What would your reaction be to a breastfeeding mom in public?

Christy - posted on 04/02/2012

When I nursed my kids I did it any time they were hungry. It didn't matter to me if we were out to eat, at someones house or even shopping. It is what we were made to do. I think at first some of my friends and family members were a little taken aback at the site (I did cover up but if it was too warm than I didn't bother). They did get over it quickly however. When some of them had their own babies it gave them the courage to give breastfeeding a try instead of going with the current norm of bottle feeding, which they had said they wouldn't have tried if they hadn't seen how well it worked for us.

Katie - posted on 04/02/2012

I am a mother of 2 and a proud supporter of breastfeeding. I completely support it in any location. A hungry baby needing some milk that has been made for him or her and being fed is natures most natural event. We are a mixed up country who has issues with mothers doing the best thing for their children. Formula's first ingredient is a genetically modified item (corn syrup) which starts the addiction of sugar for these helpless kids. The GMO foods and sugar addiction has brought our country to a place where pre-teens are having heart attacks and 2 out of 3 people are dying from a food related issues. So, seeing a breast flashed to give the kid something that is pure is not offensive to me. Seeing kids with these other things in their bottles are.

If you think breastfeeding is disgusting then you need to educate yourself to the truths about the issue. We need to grow up as a country and support something good for our kids.

Janice - posted on 04/02/2012

I would either not pay any attention or smile at the mom. I am a breastfeeding mom. I breastfeed in public and its not a big deal. Actually, there have been times when I was breastfeeding in public and people have no clue! They want to see the "sleeping" baby but he is actually eating. I breastfed my daughter in public too. Feeding a baby is normal no matter where it happens.

Dorothy - posted on 04/02/2012

Can't read comments right now... I don't react. However, I do a little happy dance in my head. Breastfeeding is biologically normal way for infants to eat but in the last hundred years or so it's become wo stigmatized that even breastfeeding mothers are afraid to breastfeed in public. I always breastfed in public. I covered my self for my comfort. I'm heavy and hate showing my skin. However, I don't think that breastfeeding moms should have to worry about it unless THEY want to for their comfort. When i saw a mom nursing while walking, breast out, in Disney World. I was super happy that she felt comfortable enough to do that. And told my husband so. :)

Cinnamon - posted on 04/02/2012

My first reaction when I realize someone is breastfeeding and I'm out in public is to not stare and kind of give the mother her privacy. I used a cover when I would breastfeed in public for my own comfort, but I've seen a mother breastfeed in church very discreetly and thought good for her. Also seen it at the library, I do think some mothers can go overboard, I've heard of Moms just taking their top off and letting everything show while feeding and that seems a bit much, but it's our legal right and babies have to eat so it shouldn't be a matter of opinion or comfort for everyone else. Good luck with your class.

Kimberly - posted on 04/02/2012

My reaction is usually a smile and nod and I have even had chats with stranger then realized that they were nursing doesnt worry me the same way I would chat to someone nursing there babies from a bottle they have a cute lil baby that they are feeding and I get to remember when my daughter was that young. I think people make too big of a deal out of nursing in public its not like your flashing everyone you have your breast out for a reason that isnt to show off you the girls!!!! I nursed in public and I was always respectful of other people but also of myself, I didnt want my breast hanging out for the world to see but I was going to nurse. Hope that helps

Margarita - posted on 04/02/2012

I consider it a perfectly normal, healthy, and beautiful part of life. I did choose to use some coverage in those days as you never know who's looking and I just didn't feel like dealing with it. Actually I usually looked for somewhere clean and quiet first (didn't want her to get too hot from the cover), and used the coverage as a second option. Still, I don't think there is anything wrong with nursing without coverage if it's extremely hot or you don't have anything to cover yourself with. A hungry baby must be fed!

Senada - posted on 04/02/2012

Hello,

love Jodi's comment... she starts with warnign you to be aware of where people tou ask for their opinion about breastfeeding in pubic are coming from, as that is a cultural thing, and then she concludes that it breastfeeding is a perfectly natural phenomenon...



the practice of breaastfeeding is cutlurally embeded, of course. the !Kung people use to breastfeed thair infants up to the age of 3-4 years, weanign being one of the greatest life traumas a !Kung person goes through. I don't even remember if and how longmy mom was breastefeeding me.

the WFO today recommends 6 months, at least it did 5 years ago when my baby was newly born.



my opinion which is, afo course influecned by my upbringing, my own life experience and my actual environemnt, is that it is a behavior that should not be discriminated, i.e. I can't recall any situation where breastfeeding would be dangerous for someone and thus should be banned, or discouraged. However, in the situation of giving a public lecture and breastfeeding at the sametime, you are forcing people to face it, to take a stance, to learn what is their attitude towards it, and the appropriateness of it depends of what the lecture is about and what is your purpose of including the moment of breastfeeding in it. In any case, my opinion is that in that particularsituation the act of breastfeeding becomes more of "providing the baby with the food", but more of a public statemtn, a public act, or an educational act. ... and so it is with any "staged situation", imagine an actress breastfeeding in the middle of a teater performance - how to interpret it - as a part of the act, or ?...



another thing I woudl add is that for me the whole expreicne of being pregnant and everything that came with it, breastfeeding and other things,.. changed my way of expereicne my body and everything that has to do with the body. I became much mroe aware of it, I started living more in and with and through my body, and i became not only much more comfrortable with it but able to enjoy it and enjoy living through it .. so about breastfeeding in public.. I probably was postiive about it before, but at the same time I woudl feel uncomfrotable and embarrassing when I would have to face it ... when I sekf was breastfeeding I was not embarrassed and was abel to create a sense of privacy with between me and my baby anywhere. in taht regard I think breastfeeding during a lecture is not fair toward your baby neither to your public, as you would have to ignore at elast one or both of them ...



best

Denise - posted on 04/01/2012

As a mother that has breastfeed three of her children I think it's ok to nurse in public as long as your COVER UP and not haning out. I also think it is a privacy issue. The child has to eat. The one thing that really disturbs me is when I see a mother let their breast hang out not care what other people think. Like when you see a 5 yr lift his mothers shirt up and undo the bra strap and start nursey in the middle of story time at the library. Has this mother learned when to cut him off. I say show some respect in your self. My husband does not need to see that. He has his owns wife breast to look at. Many men are very uncomfortable with this issue when other women do it not there own wifes. If not for the women do it for the men. I guess I support Breast feeding in public as long as you cover up. Because I nursed my three kids for 17 months they have not gotten sick as much even when they became older.

Keisler - posted on 04/01/2012

It doesn't bother me because I used to be one of those Mom's who breastfed my baby on the commuter train. No one said anything to me because when I nursed it was under concealment. I think breast feeding should be done where the mother and child are comfortabl.

Tina - posted on 04/01/2012

No reaction is necessary. Especially negative. Years ago my grandmother wasn't even able to take her son in the pram into big W. She was feeding him. She was also hot and bothered and needed refreshing herself. Some nice gentleman who seen what was going in a little shop saw it and welcomed her. But to this day she wont go back to that store. she's been to other big w

's but will never go back to that particular one. I don't know why people have to make such a big deal out of it. If it makes you uncomfortable don't look. You shouldn't be looking anyway. There's more woman walking around showing more clevage then her. But you wouldn't go and tell her to go and cover up or change her top. No body has the right to tell a mother not to feed her baby. Or make any comment just leave her alone and go about her day.

Sherri - posted on 04/01/2012

As a breastfeeding mom please do not tell me good job, do not walk up and give me a thumbs up, do not do anything or even acknowledge it please, just go on with your business. I would be so offended if anyone walked up to me and did anything or even said anything positive or not.

Erica - posted on 04/01/2012

My reaction would probably be to smile and give you your privacy. If the situation was appropriate I would probably say good for you for providing your baby with the best nutrition possible. I breastfed my Son in public many times and never had anyone react negativly. I covered up and didn't make it a big deal. Also, I refused to breastfeed in the bathroom. That is a place for excretion not ingestion.

Kisa - posted on 04/01/2012

my first thought is, "Good for her, keep it up." sometimes I even tell them this. I breastfeed my 2 in public. why not, that is how they eat and it is normal and most do cover up.

Christina - posted on 04/01/2012

I have no problem with mothers breastfeeding in public. I myself breastfed my son in public. If someone gets offended by a breastfeeding mother they can turn their heads to something else. It's a natural way to feed and nourish your baby, most mother's cover up with a shawl of some sort in the first place. Rarely do you see a mother with her breast out for everyone to see while in public. I do not even think twice when I have seen another mother breastfeeding her child in public. It's a natural way to feed your baby.

Alexandra - posted on 04/01/2012

breastfeeding is the most normal thing in the world and I think that if chosen to, every woman has the right to do it. Whoever does not like it can look to another place.

Nicole - posted on 04/01/2012

In my opinion no reaction is necessary. Breast feeding is natural and the way EVERY mammal on earth feeds their babies. When I was breast feeding my daughter, I was asked to go in the bathroom to nurse her ata restaurant we were in. My response was, I wouldn't take,say my cheeseburger in the bathroom to eat it and I won't take her in the bathroom to "eat"!

I've even been told that I was not allowed to nurse my daughter if I was in public with a certain family member! Really?????? You really just have to take a stand and do what is right or you and your child regardless of what. ANYONE says, does, or thinks!

Rosi - posted on 04/01/2012

I have no objections on breastfeeding in public. All power to them, as long as they are covered. I b/f my son but never out in the open i will run to my car or if they had a family room i would go in there but thats just me i didn't feel right people walking pass me and stare.

Gina - posted on 04/01/2012

I generally smile and go about my business. I also nurse my son in public, so it is not "gross" or uncomfortable for me. Thus far I have not received any negative reactions or comments, and I have not been asked to leave anywhere. However, I am in Florida, and I am protected by laws while breastfeeding (something to the point of a mother is allowed to breastfeed her child anywhere in public that she is legally allowed to be, without fear of being charged with indecent exposure). I know that other states have similar laws. If I were to ever be asked to leave, I would politely ask the reason why, and if I were to be told because I was breastfeeding (without covering up, it is too hot in Florida to do that!) I would decline to leave and let them know the law that allows me to continue. I think the place I have breastfed the most in so far is my local Target. I usually go to the back part of the store, where they have the furniture displays set up so I can sit down and I will feed him there. I make sure to pay close attention to him so that I can cover myself as quickly as possible when he is done. I have noticed a few times people who would sort of look over strangely, but no employees have ever come to ask me to leave yet, so I'm assuming those people just have their "that's gross, she should go to the bathroom" thoughts to themselves and go about their day. As long as they keep their thoughts to themselves, I don't care what they think about me feeding my son.

Nicole - posted on 04/01/2012

i also have no problem with breastfeeding in public but i feel that covering up is the best thing due to the reactions that i got when breastfeeding my son i had to press charges for harassment on a guy for asking to try my boob juice for 20 min. i had covered with a blanket after he showed up but i can help feeling if i had been covered from the get go he would have passed me by.

Teresa - posted on 04/01/2012

So S... it's not decent unless a mom is using a blanket?



I agree w/ being covered up, but that doesn't necessarily mean a woman HAS to use an actual cover up, blanket, or anything other than the shirt she is wearing. I did use a cover up in the very beginning w/ my son, but as soon as we both got the hang of it... I ditched that thing. I wasn't exposed or indecent... ever.



I know I've posted on this several times, but breastfeeding is my 'hot topic' so to speak. :)

Kathy - posted on 04/01/2012

I think it is wonderful. It is so much healthier and cheap. The more we see it the more used to it we will be and maybe breasts will cease to be an obsession and be understood for their various roles not just sexually but maternally as well. We might even come to appreciate them in their normal undistorted condition.

Angela - posted on 04/01/2012

In this arena, we are going to hear from moms. Most women I know have no problem with BF in public. I know many men who feel extremely uncomfortable with BF in public. They do not know where to look or how to act. I BF in public with a blanket draped over me, but if there were a lot of men present, I tried to be respectful of their comfort. Also, if I knew a man was uncomfortable, why would I put him through that? Besides, it was always easier for me to nurse in a quieter environment. And frankly, I liked seeing my babies nurse off my breast. It was quiet special time for baby and me to do it in private (or within a group of close ppl, like my mom, MIL, sister, or friends).

Mary - posted on 04/01/2012

I think breastfeeding in public is acceptable. Why should an infant have to

be denied a meal due to social hang ups?

S - posted on 04/01/2012

Public yes!! Breastfeeding is best & as long as moms are des

cent...using a blanket!! Besides its always ready!!

Aimee - posted on 04/01/2012

Before I became a mom I was that person who didn't care if you breastfed your child in public but as long as you were covered up with a blanket "Nobody wants to see that". Then I became a mom and breastfeed in public without a blanket lol! Both my boys would not take the breast under a blanket. With my first he would take a bottle so I would normally pump and give him the bottle when we were out. It was my own insecurities I felt like everyone was staring and judging. My second would not take a bottle so I had no choice and actually became more comfortable with it. Funny how things change so quickly (:

Lisa - posted on 04/01/2012

I am not offended by it. I have done it a few times when I had to but I was very discrete and would like others to be so also.

Teresa - posted on 04/01/2012

Just an FYI, Judy... I breastfed my son in the seats in the back of my church (my normal sitting spot) just about every week for 2.5 years. Absolutely nothing wrong w/ it. I suppose it could depend on how 'stuffy' your church is though. ;)

Khaliah - posted on 04/01/2012

I have had one child whom I breastfed. I did so for health reasons; statistically it's healthier for the child. I always breastfed in public. I didn't go in the restroom because it's unsanitary, adults wouldn't eat in a restroom so why should my child. It didn't matter what public place I was in if it was time for a feeding I'd covet my son with a receiving blanket and feed him. It's natural! So of I saw another mother breastfeeding in public I'd commend her. Not too many women are willing to do it because it's time consuming and painful. I think it's the best option for the child and if a woman's breast happens to come out a little in public while trying to feed her child it shouldn't be a big deal

Spring - posted on 04/01/2012

I breast fed in public and, more often than not, without a cover. This was not because I was trying to make a show of what I was doing but because my sweet little one was always pulling them off. I tried several different kinds all with the same result. As he refused to take a bottle there was no other option for us. It did not seem to be as big of a deal with us as we were living overseas at the time and they seem more relaxed on the subject. I know that there are definite strong feelings on both sides of the fence here in the US. I definitely don't think that women should have to go use a restroom to nurse because what they are doing makes other uncomfortable. I think we could better serve mothers who choose to breastfeed by offering them nursing rooms. It is kind of a middle ground as they offer a quiet place to nurse while mom is out of the house.

Rebecca - posted on 04/01/2012

Well being that I plan on breastfeeding when my baby is born I see nothing wrong with it. As long as the mother is covered to where not every one can see there is nothing wrong with. I bought a cover to use while im out so that way I dont show everyone what im doing. As mothers its our right to be able to feed our child where ever we are.

Judy - posted on 04/01/2012

Well, it would depend on how it was presented. If the woman was covering herself up as much as possible then that would be fine in most places. Not in a church unless she went intyo the vestibule or something. But I personally see nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public. As long as it is done in a dignified manner.

Verna - posted on 04/01/2012

I think it is absolutely wonderful when a woman feels comfortable enough to give her child the best there is in nutrition! In no way should a woman be embarrassed or be made to feel ashamed to feed her child in public. Why should this child be forced to eat in a bathroom stall or a cold car away from everyone else? In a sense it's like people are punishing the child because their mom cares enough to give him/her the best!

Nichole - posted on 04/01/2012

I don't feel breast feeding in public should be an issue at all, not just from the "natural" stand point, but because there is absolutely nothing sexual about breastfeeding an infant. It is completely innocent, a child receiving food is not sexual, and I think it's creepy if someone did get turned on by it. Granted I decided to use one of those cover cloths when I breast fed my daughter, but that was mainly because I had huge breasts (like I cups) when I breast fed, so I felt like there was to much out for show. But if a woman decides to do it, then that is her priority! Turn your head and welcome to 2012!

Donna - posted on 04/01/2012

I think it's beautiful. When I see a mom breastfeeding I give her a thumbs up. She is doing the best for her baby and not trying to hide while doing it. When I breastfed my daughter 30 years ago and I was at others houses they would say you can go in the bedroom etc to feed her and I would say that's OK I am fine here and never went in to another room. I don't hide to eat so why should my baby.

Trudy - posted on 04/01/2012

Adoration! I breastfed my twins until they were two, including in public. I think its wonderful, and so natural and I cant understand how anyones reaction could be otherwise. I was never criticized for breastfeeding, in fact I dont think I even got any discouraging stares. I think the hardest thing when someone is breastfeeding is not to look, because it is generally such a beautiful serene scene.

Tiffany - posted on 04/01/2012

I am ok with it as long as mom covers up the breast. I think young kids do not need to see that. Not the breast feeding but the nudity.

Veronica - posted on 04/01/2012

I do it in public and I think as long as I am covered up then it shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

Jamie - posted on 04/01/2012

I breastfed my DD in public. I used a nursing cover (when she did n't kick it off!) or a blanket or whatever was handy. I live in a predominately retired community, so there are a lot of grandmas that would get really happy when they saw me bfing. In fact, a few even came up and pulled the cover back to see her. That always made me a little uncomfortable. One man even peeked in once. But really they were all just looking at my daughter, so I got over it. I'm a pretty modest person, so it took a while to get used to. But in the end, I knew that I never wanted my daughter hungry and waiting, so I always took care of her first. I even ate one-handed if she was hungry while I was trying to eat a meal. As she got older (probably around 8 months or so) I would sometimes opt to do it in the car. But only so I didn't have to use the cover.

Lisa - posted on 04/01/2012

I didn't breastfeed in public with my first. Now that I'm having my second, I cannot understand why I didn't just feed my first wherever I was and why I was always running to a hidden spot. It's not that noticeable! If you just cover up and show a little discretion so your "ladies" aren't hanging out. I encourage my friends to nurse when they're children need to eat and I'm with them. I will definitely be nursing my second in public. Not a big deal to me!

Charlotte - posted on 04/01/2012

I breastfed both of my boys. When they needed to eat, they were fed. I did

my best to be discreet when in public and kept myself covered up. As long as someone is not letting it all hang out when they're feeding, I dont see a problem with feeding in public.

Tracey - posted on 04/01/2012

Because I was a breastfeeding mom myself, I understand that when a baby needs to eat, she needs to eat. I applaud moms who put their babies' needs first. And I especially applaud them if they have sons! My son is 15, and his sisters were born when he was 2 1/2 and when he was 8. He has grown up seeing me nurse them, and he says he wants his future wife to nurse his children, because he knows it's quite literally the normal way to feed a baby, although it's not the most common in our culture and time. Given the entire run of history and all parts of the world, it is. It's not "breast is best"--it's *normal* and anything else isn't.



I should also mention I never used a nursing cover, because it really stands out when people do. I thought it would attract *more* attention, rather than less. There's no "nudity" involved here. I got nursing bras I could easily unhook from my collar, and then raise my shirt while sliding the baby into place--even my tummy was covered, and I also wore a vest so my sides were covered, too. *Nothing to see here, folks.*



The one time someone did see something was when my son was 5 days old and my parents, proud first-time grandparents, took my husband and I out to lunch. My son got hungry while we were all waiting to be served, and I started nursing him. A guy about my dad's age came over to see the new baby, and my son noticed him, pulled away from me and turned his head to look at the guy (my son would make eye contact with whoever was talking from the time he was born). I quickly learned that if someone started talking to me while my son was nursing, I needed to be prepared to pull my shirt down fast!



And good point about the babies that deteriorated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. My husband was a relief worker, and he was just dumbfounded at how many women didn't breastfeed and whose babies suffered for it, quite literally.

Natalie - posted on 04/01/2012

I am 100% supportive of breastfeeding in public. I have done and will continue to do it. It is a natural and most-healthy process for feeding my child and I refuse to allow society to tell me otherwise. I try to be discreet, and rarely does any of my skin show at all, except perhaps some of my belly on the side where my shirt is pulled up, if I'm not wearing a nursing tank under my shirt. If someone else has a problem with it, they can look away.

Michele - posted on 04/01/2012

Anyone who could see anything when I was nursing my sons was staring at me way too closely. I would usually go to my car but mostly because my son was easily distracted. It's a beautiful thing and people who object should get over it!

Chrystal - posted on 04/01/2012

My reaction would be that's a mom feeding her baby nothing out of the ordinary. I'd react that way because I breastfeed both my kids in public so clearly have no issue with it what so ever. If a baby has to eat then a baby has to eat and it's total possible to nurse them without exposing yourself to everyone so shouldn't be anymore odd than pulling out a bottle of formula.

Carolyn - posted on 04/01/2012

I welcome mothers breastfeeding. I think it is what God planed for us.

Michelle - posted on 04/01/2012

I fed all 3 of my kids and I'm a midwife so I really support breastfeeding but I do believe that women should have a degree of dignity about themselves in public. I was easily able to discreetly feed my babies in public, it is your choice to feed your baby not the rest of the public so having all out on view is not right, I have had mixed reactions personally when I have fed my babies both positive an negative but I feel most bad reactions came from people who were ignorant of the amount of courage it takes to breastfeed your children, it's very hard work and many tears are shed as u get to the point of being proficient feeder, never mind having the courage of feeding in public, breastfeeding is not for everyone and I have met many who should never put themselves or their babies through the hardship of feeding when it is being done out of guilt, babies need to be fed and loved regardless of what way u choose, so no comment should be passed on women who choose to feed their babies in public

Aurellia - posted on 04/01/2012

Breast feeding is not only the best and only nutritionally complete way to feed a baby but it is also a great way to bond with ones children. So when I see a mother nursing in public it makes me sad that at first I feel a little uncomfortable. But I also feel glad and reassured that women are nursing their children and hope to see many more nursing moms. I look forward to a time where seeing a nursing mom in public is common place and no one gives it a second thought.

Christy - posted on 04/01/2012

Breast feeding is natural. Children eating in public is normal. Feeding children formula is a viable option, and should be respected. However it is important to remember that in most places around the world, children are breasted until age 2 and to do otherwise would be at least strange, and at worst illegal or immoral. To know that children who are not breasted suffer higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and other health ills later in life, making the choice to breasted is honorable. Breast feeding in public is important, the more woman who do it, the more normal it becomes. It can be done discreetly, doing so shows other moms it is ok. However, it often goes better in a quiet setting...so we moms prefer our privacy. Consider the alternative, no breast fed children, or sequestered moms with infants... I choose public breast feeding for healthy kids and moms. How many babies suffered during hurricane katrina, no water to make formula and no mothers milk to be had?

Kimberly - posted on 04/01/2012

I breastfed 2 of my kids until they were almost 2 and did nurse in public often! I did use nursing tops so I didn't show off anything, and never heard anything but positives. A mom at a photo studio said that I was very discrete even latching on! I think it's great to breast feed as long as your baby wants to- no one looks twice at a mom giving a baby a bottle, so what is the big deal?