Why is breastfeeding your child in public a controversy?

Answer 1

There shouldn't be a controversy... but unfortunately in American society there are two sides pitted against each other when it comes to this. And it's a shame that it has to be that way. Personally, I say "to hell" with those people who are closed minded enough to say something derogatory about a woman nursing her child in public. Everyone in America has the right to eat... why should it be any different when it comes to a precious little baby who relies on his mother to nourish him? It's incredibly unfortunate that mothers who are considering/already breastfeeding their babies are turned off to it by the fact that the ignorant people in this country have issue with seeing a baby doing the most natural thing in the world - suckling at his mother's breast. It's not like this in other countries... you're not looked down upon in other parts of the world for doing what is essentially taking care of your child. And with as many sexually driven public billboards and advertisements that are out in society today, it's just plain stupid that people have a problem with breastfeeding in public. I see more cleavage in Victoria's Secret ads then what is shown when a mother is feeding her baby. It's not like you really see anything at all, but still there are people out there who look at it as pornographic and public indecency... how they can draw these conclusions is beyond me, but that is the sad reality of it all. People just need to get over themselves and their own insecurities. Bottom line is, the baby's needs come before the thoughts of stupid people... anytime, anywhere.

As you can tell, I am very much pro-breastfeeding :o)

Answer 2

Couldn't agree more with momma2mingbu's anwer, however, there is another fact of life concerning breastfeeding in public. Some of us men are turned on by getting what usually turns out to be a pretty good look at a breast, which is something many many of us like, breasts. This makes some men uncomfortable, thus the tacit agreement which occasionally does get broken that states that women will only breastfeed their kids either at home or somewhere else private, friend's homes, etc.
However, it doesn't make me uncomfortable at all. In fact, I wishbreastfeeding in public were socially mandatory, and breasfdeeding in private were frowned upon as a sign of mistrust and overall bad mothering.

PS: I'm only kidding y'all, but I am serious about the fact that it does get many of us to look at the sweet and soft breast more than at the sweet and soft baby; it actually makes us wish the child wasn't even there obstructing such pure and innocent view; most men, though, are not happy but embarassed by this, thus, we erect (no pun intended...) a prohibition about breastfeeding.
Sorry, but it's the truth in my humble and personal opinion. Now get out your zap-guns and start shooting your 'thumb's down' at me, you amateur censors!

Answer 3

kudos to janetjhart! my husband & i are expecting in december and just went to a breastfeeding class. even in the video the nurse showed us it said, "...you can find secluded park benches and other area that are out of the way..." but you know what? WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TO?!! You shouldn't!!! If someone has an issue with breastfeeding in public, it's THEIR issue, not the breastfeeding mother and child's!

Answer 4

Unfortunately we live in a sexually driven society, and some people cant get past the thought of a women's breast being sexual in nature instead of a GREAT nutrition source for a baby.

I happily nurse my 4 week old daughter in public :) Her needs and wants mean a whole hella more to me then anyone else. I do respect others and use a 'mommy poncho' though.

Answer 5

I don't know why, but I know it shouldn't be... seriously, they can't expect a new mom to be confined to the house because she's breastfeeding a newborn every 2 hours, right? and they can't also expect the baby to "wait".... if the baby is hungry, heck! I say nurse him/her, no matter what others may think! I believe mothers have all the right in the world to breastfeed their babies regardless of where they are.

if you know you're being discreet, and still they give you dirty looks, they have a problem!

Answer 6

I have by no potential been abused, and no woman benefits to be abused in any respect. You even lined your self, some people do purely not have tact. besides the undeniable fact that, to avert a scene, and drama which incorporates this, i flow to the breastfeeding rooms, that maximum places have. that is not honest, I could not ought to, yet I do. i wager we ought to appreciate that that is everyones good to be smooth, and some people do purely not favor to dine by breasts. i recognize that is a organic ingredient being waiting to breastfeed, yet so is desiring to pee. both are organic acts, yet no you may ever argue it may nicely be okay to urinate in a public mall. i'm by no potential evaluating both, i might want to by no potential analyze my son to relieving myself in public, yet i replaced into purely exhibiting it, from the 'that is a organic actual function' ingredient.

Answer 7

Because of the uptight pricks who think breasts are playthings for men and should be kept hidden.

Everyone else (all the "normal" people out there) realize that women were given breasts to nourish our children--not for use as playthings for our husband. (Eh, well that second part is OK, but that's not the INTENDED use for breasts. Some people just don't get this.)

Answer 8

Because some people are so uptight that they get freaked out by seeing a baby eating.

They've been raised in a society where it's normal to see Victoria's Secret models strutting around on TV in a push-up bra and panties but it's no longer considered normal to see a baby nursing at the breast (which you can't see since the baby covers it anyway!).

Nursing moms typically show less cleavage than celebs show on the red carpet.....but because they are actually USING their breasts to FEED a baby, people freak out for some reason.

Answer 9

While breast feeding is a natural and normal thing, it is a controversy because some people are uncomfortable seeing it.
I think if a mother is feeding her child she should cover up her breast with a blanket in public.
one would be arrested in most states for showing her breast in public for indecent exposure. What makes it different just because a child is attatched?
I think if a woman values her body and her privacy she should show respect and cover herself so as the people around her can not see her.
I breast fed my children but I was always covered so no one could see.
I think also that women who do not cover themselves is using breast feeding as an excuse to bare themselves in public.

Answer 10

Because breast are only seen as a sex symbol. People forget they are also for the nourishment of a child. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it is done modestly.