Is it terribly wrong to look at a woman who is breastfeeding in a coffee shop?

Question

I have nothing against women breastfeeding in public, whether they should do so or not, is not what this question is about.

Premise: So I sit down in a Cafe in a comfy seat, I obtain a tea that I normally sip at a pace that makes it last about an hour. Right next and to the left of me sits a woman with a pram and friend, she orders and then she proceeds to conduct "Operation Feed Baby". Now I am just sitting there, there is no way I am about to move, I'm not in the way. It felt like having an elephant sitting next to me while I deliberately tried to not see the elephant.

Answer 1

No, it's not wrong to look. I mean, if I sat next to you and started spanking the dolphin, you'd probably look.

However, if you walk up to her, hold out your coffee mug and say: "They're fresh out of cream, so could you...?" That might be too much.

Answer 2

I breastfed my child, and I did it when my child needed to eat, no matter where I was. We traveled through Europe and parts of the US and often I would find myself in a cafe, even at sidewalk cafes. I carried my child in a sling. I wore clothes created for breastfeeding mothers, so I do NOT take my top off when I breastfeed.
I discretely help my child latch on and cover what can be covered. I am able to have conversations with friends, or someone at the next table. If they look they are NOT going to see my nipple or much more than a fraction of an inch of skin.
Once at an outdoor restaurant while I was nursing my child an elderly woman looked over and smiled and told me that it was a beautiful sight.
It is possible to discreetly breastfeed. It is not necessary to run and hide in a toilet or a corner. Would you prefer to hear her baby scream for an hour while you enjoyed your tea?
It's natural, it's normal and it is not meant to be erotic or an opportunity to flash your breasts.
Don't hurt your neck, glance over, polite nod and/or smile and enjoy your tea. You're not going to see a strip show!!

Answer 3

As a woman who has/is nursing (a total of 3 children) I have to tell you that if you stare it is wrong however people do get curious and will take a peak. that said she should be allowed to nurse wherever feels most comfortable!! But she should not have sat so close to you. I do not use a cover as my son is not use to nursing all covered up and it make him all hot and sweaty. However there are other ways to be discreet about it. If someone just won't stop looking I will ask something along the lines of are you hungry, or want some too it usually will stop them from staring.

Answer 4

Its a natural and beautiful thing for a mother to breast feed I tried it but could not continue after 4 weeks. Its hard not to look when there is a breast staring at you everyone does it if a woman is breastfeeding in public she is probably comfortable and confident and has probably experienced stares before if it makes you uncomfortable try looking at something else or thinking of something else because i believe women have evry right to breastfeed where ever they like and its hard not to with a demanding baby.

Answer 5

I don't think you should stare at a women, however, the mother who is breastfeeding in public should be respectful enough to cover up. I am all for breastfeeding and doing so in public (the little ones have to eat too), as a matter of fact, I breastfed both of my girls in public, but I used a cover made especially for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing, but I didn't want to share it with everyone around me by showing myself.

Answer 6

I'm a woman and I have a hard time not looking at them. Yes it's natural but not to see someone just doing it in front of strangers. I have a child of my own and would always remove myself from a public space when nursing because nobody needed to see it. They need to have some respect for others and stop being so open with it. It bothers me and as a woman I couldn't imagine how it would bother some expecting man in the room.

Answer 7

I tend to smile at the mom. Usually the only people who notice it is those who have breastfed themselves. We are nosy ppl by nature and like yous aid will stare at the elephant. If it didn't mother you that much I would acknowledge the mother that helps boost their confidence. I know it did with me

Answer 8

If a woman feels the need to flash her breast in public then by all means feel free to look. If she feels the need to show her breast off then you have every right to look. If I saw a man flashing a penis you can be sure I will be staring.

I am glad you didn't move. She chose to sit next to you. If it happens again, start coughing really hard. I bet you she will move.

Answer 9

I breastfed in public often with both of my babies, so plenty of people would have snuck a peek, I'm sure. I'm not an exhibitionist by any means, but the thought never really bothered me. To me it was just a simple case of: the baby's hungry, I have to feed it. And not all places have somewhere where you can go hide to do it.

Answer 10

some females are indignant/disgusted while different females breast-feed in public. i'm no longer precisely effective why this is, yet consistent with possibility the different female did no longer understand the way the mummy would desire to be breast-feeding her toddler in front of alternative persons. I say whats up, who cares? It must be carried out. might you fairly handle a crying toddler next to you or a mom breast-feeding?

Answer 11

I breastfed in public and it honestly never bothered me when people watched as long as they were polite. I had a (male) friend ask which was better to sit across from me or next to me. I told him as long as he isn't noticeably trying to get a look at my breast I didn't care. Now, if you catch the mother's eye, give a smile and nod of encouragement!