Breastfeeding in public

[special_kala]

Breastfeeding is not comparable to feeding!

A baby breastfeeding is eating. Anywhere I would eat a snack I will feed my bsby. I've fed in shops, librarys, buses, parks.

 

[LegoHouse]

So everyone else is allowed to eat in public, just not your baby?

 

[CordeliaJ]

That sounds about right, but remember also people eat in some places where they're not supposed to. For example the bookstore I mentioned.
I hate when people eat smelly food on public transport, I find that worse than breastfeeding because it smells and people are too close. Although actually I've never seen anyone BF on public transport so I don't know how I'd feel, depends on the proximity I guess.

 

[Babo]

So everyone else is allowed to eat in public, just not your baby?

Think that's a little black and white. It's personal preference and opinion. If this is going to be the sort of forum that people refuse to accept how others feel and discuss it amicably I'm not bothering for the rest of my pregnancy that's for sure!

 

[misslissa]

Think I must be pretty liberal because I really don't understand why it bothered you in a book shop? A mum sat down relaxing while feeding her baby in a lovely atmosphere seems like a nice idea. If people left because of it that is their issue no one else's.

 

[Babo]

Think I must be pretty liberal because I really don't understand why it bothered you in a book shop? A mum sat down relaxing while feeding her baby in a lovely atmosphere seems like a nice idea. If people left because of it that is their issue no one else's.

Not sure if that was quite the situation. I'd have no problem doing that, a lot of our big book shops have a coffee shop so you could quietly sit down, feeling comfortable and not in people's faces about it. The other person said something about coming in with a screaming child. whether that was the one being fed or another child I'm not sure.

 

[special_kala]

I don't understand why proximity would be a.issue. I've fed on a extremely crowded bus with people literally stood all around me. I just.think if your uncomfortable don't look.

 

[CordeliaJ]

Think I must be pretty liberal because I really don't understand why it bothered you in a book shop? A mum sat down relaxing while feeding her baby in a lovely atmosphere seems like a nice idea. If people left because of it that is their issue no one else's.

It's not a big department store, it's small and quiet shop. This woman had another loud child drawing even more attention to her (when people were trying to read quietly), and I agree with what others have said about places where one would eat and drink being right for breast feeding. Maybe you had to be there, but it didn't feel right at all. Also I have to say, (and probably it was being in early pregnancy that caused this, not the actual fact of feeding) it made me nauseous and I had no choice but to stay there. It wasn't in a corner it was pretty much the middle of the store.

 

[CordeliaJ]

If you are on crowded public transport and it's right next to you, would be pretty hard not to see. However, needs must at certain times, but I'd be surprised if someone chose to feed then if they didn't absolutely have to.

 

[MrsTAZ]

The ONLY problem I have when woman breast feed in public is when there is an instance like what I witnessed (which is very rare I am sure). I was in a small restaraunt and a woman yanked up her top, pulled down her bra and proceeded to try and coax her toddler over for the next 5 minutes to feed with her breasts hanging out. I think it was completely inappropriate. It's one thing to have your child come over and then feed them but to leave your top up and bra down while wheedling at your child was just odd. I was pregnant with DS at the te and my husband asked me to please never behave that way.

 

[iwantabub]

with the argument that people eat in public why cant your baby....

i would just throw out there... so you are comfortable exposing part of your breast in public why cant women just walk around topless?

Saying that i do think that depending on the place an eating area is definitely the most apropriate public place to BF imo

Maybe I just care too much about what people think but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable around me...

I think why im on such a different page is you girls from UK and US it sounds like your environment is so different to ours... I haven't caught public transport for years and years as everyone where I live drives... the malls here are tiny compared to there and always have BFing rooms for the major ones ... also I dunno where else in public I'd really need to bf... going to visit people... just excuse myself for a moment or cover over with a muslin depending on the friend or family member...
Other than that I dont have to work for a while so not taking baby there...
I dunno where else I would have to BF... as i said we drive everywhere so no Public transport which probably makes a difference....

 

[misslissa]

Think I must be pretty liberal because I really don't understand why it bothered you in a book shop? A mum sat down relaxing while feeding her baby in a lovely atmosphere seems like a nice idea. If people left because of it that is their issue no one else's.

Not sure if that was quite the situation. I'd have no problem doing that, a lot of our big book shops have a coffee shop so you could quietly sit down, feeling comfortable and not in people's faces about it. The other person said something about coming in with a screaming child. whether that was the one being fed or another child I'm not sure.

I thought it was another child screaming which would bother me more than a child being bf ha ha! I wouldn't be in someone's face by popping it out and leaving boob blatantly on show as I'm not that confident a person but I certainly wouldn't care so long as I was comfortable (which for me will involve some kind of scarf) and baby was happy.

I'm from the UK and yes I think some people don't like to witness it but the same amount probably don't care. Lets be honest, would it bother you that much? Most people have their own things to think about not a fleeting glance at a bf mum

 

[Lisasmith]

It's just a boob people. It's basically the perfect bottle. Jesus.

 

[special_kala]

If you are on crowded public transport and it's right next to you, would be pretty hard not to see. However, needs must at certain times, but I'd be surprised if someone chose to feed then if they didn't absolutely have to.

In general I don't look at peoples chests at all.

There are some things I.don't like looking at like men in public without their shirt on so after initially noticing I just don't look.again.

 

[Babo]

Think i'd be uncomfortable seeing someone just flopping their boobs out and also breastfeeding older children. If the child is old enough to be asking for it or running around on their own then I can't help but ask the question of why on earth does the child still need breastmilk?!

Most of the time you wouldn't notice mums breastfeeding cos they're discreet about it.

 

[special_kala]

with the argument that people eat in public why cant your baby....

i would just throw out there... so you are comfortable exposing part of your breast in public why cant women just walk around topless?

Saying that i do think that depending on the place an eating area is definitely the most apropriate public place to BF imo

Maybe I just care too much about what people think but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable around me...

I think why im on such a different page is you girls from UK and US it sounds like your environment is so different to ours... I haven't caught public transport for years and years as everyone where I live drives... the malls here are tiny compared to there and always have BFing rooms for the major ones ... also I dunno where else in public I'd really need to bf... going to visit people... just excuse myself for a moment or cover over with a muslin depending on the friend or family member...
Other than that I dont have to work for a while so not taking baby there...
I dunno where else I would have to BF... as i said we drive everywhere so no Public transport which probably makes a difference....

Because when there is a baby attached it is completely different

 

[misslissa]

The ONLY problem I have when woman breast feed in public is when there is an instance like what I witnessed (which is very rare I am sure). I was in a small restaraunt and a woman yanked up her top, pulled down her bra and proceeded to try and coax her toddler over for the next 5 minutes to feed with her breasts hanging out. I think it was completely inappropriate. It's one thing to have your child come over and then feed them but to leave your top up and bra down while wheedling at your child was just odd. I was pregnant with DS at the te and my husband asked me to please never behave that way.

Hmmm I think that would be a little much for me even but as the onlooker I think I would just be cringing a little and maybe having a little chuckle with my oh rather than being offended as such gives you something to talk about over lunch!

 

[Babo]

with the argument that people eat in public why cant your baby....

i would just throw out there... so you are comfortable exposing part of your breast in public why cant women just walk around topless?

Saying that i do think that depending on the place an eating area is definitely the most apropriate public place to BF imo

Maybe I just care too much about what people think but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable around me...

I think why im on such a different page is you girls from UK and US it sounds like your environment is so different to ours... I haven't caught public transport for years and years as everyone where I live drives... the malls here are tiny compared to there and always have BFing rooms for the major ones ... also I dunno where else in public I'd really need to bf... going to visit people... just excuse myself for a moment or cover over with a muslin depending on the friend or family member...
Other than that I dont have to work for a while so not taking baby there...
I dunno where else I would have to BF... as i said we drive everywhere so no Public transport which probably makes a difference....

Because when there is a baby attached it is completely different

But that's the bottom line of the discussion. How is it different?! A bare boob is a bare boob. perhaps the view is that is should be different but that doesn't change how the majority of people view a bare boob.

 

[CordeliaJ]

with the argument that people eat in public why cant your baby....

i would just throw out there... so you are comfortable exposing part of your breast in public why cant women just walk around topless?

Saying that i do think that depending on the place an eating area is definitely the most apropriate public place to BF imo

Maybe I just care too much about what people think but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable around me...

I think why im on such a different page is you girls from UK and US it sounds like your environment is so different to ours... I haven't caught public transport for years and years as everyone where I live drives... the malls here are tiny compared to there and always have BFing rooms for the major ones ... also I dunno where else in public I'd really need to bf... going to visit people... just excuse myself for a moment or cover over with a muslin depending on the friend or family member...
Other than that I dont have to work for a while so not taking baby there...
I dunno where else I would have to BF... as i said we drive everywhere so no Public transport which probably makes a difference....

Really just do what you're comfortable with. Breast feeding is a touchy topic and (this comes from my experience with previous threads, not just this one) if you happen to be a little more conservative about it, you will get woman constantly asking why and constantly trying to change your mind. I think a lot of women get confused and think that people who don't want to either breast feed or breast feed in public, means that they are implying those who do are bad. It's all just personal preference, nothing wrong with that.

 

[special_kala]

Babies ask for breastmilk from birth just because they can't say milk doesn't milk their not asking.

W started walking at 9months and breastfed until 14 months, what difference does her being able to run around make? I'd like to make it to 2+ with this babe so he will definitely be able to ask and run before he self weans.