Do people really find it offensive when a woman breast feeds her baby in public? I am talking about in resurants, in the park on benches at the mall. Now most people I know who breast feed are quite descrite about it, they don't just whip their boob out for all to see, they do it under a blanket or something like that, you can't even tell what is going on. So why is it that these ladies always get funny looks and so on when they are doing something perfectly natural and good. Should nursing mothers just stick to the "nursing rooms" in the mall or should we all just lighten up as we will see more "boobage" on the cover of Cosmo and Maxim then we will from a nursing mom?
2007-01-17 07:54:18 · 34 answers · asked by erin 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
it's a weird american hypocritical cultural thing i think. we are forced to look at women's HUGE FAKE boobs ALL THE TIME on tv, on the streets, in magazines - but when they are natural and being used in a natural way - for what they were MADE FOR for heaven's sake - people FREAK OUT. It's ridiculous. If you don't want to look at women breastfeeding then let's ban all tank tops, cleavage, etc. Otherwise, get a hint from the europeans who have a much healthier body image than americans do, and don't flip out over women breastfeeding. if you don't like it, don't look.
2007-01-17 08:11:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are people who find nursing offensive period. No matter where you do it! Some people have told me I should of bottle fed and looked at me weird for doing what nature intended.
Breast are so sexualized that this is all people think about nowadays when they think of them. I think it's OK to nurse a hungry baby if it's done discreetly. Now I don't know if I'd do it at a nice restaurant (probally wouldn't go to one with a young baby either though) but on the mall bench or park bench I definitely would. Good luck and people will either admire you for it or be grossed out, oh well! Better than having a starving screaming baby!
2007-01-17 08:03:36 · answer #2 · answered by pearl28 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly legal to breast feed in public and if someone has a problem with it then it should be reminded to them that it is natural and legal. I think we should see more women doing it, then maybe those looks would go away. I don't know the site but I have seen there is a website you can report companies to if they tell you you cant breast feed in their establishment. It is legal to do so anywhere you can bring a child into. (bars maybe not). I nursed my daughter on a bus and no one was the wiser so I know that it isn't obvious that it is done if it is done right. Plus it is the healthiest thing for an infant to eat. I won't let society tell me that what I am doing is gross or inappropriate or what not since it isn't any of those things.
2007-01-17 17:08:28 · answer #3 · answered by MOMMY585 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not wrong. Your child does need to eat. I had to plenty of times. I took a class when I was pregnant and my instructor said there was a way of doing it discretely. It works! place your baby into position and put a blanket over your shoulder and the baby and slip your hand under to connect the baby to your breast. Most will not know what is going on. They will think you are covering your child from cold. Other who like me have done it plenty of times know. If you get looks, just remember your doing what is best for your child and don't care what they think. For a while mothers didn't breastfeed now it is coming back and more and more mother are breastfeeding. Don't be ashamed of it. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but that won't last long. OH, and when I say blanket....I mean the baby's blank not a large one. And GOOD for you for making the decision to feed your baby naturally. Good luck.
2007-01-17 08:06:04 · answer #4 · answered by techno_beauty 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all....you're just feeding your child by a method that you think is best for his/her. As long as you are discreet, it should be OK....and if you can find a more private place to breast feed, that would be a good idea. I think breast feeding is something best done in private....but let's face it....when you breast feed, it's more of a matter of you being on your baby's schedule, not the other way around (as with a bottle fed baby)...and there are times when one of these "appropriate" nursing venues just aren't available.
Bottom line, if a woman does her part by being as discreet as possible when breast feeding her baby, those of us in the non-nursing public can do our part by minding our own damn business. Go ahead, dear, nurse away...your baby's nutrition is more important than anyone's prudish sensibilities.
And what do you mean, Cosmo and Maxim? You can see more "boobage" these days in such racy publications as People or Sports Illustrated.
P.S.---If you are built like Jessica Alba, you can omit the blanket in my presence....I'm sorry....I couldn't resist one cheap shot....I mean, you let your inner pig loose for ten seconds, and look what happens...my apologies....have a great day....
2007-01-17 08:16:46 · answer #5 · answered by Yinzer Power 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The way I see it is back in the old days there were no bottles and every women used their "boobage" as the main way of feeding their many children!!! I think every women alive should have the right to breastfeed their kids when and how ever they wish!
I never did breastfeed but if I would have been able I would have just used a blanket and wouldn't have thought twice about it!!!!!
2007-01-17 09:11:34 · answer #6 · answered by leea 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who have a problem with a mother nursing their child, they need to grow up and get over it!
Now a nursing mother should take all reasonable courtious to cover up.
I'm going to be a nursing mother and if I'm out in public I'm going to feed my child when she's hungry, I'm not going to wipe out a boob for everyone to see. They make nursing tanks, shirts, longselve, etc... and/or even use a blanket!
2007-01-17 08:18:33 · answer #7 · answered by Dodge Ram Mama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God made women equipped to breast feed their children for a reason. Noone should question that. I breastfeed in public, but I have never exposed myself. I have always remained covered with a blanket or wrap. Every mother should breastfeed if that is what they choose, and they should get all the support in the world to do it. Every mammal...cat, dog, whale, dolphin, cow,goat,monkey...every single one breastfeeds. Instead of thinking it grosse or offensive, people should stop and realize that our body makes the milk in the first place, and it makes it for a reason. Should women stop having babies all together??!! That's basically what people say that think breastfeeding is wrong. Women have breastfed since before Christ, and I hope they will still continue doing what God has blessed us to do.
2007-01-17 08:07:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public. In fact, women are protected by the law and are allowed to breastfeed in any public place.
We don't have to cover up if we don't want to. And would you want to eat in some nasty mall bathroom? Why should we make our babies eat in there? If I was at the mall and my baby was hungry, I would find the most comfy couch at the local department store furniture section to feed my baby.
And for those of you who feel they must look, feel free, just don't stare or you'll be the one who's the freak.
2007-01-17 08:18:28 · answer #9 · answered by CandyCane 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people find it wrong yes. They think that if children are in the mall or park or even restaurant that it could be harmful to their kids if a mom breastfeeds her baby. I find it to be ridiculous as we see chicks with half their chests showing on TV all the time and in magazine ads and even in commercials. People seriously need to lighten up. I applaud people who breastfeed their kids. It's more healthy and beneficial to the baby that way then it is to feed it formula. As long as they cover up I don't see a problem with a mother feeding her child in public.
2007-01-17 08:00:43 · answer #10 · answered by robedzombiesoul 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋