Breastfeeding in public

[Lisasmith]

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.

Breast milk is HIGHLY beneficial to toddlers. And they have been "asking" for it since birth, the method of communicating that need is all that changed.

 

[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

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.

Again because a baby is feeding from it. It's not just a bare boob it's a babies source of life.

 

[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.

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.

As I say, not always possible on crowded transport. That's why I mentioned it would depend on the proximity. Yeah of course if you can just not look then that's great, not sure what transport you use but I use trains and tubes, crowded you can often see things you may not want to see.

 

[Babo]

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.

Think you missed my point - my question with that is do they actually need it and if they're old enough to be eating solids etc is it actually any benefit to them? Can't help but think in some of these cases (not all) it's more of a thing for the mother not wanting to let go then of a health benefit to the child.

 

[iwantabub]

thanks cordelia... i kinds feel like a bad parent after reading all the comments ... there are so many people pro public breast feeding which as i said i dont judge and think thats your choice... but i dont think there is anything wrong with being a little conservative....

Im certainly not going to teach my children that bfing is wrong but i dont want them to think exposing any of those sort of parts of their body in public is right either so its a fine line and as a person I dont feel comfortable exposing parts of my body bfing or not .

 

[Lisasmith]

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.

Think you missed my point - my question with that is do they actually need it and if they're old enough to be eating solids etc is it actually any benefit to them? Can't help but think in some of these cases (not all) it's more of a thing for the mother not wanting to let go then of a health benefit to the child.

Yes, it's beneficial to the child and the mother.
WHO actually recommends Breastfeeding until atleast 2 years old

 

[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.

Think you missed my point - my question with that is do they actually need it and if they're old enough to be eating solids etc is it actually any benefit to them? Can't help but think in some of these cases (not all) it's more of a thing for the mother not wanting to let go then of a health benefit to the child.

Breastmilk is beneficial far into childhood.

Solids are introduced at 6 months babies need milk until at least a year before cows milk is suitable

 

[misslissa]

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....

It is about you feeling comfortable, if you aren't then you do whatever you need to do. Think most people are just making the point that you don't have reason to feel uncomfortable.

Doing it in a restaurant or any other public space where you can sit down seems fine to me but that's just my opinion.

Where are you from? Is is more taboo where you are? I always find Europe really easy going with bf, there were a couple of girls round the pool in Italy both bf and they were completely comfortable. No one batted an eyelid, I'd say both in late 20's, both in swimwear, neither used any cover but you couldn't actually see anything. I thought it was great, the waiters weren't fazed just pottered around looking like it was a normal regular sight which was so refreshing.

 

[Babo]

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.

Think you missed my point - my question with that is do they actually need it and if they're old enough to be eating solids etc is it actually any benefit to them? Can't help but think in some of these cases (not all) it's more of a thing for the mother not wanting to let go then of a health benefit to the child.

Yes, it's beneficial to the child and the mother.
WHO actually recommends Breastfeeding until atleast 2 years old

Thank you for actually answering my question rather than jumping down my throat! Don't think I'd make it that far but will aim for the first year at least.

I have to be honest though, there are these programmes and stuff about women BFing their 4 year olds and up and that's just creepy. Surely that has to affect baby's social development?

 

[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....

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.

Again because a baby is feeding from it. It's not just a bare boob it's a babies source of life.

I disagree..... i think other than on planes etc there are various options to bf or express to make that source available to your child ....its 2013 we have those facilities available and i dont see a naked boob with a baby on it to be any less uncomfortable then a naked boob without a baby on it


Im from Australia....

I think tbh over here the type of women who in public shops (in the north of the state where i work) and stuff are on benefits and theyre usually loud and rude and dont bf coz its good for bubs do it coz it cheap and they can spend more money on ciggarettes... they get theyre whole boob out and make everyone feel oncomfy...

however u go to the nicer part of town u wont see a woman bfing anywhere but the nice rooms they provide here... i dunno maybe it is more taboo?

 

[Lisasmith]

thanks cordelia... i kinds feel like a bad parent after reading all the comments ... there are so many people pro public breast feeding which as i said i dont judge and think thats your choice... but i dont think there is anything wrong with being a little conservative....

Im certainly not going to teach my children that bfing is wrong but i dont want them to think exposing any of those sort of parts of their body in public is right either so its a fine line and as a person I dont feel comfortable exposing parts of my body bfing or not .

You're not a bad mum love. It's just that breasts are over sexualized and it's taken away from their real purpose. People needs to band together and support mums who feed their babies in public and stop accusing them of "flashing their tits" or doing something they should be ashamed of.

Many babies will not tolerate a cover and neither should they have to.

 

[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....

It is about you feeling comfortable, if you aren't then you do whatever you need to do. Think most people are just making the point that you don't have reason to feel uncomfortable.

Doing it in a restaurant or any other public space where you can sit down seems fine to me but that's just my opinion.

Where are you from? Is is more taboo where you are? I always find Europe really easy going with bf, there were a couple of girls round the pool in Italy both bf and they were completely comfortable. No one batted an eyelid, I'd say both in late 20's, both in swimwear, neither used any cover but you couldn't actually see anything. I thought it was great, the waiters weren't fazed just pottered around looking like it was a normal regular sight which was so refreshing.

Ah see now that's a different situation again. If you're already pretty exposed in swimwear then you have little choice and obviously I wouldn't go without feeding. Although to be honest I don't feel hugely comfortable in swimwear anyway!

 

[Lisasmith]

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.

Think you missed my point - my question with that is do they actually need it and if they're old enough to be eating solids etc is it actually any benefit to them? Can't help but think in some of these cases (not all) it's more of a thing for the mother not wanting to let go then of a health benefit to the child.

Yes, it's beneficial to the child and the mother.
WHO actually recommends Breastfeeding until atleast 2 years old

Thank you for actually answering my question rather than jumping down my throat! Don't think I'd make it that far but will aim for the first year at least.

I have to be honest though, there are these programmes and stuff about women BFing their 4 year olds and up and that's just creepy. Surely that has to affect baby's social development?

Not really, providing its the child's choice to continue nursing at that age. Look up the benefits of "full term Breastfeeding" it will give you more information than I can provid from my phone

 

[special_kala]

Breastfeeding a 4 year old isn't creepy. What's creepy about it? Mill teeth are called that because its when naturally most children would wean from breastmilk which the average is 5

 

[CordeliaJ]

thanks cordelia... i kinds feel like a bad parent after reading all the comments ... there are so many people pro public breast feeding which as i said i dont judge and think thats your choice... but i dont think there is anything wrong with being a little conservative....

Im certainly not going to teach my children that bfing is wrong but i dont want them to think exposing any of those sort of parts of their body in public is right either so its a fine line and as a person I dont feel comfortable exposing parts of my body bfing or not .

Yes I think that's the same way I view it too. Nothing wrong with others doing it, but I myself don't think I would without being extra discreet.

Babo you have strong opinions on the subject, and I admire that. I do agree about the breast feeding toddlers thing. I have read many books on it and watched a great documentary too. If solids are not introduced between 6-12 months (even if the mother decides to continue BFing as well), it can cause probs for the little one. Many woman on this forum do seen to BF for 2 years or more though, so you may get backlash for not agreeing.
It's just another differing opinion, which again, there's nothing wrong with. As long as everyone understands that we don't all need to agree, then hopefully there's no harm discussing the topic.

 

[iwantabub]

see over here if a mum was bfing her 4 yo... people would seriously flip out...

totally taboo..

 

[Babo]

That's the point I'm making, as long as it's baby's choice. I don't agree with the definition of milk teeth. If they were not supposed to be weaned at that stage why would they need teeth at all? Not really very scientific. Also in relative terms you look at other species and their teeth come in and they are weaned much earlier than the 'equivalent' of 5 years old! I'm not saying actually 5 years but the relative equivalent in the life span of that species.

 

[Lisasmith]

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.

Again because a baby is feeding from it. It's not just a bare boob it's a babies source of life.

I disagree..... i think other than on planes etc there are various options to bf or express to make that source available to your child ....its 2013 we have those facilities available and i dont see a naked boob with a baby on it to be any less uncomfortable then a naked boob without a baby on it


Im from Australia....

I think tbh over here the type of women who in public shops (in the north of the state where i work) and stuff are on benefits and theyre usually loud and rude and dont bf coz its good for bubs do it coz it cheap and they can spend more money on ciggarettes... they get theyre whole boob out and make everyone feel oncomfy...

however u go to the nicer part of town u wont see a woman bfing anywhere but the nice rooms they provide here... i dunno maybe it is more taboo?

I'm from Australia too. Your attitude is actually making me uncomfortable.

 

[misslissa]

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....

It is about you feeling comfortable, if you aren't then you do whatever you need to do. Think most people are just making the point that you don't have reason to feel uncomfortable.

Doing it in a restaurant or any other public space where you can sit down seems fine to me but that's just my opinion.

Where are you from? Is is more taboo where you are? I always find Europe really easy going with bf, there were a couple of girls round the pool in Italy both bf and they were completely comfortable. No one batted an eyelid, I'd say both in late 20's, both in swimwear, neither used any cover but you couldn't actually see anything. I thought it was great, the waiters weren't fazed just pottered around looking like it was a normal regular sight which was so refreshing.

Ah see now that's a different situation again. If you're already pretty exposed in swimwear then you have little choice and obviously I wouldn't go without feeding. Although to be honest I don't feel hugely comfortable in swimwear anyway!

They did look bloody good, I was more interested in how good they looked and to have only had babies a few months earlier than them bf to be honest! They prob thought I was a right weirdo!

 

[special_kala]

Weaned from breastmilk not onto food. Food was traditionally introduced at 9months to a year but breastfeeding naturally children self wean by around 5.