What is the big deal about nursing in public without a blanket?

Question

Many babies get upset if their mom tries to cover up with a blanket when nursing. I know I did, and I know that my friend's eight-month-old did, too. Yet many people believe that if you're going to nurse in front of others, you should be completely covered up. Why don't they realize that bfing moms sans blanket aren't being indiscreet, and they don't want to offend anyone but do what's best for their babies? Wouldn't they be more annoyed with an angry, hungry, screaming baby who feels suffocated by a blanket than a quiet, nursing baby whose mom is still probably showing less flesh than many female celebrities? Even if they do happen to see a nipple for 1.5 seconds when the baby latches on/delatches/falls off/gets distracted/looks away...the baby is decidedly less noisy than an angry hungry one.

Nothing against moms who use blankets. If you feel comfortable using one, that's great. If you don't, don't feel bad.

Answer 1

If it is okay to expose your breasts in public for that reason then would it be okay for another woman to expose their nipples for 2 seconds in front of everyone?
She would be taken to jail for indecent exposure. I think if your going to breastfeed then you should be covered up cause no kid needs to see that or even someone grown.
Do you think it would be right for someone to change a baby's diaper right on a bench in the mall for all to see it's privates for 2 seconds? No.

Answer 2

I am a rather modest woman when it comes to nudity, so naturally I was very timid and concious about breastfeeding. I have tried using a blankie, but my baby simply will not go for that, so what I've been doing is lifting my shirt from the´bottom and using my free arm and baby to hide my breast while I get him latched. No nipple is exposed at all, and once my 9 wk. old is nursing a just tuck my shirt around his mouth area to further cover any exposed skin.

I haven't gotten any weird looks, and so far it's been only myself that has shown any sort of conciousness about my breastfeeding. Then again, I'm an American living in Northern Europe, and it seems people here aren't offended by the perfectly natural sight of a mother nurturing her child... it's only back home that people make such a big deal about it and try to act like it's some sort of perversion.

Answer 3

I think a lot of this issue is more theoretical than practical. I breastfed my daughter in public without a blanket and never had issues. I'm fortunate enough to be rather flat-chested and if I wear a baggy t-shirt or sweatshirt, there's not a chance anyone will see anything. Several times, people have come up to me to admire the "sleeping baby", only to be embarrassed to realize she was nursing.

It's easy enough to nurse a newborn under a blanket, but ironically, the blanket actually attracts attention because everyone a mile away knows what you are doing. Older babies can't stand blankets over their heads and will fight you on it, so it can actually be more discreet not to bother with one.

Answer 4

I don't see any reason why you have to cover the entire baby with a blanket unless you feel the need to do so. It is very important for the baby to see your face as the nursing relationship is much more than just food. If the place is very public you would be wise to wear something that did not expose the entire breast; just lift your top up instead of opening it down the front. The baby hides your exposed midriff and that is also where the blanket could be kept. That way only your nipple would ever get exposed and for the brief time it is exposed most people will never notice it at all.
Yes, there are weirdos out there who think it is sexual; they can all go pound salt!

Answer 5

they say the eastern culture is backwards and covered up, lol. Man oh man. The western cultures got nudity in everything, yet fails to accept a natural thing done for centuries. Who cares what other people think, what matters is what you think. People like that have small minds. Breastfeeding is normal and ok to do in public. Your giving your baby good health, so whats wrong with that? Whats more better what people think or what your baby feels?? like you said the baby latches on and you cant see anything than you got 5 seconds to get yourself together. I think its more to do with how men react because the breast is looked as a sexual thing aswell and women who have men, well you know what I mean. I wonder when the west will become more accepting of ways that have been there for eternity?

Answer 6

I once saw a man blow his nose into a garbage can on the street (sorry TMI!), and trust me, it was infinitely more disgusting than seeing a woman breastfeed without a blanket.

I really don't understand what the big deal is. Moms are just trying to feed their babies, not draw attention to themselves. If you happen to glance over and see a woman breastfeeding her baby and you don't like it, look away. There are a lot of things that people do in public that I don't particularly want to see either, but I'm not going to sit and stare and let it ruin my day.

Answer 7

If you use a light receiving blanket, the baby won't be bothered. It's just common curtesy and decency. I breastfed my daughter (only for 3 weeks b/c I had to return to work after 2 1/2 weeks), and I would feel really offended if I saw someone with their boob just "out there" in public I would probably think "where's the decency anymore these days?" And it shows way more than does a low cut shirt and I'd probably think the same thing of someone showing a ton of cleevage I automatically think "cover up for pete's sake" when I see a teenager with a super low cut shirt! I would be embarrassed if my kids saw naked body parts, and I would be too. And I think that other people probably feel the same way. I don't know how anyone could be comfortable with doing that in public anyways. Just try using a receiving blanket, or if possible, go into a restroom stall or to your car, I know a lot of moms who do those things when they're out in public. I think it's great that you're breastfeeding by the way!

Answer 8

Who knows. My favorite is when it's from "other moms" and they say "Well, I breastfed my children and always used a blanket" then you learn that they weaned super early or only used bottles in public after a couple months LOL
People are just way too brainwashed with the sexualization of boobs. They don't understand their purpose.

Answer 9

People forget what breasts are for. THEY ARE FOR BREASTFEEDING OUR BABIES. It's only humans who have made them a sexual object. I must admit I tried once to cover up with a blanket because I am self-conscious about the size of my breasts but I found it awkward and like I was drawing even more attention to myself. People need to get over it. Look away if you don't like it. And to the contributor who said it is also inappropriate to change a babies nappy in public, I have done it many times. Sometimes you just don't have a choice. Even if you have a baby you still have a life to live, we can't stay home all day for fear somebody will see us feeding or changing a nappy.

Answer 10

that always seems to be everyones 'quick fix' answer for discreet breastfeeding in public but as you said its not always possible. My kids always wanted to see my face and a blanket gets in the way when you are trying to juggle getting them attached and then holding them.

I say find a quiet spot or parents room. Bubs will probably feed better in a quiet spot without distractions anyway. If not then who cares. As you said it might be all of 1 sec that you see a nipple and who cares, we all have them!

Answer 11

Actually, breastfeeding laws exempt nursing mothers from public indecency laws. That's because there is NOTHING sexual about a woman using her breasts for their intended purpose. Breasts are not sex organs; they are thought of as sexual because of perverts.
Unfortunately, this is the reason many women feel they need to cover up. However, breastfeeding in public won't be thought of as "gross" or "inappropriate" if more women do it. There's nothing wrong with it. And to those who have a problem with it, please eat with a blanket over YOUR head in the future.