Discussions
Breastfeeding in Public - taboo or not?
Posted by Phattitudes • 3/11/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: babies, breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public, nursing
My friend wrote a blog about the great breastfeeding debate.
Is it okay to do it in public? Why or why not? Does it bother you to see a woman nursing in public even if she’s covered? Why? What are some alternatives? How would you explain a nursing woman to your kids?
blogitoutb.com/2009/03/breastfeeding-in-public/
User Comments
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Feeding your child could never be inappropriate, no matter where you are. Breasts are made for feeding, and it's healthy for children to see that it's natural for a mother to feed her baby. Most women do cover with a light blanket, so what's the problem? I think it's obscene for people to complain about it. -
I dont think its obscene to breastfeed in public. -
I like to see breast feeding in public. It is a great visual to see mother nature -
I personally wouldn't do it in public, because I'm shy, but I don't object to others doing so.-
Are you a mother yet? (I doubt)
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Ahh, breastfeeding in public - always controversial to bring up, particularly with the females around.
I don't really mind a bit of breastfeeding in public. Then again, I'm an exhibitionist and think full nudity in public is only a matter of time ... just kidding.
All I would say is that if you're bringing out the breasts in public ... don't be surprised if a few men (not me, don't worry) stop and stare. It's part of the deal.
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I don't usually notice unless the woman is just hanging them out for all to see. Most women keep it semi discrete. I don't see how that should bother people as it is nature, but I know that some find it rude. I think children should be breast fed, so I wouldn't complain even if I did care. -
I suppose it would depend if the woman breastfeeding in public were to get in my way while I was urinating against a fire hydrant or defacating in front of a restaurant. Although, I suppose if it was other than a baby breastfeeding in public I'd probably be a little concerned and watch like a deer in headlights.-
Oh, please. You are not a baby. You are a full grown adult who can take yourself to the bathroom to defecate, and control your other needs such as thirst and hunger.
A baby can do none of these things. -
your comment doesn't make sense. I have never seen a baby breastfeed itself ..
If I can go to the bathroom - so can the mother. -
Using the toilet and breastfeeding are not the same thing at all. -
Mothers do not have to sit on the toilet and breastfeed - just go to the bathroom out of view. I didn't imply they were the same thing.
If - it becomes a situation where a baby is crying and the mother has decided to breastfeed, the mother should be able to walk away with the baby into the nearest bathroom or out of the way from the general public.
If - on the other hand - I was drinking all night and walking home drunk and suddenly have to pee like a race horse - I would not be able to pull it out and walk to the nearest bathroom without leaving a trail or getting somebody wet ..
It's just common sense. -
And .. all I know is that ..
// despite there are some who think it's perfectly fine for women to pull out their breasts and have someone suck on them (babies) in public ... it will never be fine for men to pull out their penises and have someone suck on them in public - without getting arrested. -
do you honestly think that's the same thing?
And also, do you eat in the bathroom? if someone was offended by the sight of you eating would you happily go to the bathroom to eat? I doubt it... -
Bathroom 101: Bathroom is the place to defaecate and piss. What you do use it for? Having dinner?
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I have a wonderful song on this issue if only I could share it.
It's called "Breastfeeding baby in the park" and it's by the feminist group Sisters Unlimited.
The most memorable line in my opinion is:
"...if you don't stick 'em out
with a wriggle and a pout
you're told in no uncertain terms
"Put them Away!""
Sums it all up really doesn't it. -
I think it depends on where and how they are doing it. I have no problem if i walk into the bathroom and see a woman breastfeeding their child. However, i don't want to be at a fancy restaurant watching someone do it. Then there is the question of if children are around. I could see how people would be upset if they went to a park and there was a woman breastfeeding in front of their 5-year-old.-
Why are you watching her? Have you ever seen a woman breastfeed in public? Unless you're staring you normally won't even notice.
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I don't get it, why do so many people hold a taboo, however slight, against the natural function of a body part?
Absolutely bizarre. And I think we should ask some 5 yr-olds about this. How many will still be familiar with their own mothers breasts, whilst being totally oblivious to any sexual connotations or concepts of 'privacy'. A pretty large number I would have thought. -
I don't think there really should be a big issue with a mother breastfeeding publicly or privately as long as she is covered. If a 5 year old sees it, what is that kid going to ask? "why is she holding a blanket over the baby?" Its natural, boobs were made for this reason. I think its actually a beautiful thing.
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Taboo-b or not taboo-b that is the question
Whether 'tis tastier in the mouth to suffer
The stares and eyes of outrageous voyeurs,
Or to take our boobs against a sea of tuts,
And by opposing end them? To suckle: to sleep;
No more; and by a suckle to say we end,
The eye balling and the thousand natural shocks
That unfettered breast is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To feed, to suckle;
To slurp: perchance to burp: ay, there's the nub.-
*applauds*
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I'll be the minority here (it's good for the soul) and say as long as they are covered up, it is fine. If they let it all hang out, then I have a problem with it. If I wan't to see enormous lactating lady lumps, I would pick up the current issue of PlayMom and peek until my hearts content. Privates are called so for a reason.
Just my two cents.-
...implying that the only reason for a woman to get her tits out is for your pleasure? Grow up.
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I was implying that no one should have their privates on display for any reason. Carry on.
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"on display" - They aren't on display, they're in use. Just because you're looking at them doesn't mean that's why they are there.
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With all due respect, you seem to be easily offended by people's opinions (witnessed this yesterday when you had it out with timethief). Perhaps you need to reconsider belonging to a community where opinions are given out daily.
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I really don't get why some people seem to think that anyone who disagrees with them has a problem...I think you're wrong and I'm telling you why...I'm not throwing a hissy fit, I'm disagreeing with you.
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I never said you had a problem. You seem easily offended (hence when you told me to grow up). I don't mind being disagreed with...I do have a problem with attitude. I respect you, you respect me and everybody wins. I do believe we both made our points so enough is enough. Thank you.
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I apologise for that...it was the sexism in your original post that I found offensive.
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"Privates" only include breasts (or even exist for that matter) in certain human cultures. The concept is by no means universal. So maybe a little redefinition is required?
Perhaps if everyone began displaying their bits and bobs, they would lose the "privates" stigma and we could all be at ease with the human body for a change. -
And where have you seen these enormous bare breasts?
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it doesn't bother me unless it's being done as an attention getter in a "look at me...hey why are you looking at me" way -
the alternative is a hungry screaming child - so I dont have a problem with it. Although being a straight male breasts are far from unattractive or off-putting. However when it comes to breastfeeding its completely natural and most mothers are discrete about it.
I've always been confused by the fact that its ok for a dude to walk about without a shirt and yet its not acceptable for women.
On the other hand seeing a male breastfeeding is likely to start a similar debate. -
"How would you explain a nursing woman to your kids?"
Try "That woman is feeding her child just like I fed you."
There's not a damn thing wrong with breastfeeding in public.
Anyone who talks about women "whipping them out" or "putting them on display" clearly has never noticed a woman breastfeeding.-
to be fair, there are Mothers who treat breast feeding as if it's an audience participation act. They made a show of it and deliberately call attention to the fact that they're breast feeding, as if they crave the attention. I've seen a few of those in my time luckily they are few and far between.
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Hi there,
I thought you might want to read the other threads that have been posted on this subject www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/search.php?q=breastfeeding -
Here's another question:
How many children go without breast milk and all the associated benefits because their mothers daren't breastfeed?
So many women choose to bottle feed because western society makes it controversial or inconvenient to do things naturally.
As such, surely taboos against breast feeding in public may be the indirect cause of a range of chronic health issues? -
In this discussion we have to think about what is the difference between animals and human. They are not body consious, but humans are thats why the question like this arise. So the answer of it also depends on the body consiousness of human.-
It's true that we discuss this because we are body conscious, but I don't agree that it has anything to do with the answers we give.
Consider those human cultures where breasts are regularly on display as openly and indifferently as ankles.
Those people are still body conscious, they just haven't indoctrinated themselves to fear/hate the physical body/gender.
So it has nothing to do with body consciousness, just body attitude.
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I breastfed my 1st till she was 2 1/2, my next weaned herself at 11 months and myu third weaned at 2. I let them decide when to stop. When they were babies, I would nurse them wherever and whenever they needed it. As soon as they started eating food, I would nurse them more modestly. -
I'm all for breast sucking in public-
haha
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It doesn't bother me if a woman wants to feed her child via the boob in public. I've seen it done a million times and I pay no attention to it. -
not taboo -
If the kids hungry, just feed it without a fuss -
Incentive of living? -
Another non-topic!
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We had alady growing up that just whipped them out any where she even did it in the middle of church. -
i think it's fucking disgusting. there are other ways to feed a baby.. and discreet. you can pre-pump breast milk and keep it on hand. if we weren't body conscious we would all be running around naked but we're not.. so don't forget that!-
And would it be somehow bad or evil to run around naked? Yes, people are body conscious, so they don't run around naked. But why do you think it's a good thing to be body conscious? Maybe if people were less prude about their bodies there wouldn't be so much holier-than-thou stupidity about it.
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