Breast feeding in public? Your views?

[Natsku]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

 

[Dk1234]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

Yes nursing in public will normalize it. Flashing your boob around with no consideration won't.

 

[Natsku]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

Yes nursing in public will normalize it. Flashing your boob around with no consideration won't.

I hope you noticed that I said accidental flash.

 

[Dk1234]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

Yes nursing in public will normalize it. Flashing your boob around with no consideration won't.

I hope you noticed that I said accidental flash.

And I hope you'll notice that I have said all along an occasional nip slip probably isnt a big deal and I've been talking about people who have no discretion or consideration for others.

 

[Natsku]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

Yes nursing in public will normalize it. Flashing your boob around with no consideration won't.

I hope you noticed that I said accidental flash.

And I hope you'll notice that I have said all along an occasional nip slip probably isnt a big deal and I've been talking about people who have no discretion or consideration for others.

You talked about people who can't be discrete should face away from people. I wouldn't face away from people even though I knew it was likely that Maria would pull off at some point and flash me. Its the odd flash but I knew it would happen but I would not (and will not in future if I have the same problem) go face a wall so other people can be comfortable when they ought to be comfortable seeing the flashes. Its not my fault that other people have stupid issues with seeing a perfectly natural thing and I should not have to accommodate for them.

 

[Dk1234]

I don't see why I should have had to turn my body away anyway. When I fed in public I enjoyed the chance for a sit down and a good people-watching session at the same time. And the more people see the odd accidental flash of boob, the more they will get used to it and the less embarrassed and offended they will be.

You see that's where I think you're incorrect. It makes people think people shouldn't nip at all.

Yes it will make them think like that to begin with but constant exposure will change that. If they see it day in day out they will get used to it. They will stop even noticing it. If I have another baby and get to breastfeed again I will NIP as much as possible because I want to normalise it here as it is rare to see someone feeding here (I think its rarer than in the UK despite actually having higher breastfeeding rates here)

Yes nursing in public will normalize it. Flashing your boob around with no consideration won't.

I hope you noticed that I said accidental flash.

And I hope you'll notice that I have said all along an occasional nip slip probably isnt a big deal and I've been talking about people who have no discretion or consideration for others.

You talked about people who can't be discrete should face away from people. I wouldn't face away from people even though I knew it was likely that Maria would pull off at some point and flash me. Its the odd flash but I knew it would happen but I would not (and will not in future if I have the same problem) go face a wall so other people can be comfortable when they ought to be comfortable seeing the flashes. Its not my fault that other people have stupid issues with seeing a perfectly natural thing and I should not have to accommodate for them.

Well that's just an attitude that I don't agree with and I don't think helps normalize things. But I'm not gonna call you names for feeling that way. Nor give you a problem when you nip.

 

[Natsku]

Its ok to disagree I just think the people that are offended are the ones that need to change, not the ones doing what is natural and beautiful to see and the only way they will change is by getting used to seeing it so I will do my part in that.

 

[Foogirl]

I did it. I can't see why it's acceptable to bottle feed in public and not to breastfeed. You feed your LO when they need fed. I get really angry when people say you should plan your trip around it or "be discrete"

It's very simple, if you don't like seeing it, you are in control of your own eyes.

 

[midori1999]

I mean seriously you don't see a difference in breasts and mouths? For one we don't walk around topless all day. I am a nursing mother and don't wanna see someone's boobs. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it might make say your teenage son, or some other teenager, some random man walking by, a pastor. Fact of the matter is breast are sexual. Maybe some people don't like that they are but I am proud that they are. My husband can't wait to have them back. Too bad he has gone and knocked me up before I even stopped BFing. You can't change the fact that over time breasts have become sexual to most everyone. IMO people should be mindful of this and not just whip out their boobs. I just don't understand why people think this is so wrong. Its so easy to nurse discretely. i hate she. People say, don't like it, don't look because that's just a poor attitude if you ask me. What if everyone had this attitude about things. The world would be a miserable place. I just think you should be mindful and courteous to those around you. Same as I wouldnt let my baby scream in a public place. It's natural, it's just a baby but it isn't polite. I mean imagine if I said, don't like it, don't listen.

As for the bit in bold, your husband has missed a trick, because breasts are dual purpose, they can feed a baby and be sexual too. My husband loves my breasts, I would go so far as to say he is a bit obsessed with them and he has enjoyed them fully in the 19 months I have been breastfeeding my daughter. Just not while I am actually feeding my daughter obviously, because he can seperate the two purposes and he doesn't find them sexual during breastfeeding.

That said, he doesn't 'get them back', they're mine....

This is the only comment I feel the need to quote because I'm obviously not Ashamed of BFing. I'm so proud I have done it for al long and guess what I've never made anyone uncomfortable. Im 11 weeks pregnant btw and still bfing because bfing is very important to me. I guess I'm just a considerate person. I. Dont think flashing your boobs around makes BFing normal to people, it puts them off. not everyone understands BFing. we live in a world with a lot of different people. Imo those people seeing someone feeding their child in a way with no regard to anyone else, just makes it look bad. I mean serioisly if you want to normalize somethjng you dont go anout it in a way that offends a bunch of people. maybe one day if lots of people nip without making a huge spectacle of themselves, it will be completely jormal and then it wont matter if you flash a boob. fact is it does offend people and it has done more harm than good. Much like nurse ins, I think they bring negative attention to BFing. It's treating BFing like it is some radical thing. but thats just my opinion and i dont expect ANY of you to listen tk it or respect it. I obviously was speaking in terms of our own countries, the comment about countries where they walk around topless has confused me.

My husband could care less if they are being used for another purpose it's me. The last thing I want at the end of the day is someone else pawing at my boobs. I am not an idiot I realize you can still use your boobs however you want.

I think it's particularly pertinent that you chose to ignore my question whether, in order to be considerate to others, I keep my rather unsightly burn scar, which some people may not wish to see and may be repulsed by even, covered. Do you think I should keep it covered in order to be considerate to others?

Nurse ins are something completely seperate to a Mother feeding going about her normal business breastfeeding in public. I actually agree with you I think they can create the wrong impression, but I also think they can have their place. Once upon a time people thought women chaining themselves to railings, throwing themselves under the King's horse and burning their bras was radical, as well as off putting. I mean, those dreadful women, couldn't they behave with some decorum? However, all of those things and what they related to have made the world a much better place for women today.

You keep mentioning women 'flashing their boobs about'. I really do not see how a woman sitting down, feeding her baby, who happens to expose most of her breast to feed is 'flashing her boobs about' or 'flashing her boobs in your face'. Presumably you're not sitting a foot in front of her and the nature of breastfeeding means in itself that a baby or toddler is going to be covering the breast to a large extent.

This link contains a woman breastfeeding and she's pulled her top down to do it. Do you really think she is 'flashing her boobs about'?

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01563/breastfeeding_1563610c.jpg

 

[midori1999]

Oh, and two other things...

The law in the UK and AFAIK, most states in the USA, gives women the right to breastfeed their baby in public. It doesn't say they must be discreet, cover up or anything else.

If anyone doesn't already read 'The Leaky Boob', the following piece is pretty thought provoking I think as to how it seems it is fine to show breasts if it is in a sexual way, but not if you're feeding a baby.

https://theleakyboob.com/2013/01/fear-and-breastfeeding-in-las-vegas/

 

[staralfur]

I use a cover and try to be as discrete as possible as far as boob exposure goes, but people will say that using a cover is even LESS discrete because you're basically wearing a huge apron with your baby underneath and drawing attention to the fact that you're breastfeeding. So I think "discrete" could probably be interpreted differently depending on the person.

 

[Randianne]

I don't understand why it's so wrong to be asked to show some discretion. You're not going to change attitudes about BFing by having a 'well if you don't like it don't look' attitude. You're going to look like extremists and cement the myth that BFing itself is unnecessary or extreme. A little bit of courtesy goes a long way.

Breasts are dual purpose. They are designed for BFing, but they were also designed to attract mates. They don't stop serving the second function just because they're also performing the first. Of course it's not sexual to you, but what do you expect a teenage boy to think? It's a hormonal response.

Personally, I think people would be far more willing to accept NIP if they weren't afraid of their children seeing a fully exposed breast. I'm not talking about a little bit of cleavage, I'm talking a full on exposure. It's within your rights to fully expose your breast, but do you really think you're going to change attitudes like that? A lot of mothers take great care to not let their children see adult nudity before they are ready. They restrict movies and they put filters on their computers. Why can't you respect THEIR parenting choices?

Ease them into it. Let them see a baby eating. Don't let them see your nipple. Your baby is full, you're happy, and other mother's don't have to worry about their horny teenagers seeing a full on boob in a restaurant.

 

[Button#]

In the summer when it was too hot to wear two tops (I normally do the pull one top up and one top down) I would wear strappy vest tops and when I fed him I would get a whole boob out. I never got looks or comments and I didn't expect to as I was just feeding my baby. With the baby's head in the way I was showing about the same amount of boob anyway.

I think if someone is offended by me feeding my baby it is unreasonable and I will not pander to prejudice. I don't agree with not trying to offend people by being discreet as breastfeeding my baby is not offensive. There is no legislation for offense and people can choose to be offended by absolutely anything.

 

[Dk1234]

I mean seriously you don't see a difference in breasts and mouths? For one we don't walk around topless all day. I am a nursing mother and don't wanna see someone's boobs. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it might make say your teenage son, or some other teenager, some random man walking by, a pastor. Fact of the matter is breast are sexual. Maybe some people don't like that they are but I am proud that they are. My husband can't wait to have them back. Too bad he has gone and knocked me up before I even stopped BFing. You can't change the fact that over time breasts have become sexual to most everyone. IMO people should be mindful of this and not just whip out their boobs. I just don't understand why people think this is so wrong. Its so easy to nurse discretely. i hate she. People say, don't like it, don't look because that's just a poor attitude if you ask me. What if everyone had this attitude about things. The world would be a miserable place. I just think you should be mindful and courteous to those around you. Same as I wouldnt let my baby scream in a public place. It's natural, it's just a baby but it isn't polite. I mean imagine if I said, don't like it, don't listen.

As for the bit in bold, your husband has missed a trick, because breasts are dual purpose, they can feed a baby and be sexual too. My husband loves my breasts, I would go so far as to say he is a bit obsessed with them and he has enjoyed them fully in the 19 months I have been breastfeeding my daughter. Just not while I am actually feeding my daughter obviously, because he can seperate the two purposes and he doesn't find them sexual during breastfeeding.

That said, he doesn't 'get them back', they're mine....

This is the only comment I feel the need to quote because I'm obviously not Ashamed of BFing. I'm so proud I have done it for al long and guess what I've never made anyone uncomfortable. Im 11 weeks pregnant btw and still bfing because bfing is very important to me. I guess I'm just a considerate person. I. Dont think flashing your boobs around makes BFing normal to people, it puts them off. not everyone understands BFing. we live in a world with a lot of different people. Imo those people seeing someone feeding their child in a way with no regard to anyone else, just makes it look bad. I mean serioisly if you want to normalize somethjng you dont go anout it in a way that offends a bunch of people. maybe one day if lots of people nip without making a huge spectacle of themselves, it will be completely jormal and then it wont matter if you flash a boob. fact is it does offend people and it has done more harm than good. Much like nurse ins, I think they bring negative attention to BFing. It's treating BFing like it is some radical thing. but thats just my opinion and i dont expect ANY of you to listen tk it or respect it. I obviously was speaking in terms of our own countries, the comment about countries where they walk around topless has confused me.

My husband could care less if they are being used for another purpose it's me. The last thing I want at the end of the day is someone else pawing at my boobs. I am not an idiot I realize you can still use your boobs however you want.

I think it's particularly pertinent that you chose to ignore my question whether, in order to be considerate to others, I keep my rather unsightly burn scar, which some people may not wish to see and may be repulsed by even, covered. Do you think I should keep it covered in order to be considerate to others?

Nurse ins are something completely seperate to a Mother feeding going about her normal business breastfeeding in public. I actually agree with you I think they can create the wrong impression, but I also think they can have their place. Once upon a time people thought women chaining themselves to railings, throwing themselves under the King's horse and burning their bras was radical, as well as off putting. I mean, those dreadful women, couldn't they behave with some decorum? However, all of those things and what they related to have made the world a much better place for women today.

You keep mentioning women 'flashing their boobs about'. I really do not see how a woman sitting down, feeding her baby, who happens to expose most of her breast to feed is 'flashing her boobs about' or 'flashing her boobs in your face'. Presumably you're not sitting a foot in front of her and the nature of breastfeeding means in itself that a baby or toddler is going to be covering the breast to a large extent.

This link contains a woman breastfeeding and she's pulled her top down to do it. Do you really think she is 'flashing her boobs about'?

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01563/breastfeeding_1563610c.jpg

I didn't answer that question because I thought it was a little crazy to be honest. A scar that you can't help isn't the same thing at all as someone showing no consideration for others when it comes to nudity. I hinestly don't understand the comparison.

 

[Dk1234]

I use a cover and try to be as discrete as possible as far as boob exposure goes, but people will say that using a cover is even LESS discrete because you're basically wearing a huge apron with your baby underneath and drawing attention to the fact that you're breastfeeding. So I think "discrete" could probably be interpreted differently depending on the person.

When I say discrete I mean not pulling out your whole boob and then leaving it out while you get things sorted. Or if baby pulls off for a while not covering yourself. I think people should know you are nursing. That is what will make it normal.

 

[Natsku]

Having to be discrete implies that there is something wrong with feeding in public, by saying no I don't have to be discrete you are saying there is nothing wrong with it and that is exactly what we should be doing. I don't mean feed topless, I mean don't bother with covers (unless it makes YOU more comfortable) and don't hide away. Keep on exposing the world to what is natural. You owe it to your daughters/daughters-in-law to make it easier for them to feed in public.

And why should any parent want to prevent their child seeing a woman breastfeed, even if they see the whole breast? Seeing a breast perform its natural function is not going to damage a child. Parents who think that way are the ones that need to change, not the parents feeding their children.

 

[Dk1234]

Having to be discrete implies that there is something wrong with feeding in public, by saying no I don't have to be discrete you are saying there is nothing wrong with it and that is exactly what we should be doing. I don't mean feed topless, I mean don't bother with covers (unless it makes YOU more comfortable) and don't hide away. Keep on exposing the world to what is natural. You owe it to your daughters/daughters-in-law to make it easier for them to feed in public.

And why should any parent want to prevent their child seeing a woman breastfeed, even if they see the whole breast? Seeing a breast perform its natural function is not going to damage a child. Parents who think that way are the ones that need to change, not the parents feeding their children.

No to be discrete doesn't imply there is something wrong with BFing. I mean seriously you thing someone being considerate to others and doesn't wish to make others uncomfortable by showing nudity means they think there is something wrong with BFing. I guess that's why I've been doing it for 7 months and why I am continuing even though I'm pregnant and it gets and I have low supply. Maybe it just means I think the way to normalize it is by people seeing it as something natural and beautiful not as something that requires nudity in public and sorry you can't change the world from thinking boobs are sexua by showing boobs while nip.

 

[Foogirl]

Totally agree Nats. My nephew was 12 when I was BFing. The first time he saw me he apologised and went to leave the room. I told him I was happy for him to stay and he did, and asked loads of questions. It was fabulous.

I got many lovely comments from people when I was feeding, and the best ones were from pensioner men - a group who are supposedly sooooo offended by it. One memorable comment came from an older muslim gentleman, who said "beautiful child, you are blessed"

The most offended group I found, I'm sorry to say, were FFing mums. I only got a handful of nasty glares and comments in the 18 months I did it and every single one came from a mother who was FFing.

 

[Foogirl]

And please, stop referring to breastfeeding as nudity. A BFer is no more nude than most young women on a friday night out down the pub.

 

[Natsku]

Yes it does imply it because being discrete means you are trying to hide the fact that you are breastfeeding by making it unnoticeable which says that there is something wrong with breastfeeding. Seeing someone breastfeeding, even if the boob is full visable, is not the same as seeing someone nude, it should not make anyone uncomfortable if it was normalised as it should be.