Has public attitude changed towards breastfeeding?

Eve - posted on 02/25/2009

I breastfed my first child right around the time that you nursed your daughter. My own sister suggested I nurse my son in the bathroom at a public restroom instead of at the dinner table surrounded by family! I told her we let her sit at the table and she eats with her mouth open! Anyway, I have a 3-year old also. I do feel that there were more breastfeeding moms when I was nursing her. I never really cared if anyone looked at me. Remember that you are breastfeeding your child because it is the best ting you can do for your child. There are a lot of things that people probably wouldn't support (eg. talking on your cell in the checkout line, showing  too much cleavage, letting a 2 year old suck their thumb...) but we do anyway because we don't care. They are strangers and their opinions don't really matter anyway.

Colette - posted on 02/25/2009

I breastfed both my children in public quite a bit ( mall benches, park, ertc) and have never been looked at funny (that I know of ) or actually "talked too" about it.

I think having a blanket draped over the baby is much more obvious than just feeding them. I have never exposed myself and the way the baby was positioned, it is almost  disguised as just holding the baby.

You will find ignorant and stupid wherever you go in the world. Breastfeeding is the best for baby and don't worry about the idiots who comment on it.

Colette - posted on 02/25/2009

I breastfed both my children in public quite a bit ( mall benches, park, ertc) and have never been looked at funny (that I know of ) or actually "talked too" about it.

I think having a blanket draped over the baby is much more obvious than just feeding them. I have never exposed myself and the way the baby was positioned, it is almost  disguised as just holding the baby.

You will find ignorant and stupid wherever you go in the world. Breastfeeding is the best for baby and don't worry about the idiots who comment on it.

Brenda - posted on 02/24/2009

I nursed my son for his first year.  I didn't really care if people looked at me funny.  I was nice enough to cover myself with a blanket when I nursed in public, but around family and friends I didnt, since after about a month I could breastfeed my son without flashing everyone in the room.  The one place I received the most "grief" was at the daycare I worked at, and where my son was for his first year.  He was the first baby in that class to be breastfed, and the teacher was concerned about storing "bodily fluids" in the fridge.  I basically said, that's a bunch of crap!  I nursed my son in the nursery while I was on breaks, and after a while, that teacher who was so weirded out by breasteeding admitted that after seeing me with my son, she wished she had breastfed her 2 girls.  She asked questions, and I answered them honestly.  I was pleased to see that I could change her mind about it, because there are only positives about breastfeeding!  I think anyone who gives weird looks should just mind their own business.  You are doing what's best for your baby! 

Angela - posted on 02/24/2009

I only pumped breastmilk for my child, but have many friends that do breastfeed exclusively. I have also been to public places where breastfeeding has taken place. 99% of the time breastfeeding moms are very discreet. I think the vast majority of people are accepting of breastfeeding, but when they notice someone doing it, they look away quickly to respect the mother and child's privacy even though in public. I think those kind of quick glances may be misconstrued for disapproval when they actually aren't disapproving of the task.

I do have to mention that there was one time when I saw a woman walking through Target completely exposing her breast while her child fed. I did think that was gross and uncalled for. I understand if the child doesn't want to be completely covered up, but at least cover what you can. I figure breastfeeding is as natural as any other human process, however, I would be as equally offended if I saw someone urinating or defacating in public. I think breastfeeding requires respect from all parties and it sounds like you (and most people in my experience) abide by that. I think you should most definitely breastfeed your next child. I don't think you will get a negative reaction from people.

Brenna - posted on 02/24/2009

I have gotten one or two looks but nobody's ever said anything rude. In fact I had one woman come up and compliment me on nursing my son. The few times I did get rude looks I smiled real big and the one person who continued to stare I waved at, which finally seemed to embarass her into looking away.

Rachel - posted on 02/24/2009

People are still disapproving, but there are laws out now protecting your right to breastfeed in public so if anyone says anything, you can tell them that.

Kathy - posted on 02/24/2009

i really dont care what people think. if my baby is hungry she eats. if people are put out tell them to look the other way. didnt their mothers tell them its rude to watch someone eat.

Misty - posted on 02/24/2009

I myself haven't breastfed too much in a public place because I am afraid of getting that reaction. Where I live it is law that anywhere you are allowed to be you are allowed to breastfeed. That however doesn't change the way people react towards you when you do feed your baby (even with a cover and nothing exposed). When I do get the wierd looks, I just think of how healthy my baby girl is compared to some of the other kids I know who's mothers did not breastfeed.

Alicia - posted on 02/24/2009

My son is almost 6 months, and I have been strictly breastfeeding. I haven't had any negative feedback from anyone so far. There are so many "new" things that are in place that I don't think it is as big of a deal.

Eg. The mall now has a nursing room in the ladies washroom (rocking chairs, change tables, etc). There are great products to help cover up, so everyone is comfortable (hooter hiders).

Nicola - posted on 02/24/2009

I have breastfed 3 of my children and i intend to breastfeed when i give birth to my next child but i no were u are coming from i also used to get funny looks from people as i feed but my attitude to them was if you dont like it then dont look!!! You get ignorant people who think it should be kept till your at home but when your childs hungry there hungry nothing you can do about it they wouldnt starve themselves would they!! Its a beautiful and natural thing to do and dont let other peoples views put a dampner on yours they are the ones in the wrong not us.

Lisa - posted on 02/24/2009

i breast fed my son till he was 20months and i couldn't drape anything over his head cause he would scream blue murder and not eat people always gave me funny looks but i just didn't care i new it was best for him, i am pregnant with number 4 and plan on feeding this one. but to answer ur question i really dont think things have changed we as breast feeding mums just need to rise above it and remember breasts is best (if this can be done obviously it doesnt suit everyone)  xx

Amie - posted on 02/24/2009

Some people are still give the disapproving stares, some will even come up and say something! Which is quite rude in my opinion. But I know here (I'm in Sask, Canada) there are signs that have gone up all over the place supporting breastfeeding mom's! =) They can BF in public in the restaurant, store, etc. without feeling pressured about it. If others have a problem with it, they are the ones asked to leave. Some places, like our malls, have family rooms so if you yourself are uncomfortable BF in public you can go to these rooms and feed your little one there.
So while opinions are changing, like with everything else, it's slow going. Maybe when our daughters have kids it will be common place and people will get over themselves for us feeding our babies in public. =)

Jill - posted on 02/24/2009

I have a eight month old whom I strickly breast feed. I have gotten looks but never any bad feed back. I have noticed more places are adding nursing rooms to their facilities. I live near a military base were the daycare has a room if you want to stop in and breastfeed your child!

Stacy - posted on 02/24/2009

My daughter is now 8months old and has only been breastfeed. I always feed her under a blanket and I have never had anything said to me. I have had people give me strang looks at first because they didn't see my daughters feet sticking out of the blanket but it was more of a "I can't beilieve she is freezing so much she has to drape a blanket over her" but never a condeming look.

I hope this helps!

Caty - posted on 02/24/2009

i don't think much has changed i've strictly nursed both my kids my oldest till 20 months and we're just over 7 months with my youngest i've never had anyone tell me to leave a place but i've gotten alot of dirty looks or people who walk by and wisper negative coments.

Ally - posted on 02/24/2009

I often get disapproving stares but I couldn't care less..i know that i am doing what is best for me and especially for my baby. In most situations though people are supportive and I have never been asked to cover up or go somewhere else which i wouldn't do anyway. my daughter is almost a year old and we plan on breastfeeding until she is two. It is really weird since so many moms ofter complain they get unwanted advice or criticism about giving their child a bottle of formula but then so many people give you a dirty look if you breastfeed in public..its a no win situation i guess!

Maryann - posted on 02/24/2009

I have a 4 month old and I strictly nurse. I feel as though people do not want to see you doing it in public, like its something bad. I do not understand why people feel this way. Its so natural. But to answer your question I do not think too much has changed with the way people look at it.