What are your thoughts about breast feeding in public?

Question

Both men and women seem to be on both sides of the fence on this issue. Please note the question is in reference to breast feeding in public: be it on public transit, in a park, in a mall, in a restaurant, at the beach, in a movie theatre or sporting event etc. Please share your opinions.

Answer 1

Twins +1:  I was so sad to read your post about not wanting to feed in public.  I applaud you for carrying your babies so long - it must have been very difficult for you and I can imagin that you had to make big sacrifices.  You're children are VERY lucky to have a mom that chooses to do the best things for them.  I hope that you are able to find some products that make it easier for you to feed on the go.  I suggest the Hooter Hiders nursing cover.  I use it with a tanktop and just pull down the shoulder strap.  That way, my back isn't exposed.

Now to answer the question:  I totally support breastfeeding in public, even if a woman wants to take off her whole top to feed (which wouldn't be necessary, but why is it ok for guys to go shirtless??).  However, I've found that my son gets better feedings when outside stimuluses are lessened.  So, that's why I use a cover or go to my car or find a secluded spot.  If I was in the center of the mall, my son would be too interested in the people walking by to get a good meal in.  I wish that he wasn't so easily distracted.

Answer 2

I fed my babies when they were hungry.  I refuse to sit in a hot (or cold) car or restrooms.  I find it far more offensive to watch rude, ill-mannered people chew with there mouths open or slurp with straws in empty glasses then it is to watch a baby eating what they are suppose to eat.

EDIT:  Here is what I don't get.  Why would anyone be embarrassed by MY breastfeeding.  I am not going to throw a blanket over my babies head, how uncomfortable is that.  I also don't stand up in the middle of the mall and announce that I am about to whip out a boob.  It is feeding a baby not pole dancing.  We like to think we are so enlightened in this day and age but honestly my grandmother's generation was so much more with it when it came to baby care, they nursed in front of people, they fed babies with food from the garden and they taught children respect.

Answer 3

I have breastfed in public.  Babies need to eat when they are hungry, just like adults.  They shouldn't have to eat in the bathroom or have to wait until you get home.

Answer 4

::yawn::

There's nothing wrong with it.

Answer 5

I believe it's ok as long as the mother has something covering her baby and her boob..People say "not to look if you don't like it" but it's hard not to..I think that other people shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable when they are out-but as long as the mother has everything covered, I think it's fine.

Answer 6

Go Bugsey!!!  Exactly what she said

and BTW, this question has been asked THOUSANDS of times...

Answer 7

You can discreetly feed your baby without making a show of it.  If done properly, most people won't even notice because it just looks like you are holding and cuddling the baby.  Practice in private by throwing a cloth diaper over your shoulder before baring your breast and before you know it you will be able to feed anywhere without creating a scene or embarrassing anyone in your vicinity.  

Answer 8

I think it is fine.

Answer 9

When a baby has to eat, a baby has to eat.

You don't want to see it, put a blanket over your head.

Answer 10

((sigh))

What is there to think about?  If either of my babies needs or wants (needed/wanted) to nurse then that's what they would do.  Whenever and wherever we were at the time.

Answer 11

Babies gotta eat too. I think it's perfectly natural. The baby has the nipple so you don't see much breast, and the woman covers most of that up as well. I just don't like to see women on hot days in the park with a thick blanket over the babies head. I don't think I'd like to eat that way.  

Answer 12

I am not offended by it... there is far worse on display at the magazine counter.  I have breastfed in public (covered) and if you are natural about it and discreet, most people don't even notice.  I really have a hard time understanding why people are so against it or bothered by it.  

Answer 13

I do breastfeed my son in public, but I am very careful not to show anything. If I can I will put a blanket over top of me.

I support breastfeeding, but I don't think there is a need to let everyone know what you are doing.  

Answer 14

you HAVE ot feed your baby- i chose to breastfeed NOT bottlefeed so i won't be doing that. my son would NEVER take a bottle from me. and i'm not isolating myself from the world. if you're afraid your child might see someone breastfeeding their baby then you need to educate them. i breastfeed in front of my 10 and 4 year old brothers without even covering up- they don't even notice because they know what i'm doing and they know that's what b*****s are for. they know my son is getting the best- if i were to pump every time i needed to go out into public then i'd be only pumping. im a very busy women and ave no time for someone's petty bullshit

BTW forcing an infant to eat in a f***s infestedd restroom is absurd. i dont even want to pee in those things never mind eat in one.

breastmilk is best straight from the source

I am PROUD that i breastfeed and dont want to act like im ashamed of it so im not hiding it-

Answer 15

This country is awfully hung up about seeing a woman's breast doing the job it was created to do. If you see something that you don't want to see,  you were born with a head that turns.  

Answer 16

I was too afraid to do it openly in my first pregnancy.  I'm not sure if my body image issues will improve at all in my next pregnancy so I may be spending a lot of time at home.  At least until my baby can go longer stretches, eat on a more predictable routine, or can easily latch on under a covering of some sort.  If it's a warm summer day then I can cover my baby up with a light gauze covering.  It doesn't have to be thick... just enough to make me more comfortable.  I got really horrible stretch marks in my first pregnancy with the twins and so I'm very ashamed of it.  I'm also ashamed of my b*****s, but that's MY problem- nobody else's.  I won't be ashamed to be breastfeeding, I just don't want people looking at my purple stretchmarked body and think I look gross.  *hiding behind a chair*  I don't think a mother should be made to feel bad for being modest and wanting to cover herself up while breastfeeding.  If that's how it is then I'd rather not leave the house and be able to nurse where I am comfortable and be in peace.  I don't need people looking at me like I'm some weird freakshow twin vessel whose body was completely destroyed carrying twins to 38 weeks.

That being said, I have no problem with other women breastfeeding in public.  I'm proud of them and I envy their courage and confidence.  I wish I could be more like them!

Answer 17

A baby has every right to eat wherever that mother and baby are permitted. That baby also has every right to eat comfortably, that means without a blanket covering their head and in sanitary conditions, not in a disgusting bathroom.

I will nurse wherever my child is hungry, and will not force a blanket over their head. If someone does not like it, they are free to cover their head with a blanket, or hide awa y in a bathroom.