Breastfeeding in Public

[Johnny Novgorod]

Why would anybody have a problem with boobs?

 

[Kuala BangoDango]

I just wish so many women would stop being so hypocritical of breasts.

Either they're a sex characteristic and should be hidden except in private, or they're not and women should be allowed to expose them whether a baby is involved or not.

I'm just so tired of so many women getting upset when Janet Jackson exposes her breasts (and any other number of examples) yet so many of these same women are o.k. with a breast being exposed as long as there's a baby involved.

It's like they think there's a magic switch that makes one breast perverted and dangerous to look at and the moment a baby's face gets mashed up to one that switch is flipped and suddenly that breast is a natural and innocent thing.

Be consistent please.

If it's o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a baby in public then it should also be o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a guy (or gal). The breast itself has not changed so why should the "rules" change?

 

[cathou]

Breastfeeding? Who the heck has a problem with that? "How dare you display your evolutionary biology in front of me!"

The issue is not with "evolutionary biology". The issue some have is perceived public indecency based on one's individual beliefs and/or their society's view of breasts in general. For one to argue from a moral stance that a mother should not feed their newborn child is just flat out wrong. To argue they shouldn't breastfeed around other people since not everyone wants to see bare breast is another thing.

beside, except for the 3 seconds you uncover the breast, and put the baby on it, and the other 23 seconds where you remove the baby and cover the breast again, what exactly there is to see, there's a baby in front of the breast...

 

[Mezahmay]

beside, except for the 3 seconds you uncover the breast, and put the baby on it, and the other 23 seconds where you remove the baby and cover the breast again, what exactly there is to see, there's a baby in front of the breast...

The phrasing of that post was generalized to respond to someone whose post did not reflect an opinion of public breastfeeding as something beyond a biological function. I was hoping to enlighten them that some people hold a sort of moral objection to it or at least an attitude towards mild nudity that their society has told them is unacceptable.

I realize that the entirety of the breast is not exposed, there are methods and products that are designed to assist privacy for public breast feeding, etc. I still find it uncomfortable and would prefer it not be around me because I'm a prude and I personally take privacy very seriously. I acknowledge these things and based on the rest of the posts here it would seem I'm in the overwhelming minority among the posters this evening.

 

[Zakarath]

No problems with breastfeeding, general toplessness, whatever. I don't even really care that much about public nudity, though it's probably going a little too far. And then sitting on things would be icky. Anyways, people really get too hung up on some things.

 

[Vault101]

I'm just so tired of so many women getting upset when Janet Jackson exposes her breasts (and any other number of examples) yet so many of these same women are o.k. with a breast being exposed as long as there's a baby involved.

I don't remember the incident very well but if I recall it was considered tasteless...I don't know. maybe the same kind of WTF-ery that Miley pulled last MTV thing

[quote/]Be consistent please.[/quote]
I'll have to take that to the universal "wot women think" council

[quote/]If it's o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a baby in public then it should also be o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a guy (or gal). The breast itself has not changed so why should the "rules" change?[/quote]
the difference is one is sexual and the other is a practical and necessary thing

 

[Pyrian]

Just don't spray me with milk, lol.

 

[DirgeNovak]

Anyone who has a problem with a woman feeding her child is being an asshole. She's not masturbating or shitting on the floor, she's feeding a hungry baby. Get over your narrow-minded puritanism and look away if it bothers you that much.

If it's o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a baby in public then it should also be o.k. for a breast to be out and sucked on by a guy (or gal). The breast itself has not changed so why should the "rules" change?

Because babies suck on tits for sustenance, and grown adults suck on tits for sexual arousal. That's a pretty massive difference.

 

[1Life0Continues]

If I can walk into a restaurant/diner/cafe and eat whenever and wherever I want, so can a baby.

If you have a problem with babies eating (oh, and gathering vitally important antibodies, nutrients and proteins via colostrum and thus a healthy and strong immune system to be around your disease covered self) then YOU can leave. YOU have the choice, and it's YOUR backward sensibilities being "offended" at another human being eating.

It's almost as if some people have a problem with the whole 'women exist' thing.

 

[the December King]

beside, here a lot of movie theatre offer baby viewing. once a week (here's it's every friday at 1 pm) they present a movie for parents and baby. the movie is not necessary a kid movie, but the sound is less loud, they put tables for diapers changing and they dont close the lights completly. believe me when i say that it saved my sanity to be able to go there...

That's a cool service to provide!

This is a good question, and personally, I'm torn.

On the one hand, I don't have too big a problem with it. I can find it disconcerting, at times, but I do see it as an inescapable situation when raising a child. It's not like a woman has to parade her boobs and feeding baby in front of everyone to announcements and fanfare or anything- it's a subtle, quieting, functional activity that settles a baby in public. And the whole 'men can go shirtless' topic is moot to me, because that usually makes me slightly uncomfortable, too... except on beaches, where I expect it. So overall, I think I'm okay with it.

On the other hand, my SO doesn't like it, and the thought of it paralyzes her. We're expecting, and soon. And I will not make her do anything that she doesn't want to do, and as far as I reckon she doesn't have to do it. So that's where I'm at.

Not looking for flak or anything, just wanted to participate.

 

[Nazulu]

Yeah, it's uncomfortable for me, unless they're covered, then I have no problem. I would prefer it if they tried to make the effort to go somewhere else, but I can tolerate it. Bottle would be better.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

second, breast milk and bottled milk are not the same. breast feeding a baby and giving a baby breast milk in a bottle is not the same either. And drinking in a bottle is a lot easier that drinking from a breasts. some baby get lazy when you give them bottle and refuse to the breast after getting use to a bottle. so it's not a good idea for every baby to give a bottle.

beside, here a lot of movie theatre offer baby viewing. once a week (here's it's every friday at 1 pm) they present a movie for parents and baby. the movie is not necessary a kid movie, but the sound is less loud, they put tables for diapers changing and they dont close the lights completly. believe me when i say that it saved my sanity to be able to go there...

1. That's a really cool service to offer and I wish more theaters did that. Seriously, when the Avengers came out some guy showed up to the midnight premier with his baby (not even a toddler, a straight up under 1 year old baby). The baby started crying before the movie even started and everyone in the theater told him to get the hell out and that he was a terrible parent for bringing the baby with him to a loud ass movie theater in the middle of the night, and his response was "shut up, I paid the the ticket so I have the right to be here." I can't stand parents like that.

2. You'd have to explain to me exactly why it's worse for a baby to drink from the bottle. You said that it's not the same as drinking from the breast, and I believe you, and you also said that babies can refuse to drink from the breast after using a bottle, and I believe that as well, but that's not an explanation of why it's bad.

 

[Erttheking]

As many people bring up during the breastfeeding argument, pissing is natural so why don't we do that in public. The reason why you cant pee in public is because men can pee. Only women can breast feed, which lets them fallaciously link it to women's rights/women's choice. If men produced milk and fed babies the same way women do, public breastfeeding could be labeled inappropriate and regulated to private places like bathrooms.

Yeah except here's the difference. A grown man can hold it in and settle the problem when it's more convenient. A year old baby can't feed himself.

Also as people love pointing out over and over and OVER again when it comes to talking about sexualization, breasts a secondary sexual characteristics. Penises are primary. Ergo, they're not the same and can't be properly compared when it comes to whipping them out it public.

 

[Davroth]

...okay, so I feel like this is one of those things where I feel extreme societal disconnect. How is that even an issue? Is that an issue in the US? Ye gods... While I don't necessarily agree with the sentiment that the US is backwards, the idea that breastfeeding in public is somehow inappropriate just sounds more like something that would be at home in the middle east... I'm amazed and confused that the country that is supposedly the pinnacle of western culture is so backwards sometimes.

I suppose this is one of those things where I have to shake my head and admit that I don't get it.

 

[Brutal Peanut]

People think that breastfeeding is sexual, because of the boobies. Breastfeeding and pumping milk for my baby was probably the least sexiest thing I've ever done. I don't think there is anything wrong with breastfeeding your baby in public, seeing as I've done it - but I have to admit that I get a bit creeped out if the child is way old enough to be weaned and is still clinging to the breast; but I've never confronted anyone about it, I just think it in my head. I've read articles where the some breastfeeding women are trying to say that one should breastfeed their children until well up to 12 years old. - yeesh.

 

[Siege_TF]

I have a general disinterest in strangers doing anything that's not entertaining, and I don't consider breastfeeding to be entertaining. I'd say the only place it's inappropriate would be behind the wheel of a vehicle. I'd rather have a breastfeeding woman than a crying baby in the middle of a restaurant.

 

[Belaam]

Absolutely don't care.

Um... unless the kid is like 3+ and then it starts making me feel uncomfortable. Mainly because I have memories from about three and up and I'm fantastically glad none of them involve me nursing or I might have developed some really odd hang-ups.

 

[Something Amyss]

Does it make you feel uncomfortable when you see a woman breastfeeding her child in a public area? If so, does it always make you uncomfortable or is it okay provided that her breasts are completely covered?

It doesn't make me uncomfortable.

Alternatively, do you just see it as something natural and non-sexual, something women should be free to do whenever and wherever they please?

The act of breastfeeding I definitely see as non-sexual, despite being attracted to breasts.

Do you think that instead of possibly making people uncomfortable, women should have to go into private areas, such as bathrooms, to breastfeed?

I think as a whole society should grow up. At the same time, this may be a reasonable compromise.

Do you think that women who do so are exhibitionists? Should they just always have bottles prepared to feed their child when out and about?

Exhibitionists? No. Should women carry extra equipment around? Doesn't seem necessary to me.

But mostly, I think we need to grow up as a culture.

 

[Blood Brain Barrier]

The comparison with urinating doesn't work for me. Urine is unpleasant, no one likes it and you can't help but breathe in the smell. Breastfeeding creates no mess, there's barely any exposure, no smell and it's nowhere near the level of disposing your human waste in public.

 

[Qwurty2.0]

I don't generally care. I live in the U.S. and don't see it all that much so if I came upon a woman breast-feeding I would probably be a little surprised at first, but I would think "meh" and move on with my life.

I have seen some women who breast-feed and make if incredibly noticeable for those around them, I.E. "look at me, I'm breast-feeding in public as obnoxiously as possible, but I'll get pissy if you ask me to be more polite".

Basically, it doesn't bother me unless you are setting it up to get yourself attention.