Why are the women who believe in breast feeding in public so hateful?

Question

I swear, some of them have temper tantrums when someone expresses an opinion that breastfeeding a baby in public is in poor taste. I for one don't like to see it, but I don't stomp my feet and start calling people names when they disagree.
Why can't people learn to accept my opinion as well?

This is what I am talking about.
I never said anything about it being sexual - some of you did. I don't see it that way. I just believe in personal modesty. So then, who has the problem??
I applaud those of you who use discretion - not everone does. If you can be discreet and people aren't so aware, it's okay. Unfortunately there are so many women hell-bent on proving a point that they don't have any modesty whatsoever.
Yes, I posted 2 questions and no I don't have a problem. I am just sick and tired of self-righteous people bashing me for having a different opinion. Honestly, look at some of the answers on here and tell me that nobody is being rude about it.

This isn't about breast feeding. If you are able, I'm all for it. FYI, I am a mother, I have breast fed and was organized enough about it that I had bottles of breast milk with me when we would go out. My milk didn't dry up, my baby was fed and got the proper nutrition and we have a very good healthy relationship.

Heather - I like your point and I probably wouldn't like it, but I also wouldn't throw a temper tantrum and call names because they didn't agree with me. Not like some of the stuff I am seeing here.

This is ridiculous and being blown so far out of proportion!! Also proves one of my points about fanatacism.
I NEVER SAID that I went up to women and said it to them. Jeez, where did you get that?! I am talking about Yahoo answers. I have answered some questions with tact and diplomacy and have been met with criticism and hostility. And no, this question is not an example of tact or diplomacy - I am just fed up with being bashed for having a different opinion. ON YAHOO ANSWERS.

Jesse - I am agreeing with you, but nobody asked you to quit breast feeding. I have mentioned that I am for breast feeding and against seeing it.

Mystic eye - I would have to congratulate you for taking my question and statements the furthest out of context. Nobody here has asked anyone to starve a baby. another example of the "hysteria" I am referring to.

Answer 1

It is to do with the hormonal changes which affect young women during and after pregnancy. And a general decline in manners and literacy.

Answer 2

I agree, I don't throw tempers when people have told me that they would rather I did not breast feed in public. I just reply that my baby has every right to eat in public just like bottle fed babies do. I am not going to disrupt feeding my child so a few people can feel more comfortable. If you are not comfortable watching me breastfeed, then you can remove yourself. Or don't watch. I am not putting on a show for people. I am taking care of my child in the best way a mother can. I can respect and accept your opinion but that does not mean I am going to stop breastfeeding.

Answer 3

Well if you have strictly breastfeed baby and you don't want to stay home 24/7 then there is no other choice but to breastfeed in public. I do think that it should be concealed, at least a blanket thrown over so that no one has to see someone else's breast hanging out. I do think it is tacky to just hang your breast out in public, just because you are breastfeeding doesn't mean it can't be done in a way were no one else has to see. I have breastfeed my children myself and am currently pregnant and personally I would rather go to my car and take care of the breastfeeding rather do it in front of people even with a blanket covering.

Answer 4

It is not I that has the problem, it is my husband.
His attitude is that...my breasts are HIS and the child's...and that NO ONE should see or try to see or accidentally see that which is his.

I have breast fed my daughter in a mother's den...a place in a store made just for breast feeding mothers. That way we are out of sight, but can still do what needs to be done.

Answer 5

i breastfeed and i don't mind doing it in public...i don't use a blanket all the time becuase it gets hot under there and my baby doesn't like it...that doesn't mean that i whip out a titi and jiggle it and shove it in my kids mouth with most of the breast still exposed.

i think that i am discreet about it. i refuse to go to a bathroom or to my car when i'm in the middle of the mall or a restaraunt (where everyone else is eating...why can't my kid?).

on the other hand, i also don't get nasty when someone tries to push their oppinion on me...i find public displays of anger and lack of control more deplorible than public, partial nudity and i refuse to let a total stranger pull me into a yelling match in public. so i ignore people who make comments when i'm breastfeeding.

i don't think that i'm in the wrong or that i'm being in-descent. this is one of the more natural things that you'll ever see a women do.

-hbb

Answer 6

Are you going up to these women and telling them to cover up or to feed their baby elsewhere? Maybe that is why you are met with hostility. There are laws in this country that protect a woman's right to breastfeed her baby in public. You wouldn't eat your lunch in a public restroom, crammed in a hot car or hidden underneath a blanket, so why should a baby?
Breastfeeding can be done very discreetly, such that you might never know that a child is latched to mother's breast unless you looked very closely. Of course, as babies get older and more aware of the world around them, they can sometimes become distracted and let go of mom once in a while. Nothing wrong with that. While I understand that it may be uncomfortable for some people in our culture to see a naked breast in public, women who breastfeed are not "exposing themselves," they are simply feeding their child. They are not on display or "flaunting their assets" or being indecent in any way. Save that criticism for people parading around in their skimpy tops and low-rider jeans.

Answer 7

Anytime someone feels their rights are being infringed upon, they feel the need to lash back and defend their personal rights. I would suspect that with the variation in hormonal levels that occur postpartum may contribute to the occasional brashness of some breast feeding women. Some men are leg men, I find myself glancing at breasts more often.....so personally I endorse public feedings, and our thirsty youth...

Answer 8

The main reason women have breasts is to feed babies, plain & simple.

Breastfeeding is entirely natural & is the BEST way for a baby to get the proper nutrition.

The vast majority of women who breastfeed are very discreet & in all honesty, I would rather see a woman breastfeeding than a woman wearing pants cut so low her butt crack is showing or a tank top so sheer that her breasts are sagging to her knees.

Answer 9

Feeding a baby is a basic human right -no one should be forced to starve a baby. And sorry but pumping and bottle feeding are not "the same as" nor does that work for some women or babies.

Also if you bottle feed in public (breastmilk or formula) that means you are going to have to pump in public or you are going to leak everywhere. And frankly not everywhere has an appropriate place to pump. If you are running errands at stores without bathrooms for example.

You don't like it, that's nice. There are lots of things I don't like. Doesn't mean everyone else should bow to my desire.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is natural and the best way to feed your baby. I am currently nursing my 2nd child(10 weeks old) and feel that this is best for her development. If I have to feed her in public I will. Just as if you get hungry in public you eat. Breastfeeding mothers get upset because people take this non-sexual act in nourshing their child and make it sexual. It is not anyone's place to comment about a choice they have made for their child. You are entitled to your opinion but expressing it openly opens the door for you to get some not to tasteful words said back.

I nurse as discretly as possible. I always cover my child and self with a blanket or nurshing shawl to ensure those who dont like it will not see an exposed breast. I dont think women are hateful but I do think we are entitled to respond if something is said in response to use feeding our child.

*** Well you took more time to get things together. It is so much easier to nurse than to have to pump to get the milk, pack bottles, and then have cool paks for the milk to stay fresh. Then miss a feeding because you packed bottles. Like i said we all are entitled to our opinion but if you exress it freely be prepared for a response

Answer 11

I don't think they're hateful. We just don't like it when our rights (and our baby's rights) are impeded. To say that a baby should be covered while they eat is just... not nice. If someone doesn't want to see, they shouldn't look. I don't sit there and stare at rolly polly teenagers in half-shirts until I fume with offendedness (yeah, I made that word up LOL).
Putting breast milk in anything automatically makes it less nutritious. It's best straight from the breast. I'm certainly not going to stop giving my baby the ABSOLUTE best because someone doesn't want to see that I'm breastfeeding.