Breastfeeding in public places - offensive or not?

Question

There has been a huge amount of debate lately regarding the rights of breastfeeding mothers and the fact that they should be allowed to breastfeed in public - what do you think? Should this be allowed or should mothers use private facilities?

Answer 1

I think it's perfectly fine assuming the woman is being modest about it. If a nursing mom rips her blouse open, slaps on some sequined pasties and says, "LOOK AT ME!!! I'M BREASTFEEDING!" and starts showing off, of course that's wrong. However, I've never even seen anything remotely close to this, and I highly doubt I ever will. A properly latched on baby won't expose much of the woman's breast, anyway, and most women use a lightweight blanket to cover their shoulder and the baby's head. Besides--breasts weren't designed to be sexual objects--they're primary purpose is to nourish our children. If you don't like it--don't look. I don't stare at people in restaurants who are chewing with their mouths open and spitting food all over (which, personally, I think is disgusting and 100 times more offensive than a breastfeeding woman), so don't stare at babies eating their lunch, you know?

I've seen more skin on teenage girls and young women prancing around in malls with waistlines so low, you can practically see pubic hair, and shirts with such a plunging neckline, they leave nothing to the imagination. THAT is offensive--properly done breastfeeding is not.

As for private facilities--depends. If you mean having a woman take her baby into a germ infested public toilet...no, of course not. If you mean public places would erect a quite, clean environment with comfortable chairs specifically for breastfeeding women--yes, that's a great idea, but I don't think women should be forced to use them if they don't want.

Answer 2

If private facilities were available, I would use them over nursing my babies in public, but the fact is, they are not readily available. There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public as long as one is modest and low-key about it. Nursing one's child is a natural thing, but so is nakedness and I certainly don't want to see everyone walking around naked, so I think being private and modest about it is the key to not offending people. Even I have been grossed out to see another mother's boobs right out in the open where I have been in groups of new mothers with their babies, etc. Only a mother, especially those who have chosen to breastfeed, could understand how much easier life is with their newborn, if they are free to nurse their child without running to some nasty toilet to hide what is only natural and good for their baby. I think it is good to educate people on why it's good to breastfeed and that makes them understand and accept it more if they see it. I am an American and had my first baby in the UK where breastfeeding seems to be more accepted. I never had a problem feeding in public because I was always modest about it. Now that I am back in the US, I still have found no problems with the feeding in public of my second child, but I have been told by health professionals that many mothers do not breastfeed in the US because they have these weird ideas about it, having some sexual connection. Weird indeed. I find more people here in the US commenting in a positive way if I nurse my baby in public. I see less people in the US breastfeed than I did in the UK.

Answer 3

Ok some people are going to be offended no matter what you do.

The issue I see is two fold.

1. Even if it is natural, since some people will be offended, is it right in a civil society to just do what I want to do even though it offends other person. Now point of clairification if a woman is able to cover up then there really should be no issue. People will always do things that are offencive but if it is right to do is a different matter.

2. Is a matter of legality. Most places have public nudity statutes. Even though it may be perfectly natural it may still be against the law if the woman is not sufficently covered. So just becasue it's a nice woman with a baby is not breaking the law still wrong?

So does it bug me. no.

But is it right to just do things that others see as offensive just because it makes things a little easier for yourself???

And is it right to break the law even if the law as it applies may seem silly???

To me in a civil society people should strive not to be offensive to each other. Tollorence is the only way we can all get along. And the law is the law. There are some times that call for civil disobedience but over all a person should strive to live within the law and if you don't agree with the law then you should work to have the law updated or again learn to live with it.

Answer 4

I think that it makes people feel uncomfortable.

As long as the mother is covered up enough, I suppose there is nothing wrong with it, after all a baby needs feeding.

However, I think there should be places provided for mothers to go and breastfeed.

If I was in their shoes I'd feel strange getting my boob out in the park, in the middle of town, or wherever! So providing facilities might make the mother feel better as well.

Answer 5

Breast feeding is a natural thing and a person should be able to do what feels comfortable. If a womans is happy to do so in public she should be able to take care of her childs needs without harrassment.

If someone doesn't want to see a womans breast while she feeds her child they shouldn't look. However the flip side of that is if a woman is going to feed her child in public and not do it discretely then she has to acknowledge that there will be juvenile people who will stare or comment.

I used to breast feed my daughters in public. I'd tuck them under my shirt or put a blanket over my shoulder for privacy. I didn't think i should have to hide away to do it or make my child go hungry if there weren't convenient facilities.

Answer 6

My wife breast fed all three of our children. I think with the medical evidence out there it is the best thing for an infant. I feel that if a child needs to eat they need to eat and they should be fed. I do believe that there should be some discretion about it because there are many people that just do not feel comfortable with it. There are many nursing covers and other items that can allow a mother to breast feed without being obscenely overt about it. I have no problem with it at all and I feel that if a mother is able it is the best thing for the child.

Answer 7

I am a mother of three and I still find it incredibly uncomfortable to be around. There is no other arena in North American culture where any activity involving private genitals should be allowed to take place in a public arena or during conversation without being considered disrespectful. I know the response will be that 'it is the most natural thing', but so is (forgive me) having a bowel movement, yet we would never consider carrying on a conversation while doing that.

Answer 8

It shouldn't be offensive to anyone. She is simply feeding her child, and people that feed with bottles aren't viewed in the same light. I think as long as the woman takes reasonable measures to not expose her breasts while feeding (uses a receiving blanket or breastfeeding cover) it's no big deal.

Answer 9

I think that it should be allowed. It is legal for women in NY state, and most likely many other states, to be topless in public, That includes breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a very natural and necessary thing. If people do not want to see that then they do not have to look.

Answer 10

I think it would be wrong to call it offensive, mildly embarrassing perhaps. If a woman feels comfortable enough to slip one out in public, then that's her prerogative. People who do find it embarrassing can look away.

Sadly people are conditioned by society to think that if they accidentally see a woman breastfeeding, then they are some kind of pervy voyeur, hence the embarrassment.