BellaOnline Forums Family Daughters What is your stance on public breastfeeding?

I am 100% for public breastfeeding. My first daughter never took a bottle so if I wanted to leave the house for any amount of time, I had to get over my inhibitions and deal with brestfeeding her in public. I always tried to be relatively discrete, but I was never one for feeding my sweet baby in a stinky bathroom. I think if a person doesn't like the site of a woman breastfeeding her child, then s/he shouldn't look.
I am also in favor of breastfeeding in public because it is the best advertising that breastfeeding can get! <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

I think seeing a woman breastfeed makes some people uncomfortable. I breastfed both of my kids and I am an advocate...it is so much better for the baby. I never did it in public though, even at home I would drape a blanket over the baby and my shoulder. Connie

I never had a problem nursing my daughter in public. I started when she was three days and nursed until she stopped asking to nurse in public. She's nearly three and she just doesn't ask anymore to nurse in public. But when she does ask we do. I would never cater to those around me when nursing my daughter. I am by nature a modest person, so I was discreet, but oftentimes my daughter would push my shirt up, or we would take a few minutes to get her latched on, and what people saw people saw. If they didn't like it they didn't have to look. I get offended seeing people bottlefeeding their babies, but I don't get up and ask them to take it to the bathroom. Every baby has the right to eat when they're hungry. I never used a blanket over us, I found that that brings more attention to it than just using a good nursing shirt. I've had a man two feet from me and my baby and we were conversing without him realizing at all that she was eating, he thought she was sleeping. When he did realize he was uncomfortable and got up and left. His choice!

My daughter has also never used a bottle, never had a drop of formula. To me it was a huge inconvenience to think about bringing something when my breasts made the perfect food for her on demand.

I agree there is no problem about breastfeeding in public; I'm a little put off that it's now becoming an "issue". I'm expecting my fourth nursling, and I never hesitated to feed my babies when they needed feeding. There is nursing clothing you can buy that minimizes exposure (really it's more the exposure of the belly when the shirt is pulled up that people notice, and nursing clothing eliminates that), and if you keep a quick hand at the ready, you can always cover up if baby pops off. I don't deliberately nurse out in the open; I try to find a more private area if I can, but I will not perch on the edge of a toilet in a stall to nurse, and I will not resort to bottles or make my babies go hungry, either. Public nursing is SO not a big deal unless people make it that way.

Here in the Bay Area, there is a lot of activism about breast feeding. Reading about all the "lactivism" lately, I liked one woman's comment that mothers are caught in a cycle that because people don't see it, they are uncomfortable, and because people are uncomfortable, they don't want to see it.

I think getting women the right to breast-feed wherever and whenever the baby wants would be a good beginning towards removing the sexual stigma that female breasts seem to carry when they are in public view.

Should they nurse more often in public so that society becomes accustomed to the site of a mother breastfeeding her child?

Yes.

Arly Helm, MS, IBCLC

People should breastfeed more frequently in public so that society becomes more accustomed to the sight. I always hated feeling like the public thought I was doing something 'nasty' when I choose to breastfeed in public.

I have nursed my daughter in public on many occasions, but I try to be discreet about it.

All breastfeeding women should have the right to nurse whenever and wherever the need arises. (just like a bottlefeeding mother does). Our society is so hung up on "breasts" being a sexual thing! Breasts should be used for the purpose they were put upon our chests for. Women should be discrete when nursing. Unbutton a couple of buttons at the BOTTOM of your blouse, pull up from the bottom and don't display the breasts. I breastfed all of my children exclusively for 6+ months and continued the nursing relationship for over 2 years with each of them. I feel I showed discression when out in public and did not call attention to myself. If a Mom can anticipate their baby's needs and put them to the breasdt before they cry, chances are no-one will even know the baby is nursing.
Go for it...the benefits are many! If someone doesn't seem comfortable...then DON'T LOOK!
Yvonne
www.doulawithlove.com

Adults eat when they want and where the want, why is it an issue when babies need/want to eat or be comforted in a public place?

I nursed my son on over 30 first-class flights where he traveled like a complete angel. Many business men (and some women) would scowl as I sat down beside them with an infant, but when the flight was over the majority of them (and many others in the first-class cabin)commented on what a great baby he was. Partially this was due to the fact his needs, feeding and otherwise were being met on cue.

There is plenty of public behavior that is offensive these days - breastfeeding should not make the list.