opinions on breastfeeding in public?

Lisa-Marie - posted on 05/30/2010

Where i live in Australia it is normal to see a mummy feeding her baby at a coffee shop or elsewhere in public - mostly covered. I think it is great and believe the more people who do it the more it will become normal like it should be!!!

Kathy - posted on 05/30/2010

The more mums breastfeed in public, the more people will get used to it. But it's completely up to the individual mum -if you're not comfortable breastfeeding in public, then don't. If you feel you need one of those ghastly hooter hiders (what a name!!) then do so. For years I breastfed in public by just lifting my top up, even when they were toddlers.
Just on that point, the covers are used a bit in Australia now - to me they say "Hey, folks, look what I'm doing, I'm breastfeeding my baby!"But however you choose to do it, remember that boobs and bubs go together everywhere. If people make snide remarks, that's their problem.

Amy - posted on 05/29/2010

i dont go out much but when i do i will feed my 7 month old when he needs it i cover up but he hates his cover and usually pulls it off iv got a few looks and a couple at burger king got up and moved but i would never say anything to a nursing mom

Karla - posted on 05/29/2010

As a breastfeeding mom, I think it is my right to feed my child whereever we are, but I think it is unfair to criticize others who verbalized that it makes them uncomfortable to see a woman breastfeeding her child. It seems to me that we ALL need to show a little more respect to each other!

Sharna - posted on 05/29/2010

thank you all so much! its great hearing other peoples experiences and knowing that i am not alone. i dont sit in the middle of a chopping centre topless, i am very discreet about it. in fact, if i feel i am going to expose too much of myself, i find a parent room. but i agree... doing it more will hopefully make it more acceptable!!!

Teresa - posted on 05/29/2010

The most public place I ever fed my twins was in the car. It was just a whole lot easier and practical for us at the time.



I've fed my son just about everywhere I've been that I can sit at least semi comfortably (never done a sling and can't walk around nursing very well). I only used a cover a handful of times in the beginning as I was getting used to the 'feeding in public' process. It's rare that I feed my son in public now, but then again.... he IS 2. ;)



I, unfortunately, can understand the negative 'judgements' from people cuz I, sadly, used to be one of those judgemental people. Now that it's MY son and MY experience of extended breastfeeding and feeding in public.... I say: Go for it and screw what anyone else thinks! ;) Be discreet, of course, but not ashamed and not in hiding. :)

Marabeth - posted on 05/29/2010

i encourage public breastfeeding. it needs to be put more in america's face for us to ever accept it as normal. unfortunately it's difficult to nurse my 14 month old without her flipping in circles trying to nurse, then see the bird, then nurse, then wave at the little girl, then nurse, then.. well you get the idea. :)

Angie - posted on 05/29/2010

I think it's fine to feed your baby anywhere you want. Personally I don't use a cover but I feel like I'm very discreet. Most people wouldn't even know I was nursing a baby.

I still feel ok nursing my 20 month old in public but my 3 1/2 y ear old who is also still nursing I very rarely nurse her in public anymore but she also doesn't ask very often.

Lerin - posted on 05/29/2010

I believe also it should be accepted in public. Babies gotta eat. Grown ups eating in public all the time.You see more boob on tv & in stores, or at the pool at the YMCA. I don't think the age of the baby should make a difference. I know people are probably alot more accepting to seeing a small baby nursed, and tend to frown more on bigger babies- they can listen to my 18m old scream 'boooob' or put up with me nursing.
The more we do it, the more acceptable it will be. I think of it as my public service announcement that breastfeeding is okay and normal and hopefully I can convince a few women along the way to try it, to stick with it, etc.

Bershelle - posted on 05/29/2010

I do it, at church I use a cover (hooter hider is the name) but I do mainly out of my hubs saying cover that thing up lol.
To me it is the most natural thing a mom can do, its ok for us to give birth to them (via vagina) and have that aired on TV but if we breastfeed in public we are "exposing" ourselves? WTF! Women can walk around nipples hanging out and thats fine?

I just get so P*ssed off because its not like we are saying here look at me, we sit down and feed, how is our fault that someone looks over or is embrassed by what we are doing. A very touchy subject but I am all for feeding in public mama... You whip it out and do what you gotta do! ^,^

Lindsey - posted on 05/29/2010

I remember being like 5 yrs old at the playground and seeing a woman breastfeeding her baby and she wasn't covered AT ALL! And now that I'm an adult and also a bf mom I don't see a problem with bf in public as long as your not literally sharing it with the world. Although I personally don't (mostly because I'm not coordinated enough to do so without exposing myself, lol) I don't have a problem with it, but there are always going to be people who do and feel uncomfortable just at the mention of bf.

Kassie - posted on 05/29/2010

my baby is only 12 weeks- so i havent gotten to the BIG baby stage but i also feel like you gotta do what you gotta do. i will say i feel more comfortable being around certain people- and i try to excuse myself if im somewhere where i can but have and continue to nurse in public if i have to. the people who say it should be done in private and only in private obviously dont have a baby yet- or they didnt breast feed. its a VERY demanding job- most breastfed babies esp. in the beginning will nurse anywhere from every 1-3 hours- i dont know about you but im not going to try to make schedule around that!! i wish more people would realize the kind of mom it takes to whip out her boob and nurse her starving child even while people are looking at her like WHAT IS SHE DOING??? i mean isnt that why God gave us these boobs?? ♥

Celeste - posted on 05/29/2010

How frustrating! I'm very pro breastfeeding in public. IMO, mothers should be free to feed their child however and wherever they see fit.

As far as age, again, I feel it should be up to the mother.