Why do some people think breastfeeding is disgusting?

Question

I read in a survey recently that 23% percent of mothers in the uk who bottlefed did so because breastfeeding felt wrong or disgusting. I have never come accross anyone before who felt that breastfeeding is wring and have never experienced any comments whilst feeding my baby in public.
So who thinks that? ANd why?

Answer 1

I too have had experiences with people who were very dissaproving when I breastfed in public, even though I was completely modest. I personally think it's because people have dirty minds and they equate anything having to do with the breasts as somehow related to sex. This may only be true in our culture, because in some cultures breasts are not a sex object (for example: the feet, or ankles, or hair are instead). In our society, people get the idea they are being perverted if they breastfeed, especially if they are feeding a baby boy. It's very unfortunate.

Answer 2

I have no objection to breast feeding, it is a natural function of the body. That's what breasts are for, feeding the baby.

Maybe attitudes have changed, we see naked women, everyday in newspapers and magazines, and too much is having a negative effect on the way some people view the human body.

I am the fourth in a family of ten children, and all were breast fed. The last was born in 1960, I was eleven years old then.

I find it rather sad that women have to cover themselves up with scarves and other things when breastfeeding in public places. It should NOT be necessary.

Answer 3

Victorian standards, and double(D-cup, boom boom) standards! Page 3 models everywhere ,but ordinary mothers get arrested for feeding their baby (Maybe I'm overdramatising here, but...)
Surely if a campaign with celebrities breastfeeding was started up, then it *might* encourage the most natural way of providing nourishment?!

I think that breasts are both a nutrionally important tool, but can equally be sexually pleasurable (my girlfriend 'feeds' me even though she's not lactating and I find it the one of the most wonderful and comforting experiences ever)

Jester, are you seriously telling me you get fed in public? Not wanting to sound wierd, but how the hell do you manage it(If at all)?

P.S. Sorry for the cruddy order of things - I tend to put things down as I think/say/read them.

P.P.S. Hello, doppleganger above me! ^_^ Do you know how I can change my Avatar? EDIT: It's OK, I found out how!

Answer 4

I heard somewhere that it started in the 1950's when it was decided breasts were for the husband's pleasure & therefore it was best to feed baby with a bottle! What rubbish! I have 2 children. I fed my son for the first year & my daughter is now 6 months & still on mummy's milk. I do not have any qualms about feeding in public. It's ridiculous to think some people want to ban it when there are some truly offensive things going on in front of us every day. What did people do before they invented formula? There wouldn't be many of us around if it wasn't for boobs!!
I've never been openly disapproved of for feeding in public, although one woman almost broke her neck staring at me one day!
I feel very sad when I see tiny babies being fed from a bottle - I really believe they need their mummies - I think it is one of the best things in the world!

Answer 5

I breast fed my daughter for just over 10 months.I would recommend it to any new mum.Society has made people look at breasts as sexual objects, put there for men to drool over...but nature intended us to use them to nurture our offspring.I think we all need to fight the way society is just now.I have only ever actually seen 3 or 4 women in my life time feed in public.When once with a friend in a cafe(where she chose her seat facing away from the customers) she was told ther was a breast feeding room down the corridor...this turned out to be a public toilet!Would that lady go and eat her her dinner in there, I don't think so!I fed my daughter in public, with no problems at all.After a while,you learn to do it discreetly, no one sees a thing anyway.(SO GAIL H, IF YOUR OUT AND ABOUT AND YOUR BABY'S HUNGRY, FEED IT!! YOU WILL BOTH ENJOY IT) Its the most fantastic bond a mother and a child can have, even if every new mum only ever that one first feed.If we lived in a third world country, we would have to do it, no choice to do otherwise!

Answer 6

There has been a real spate of breastfeeding avoidance in recent years, mainly, it seems, because of the fears of the change in breast 'appearance' after wards. Ridiculous.
Of course, ulitimately, it's a case of each-to-their-own, but as for wrong or disgusting, there seems to be some misinterpretation/reporting of the results here, or an increase in some kind of psychological dysfunction if that's the true reported reason.

Always take survey reports with a pinch of salt though.

Answer 7

These days society has been sanitised and has been drawn too far from nature. I don't think this disapproval of breast-feeding is new - it probably started in the 70s/80s when bottle-feeding was pushed by the powered milk manufacturers (and doctors, to some extent) as a wonderful and easy alternative.

I breastfed in public and see no harm in doing so. As long as you are as discrete as possible (and not get your entire baps out if you can help it!) then I can't see anybody having any reason to object.

Answer 8

Breast is best!!!! Why would anyone think it's disgusting i don't know! It's the most natural thing in the world. Do they think it's disgusting when animals feed there young in this way? No! Why? Because you don't associate that with sex, but with breasts some people think they are just for sexual use. I'm currently nursing my 2nd child and as we have decided this will be our last child i want to feed for as long as possible, it definitely is the best start you can give your child.

Answer 9

I am all about breastfeeding,but in public is a little different. Like when me and my 6 month old are going to go out, I wear a top that can cover my breast,just in case I can't find a bathroom. I think some people just can't see breasts as more than sex objects and have a hard time seperating that not only are breasts sexual they are nurturing as well.

Answer 10

17 years ago I was followed round a park by a chap who was intent on telling me that breast feeding was a sin!! I fed as discreetly as possible but every time I moved he followed me. I ended up in tears at my father-in-laws with a screaming baby and distressed myself. What the hell is wrong with these people, breast feeding is totally natural and when I had my other children I made damn sure that when they were hungry they were fed. Unless people were staring they would have had no idea what I was doing, a shawl is a great invention!! Go all those girls who wish to breast feed. Breast is best after all. No offence to those who can't or don't wish too, its a personal choice too!!