Breast feeding in public? Your views?

[Pearls18]

I have to admit I don't find swearing whether directed at someone or not as acceptable in public, and smoking certainly is not either, I would expect people who swear (and that includes me!) and smoke to show consideration to others around them. Smoke as you say does direct harm, swearing is impolite and I think it is harmful for children to hear swear words used publicly not because it physically does them harm but because it is a bad influence, I don't want my children to swear. I think it is widely accepted that smoking and swearing are bad habits, BF is the exact opposite, I can't remember quite how they were brought up although I am sure with the best intentions I don't think it's an appropriate comparison. People with bad habits should shield themselves from other people, people with personal distaste for the examples listed in this thread- such as homophobia or against Bf should shield themselves from such scenarios. But I know I know it's a slippery slope as to who decides, but I'm sure with BF and smoking at least we can agree one is good and one is bad.

 

[Dk1234]

But it isn't BFing were discussing.

 

[Natsku]

But we are discussing BFing. NIP is BFing, it doesn't suddenly become something different just because its outside of the home.

 

[xsadiex]

I think there is an obvious problem with society if people get offending by nursing in public, I couldn't give a shit if someone gets offended by seeig my boob, it's not my problem - it's there problem and they need to get over it. We shouldn't have to cover up, hide away or feel like we're doing something wrong.

that was just lovely!

Why should women suffer just because other people have skewed views? Hmm.

I guess that's where I find this issue. What makes your views more valid than their views. Yes breasts weren't covered in the beginning and seeing them wasn't offensive, but to a lot of people in today's society it is. I just think, except for the rare exception we obviously have heard a lot about in here, it is easy to show a little discretion so why not just do that as to not put people off. My whole argument is putting people off BFing does nothing good for BFing.

The whole point is that people shouldn't be offended by a baby having its milk from the natural source? It's not like you start jiggling your boobs in people's faces, if they happen to look and see a flash of nipple so what? There's nothing wrong with being discreet but the culture of making people feel like they have to cover up is enough to put them off breastfeeding as it automatically makes it sounds like its wrong and needs to be covered. New mums don't need the added pressure of dirty looks when they're trying to do the best for their baby. Why do people find something so natural so disgusting?

I think we all expressed that we aren't talking about the odd nip slip that wouldn't be noticed. We're talking people who have no regard for anyone around them and baring their whole breast during before and after a feeding session. I don't think anyone says you have to be covered up. And I wish that people didn't see BFing as odd and it was the norm. That's what I'm saying, I just don't think having no consideration for the general public is the wAy to have people get on board.

Yeah because that happens regularly... I think you have a problem with nursing in public to be honest. The reason I say this is because I feel that what your saying is that the nursing mother should change rather than the people with discriminatory opinions if you see what I mean?

 

[Natsku]

And the problem with people being very discreet is that often you can't even tell that they are breastfeeding so you assume that people don't NIP and it can put off new mothers from BFing outside their home (it certainly made it harder for me)

 

[xsadiex]

The worst thing is when you are being as discreet as possible but someone still gets offended by it, people need to learn to be more accepting. I had a horrible experience with this which caused me anxiety for a few months afterwards.

 

[meli1981]

And the problem with people being very discreet is that often you can't even tell that they are breastfeeding so you assume that people don't NIP and it can put off new mothers from BFing outside their home (it certainly made it harder for me)

so we should bare our breasts in public and flaunt the fact we are nursing to make other nursing moms more comfortable? if you are comfortable in your choice to nip this shouldnt matter.

 

[meli1981]

there is nothing in the bf manuel that says to be a good nursing mom you MUST nip. if you are uncomfortable with it, there is NOTHING wrong with being discreet or going to a more private place.

 

[Natsku]

I'm not saying don't be discreet! I'm just saying that the less we actually see (which means not so discreet that no one notices) nursing mothers in public the more weird it seems for mothers to NIP. I wasn't comfortable NIP at first because I never saw anyone else doing it where I live, took me a good while to feel comfortable doing it. Didn't help either that FOB didn't want me to NIP at all because he didn't want anyone to see me BFing - thats the kind of attitude that should go away.

 

[meli1981]

while i agree that attitudes about bf need to be changed, im not out on a crusade to change the world. i just dont feel the need to broadcast to the world that im feeding my baby. i dont need people to notice what im doung to feel more comfortable in my decision.

 

[louandivy]

there is nothing in the bf manuel that says to be a good nursing mom you MUST nip. if you are uncomfortable with it, there is NOTHING wrong with being discreet or going to a more private place.

I think you are missing the point entirely. What does it say about society that women feel like they have to cover up so as not to offend people while feeding their child? I still don't understand how it is okay then men can go topless yet women cant, like there is something to be ashamed of. The whole attitude is incredibly sexist.

 

[louandivy]

The very reason you are uncomfortable with overt NIP is because of sexism. Unless you can explain otherwise?

 

[meli1981]

i never said i was uncomfortable nip. i said IF a woman is uncomfortable there is nothing wrong with being discreet, this isnt sexist.

 

[louandivy]

But the reason that they would feel uncomfortable is because womens breasts are constantly objectified and overly-sexualised - we are expected to be mothers yet also judged and made to feel ashamed for not sufficiently hiding one of the most fundamental parts of motherhood. It is such bullshit.

 

[LoraLoo]

But the reason that they would feel uncomfortable is because womens breasts are constantly objectified and overly-sexualised - we are expected to be mothers yet also judged and made to feel ashamed for not sufficiently hiding one of the most fundamental parts of motherhood. It is such bullshit.

I dont think thats always the case- i was more bothered about flashing my belly than my boobs

 

[meli1981]

i was raised to believe breasts were a private part. they develop at puberty around the same time as you get your period. you can be brought to orgasm through stimulation, this to me suggests a sexual nature. yes, there main purpose is to feed our babies, but on the same token do you not have sex for pkeasure instead of procreation? breasts are multipurposeful! (if thats a word!)

 

[louandivy]

But men's bodies are considered Sexual too, yet they don't have to cover up their chests? And they don't even have a purpose.

 

[meli1981]

sure they have a purpose! they hold lungs and a heart and many other vital organs! to me it seems kinda sexist to say a man should cover up their chests because they dont have a purpose? (im not sure if i read that right)

 

[louandivy]

No im saying that women should have the freedom to go topless in the same way that men do. The fact that women do not feel like they can do this is down to socially ingrained sexism and there is nothing anyone can say to convince me otherwise!

 

[meli1981]

well i guess theres no debating in the debating section then!