Breastfeeding in public - I dont like to look at it, do you? (Mothers only reply please)?

Question

I am a mother of a 4 year old and pregnant with my second. I have an opinion that breastfeeding in public is offputting to other people, I cant stand to see big fleshy boobs out at the supermarket. I know I am gonna get absolutely hounded for saying this but it makes me feel really uncomfortable and I dont like to see it.

Am I the only mother on this planet who feels this way - I think I may be - what do you think?

For the prat who called me a perv it is a little hard when something the size of a watermelon with veins all over it is sitting there in front of me - we all have peripheral vision!

I agree - it should be hiden under a blanket - its the people that have themselves out on display for all and sundry to see!

Stephanie B - at wwhat point did I say I dont agree with Breastfeeding you IDIOT! I had a premature baby and was unable to breastfeed him - I gave it a good bloody go but could not help him grow with my drying up milk. I switched to formula and he thrived, he has never been overweight and never had rolls of fat (unlike you I would imagine) and is as healthy as anythin - why dont you read things first - PRAT!

MY GOD PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO JUMP ON THEIR HIGH HORSE - I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST BLOODY BREAST FEEDING!!!!!!

Answer 1

if you feel uncomfortable thats ok. i personally go to quiet area because my baby is too interested in whats going on to feed properly. just because its best for baby, that dosnt mean the boobis should be flopped out, at least be discret about it.

dont feel bad,ok

Answer 2

I am a breastfeeding mom. I don't flash my boobs everywhere. Considering that I have breastfeed two out three children I am pro if you can. I know how to cover up. If i notice some else not covering up or having a hard time I offer help or just ignore it. As these are my breast it is my decision. Not everyone is the same. I feel that what is mine is mine and I have that right to choose. I have had others help me with it at first. But other then that I have been given dirty looks by some people after they realize that I am sitting quietly and feeding my child under a blanket.

Answer 3

I'm not a mom but I can vouch for people who choose to breastfeed. It's very natural and it's the best food or milk that an infant can consume. There are tasteful ways that people can do it in public. There are blankets and other ways to hide the "big fleshy boobs". Some people just aren't bothered by it like others. This isn't any worse than low cut shirts or people's assess hanging out of their pants. I don't see anyone complaining about this.

Answer 4

ok, a few things...and by all means...I won't be rude or mean with this so please read. I have nursed 7 children and yes in public as well...but no one has ever seen my boob. It can be done properly and no I do not like to see one's boob either. So, if someone is being discreet and you do not see their boob but you know by the way the baby is laying that the baby is nursing, does this bother you? Is it the idea that you know the baby is sucking on the boob or is it actually seeing the boob? Because no I do not want to see someone's boob...but go to the store....count the boobs...women wear clothing that shows thier entire boob, minus the nipple. Does this bother you? I think nursing mothers should nurse when baby is hungry but they should be discreet. If done properly the folds of the shirt should cover the boob. But to answer your question....I don't like seeing the whole boob but have absolutely no problem with knowing someone is nursing....I do it almost everyday.

Answer 5

Get a grip, I mean really!! What are we supposed to do, go to a dirty, smelly, ICK-ridden bathroom to nurse our children?? I bf in public whenever I need to. I don't make a point to go out if I know my little guy is going to be hungry...I don't think "gee, he's starting to get hungry, I better leave the house quick so that I can nurse in public."

Good heavens. Have we stigmatized the human body that we can't see it for what it was intended for?? To nurture our children and help them grow into smart, open-minded, confident children and adults.

Besides the fact, who said you NEED to see the big fleshy boobs. There are CERTAINLY discreet ways of going about nursing in public. Slings are a fabulous way to do this. I've had older ladies peek in the sling to see the baby and they've never even known he was eating.

Answer 6

There is a very simple solution. Once you see it, and decide you don't like it because a breast, for some reason, is so offensive to you, then LOOK AWAY. No one is forcing you to stand there and watch something that our bodies were made to do. It is completely natural and a beautiful part of motherhood. To suggest feeding mothers should hide in bathrooms or toilets is even more offensive then a newborn baby simply having a drink. An earlier question similar to this had one strange person stupidly stating that perverts get off on seeing a breastfeeding mother. Maybe a few do but that is their problem to deal with so why should mothers hide from this. If some man wants to get off on the top part of my breast as my baby drinks, that's his issue to deal with and I don't care. However, the issue at hand being breastfeeding in public is something that every mother has a right to do and they should not be ridiculed for doing so. As said, if something on tv offends you, change the channel. Nobody breastfeeds in front of you and insists you watch them so maybe it is a personal issue you yourself have to address.
If I am out in public and my baby needs to eat, I am certainly not going to sit around urine and toilet seats to do so. You raised this as an issue but did not offer alternative solutions and common sense tells you that whoever is te one with the problem is the one who has to deal with it.

Answer 7

If you don't like to see it, just don't look. It is hot out, so you can't expect mothers to completely cover up. I've seen a woman breastfeeding at starbucks right in front of the window with her whole boob hanging out for everyone to see while she switched which one her child was nursing on. That disturbed me a bit. Most mothers are discreet and don't want people to see. I plan to breastfeed when my daughter is born, but I would freak out if anyone saw my breasts. A small burping cloth can do wonders to cover you up.

Babies need to eat, and pumping takes a long time. You wouldn't eat your lunch in the bathroom, so you can't expect babies to either. Just try to turn your head if you don't want to see.

Answer 8

Who is making you look at it?

I do not like to see young girls walking around with themselves more exposed than any breastfeeding mother I have ever seen (whether it be their chests or their thongs or what not)-I have the option of looking away. I do not like to see adolescents walking around with their pants hanging down so low I can see their underwear-I have hte option of looking away. Noone is FORCING me to look.

I have an opinion that I could care less what other people think. I care about my child being hungry, and s/he will eat when and where necessary.

No, you are certainly not the only mother on the planet that feels that way-but again, noone is MAKING you look. Unless you are staring, you are unlikely to see anything-and if you are staring, chances are you will only see a glimpse. In fact, chances are you have seen MANY women breastfeeding and just did not realize it, because the majority of us do so very discreetly.

Answer 9

I honestly LOVE seeing a mother breastfeeding in public. It shows that using the breast AS IT WAS INTENDED FOR is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! I breastfeed my 8 month old whenever he is hungry WHEREVER he is hungry. If you don't like to see it then I would recommend averting your eyes when she see someone feeding their baby as nature intended. Maybe walk around with a blanket of YOUR head at all times.

Answer 10

I see nothing wrong with it, I think it may be better to cover yourself with a blanket but thats all about preference, I wouldnt want others to see my boobs. But this is protected under the law and if your child needs fed then there shouldnt be a problem and I think its so rude when people stare at those women.

Answer 11

I have now breastfeed my son for 11 months and still counting. I dont like seeing other peoples boobs hanging out and i make a habit of covering my up at all times, however as he is getting older he likes to play with the blanket that is giving me the privacy. These days most shops luckily have feeding rooms, if there isnt one available, i cover up with his head and my clothes..... but i totally agree with what you are saying