Is it wrong to breast feed in church?

Question

I saw a couple of women breast feeding in church ... was it okay for them to do this or should they have gone outside of the church (there are places to sit outside too). Also, one was a new born baby but the other child could walk - does this make a difference?

Answer 1

well, some might argue that God gave women b*****s to feed their babies...

Answer 2

Newer churches built after 1975 will have "Cry Rooms." For those of you who don't know what it is, it's where a mother takes their baby or toddler when their kid starts fussing up during service, so the soundproofed room does not disturb the service any longer.

Usually, cry rooms are behind a one-way window, so the parents and kids can see out, but no one else can see in. You may breastfeed in the Cry Room.

Answer 3

The newborn child is a little more appropriate, but either way - there is a time and a place.  Most churches have a baby room where they can do this.   Otherwise, a restroom or something is a better place.  Yes, its natural and ok, but sometimes modesty is better.  

Answer 4

i think the nursery would be appropriate... definatly not inside church where everyone is sitting around you... it would be very distracting and make things awkward for people around

Answer 5

Babies have to eat.  I would rather have a mother discretely breastfeeding in church than listen to a screaming hungry baby.  JMHO.

Answer 6

If it were me I would probably go to the lobby or the bathroom or something, but as long as these women were covered up I don't see a problem with it. After all, God made us this way, why not nourish our children in the way he meant for us to in his house? ;o)  

Answer 7

In most states, it's legal to feed a child the way God intended anywhere you're legally permitted to be.  If there is no reason that those women and their children wouldn't be allowed in the church, there is no reason for them to not feed their children there.  

Which would you prefer?  A screaming child or a child being loved, cared for and fed?

What IS wrong is that people would even view the b*****s as sexual parts while they're used as intended.  When they are feeding a child, b*****s are as innocent as the nose on your face.  Breastfeeding is not indecent.  Why would you question whether it's ok to use the parts that are intended to feed a baby to do just that?  Would you question if it was ok to stick the rubber nipple of a bottle in a baby's mouth in church?  

As to the age of the child - the United States is quite off in its habits and views of breastfeeding.  The WORLD average age for weaning from breastfeeding is 4 years of age.  Many medical agencies here in the US and worldwide recommend breastfeeding to at least a year, and others recommend at least two years of age.  

Answer 8

of course it's okay to breastfeed in church. God, doesn't care if women feed their babies in his house. The babies need to eat and it's not inappropriate for them to breastfeed.  

Answer 9

I personally think it's inappropriate for them to breastfeed their babies/children in Church. If their child is hungry, then should go to somewhere more private to do so. As for the walking breast fed child, I personally find that a little disgusting, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 10

In my opinion Id ont think women should be permitted to  breast feed in public at all. I think its discusting.

Answer 11

Maybe not sitting with the congregation, but certainly they shouldn't be expected to remove themselves entirely or sit in the bathroom.

Answer 12

First of all, breastfeeding laws generally do not protect a mother in a church. You can sit in the middle of a court room and breastfeed but you have to obey the laws of your church.

If the church said the women could nurse the babies there, that is their choice. Babies can walk at 8 months, are you say babies shouldn't be fed if they can walk? Tell them to get a job and buy their own food?

Answer 13

I don't think breast feeding your child should be a legal or religious decision. It is food for your child; completely natural and a God-given gift. Go for it! If someone has a problem with it then it is simply that - THEIR  problem. At what age to stop is a very personal and individual decision.