Why do some women refuse to use breast pumps?

Question

Before anyone gets mad and snaps at me, please read the entire question before you answer.


I just don't understand why women that insist on breast feeding in public get mad at the idea of having to breast feed their babies in the bathroom or hide it under a little blanket. What is the big deal with doing it so that no one else can see it? I agree that it is disgusting to eat in a pubic bathroom, but that is why breast pumps were invented.Also why don't the woman who are breast feeding use a brest pump at home and bring a bottle of breast milk with them?

You people do realize that people come onto yahoo! Answers to learn things, right? How is it right that someone ask a legitimate question and you chew them out for it? Can you not swallow your bitter pill for a second and give a mature answer and not take everything so personal?

Madlandsmom-To answer your question about where I've seen this at is Town East Mall in Mesquite, Texas. All the mothers congerate in a sitting area in front of Spencer's Gifts and trust me, you see everything.

Answer 1

Its good to see that you're asking for information instead of a useless emotional rant. Anyways...

I breastfed my first little guy and before he was born I educated myself about our options. When he was born, breastfeeding was a good choice. But to answer your questions:

The breast pump thing didn't work at all: 1) it reduced milk production because of the lack of contact with my baby. There is actually a chemical reaction that occurs when a mother has her baby in front of her, as compared to a cold electric pump. 2) It is much cleaner to have the baby nurse, instead of having his food go through a machine and then being processed through heat to cold to heat again, very dangerous as far as bacteria goes. 3) Breast pumps of any quality are expensive.

I ALWAYS used the blanket over the shoulder in public, but my family carries modesty as a core value. Some families carry different values and cultures which don't require them to cover-up. Some cultures could care less about walking by a mother feeding her baby.

Why is it uncomfortable to walk by a breastfeeding mother? I don't feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding moms, although that is a rare occasion, however at the same time, I knew that others would be made uncomfortable by our appearance, if I had not covered up.

To sum up...Breast pumps don't always work. Breastfeeding should NEVER be done in a bathroom. But most moms and babies have several if not an abundance of nursing/baby blankets that would love to be utilized as a tool for modesty.

Hope this helps ;-)

Answer 2

I am a breastfeeding mother and I don't like the idea of having to feed my baby in a bathroom, however, I do agree that a blanket should be used to cover up while nursing. Or if a blanket isn't near by or if it's too hot, then all I have to do is pull my shirt down far enough so my breast isn't exposed. Its as simple as that! You shouldn't be able to see a nursing mother's breast unless you're looking pretty hard!
I personally had a problem pumping, in the beginning, because it was so time consuming, when all I had to do was just breastfeed, which she liked more than a bottle anyway!

Answer 3

Most women do try to be discreet about it. I don't recall any incidents myself where I saw someone be indiscreet about it. Pumping can be kind of hard, and usually if you pump, you need to save it for when you're at work or away from the baby, or in case of an emergency. If you're with your baby, why would you want to waste the expressed milk? It's not good for your production either to skip feedings. Also many times babies who are breastfed will refuse to take a bottle from their mom or when they see their mom around; I know if back when I was breastfeeding, if it was time to feed and I tried to give a bottle for some reason, my boobs would leak everywhere and become engorged.
Every mother I know breastfeeds or breastfed and would do it in public, but in a manner where no one could really tell what was going on. I've never seen anyone's boob, we are all pros and don't want to flash anyone. I don't know where you're seeing these women whose boobs are flying all over the place and bothering you. I don't know why it's such a big deal if you do see a peek of a boob; they're not solely sexual objects just because they happen to be sexualized. My final thought, babies need to feed many, many times a day, and I think it just becomes second nature to the breastfeeding mother to whip it out when it's time to eat. It stops becoming something to think so hard about and drop everything to hunt down a private spot. It becomes more like, oh time to eat? Well, that's a fairly comfy looking and quiet area. Let's go over there. VS dragging a screaming baby all over trying to find a nursing station, which are few and far between. I have been known to squat down on public bathroom floors and feed because I didn't feel comfortable doing it in front of my dad or whatever; even then I still got dirty looks from the women coming into the restroom, or moms would let their kids come up to me and pat my baby while they were trying to feed. What else was I supposed to do? Go sit in a stall on a toilet and feed my baby? I started dragging chairs into the restroom and making my own nursing stations.

Answer 4

First thing is that breast feeding is completely natural and there is no shame in nursing in public.

Secondly, breast pumps were not invented so that woman could hide breast feeding...pumps were invented for many other reasons.

Thirdly, bottle feeding and breast feeding are two VERY different things, even with breast milk. Many, many, many babies don't drink from bottles they strictly like the breast and why not, breast is best! Many nutrients are lost when pumping and you can never pump the same amount as what your child will drink .. drops are in the pump, on the cups, in the bags, on the sides of the bottle, in the crevices of the nipple... those drops all contain nutrients that the baby would have received had they been given the breast directly.

So, in conclusion its' not a matter of woman refusing to pump or being ashamed to breast feed their children. Its' the narrow mindedness of society and people like you who do not see breast feeding as the most natural beautiful thing in the world.

Answer 5

Actually, breast pumps intended use is not so that a woman does not have to breastfeed in public but rather so that women who work or have a baby in NICU, etc. can keep their supply up when they are unable to nurse their baby, so that nursing can continue.

Secondly, I do not get mad at "having" to use a blanket or bathroom to nurse, because I do not HAVE to. I feed my child wherever they are hungry at-just as a bottlefeeding mother does. I would never have my child eat in a bathroom, or under a blanket-nor would I expect a bottle feeding mother to do the same. I do carry a blanket, which I will offer to loan anyone that wants to cover THEIR head because they are offended by a baby eating. I would probably also buy someone's lunch for them if they wanted to eat in the bathroom.

Blankets actually attract more attention to breastfeeding than nursing without one does, also. Chances are you have probably "seen" numerous babies nursing and not even realized it, because the majority of them are doing so discreetly. And, if you do know what is going on and stare-you might see something. HOwever, it will be less than you see on the magazine covers, on the television screen, or walking through the mall-all of which is considered 'normal'. I fail to see why people choose to stare at a nursing mother, and complain about being offended. LOOK AWAY!

I would also like to point out that breast pumps are expensive, so most nursing mothers do not 'invest' in them as they are unnecessary anyway. And after the milk leaves the body, you have to be concerned with keeping it properly refrigerated so it does not spoil, heating it when baby is ready to eat, etc. Nah-I'll just feed the baby directly and save all of that hassle. Feeding from a bottle can also cause nipple confusion, anyway, thus interfering with nursing. And a large number of breastfed babies prefer the real thing as opposed to a silicone imposter.

Hope this helps answer your question!

Answer 6

Some times children refuse bottles or when cant seem to pump enough...or get engorged when they dont actually breastfeed for a long time. I dont think that covering up with a blanket is the issue cause many times women do that but once someone realizes what they are doing they start to get looks as if they are doing something disgusting even when they are covered up. If you aren't expected to go to a bathroom to give your child a bottle why should you have to in order to breast feed, in that case you might as well have stayed at home. Its kind of inconvenient. But i agree that covering up is necessary.

Answer 7

My son suckled suitable after he grew to become into born and after the 1st day he refused the breast to boot. i began out pumping collectively as nevertheless interior the well being midsection and that's what i do till ultimately on the present time and he's now 2 months old. i think of you ought to shop attempting the pump in case you are able to each 3 hours, if no longer 3 hrs as in many situations as attainable. i think your milk will start to boost because of the fact the greater you pump (or nurse) the greater you will produce. Breastfeeding is unquestionably a sacrifice yet its nicely worth it. and not the least confusing element you will do, it particularly is for specific. ultimate desires!!!

Answer 8

A nursing mom is a nursing mom, she chooses to breastfeed. There is no reason to pump when it's not necessary. I nursed my son in public, and had I been able to nurse my daughter (born with a cleft lip/palate), I'd have done the same.

Women who exclusively nurse, as I did my son, don't want to use a bottle too much b/c then the baby might want to stop nursing. There's nothing wrong with that. :) Also, some babies won't take a bottle. Nothing wrong with that, either.

It's so sad that people make this out to be such a controversial topic. Breastfeeding is natural, it's an acceptable form of feeding the baby, whether it's done in the privacy of one's home or in the food court at the mall.

I nursed my son exclusively, as I said before, and I would never do anything differently about it.

Answer 9

Pumping is very time consuming, can be very painful, and is often for nought: many breastfed babies refuse to eat from a bottle. As for the bathroom - you answered your own question as to why that one doesn't fly, and for the blanket idea: how about the next time that YOU are eating while someone else is nursing their child, you throw a blanket over YOUR head instead. This too will prevent you from seeing any glimpse of side boob.

I don't think anyone here is "chewing you out", though your bitter pill comment will probably leave people wanting to. As others said, breastfeeding is natural and is the way our bodies were intended to feed our young. Yes, breasts have become sexualized, but unfortunately it's gone to the extreme. We now are more comfortable viewing a woman's cleavage than we are a nursing mother and baby, which is perverse.

I just fail to see how breastfeeding can make people uncomfortable, and I refuse to punish my baby for a stranger's misplaced discomfort. Now, if I were wearing a super low cut top and someone took offense to THAT, I would understand.

Answer 10

I have no problems pumping. In fact, I'd love to pump so that I could give my daughter a bottle occasionally while in public. Or even better, so someone else could stay up all night! However, she will not take a bottle under any circumstances. She'd rather be hungry, and I'm not going to let her sit there hungry and screaming just because it might offend someone else. I'd be more annoyed by a screaming baby than a nursing one, personally.

That said, I do avoid nursing her in public at all costs. Mostly because of people who give dirty looks or rude comments. But sometimes she's hungry and it can't be avoided, and I'm not going to let her starve so someone else can be a little less uncomfortable!