Breastfeeding in public

[Cheetah]

I followed a bunch of links on the net, and through wikipedia and got to this: Wikipedia: Breastfeeding in public.

I thought this was a rather new, or at least uncommon, subject on CFC-OT, so I figured it could be good for a poll and discussion.

So, what are your views on breastfeeding in public?

Bonus questions: What are your views on breastfeeding, and how long (if at all) do you think it should continue?

Personally, I have no problem at all with women breastfeeding in public. I think breastfeeding is natural and healthy, and should be encouraged. I would want my kids to be breastfed between 1 to 2 years in general, but more accurately as long as it is natural and good for the mother and the baby. Work(places) should of course allow for women to breastfeed.

I do of course expect some sensibility from the mother, in that she doesn't breastfeed while driving a car, or taking of every piece of clothing to breastfeed, etc. But those are merely stupid arguments from stupid people (though I do expect some similar arguments to show up).

 

[bhsup]

I pretty much agree with you 100%. While most of the women I've known that have done this have always been incredibly inobtrusive about it, I don't even think they should have to be that. IF some twit has a problem with a mom feeding her baby, said twit can cover his/her eyes and scream "nahnahnah" til mom is done.

 

[warpus]

I am also down with breastfeeding, be it in private or public.

Do what you have to in order to feed your kid, wherever you may be.

 

[.Shane.]

lol, I love listening to people with no kids discuss this.

 

[Grisu]

lol, I love listening to people with no kids discuss this.

I have a kid, so I guess I'm allowed to participate

And I'm perfectly fine with it. If someone has a problem with it she/he should just look away. It's a messed up mindset that made it be viewed as indecent/obscene to begin with.

 

[bhsup]

lol, I love listening to people with no kids discuss this.

Huh? I admit I've no kids, but I like to think I have a good set of views on this subject.

 

[Cheetah]

lol, I love listening to people with no kids discuss this.

Because?

You're right I don't have kids yet, and don't plan to have any in the nearest future, but I can still have a reasoned opinion about it. Or do we need to make this a "You haven't been in Fallujah/North Korea/Zürich so you're not allowed to have an opinion about it, and if you do, your opinion is wrong!" discussion?

I would have said it's a good thing if one have thought about such things before the question actually comes up.

 

[dirtyparrot]

I don't have any issue with it. It's not we haven't seen tits before. Hell, I have no problems if women want to go topless in general. I think that we tend to make a bigger deal about than we should.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

No part of the human body should continue to be subject to shame.

 

[warpus]

No part of the human body should continue to be subject to shame.

Agreed! (unless it's Sarah Jessica's Parker's face)

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Let them do whatever they want. As long as it's not harming anyone.

 

[bhsup]

Let them do whatever they want. As long as it's not harming anyone.

No, that takes it too far. I don't want to see nude fat-bodies (hey, I'm plump, I believe according to PC rules, I can make statements such as this) flopping their body parts to and fro. You don't get to 'do whatever you want' by a long shot. There are still social mores and customs that should be adhered to. But feeding your kid is, well, feeding your kid and if someone gets their panties in a twist because they see a boob when someone is feeding their kid, then they have issues they need to address themselves.

 

[bigdog5994]

im fine with it as long as they dont get all hippie about it

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

No, that takes it too far. I don't want to see nude fat-bodies (hey, I'm plump, I believe according to PC rules, I can make statements such as this) flopping their body parts to and fro. You don't get to 'do whatever you want' by a long shot. There are still social mores and customs that should be adhered to. But feeding your kid is, well, feeding your kid and if someone gets their panties in a twist because they see a boob when someone is feeding their kid, then they have issues they need to address themselves.

I meant regarding breastfeeding.

Although if they were doing what you described, my eye muscles are there for a purpose. Not that I'm justifying them doing so, but I won't be as bothered as other people.

 

[BSmith1068]

I pretty much agree with you 100%. While most of the women I've known that have done this have always been incredibly inobtrusive about it, I don't even think they should have to be that. IF some twit has a problem with a mom feeding her baby, said twit can cover his/her eyes and scream "nahnahnah" til mom is done.

This. 100% this. The only person who has a right to be embarrassed about public breastfeeding is the mother. New mothers have enough to deal with already, and shouldn’t have to run off and hide to feed her baby.

Disclaimer: I have a 21 month old who was breastfed and twins on the way that we will breastfeed as long as we can.

 

[Pokurcz]

Agreed! (unless it's Sarah Jessica's Parker's face)

That made me laugh, now I can go to sleep a merry man!

 

[Loppan Torkel]

It's perfectly natural to pee too, but I suspect you won't argue that peeing in public should be encouraged...


Moms should be discrete when breastfeeding in public, it's common courtesy.

 

[Grisu]

I pretty much agree with you 100%. While most of the women I've known that have done this have always been incredibly inobtrusive about it, I don't even think they should have to be that. IF some twit has a problem with a mom feeding her baby, said twit can cover his/her eyes and scream "nahnahnah" til mom is done.

I wouldn't have expected to agree with you of all people on this issue You really are turning into a bleeding-heart liberal

It's perfectly natural to pee too, but I suspect you won't argue that peeing in public should be encouraged...

I wondered when the peeing (or worse) argument would show up But you have to keep in mind that we're talking about eating here. If you think eating is vulgar you really have a problem

Moms should be discrete when breastfeeding in public, it's common courtesy.

depends what you see as 'discrete'. If you mean not jumping on the table and shouting 'woohoo look at me I'm breastfeeding while whipping her breasts out' then I agree. If not exposing her breast to have the baby suck where others can see it is your notion of being 'discrete' then I must object.

 

[.Shane.]

Huh? I admit I've no kids, but I like to think I have a good set of views on this subject.

Because?

You're right I don't have kids yet, and don't plan to have any in the nearest future, but I can still have a reasoned opinion about it. Or do we need to make this a "You haven't been in Fallujah/North Korea/Zürich so you're not allowed to have an opinion about it, and if you do, your opinion is wrong!" discussion?

I would have said it's a good thing if one have thought about such things before the question actually comes up.

lol, did I say you can't or shouldn't discuss it?

Fortunately, having kids is not like serving in Fallujah, so I can view this much more lightheartedly.

One of the truest things about parenting is that NOTHING can prepare you for it. Doesn't matter if you've read 100 books or are an uncle/aunt or whatever.

So, I (mostly) enjoy reading the responses of people due to the naivete of the situation.

 

[BSmith1068]

It's perfectly natural to pee too, but I suspect you won't argue that peeing in public should be encouraged...

Peeing in public is unsanitary, and poses a health risk to others. Breastfeeding does no such thing. Try again…