proper thing to do. The thing about couples being indecent in the street is just plain nasty. I always say that they need to get them a room or something because its not right. I consider that as being disrespectful not only to themselves but to others also. There is a such thing as love, but that is ridiculous.

Answer 5

I don't because it is perfectly natural for mothers to breastfeed their children. I guess it depends on the mother and if she wants to feed her child in a more public or private place.

Maybe because less and less mothers are breastfeeding nowadays and since it seems to be rare, this is the reason people find it so odd and a little embarrassing to see.

Answer 6

It's stupid. Our society has been so sexualized by Madison Avenue and Hollywood that even the IDEA that there might be a bared breast under that blanket is --titillting-- to some. This is especially bad since breastfeeding provides nutrients and benefits o the child that bottle feeding simply cannot provide. Our society really needs to grow up!

Answer 7

I'm with you on this one, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I have no oidea why somne people are such prudes, I bet most would not complain if they were on a topless beach, and breastfeeding is much more discreet.
I know that you can express, but it does mess up the feeds slightly, and it goes off, and you have to keep it the right temperature etc.

Answer 8

Because our culture has decided that breast are for sex, therefore some people feel uncomfortable when they see a woman breastfeeding. It's really ridiculous when you think about it. No one is bothered when someone gives their child a bottle in public.

Answer 9

doesn't bother me at all! I am a mother of two, I breastfeed in public sometimes, but always use a wrap. people need to get over it, it is natural and also probably will not stop anytime soon. excuse any spelling errors, i am typing with one hand cuz im nursing right now!

Answer 10

How right you are...Putting a plastic bottle with cows milk into a child should make people uncomfortable not the natural act of breast feeding...Feeding mothers should ignore these ignorant individuals and feed their child anyone with an ounce of sense knows this is a good thing to be happening...