Baby Parenting Guide

How do you feel about breast-feeding in public?

I had an argument with a friend about it yesterday. I know women have to do it, but sometime I think it should be limited in public places, especially places where food is served, etc. I don't care if it's in a park or whatever because I have a choice, if I don't like it, I can just leave the park. But if I sit down to eat dinner or lunch somewhere and my meal comes I can't exactly get up and leave my food because the person sitting right next to me is breast-feeding.

Public Response to How do you feel about breast-feeding in public?

1. Its natural, if your baby was hungry would you not feed him/her? You can't starve a baby because someone may feel uncomfortable! I think people can cover up while in public but if the baby doesn't like to be covered with a blanket then there is really no choice.
2. Most of the time, when a woman is nursing (especially if she's not sitting right there at the same table as you), you really have to be staring at her to even notice it. Why would it bother you to have a baby eating in the same place where you're eating, anyway? I really don't get that. Can you explain?
3. The baby is eating their food. Maybe they don't want to look at you while you are eating, but they can't just get up and walk away. I think a woman has every right to breast feed. Her baby needs food when they are hungry, they can't wait. I think women should excercise courtesy when feeding though. It is easier to cover yourself with a blanket then leave the place you are at.
4. personally i'm not a fan. i'm breastfeeding at the moment and whenever i have to go out i express before hand so i can bottle feed in public that way i dont offend anyone
5. i think it all depends on how you view the human body. i'm a female, and seeing a breast or a child nursing on a breast doesn't bother me. it's a natural occurance and it would have been seen everywhere decades ago, when formula and bottles were non-existing. because everything is so advanced now, people view public breast feeding as awkward and disgusting, but it's really just as natural as the air you breathe. for the people who disagree, i guess it could be more appropriate for women to use some kind of sash or blanket to cover up their exposed breast in more public places, such as a restaurant.
6. Well, the kids gotta eat, and so does the mom. Frankly, if it's done correctly, most people would never even realize that she is breast feeding. I do not appreciate women who just whip a boob out there. No. But if you are holding your baby under a blanket, then no one can see anything. Plus, most women cover their babies faces to protect from the sun, so you can't be sure what's going on under there anyways.
7. What a loaded question! As a woman, I don't mind bf-ing in public but I do think that it should be done discreetly. Yes, that is what boobs are made for but since our American society views them differently then just adjust yourself accordingly. Covering with a light shawl or shifting your seat away from the public is not a slam against feeding your child, it's just the right thing to do.
8. Why should it be limited in places where food is served? It IS food - baby food. Most women won't just pull out a boob and show it off to the world for gits and shiggles while they're breastfeeding, and unless you stop and STARE at them, you'll not notice much of anything.
9. I have no problem with breast feeding - any time, any where! There is no reason why if you are able to sit down and have your lunch in a public place, that a baby should not be able to do the same. (People that say "go to the restroom" disgust me - why should babies eat in the toilet?) I agree that there should be a certain degree of discretion used, but when a baby is feeding there is no more breast exposed than on women who wear low-cut tops. Should they not be allowed in areas where food is served too? My advice to you is simply to look away and concentrate whatever you are supposed to be doing - and understand that breastfeeding and caring for babies is difficult enough without being discriminated against! Good luck when you're a parent and its your child that is crying for a feed...perhaps then you'll understand.
10. I don't think its appropriate. If you know you're going out somewhere, prepare some milk before hand...there's no need to take the chance to offend anyone. Just because it's natural, doesn't mean its appropriate for public. Some say that sex is a perfectly natural thing...but if you saw people having sex in public wouldn't that disturb you at all? like really....stop being so pro feminist suffrage everyone.
11. Why do you find it so offensive? That's why women have boobs in the first place! You don't have to look if you don't want to see it. Most women are discreet while feeding in public to avoid upsetting people like you. Maybe they should be more considerate and let their baby cry out of hunger instead until you have finished eating your meal, but then you'd probably complain about the crying disrupting you too.
12. I see nothing wrong with a mother breast feeding her baby in public. Most women know that they should cover up when doing so. Some people literally break their necks to snoop on those mothers who are doing their best to take care of their infants. Would you be equally offended if the couple sitting next to you began to kiss, touch each other's asses, etc? What's so disgraceful or scornful about a mother doing what nature intended, which is to nurture her baby? The same people who would think nothing of engaging in all sorts of perverted sexual acts, are the same ones who have the nerves to say that breastfeeding is disgusting. What makes it disgusting? People need to mind their own business. Also, the men who try to demonize women for breastfeeding should get off their high horses and stop being so arrogant. Breasts are not sexual organs to gratify them. Female species were born with breasts to feed their babies and that goes for human beings, dogs, cows, horses, you name it. The most loving and generous thing a new mother can do for her baby is to properly nourish him/her with breast milk.
13. so then don't look. I mean what is forcing you to even look over there? Most women who breastfeed do it discretely by using a blanket to cover up. The baby has the whole nipple in his mouth so all that could be exposed is the outer edge of the breast and I'm sorry but you see more than that on most women in evening gowns. Babies need to eat. Why should a mother haveto feed her baby in a dirty restroom? Would you like to go eat in a dirty restroom? I mean babies can't just wait to eat when they are very little. Would you rather have a mother quietly breastfeding her child near you or a baby screaming throughout your dinner?
14. I am personally grossed out when I see this in public and yes i know it's natural and all that but I just don't think you need to share this with everyone in close proximity, I think that if you want to do this in a public place cover up with a blanket. I just think that it is way to much to be sharing with the rest of the people in the restaurant or wherever, besides it does make people uncomfortable. I also know if I were the mother I wouldn't want strangers watching me breastfeed my child. I thinks somethings should just be kept between mother and baby.
15. I totally support breast feeding just about anywhere (granted not during a wedding ceremony or something like that). All I ask is that moms who do it in public, and I have in public when I breast fed my son, that they stay covered and discreet. I think it's very distasteful and inappropriate to just whip out a bare breast and nipple for all to see and not give a rats behind that it makes other uncomfortable. What about teenage boys? Other men? They do not need to stare at another man's wife's bare breast. There was a lady who did this in my church during a service and didn't bother to cover up, but bared all in sanctuary. It was VERY distracting and uncomfortable for many of the men there and she just didn't care. There needs to be a level of discreetness and respect for others as well. I don't think it should be banned or looked down upon in public, but my word show some decency! If you must whip out your entire breast, go to the nursery (at church) or to a private area, or carry some kind of cover up. It doesn't disturb me when I'm eating in a restaurant until I have to look at the breast and nipple while trying to eat. Mothers have the right to nourish their babies where ever they are.
16. The mom doesn't like it either. They just wanted to get out the house. But it never fails, once the baby smells the food, it gets hungry. It's just a boob. I'm sure you've seen a few pairs before. And it's good to use a blanky, unless you are hot, then the baby will get all hot and sweaty.
17. Ask if you can be moved to another table if someone is breast-feeding. I fail to see why that's so offensive, when moms and dads give their babies bottles in public. They're suckling on the bottle nipples and that's the very same action. They're relieving their hunger.
18. You eat at the restaurant, why can't the baby?Are babies only suppose to eat when it's convenient for you?If you don't like it, don't look, it's that simple.
19. Alot of women and men are uncomfortable watching this type of thing, but for me it doesn't bother because it is a natural thing and therefore shouldn't be hiden.
20. The choice to breast feed is fine for those that do, but be discrete when you do it in public. There are alot of places that offer feeding areas for moms that choose to do so and in department stores you can always excuse yourself to a larger changing area or somewhere you can sit down and not make a display of what your doing. Even under a blanket in public when baby is held people know what is going on. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. It's not offensive that the child has to eat, it's bothersome to so many people because of what they are doing to eat and there are somethings that just should not be displayed publicly. I personally don't see what's so wrong with putting it in a bottle for when you have to go out in public to avoid the stares, comments etc.. that breastfeeding mom's complain that they get continually. Formula mom's don't get that because they aren't baring a body part to feed a child in public.
21. Well, women don't HAVE to do it. If she really really wants to breastfeed, she can go in a private place. She can save the breastmilk, and feed it from a bottle. I recently only learned (when I was pregnant) that women still breastfeed - I really didn't know much about children before I had my own. I am a woman and a mother of 8 month old twins. I am not using breast-feeding by choice.
22. Breastfeeding is natural, and there is nothing wrong with doing so in public places. The only people that have a problem with mothers breastfeeding in public places can't let go of the notion that women's breasts are a sexual thing, which when breastfeeding they are not. I breastfed 20 years ago in public, and did not care one way or another if someone had a problem `with it or not. I also breastfed last year in public and never had one negative comment about it. I was not willing to deprive my child to please someones old fashioned notions. nor was I willing to go to the bathroom in a restaurant to feed my child as one older woman had rudely suggested 20 years ago. Luckily the attitude has changed in the last 20 years, so mothers are better able to nurture their babies and not hide from others and their attitudes. THere are also ways to cover ones self as to not expose that you are feeding, even tho I had alway done so in public , 20 years ago even that was looked down apon.
23. I think you will find the bare breast next to you is far less disturbing than a hungry, screaming baby. I find it offensive when someone is using bad manners at the table next to me. Thats the risk you take when you go in public. Babies have to eat. Breastmilk is hands down the best food for babies. Many babies won't take bottles. I am very modest and find it is easy to do discretely.
24. Why would you be so privileged to eat in a public setting, but a baby who has no say in anything isn't allowed to eat in that same public setting? Get off your high horse... take a step back and think about what breasts are actually intended for...
25. Nothing wrong with it, the woman is covered and it's discreet. I nursed my son til he was 18months old and nobody ever batted an eye. It's unfortunate that people have such issues with this. When a mom is nursing, people get into an uproar because she's nursing. When a mom is bottlefeeding, people get into an uproar because she's not nursing. A baby needs to eat, and babies can eat in public just as anyone else can.
26. Normal, natural. I've done it everywhere. I made sure I was discreet and covered, but when a baby is hungry and you don't feed them, I hope you have ear plugs!! Our society promotes sex everywhere, on TV, ads, etc. But a woman feeds her child the way it's been done since the dawn of time and they want to limit it, make parents nurse in restrooms (ICK! You want to eat YOUR lunch there??), or in private. Our society is so messed up.
27. Very nice! Is very beautiful thing to watch.
28. It is ok to do in public places as long as the breast aint flapping in the wind and the baby and breast are properly covered up... babies have to eat too, and if it makes u that uncomfortable asked to be moved to different seat...
29. Grow up, when feeding your baby they are nothing more than the container milk is held in, it's your pervy problem for seeing them as anything else in that situation. I am breast-feeding but choose not to when out, but you must be the sort of person who objectifies breasts as sexual only. Don't shame a woman for giving her baby the best, no matter where whe decides to give it.
30. Of-coerce yes, I will feed.
31. I don't see what is wrong with it. It is not like anyone else can really see anything anyway. It is in the baby's mouth.
32. i prefer not to breast feed in public i mean im 30 and if i was on my wifes teet at the mall whao what a scene.
33. This is the way God intended . This is probably one of the sweetest sight and the most fulfilling thing a woman can do. A baby has to eat when hungry. Get over it. You are trying to make something nasty out of something wonderful.
34. Get real, isn't there enough in the world to worry about. I'm a mother of two and I breast feed both. I now look at other mothers feeding, and I'm so pleased to see that they are providing the best for their child. Breast milk is one thing you can give your child that is 100% goodness. If your rich or poor its the best start a child can have, and its free. And feeding straight from the breast soughs a child and also helps Mum to relax as well. So next time you see a mother breast feeding just think thats100% goodness and 100% LOVE. Being a Mum isnt easy and , She is doing the best she can do.