Do you breast feed in public?

Question

I saw a woman doing this in the museum and I thought it was disturbing. I know it is natural and I'm sure when you have to feed you have to feed. Do we have problems with places you can go to do this in private? Or is it something I should just look the other way about?

Answer 1

I have never had an issue feeding my daughter in public... if she is hungry she gets fed and if people don't like it then that is their issue. Of course I try and be discreet but I will not go out of my way to avoid feeding in a public place. I could not care less what other people think of that and will feed in a crowded restaraunt, on a bus ANYWHERE.

If it makes someone uncomfortable then they can move... I'm not uncomfortable with it and so why I should I move.

Having said that, I do not just flop it out... I always where I top I pull up to cover my top half and a singlet under that, that comes down. I place bubs strategically while I organise myself and she, along with my clothing, covers me the whole time.  

Answer 2

My wife covers with a blanket but YES she does it in public!  No different than mixing a bottle and giving your baby a bottle!  No different than you eating fast food in front of everyone either!  WE ALL EAT IN PUBLIC at some time! ! !  Babies that are breastfed alone have the right to eat in public too!

Answer 3

It's in your best interest to look the other way.

It's legal in all states for women to breastfeed in public.  Sorry that you thought it was disturbing that a child was being fed the way nature intended.  Sounds like a personal problem to me.

Answer 4

it has to be done discreetly. But it shouldnt be frowned upon.

it needs to be done, I am very uncomfortable and didnt breastfeed my first 2 in public and I was always hiden away and rarely went out. It drove me into solitude, I gained alot of weight and it almost cost me my marraige, I was very young and didnt have the guts I have today.

8 years later, I just had my 3rd baby. I am not staying in hiding anymore.  I just make sure I am discreet and plan feedings well, but if he has to eat, I go to a corner and use a sheild to feed him as quietly and quickly without much fanfare.

if you think this is a problem, it;s yours alone.

look away and dont glare at them. MOST woman are discreet.

Answer 5

I know this might sound rude but is it any of your buisiness? It's 100% natual I only was able to breastfeed for 2 months and loved it but people like you are what makes many mothers choose not to breastfeed. If I see you I am just amazed and proud and keep doing what I am doing because its between a mother and child not anyone else...I formula feed not because my supply just kept dropping but next child I am hopeing to do it for a little over a year-kristy

Answer 6

How is feeding your child disturbing? I find it disturbing that people are so judgemental and against giving food to your own child. He or she has to eat too, you know, no matter where they are.

I don't care how embarassed someone else is by my breastfeeding in public. If my child is hungry, my child gets fed, no ifs, and or buts, and if someone doesn't like it, then find another area to walk around in.

No one else eats in private in a public place, so why should my child?

Answer 7

It pretty much is disturbing. i dont think i would ever o that. whenever i saw my mom go out in public, she would never feed my brother her breast milk unless she had a blnket to cover hr breast with. even then i guess she felt uncomfortable! anyways, i think its really gross when people do this because this probably just want ot show off their b***s!!!

Answer 8

Just look the other way about it...

Answer 9

if it bothers u so much, just look away, it's that easy. it is disturbing to you bc society has made b*****s to be sexual tools, when really the main reason they exist is just for what you witnessed, to feed and nourish babies. and yeah you said it when a baby has to eat they have to eat. I think it would be more disturbing if the woman at the museum just let her baby cry in hunger simply bc she was in public and didn't want 2 offend anyone, people such as yourself. like your uptight attitude is so much more important than that baby's survival. *sigh*

and like the others are saying, you don't have to go somewhere private and eat why should that little baby? and that baby cant even get up and walk and feed him/herself like you can. I think YOU'RE disturbing bc you find things like that disturbing.

Answer 10

I breastfeed in public.

When my son is hungry - there is not waiting with him ;-) Most of my family (and in-laws) breastfed their children and where I'm from it's completely natural (and better for your child). ***side note - please no attacks - I understand some can't breastfeed and formula these days are almost just as healthy. I don't judge anyone.***

Most places DON'T accomodate breastfeeding mothers. I live in Oregon and here - they passed a law alloweing mother's to nurse in public without the fear of being kicked out of the businesses.

However, When I'm in a restaurant, I ALWAYS cover up, so I don't offend anyone else (plus I'm a little modest). At wal-mart or target or any other department stores, I go to the fitting rooms to breatfeed.

I hope this helps!

Answer 11

I think society has gone retarded personally. There's not a darn thing wrong with feeding your baby the right way. Would you like to eat in a bathroom? Look the other way.

Answer 12

i think that it;s pretty gross, myself.

there are plenty of other places that are acceptable, and i don't wanna see that; Im pretty sure society as a whole doesn't either.

Answer 13

I have no issues with it as long as she uses a blanket to cover up.  

Answer 14

Next time you see that, just stare with a little bit of an evil look in your eyes until they leave. That is disguisting.

Answer 15

Look the other way. It is sad that society finds a part of the human body so and I quote you "disturbing." It's a boob, everyone has them, even men do!! If a baby has to eat, then it has to eat simple as that. I myself am comfortable with my body and find no wrong in feeding my child in public. If it was wrong, then it would be illegal, which it isn't.

Answer 16

My son isn't here yet but you better believe I'll be breastfeeding in public. If were out and he needs to eat he needs to eat. So what? I'm not going to sit at home and "hide" b/c I'm afraid what someone might think. It's completely natural to breastfeed babies. If a Mom can bottle feed her baby in public then I certainly can breastfeed mine. Yes, you should look the other way if it bothers you. I'm not going to go hide in a bathroom or dressing room to feed my son. Get over it!

Answer 17

Ummm look the other way..if a two year old needs a snack or a drink of water I'm sure you would not be disturbed if you saw them eating animal crackers and drinking a bottle of water...same goes for a breast fed baby...they may be thirsty or hungry..why would you have to feed them in private..people seriously need to get the stick out of there *** and get over it..geez!

Answer 18

It is something that should be done in private. You are still exposing yourself in public, just because it is to feed a baby does not mean it isn't considered nudity. If you know you have to go somewhere with the baby then use a breast pump & save the milk. In public, it is a don't!

Answer 19

Why should people hide to feed their children?

People say (go to the bathroom and feed them!!!). Well do you or would you ever eat in a public bathroom? I do not and would not even eat in my own bathroom, why would you expect a baby to eat in a smelly filthy public restroom filled with sewage, fecal matter, disposed tampons and pads and urine?

That is really the only "private" place to breasfeed in public. Unless you go in to a broom closet full of who knows how many chemicals and filth and is probably dark and not to mention OFF LIMITS to the public!!!

People who find it disturbing to feed your child need to grow up. People see b***s as sexual play toys for sexual amusment and not what they are naturally intended for which is feeding your children!!!

You can always starve your growing baby and make them wait 6 hours to eat as to not disturb anyone. I am sure you'd find their cries and screams caused by hunger pains far more disturbing than seeing a baby breastfeeding in public!!!

Don't stare, you do not have to sit there and watch them, you do not have to look!!!

Answer 20

well lots of people do it so i guess its okay. However if you think its disturbing just dont look..

Answer 21

Look the other way if you don't like it.  No one is going to tell you to have your lunch in the bathroom, and no one is going to tell a bottlefed baby to have their lunch in the bathroom either.  You can eat where you want, and a breastfed baby can also eat where they want  :)

Yes, I have breastfed in public  :)

Answer 22

People who do this are starved for attention.

Answer 23

I did.  I think the more woman that see it out in public the more confident they will be in the future to do it also.  There shouldn't be shame.  Cover yourself and feed your baby the best milk possible - your own!

Answer 24

I think women should go someplace private to feed that way they are not making others feel uncomfortable .  They are just making a show.

Answer 25

why should she have to do it in privite.. breast feeding is the most natural thing... im a mother of 4kids and i had no problem breast feeding in public.. it has to be done..

can i ask what you'd do if your were hungry in public? its not like you can give your baby a cheesburger, baby need food you have to breast feed.

Answer 26

I breastfeed in public all the time (shock horror!).  Oh, and I don't use a cover (how disGusting!).  

I really don't understand these questions.  

Edit.....sorry but 'a bit disturbing'?  Seeing b***s used for what they were designed for....yeah, really disturbing!

Nikki [Nerd]....it is not considered nudity....get yourself educated.

Answer 27

EWWWWW

unless she was hot... SIDE BOOB!

Usually it's some overweight mom though so it grosses me out, seems like something that should be done in private.

Answer 28

I breast feed when my child is hungry and if this is disturbing for people that is that person's problem.  I think it is more a bother to have a screaming child then a feed child.  Now my son's peds office has a breast feeding lounge and it is optional and I use it every time I am there.  but when I am in public I do use a cover up but once again it is worst in my opinion to have a screaming child.  And I don't do this for attention.  I have 3 kids one on the way, 2 dogs, a husband and a turtle so if I need attention like some people think who answered I get way to much attention else where to need it from strangers.  

Answer 29

Yes, I do.  I try to keep other people from being uncomfortable, but I won't toss a blanket over my baby on a warm day - his comfort has to come first.  No one breastfeeds out of a desire to show off - it's just the most natural and easy way to feed a baby.  (After all, you don't have to carry around bottles and formula, etc.)  Just look the other way.  What's more disturbing when you're at the museum - a crying, hungry baby, or a nursing mom?  

Answer 30

For god sakes in a museum?

Look hunny it is a piece of George Washington's hair *Unbuttons shirt*

Answer 31

Only when I am lucky!