What is your attitude towards breastfeeding?

Question

I recently moved to the US from Australia and am due to have a baby in December.

This is my second child and I breastfed my first child until she was 9 months old. In Australia breastfeeding is totally acceptable in public, and there are nursing rooms at most shopping centres and in some restaurants...

In the US I rarely see women breastfeeding in public and mostly see newborns with bottles....

Is breastfeeding not acceptable in public in the US?

What are peoples attitudes towards breastfeeding in public?

Can I sit at the table at a restaurant and breastfed my child, discreetly of course???

Answer 1

I am currently breastfeeding my four week old son , but if i'm going to be in public I will go into the restroom. That's just how I feel about it.

Answer 2

Breastfeeding is not new,of course, to the United States. Somehow over time women were made to feel embarrassed about their bodies and this resulted in the stigma that is still here today, despite the fact that breastfeeding a baby is about nourishment to sustain life, not a sexual thing. You wrote that you rarely see a woman breastfeeding in public, perhaps there are more but they are so discreet you haven't noticed? About breastfeeding in a restaurant, I'd rather sit next to a table with a content, happy baby, than a screaming one, so go for it ! Besides, you need to do what is best for your baby. When you realize how convenient it is you will think how silly of you to think otherwise. There are no bottles to wash, you need eight bottles a day, and first you would buy the small bottles, then graduate up to the 8 ounce bottles as the baby grows. Then buying the formula, that isn't cheap, and you never have to worry if the temperature is right, or storing bottles when traveling. Since you were so successful at breastfeeding the first baby, why do anything else? Congratulations !

Answer 3

I think breastfeeding is a completely natural thing, but it does make some people very uncomfortable. In the US, it has just gotten popular to breastfeed again in the past 15 years or so and some people are still uncomfortable about it. When I breastfed my son 10 years ago, I had to go into another room to do it at my own families houses. I'm hoping views change soon because I understand how inconvenient it is to have to always go somewhere else to feed your child, but if you look, most shopping malls do offer an area, but the restaurants haven't caught up yet.

Answer 4

My answers will probably echo many that are already on Y!A, but first I would like to congratulate you on your upcoming birth and your decision to breastfeed your second baby. Many studies have shown that breastfeeding is better for the baby, though some mother choose not or physically cannot breastfeed their babies.

Depending what state and city that you are moving to, breastfeeding may or may not be acceptable in public, whether done discreetly or not. You would have to check with your state and city laws to find out.

I think most Americans do consider breastfeeding in public taboo in spite of slowly changing attitudes and conclusive research, primarily because of the exposed breast and even though the breast, the mammary gland, is serving its PRIMARY function--to provide milk for the baby. However, there are some who think in a perverted fashion and believe that ANY kind of exposure of the breast is equated with sexuality, even if you are just doing what comes naturally for you and your baby. Then of course, you are going to have some peeping toms who just want to glance at a naked breast just to see a naked breast.

Some of America's breastfeeding hangups also stem from its pharmeceutical industry. Back in the late 50's to early 70's, breastfeeding was made to look dirty, but this was done so that doctors could push this pill that would dry up the breastmilk and so that moms would buy formula. When the 70's rolled around, there was a return to doing things naturally, so breastfeeding was slowly coming back into place, even though there was some resistance in the medical community.

You can discreetly breastfeed your little one in a restaurant. Just check with the management's policy regarding this. If you notice a lot of stares from fellow diners, then you know not to breastfeed in THAT particular establishment. Or just pump some of the milk and put it in a bottle when you dine out. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

The US has had some skewed views on brestfeeding because for a while it was thought that formula was better because it was standardized and sterile, and breastfeeding became viewed as gross. A few decades later, mothers bgan pushing to go back to breastfeeding and they actually did some research and found out that the quality of the substance was better for the baby because it contains antibodies and a better balance of what babies need, not to mention the benefits of communication and bonding on their development. The attitudes of 40 years ago as breastfeeding as gross or indecent are still prevailant. Especially in the older generation and among people that are just not educated on the topic.

There was also an incident about a year ago where a woman was kicked off an airplane for breatfeeding.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15720339

It is extremely sad, but yes women in the US can be persecuted against for breastfeeding in public, even though it shows less boob than a lot of billboards in cities these days. And you're just trying to nourish your baby, not sell a bra. You might get some stares.

Anyway, good luck with your baby. I hope this helps partly show why some people have these views here. This are changing, but not fast.

Answer 6

Breastfeeding is totally acceptable. There are a lot of department stores that offer a nursing rooms. There are laws that protect women who choose to breastfeed in public. If you want to breastfeed your baby then don't let anyone stop you or make you feel like what you are doing is wrong. If other people have a problem with it, they don't have to look. Our bodies were made to be able to feed and nourish our babies. I only breastfed my daughter for three months and it was the most wonderful thing that I could have experienced.

Answer 7

I think it's so funny that people on here (and in America in general) get so offended when there is even the thought of possibly seeing a breastfeeding mom and here "boob" or even maybe *GASP* a nipple (like it would be the end of the world)... but then will turn around and be fine with some latest celebrity whore being as close to naked (if not fully naked) on TV or in some magazine. It's hyporcitical if you ask me.

Babies have to eat, and it's not right to say that having a mom who's showing just as much tit for a better reason then the next teen age girl or celebrity wanna be on a summer day not to feed their child. It's not "gross" or "indecent" or "disrespectful" because I'm sure any of the women on here would follow the trend and wear low cut shirts and thrive on celebrities and think it "beautiful" when they wear something that exposes a hell of a lot more cleavage then these moms.

I say grow up. It's a natural thing, and no moms arent begging for attention.

Answer 8

To me, breastfeeding is the most beautiful thing that you would have done for your child and you. The bond, that can only be felt between the baby and you.

I live in the US and have a 5 month old baby. It is true that over here, people appreciate discreet breastfeeding. I do it everywhere, at the mall, in the park, in restaurants, at the in laws house BUT with a breastfeeding cover. Noone would even notice that you're breastfeeding when you use the cover.

Answer 9

I am currently breastfeeding my 6 month old. I think that breastfeeding is generally accepted in the United States, so long as women do it discreetly. There are many companies who make breastfeeding blankets that you can wear when you nurse in public. It offers you privacy, at the same time preventing the discomfort that others may feel when a woman is nursing in public.

Answer 10

most of the time, yes. However, i have heard many times people being harrassed or asked to do continue in the bathroom or somewhere else. The most recent example happening on an airline. The best thing you can do is know what laws in regaurd to breastfeeding are in place (they differ from state to state). You could even ask your doctor, or a lactation consultant at the hospitial where you gave birth at. If your state has no laws in place to protect your rights to breastfeed, then I suggest always ask ahead on the policy of particular places you go to, and in a fancy or upscale restaurant, ask for a table with privacy. Places like toys r us and babies r us try to provide mothers a place to nurse. but sadly, despite all the medical preaching that its the best for your baby, we breastfeeding mamas are on our own. Our diversity here in America can sometimes be our downfall. Some moms are made to feel freakish because they breastfeed, others are made to feel like they are a bad parent because they dont. What makes our attitudes about breastfeeding so different has alot to do with the American view of breasts, they are seen more sexual in function, and we have stronger censorship then other countries. I hope that helps. most of importantly, have the "mommy" attitude and view and do what is best for you and your baby. good luck

Answer 11

I live in the Bible Belt and it's even OK here. We've never gotten any weird looks. We've fed the baby out at restaurants, in the mall, in the car (parked, of course), at the park, and even at the grocery store.

To say that people don't do it here is just wrong. It's more likely that you just don't notice because they're not beling obvious about it. The babies have had full meals while we're out to dinner without the waiters even noticing. And only once has a waiter noticed and said, "Oh, I'm sorry -- I'll come back in a few minutes." No problems at all.

I find it hard to believe that some people find bottles easier. I can't think of anything more convenient than having pre-warmed milk right there, on demand, without having to carry anything around.

There is a trend away from bottles inthe USA today and back to breastfeeding. Mainly because there's so much new research that supports it. Components in breast milk will kill cancer cells, for example. (see source)

(father of 2)