Breastfeeding in public
- Thread starter JacksonsMom
- Start date
I'm sure part of the "disrespectful" stuff is directed toward my initial post that said she should "get over it". Yea, not the most sensitive way to put it, but I just get so sick of hearing people complaining about a *legally protected activity*. Yes, you can be uncomfortable, but why don't adults start taking responsibility instead of blaming others for their discomfort? I "got over it" when my friend was breastfeeding while talking to me and it felt weird to carry a convo while she was doing so, so I'm not saying it as someone who has always been "oh cool, nursing baby on a breast in public".
Are you guys as uncomfortable with babies on bottles? Certainly that can be considered intimate, too.
If someone is uncomfortable with a gay couple kissing in public, but not straight people, isn't that rather similar? We don't allow people to ask one couple to "do that somewhere else" when we wouldn't do the same to the other, even if it does make some people very uncomfortable.
I'm not a mom, but I will be, and I have no idea how I'll do it, but dangit I plan to be that invisible nursing mom out in public as much as possible. I don't like the really in your face people, but I also don't understand why people think it's ok to infringe on the woman's legal right to breastfeed in public, not in a restroom or behind closed doors, but in public. Just.don't.get.it.
Are you guys as uncomfortable with babies on bottles? Certainly that can be considered intimate, too.
If someone is uncomfortable with a gay couple kissing in public, but not straight people, isn't that rather similar? We don't allow people to ask one couple to "do that somewhere else" when we wouldn't do the same to the other, even if it does make some people very uncomfortable.
I'm not a mom, but I will be, and I have no idea how I'll do it, but dangit I plan to be that invisible nursing mom out in public as much as possible. I don't like the really in your face people, but I also don't understand why people think it's ok to infringe on the woman's legal right to breastfeed in public, not in a restroom or behind closed doors, but in public. Just.don't.get.it.
I've changed my mind A LOT about this issue recently.
Breastfeeding makes me uncomfortable. fact. and I used to 100% believe that women should cover up or find somewhere private to go or whatever.
But perhaps it's the amount of women who don't breastfeed at all/stop breastfeeding for fear of people making them feel bad about it, or perhaps it's the amount of moms I've seen juggling a toddler, a stroller and a baby and trying to breastfeed in gross public bathroom stalls, or perhaps it's the whole IDEA of trying to make someone feel ashamed of their bodies or of something as simple as feeding their kid... especially in this day and age where as long as boobs are SEXUAL, they can be featured pretty much anywhere... but now I honestly think that women should be able to breastfeed whereever and however.
I don't know what it is these days about nipples but people seem really sensitive about it. I mean, people walk around in bikinis and nobody bats an eyes.. but a glimpse of a nipple and people FREAK OUT. Guys have nipples too and nobody cares about those.
Anyway. These days,I feel that moms should be able to feed their babies wherever and whenever their kid is hungry.
The great thing about me being uncomfortable is that I have these great things called eyes that can look elsewhere, and legs that can GO elsewhere.
More then the whole breastfeeding issue, I don't like the whole idea lurking BEHIND the issue..like the female body and what it does is this gross thing we need to hide away or be ashamed of or cover up.
It's your body. Do with it as you please.
I would really love it if people would stop changing babies around where people eat. I mean..it's fecal mater. That's a health issue. Please don't do that.
But that's a whole nother issue lol
Breastfeeding makes me uncomfortable. fact. and I used to 100% believe that women should cover up or find somewhere private to go or whatever.
But perhaps it's the amount of women who don't breastfeed at all/stop breastfeeding for fear of people making them feel bad about it, or perhaps it's the amount of moms I've seen juggling a toddler, a stroller and a baby and trying to breastfeed in gross public bathroom stalls, or perhaps it's the whole IDEA of trying to make someone feel ashamed of their bodies or of something as simple as feeding their kid... especially in this day and age where as long as boobs are SEXUAL, they can be featured pretty much anywhere... but now I honestly think that women should be able to breastfeed whereever and however.
I don't know what it is these days about nipples but people seem really sensitive about it. I mean, people walk around in bikinis and nobody bats an eyes.. but a glimpse of a nipple and people FREAK OUT. Guys have nipples too and nobody cares about those.
Anyway. These days,I feel that moms should be able to feed their babies wherever and whenever their kid is hungry.
The great thing about me being uncomfortable is that I have these great things called eyes that can look elsewhere, and legs that can GO elsewhere.
More then the whole breastfeeding issue, I don't like the whole idea lurking BEHIND the issue..like the female body and what it does is this gross thing we need to hide away or be ashamed of or cover up.
It's your body. Do with it as you please.
I would really love it if people would stop changing babies around where people eat. I mean..it's fecal mater. That's a health issue. Please don't do that.
But that's a whole nother issue lol
Just think of all the countries and different cultures where it's perfectly normal and every day to feed babies...and in public. I wonder if it's mostly just Americans who are so Victorian about it. Well, it must have come from England I guess...that prudish thing about something like breast feeding. We should be more like those Aborigines or African tribal people whose main thoughts are staying alive...basic stuff and just enjoying life. I think too much emphasis on these kinds of silly things that don't really hurt anyone ought to be non issues. If you don't like it, avert your eyes.
Life is too short. People need to.........
Life is too short. People need to.........
Okay, I have missed 15 pages, but I have to pop in my two cents.
You work in a daycare. I'm shocked that this is being presented by someone who should know better. Breastfeeding is completely natural and not something that should be seen as a problem or other bother ESPECIALLY by those who are working with babies. I find this sad, and maybe you're not in the correct job.
I was only able to breastfeed for 10 days before I was put on medications that weren't safe for Carter, but I really wish I had been able to longer (I would still be doing it now).
You work in a daycare. I'm shocked that this is being presented by someone who should know better. Breastfeeding is completely natural and not something that should be seen as a problem or other bother ESPECIALLY by those who are working with babies. I find this sad, and maybe you're not in the correct job.
I was only able to breastfeed for 10 days before I was put on medications that weren't safe for Carter, but I really wish I had been able to longer (I would still be doing it now).
Well there are lots of really strong opinions here! I don't mind if you breast feed in public as long as it does not hurt the business you are patronizing. We had a lady breastfeeding and not covering herself or child even slightly right next to our only entrance and it wigged people out. I'm talking you could see her ribs and midsection as well as the upper part of the exposed breast, but just a little skin and a baby head. I often wonder how many people did not come in that day because they did not want to intrude upon her moment.
She obviously wasn't doing anything productive like errands, she was just sitting there with her child. To me that would indicate one of those cool bonding moments that you wouldn't want to be publicizing by sitting right in front of the door to a busy martial arts dojo. What was weird is that she started inside right in front of the TV we have running ads (WAY public, most looked at part of the dojo) then she moved outside in front of the door... I just don't understand.
However, I know for a fact that she is one of those very pro-breastfeeding OMG why wouldn't you bf moms. She and her friend asked to put up posters about their La Leche league event so it's not like we didn't know her views. Her husband calls her a hippy lol and he has stopped having her bring their daughter to classes so it's a non issue now.
She obviously wasn't doing anything productive like errands, she was just sitting there with her child. To me that would indicate one of those cool bonding moments that you wouldn't want to be publicizing by sitting right in front of the door to a busy martial arts dojo. What was weird is that she started inside right in front of the TV we have running ads (WAY public, most looked at part of the dojo) then she moved outside in front of the door... I just don't understand.
However, I know for a fact that she is one of those very pro-breastfeeding OMG why wouldn't you bf moms. She and her friend asked to put up posters about their La Leche league event so it's not like we didn't know her views. Her husband calls her a hippy lol and he has stopped having her bring their daughter to classes so it's a non issue now.
:hail::hail::hail:
I can almost guarantee that every single person on this thread has made people uncomfortable by having their dogs in public, especially those of the "scary" breeds. In the interest of not making people uncomfortable are you going to just leave your dogs at home or in the car? I doubt it.
When we have a kid I plan on breastfeeding, and will likely do so in public. Whether or not I cover with a blanket will depend on how I feel about the situation, and if others are bothered by it, meh-tough titties
. I know it might sound harsh but "will people be bothered by my breastfeeding?" doesn't even register on my "things to worry about" list when it comes to kids.
DH is the second oldest of 8 kids. His mom never covered up or stole off to a private place to breastfeed. When his sister had a baby, we walked around the county fair with DH's parents, his brothers and his sister while she was nursing the baby and nobody even batted an eye. He's told me often that he thinks it's completely bizarre that breastfeeding in public is even an issue.
I can almost guarantee that every single person on this thread has made people uncomfortable by having their dogs in public, especially those of the "scary" breeds. In the interest of not making people uncomfortable are you going to just leave your dogs at home or in the car? I doubt it.
When we have a kid I plan on breastfeeding, and will likely do so in public. Whether or not I cover with a blanket will depend on how I feel about the situation, and if others are bothered by it, meh-tough titties
. I know it might sound harsh but "will people be bothered by my breastfeeding?" doesn't even register on my "things to worry about" list when it comes to kids. DH is the second oldest of 8 kids. His mom never covered up or stole off to a private place to breastfeed. When his sister had a baby, we walked around the county fair with DH's parents, his brothers and his sister while she was nursing the baby and nobody even batted an eye. He's told me often that he thinks it's completely bizarre that breastfeeding in public is even an issue.
Just FYI, a nursing baby does... DH learned really quickly to keep an eye out when holding a hungry baby while topless. They didn’t care, they’d latch on to any nipple LOL.
I have to say, it really is mostly Americans who have this weird boob fetish thing. Growing up in Europe and Latin America, it just wasn’t an issue seeing a mom nurse, seeing a mom nurse well in to toddlerhood, seeing a grandma topless at the beach. Boobs are boobs.
I remember when I was maybe 8 or 9, our neighbor had a baby and we went over to welcome baby and mom home from the hospital. She was there in the privacy of her own home, but several neighbors over, mostly moms, but with kids in tow, and she was sitting there with one boob completely out as baby would nurse, let go, nap, nurse some more... I was fascinated. Since no one was acting like it was anything other than perfectly normal, it never occurred to me that it wasn’t either. But then, it was summer and you’d likely walk down the street and wave at a topless neighbor sunbathing by the pool anyway.
I have to say, it really is mostly Americans who have this weird boob fetish thing. Growing up in Europe and Latin America, it just wasn’t an issue seeing a mom nurse, seeing a mom nurse well in to toddlerhood, seeing a grandma topless at the beach. Boobs are boobs.
I remember when I was maybe 8 or 9, our neighbor had a baby and we went over to welcome baby and mom home from the hospital. She was there in the privacy of her own home, but several neighbors over, mostly moms, but with kids in tow, and she was sitting there with one boob completely out as baby would nurse, let go, nap, nurse some more... I was fascinated. Since no one was acting like it was anything other than perfectly normal, it never occurred to me that it wasn’t either. But then, it was summer and you’d likely walk down the street and wave at a topless neighbor sunbathing by the pool anyway.
Someone who should know better? Since you missed the past pages, I'll re-iterate that I work very part-time in a very small daycare room in a GYM... I'm great with the kids, and a good employee. This not something permanent, it's a temp job to get me by, but I do a darn good job at it, and love the kiddos. Most people drop their kids off, go work out for an hour or two, and come pick them up. Simple. We do not even change diapers.
I think I'm entitled to how I feel and was just expressing it here on chaz, like a lot of other people do about their thoughts/feelings. NO other mother feels the need to come sit and talk with us and do that except for this one. I kind of feel sorry for her, she's probably just quite lonely and needs someone to talk to, but when we're busy with other kids, etc, I don't have the time to awkwardly talk to you with your shirt hanging down. lol. Sorry but it makes ME feel awkward. Not to the point where I'd ever SAY anything to her, I mean, whatever... she does it, leaves, comes back and does it again... I'm also not the only employee who feels that way (I work with two older women 60+, and one younger under 30). It's not something I lose sleep over and I'm not like going :yikes: in disgust every time I see a pregnant woman nursing in public or anything. Actually I don't really see a lot, to be honest. I was simply stating this one woman rubbed me the wrong way and I felt like she was very "in-your-face" about it because not only does she sit down, whip it out, and start talking to us, she always brings up the fact that she's "STILL breastfeeding" as if she's... some godly parent. It's mostly the attitude about it that drives me nuts.
I sincerely didn't know this was such a controversial topic. To restate, I am not, repeat NOT against breast feeding. I do think it's natural and GREAT if you can do it for your baby. With this particular woman, she drops off a bottle as well with her kid, so she does use one of those as well.
I think I'm entitled to how I feel and was just expressing it here on chaz, like a lot of other people do about their thoughts/feelings. NO other mother feels the need to come sit and talk with us and do that except for this one. I kind of feel sorry for her, she's probably just quite lonely and needs someone to talk to, but when we're busy with other kids, etc, I don't have the time to awkwardly talk to you with your shirt hanging down. lol. Sorry but it makes ME feel awkward. Not to the point where I'd ever SAY anything to her, I mean, whatever... she does it, leaves, comes back and does it again... I'm also not the only employee who feels that way (I work with two older women 60+, and one younger under 30). It's not something I lose sleep over and I'm not like going :yikes: in disgust every time I see a pregnant woman nursing in public or anything. Actually I don't really see a lot, to be honest. I was simply stating this one woman rubbed me the wrong way and I felt like she was very "in-your-face" about it because not only does she sit down, whip it out, and start talking to us, she always brings up the fact that she's "STILL breastfeeding" as if she's... some godly parent. It's mostly the attitude about it that drives me nuts.
I sincerely didn't know this was such a controversial topic. To restate, I am not, repeat NOT against breast feeding. I do think it's natural and GREAT if you can do it for your baby. With this particular woman, she drops off a bottle as well with her kid, so she does use one of those as well.
Its one of those secrets of motherhood that no one tells you until it happens and then everyone says “oh yeah that happens all the time†Leaving you saying “why didn’t anyone TELL me!!!â€
That and that your milk will let down right when things get exciting between the sheets. Really good to have a heads up for that one.
That and that your milk will let down right when things get exciting between the sheets. Really good to have a heads up for that one.
What I find ridiculous is some people can't debate without being condescending or malicious. C'mon guys, like that picture above, take a chill pill.
I am entitled to my opinion to think that breast feeding obnoxiously in public is disrespectful and downright gross. Just like you are entitled to disagree.
Koombyah. Or however you spell that.
I am entitled to my opinion to think that breast feeding obnoxiously in public is disrespectful and downright gross. Just like you are entitled to disagree.
Koombyah. Or however you spell that.
Yup. Comes in typically between 8:30-9:30, sits down, breast feeds. The baby then drinks her bottle while with us (usually falls asleep), then the mother comes back around 12 and breast feeds again if she's awake.
I admittedly don't know a lot about babies/feeding/times/etc.
Typically, also, the kids (besides staff kids) do not stay the full 8-12 ish time period, but she does, LOL. So obviously she really needs a break. I know she's a stay at home mom. But most parents leave their kids for 2 hours tops (usually less).
I admittedly don't know a lot about babies/feeding/times/etc.
Typically, also, the kids (besides staff kids) do not stay the full 8-12 ish time period, but she does, LOL. So obviously she really needs a break. I know she's a stay at home mom. But most parents leave their kids for 2 hours tops (usually less).