Breastfeeding is a natural biological function, but is there a time and a place for it? Nearly 75 percent of American mothers breastfeed their babies, but the issue of nursing in public remains controversial, as it raises the difficult question of how much exposure is too much. Babies get hungry even in public places, so what's a mother to do?
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It's Society's Responsiblity to Support Breastfeeding
- From Elizabeth Pantley
By Elizabeth Pantley - Author of 'The No-Cry Sleep Solution'
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do you eat in public?
No one would ask whether babies should be bottle fed in public so why ask if they should be breastfed in public? If you or anyone else eats there, then why not? Better to give the baby a boob and make baby happy and satisfied than to have an upset, hungry baby and annoyed, upset everyone else.
I should mention I'm a nursing mother of a 25 month old child. Yes, my two year old can ask for it. Babies 1 minute old can "ask" for it, it's called rooting! :)
- milkdonormama
December 8, 2008 12:24PM
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No matter the age, a child has the right to eat when hungry
I am so pleased to see the women agreeing with this discussion. I hear this argument every day and as a consultant get so saddened by the dads and some grandmas who feel women should have to hide or carry a bottle to feed in public. It will only be when we learn to look at a mother nursing her child and say how beautiful instead of cleavage that it will be totally accepted in our holdover puritan society. Those of us who stand up for moms everywhere are winning this debate one baby at a time.
- kay
December 8, 2008 1:07PM
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This isn't a debate?
How can we have a debate when all the "experts" agree. Besides almost nobody thinks it's wrong for Women to breast feed in public. That's an attitude from a bygone era.
- tbcass
December 16, 2008 4:27AM
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I'm disgusted
I think it is rather repulsive when women breastfeed in public. When this is happening the womans breast is in plain sight it is not a sightly. This should go in the category of indecent exposure
- mattbertrams
January 12, 2009 11:36AM
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What's so disgusting about women's breast?
What's so indecent about it?
- Curious E
January 17, 2009 1:52PM
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What to do when repulsed...
I think it's repulsive to have guys butts hanging out of their jeans. I think it's repulsive when overweight people hang out of their teeny tiny shirts. I think it's repulsive when people chew with their mouth open at restaurants. I think it's repulsive when people smoke cigarettes.
Here's what you can do... move away and/or don't look. Easy.
- Nicki Heskin
January 19, 2009 11:03PM
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...........
No offense directly intended, but how the hell did you get the label "Expert"?
"move away and/or don't look".
Wow... I wish this worked for more things in reality...
The reality of this is that we don't need women being indiscreet about breastfeeding . There are a large number of things that are annoying or "offensive" in daily life that we can do without, there is no reason that others should have to observe a mother openly nursing her infant.
That said, there is no reason a mother SHOULDN'T be allowed to feed her infant in public so long as she uses at least a little discretion.
I've seen mothers nursing that use blankets or towels to cover up while feeding and I have absolutely NO problem with that as they try to take into consideration how others feel about seeing the process and I am actually a strong supporter of breastfeeding.
This gives me an unusual "stance" on breastfeeding in public, and is definitely outside of the realm of the "normal" public's divided opinion of "Yes, everyone must accept seeing it whether they like it or not" and "No, they can't let the baby nurse in public because 'I' don't wish to see it".
Now, I know my answer listed below is "No", however, I don't feel this is a "Yes" or "No" issue. My answer SHOULD be along the line of "Yes, if they are polite about it". I should warn you before you lash into me, that I've seen an overwhelming number who are not.
In the end, "Yes" or "No" just don't cut it for the majority of issues facing society and I have never liked OV's excessive use of a bi-answer poll. There is no need for extremes, extremists are a bad thing, for all sides. All things should be done/taken in moderation, this also includes moderation.
I forget who said that, but they knew more than you do madam Heskin.
There are no "easy" answers or solutions to the odd questions and problems in life and as a labeled "expert" I would expect you to know that.
Thanks for your time.
- wonka
April 23, 2009 12:50AM
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You've still not presented an argument
You can disregard the above reply to your comment where I asked that you be specific about the "should" aspect of the original topic. I'm glad you addressed that, because it's something I find unfortunate about most of OV's topics. The use of should is often far too arbitrary to discuss.
Your only argument is that people should not be subjected to certain behaviors from other people.
I don't like to be exposed to people who wrinkle their noses or roll their eyes at women who are breast-feeding publicly. Perhaps you should not be allowed in public places when women are openly exposing their breast to their child unless you can express your disgust in a discreet and tasteful manner. My argument is just as strong as yours, and it isn't very strong. You should be allowed to show your disgust without assaulting anyone, and women should be allowed to bare their breasts for the purpose of feeding their hungry child.
Present a better argument, build your case, and generate some validity.
- mike
June 25, 2009 3:15PM
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Good Job.
Thanks for completely missing my point and misinterpreting to fit your own needs. I'll leave you to re-read my comment and continue to not get it.
- wonka
October 3, 2009 12:45PM
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Indecent?
What's clearly indecent is the immature attitude of those who would censor a mother feeding her child. I guess we can understand why an immature mind would believe such a thing, however, those of us genuinely mature need not allow the immature to dictate to us or hold positions of authority and/or power over us.
Mature human beings do not have to bow to the wishes of the immature. Of course, if the mature DO bow to immature demands, perhaps they are not as mature as they claim or first appear.
- Naumadd
January 20, 2009 11:44PM
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Try to consider the question objectively.
Consider the question from a pragmatic standpoint. If the mothers get their way, there is a small chance that if you look in the wrong direction, you will see some of a mother's breast. This will make you uncomfortable, although in general you should be able to excuse yourself—or at least look away.
If you get your way, you will be spared this discomfort; but now the mother and child must shoulder the burden. Nutritionally, breastmilk is acknowledged to be the best sustenance for growing babes, and indeed breastfed babies will be less than satisfied with non-breastmilk. (And, as you know, babies have very few ways of expressing displeasure, save one which is extremely disruptive and entirely incorrigible.) The mother has to spend money buying bottles and an expressor pump or formula, and must sterilise and prepare some milk before leaving the house with her baby.
In short, to save you from transitory discomfort costs money, time, preparation and disruption, and may even require a compromise—however small—on a baby's health. On the other hand, allowing mothers to breastfeed will cause you some consternation, and perhaps you will need to leave your current location until the operation is finished. Weighed against each other, surely you can see that the imposition on the part of the mother and child to satisfy your preference is far greater than the sacrifice you would have to make to accommodate breastfeeding mothers?
- Jordan Gray
February 27, 2009 9:54AM
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ok w/e
It's natural. I agree with you SLIGHTLY, the mother should use a blanket, or something to cover. instead of just lifting up her shirt, and letting her breast completely show, yeah i understand her baby needs to eat, but cover yourself please. but other then there's nothing wrong with breastfeeding, babies need food too
- BeAuTiFuLdIsAsTeR
March 17, 2009 9:11PM
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I agree!
It is not a sightly at all!
- quantummechanik
April 2, 2009 1:54PM
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Babies & breasts...jt
Two of the most beautiful things in the world are babies and breasts. Why should anyone be forced to hide either? Americans are such children . This is an absurd question.
- Joey Tranchina
April 2, 2009 2:01PM
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Dear Sir/Madam...
Two of the most beautiful things in the world TO YOU may be mammary glands and infantile Homo sapiens, but, I strongly assure you that to ME, they are NOT.
Your opinion that you like "babies and breasts" does NOT an absurd question make. Only a narrow minded, self centered individual.
I will not waste time further explaining my more detailed stance on breastfeeding . You can look for my other comments under this same article.
- wonka
April 23, 2009 12:57AM
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well then
Good to know you're a child just like the rest of us =)
- userk
June 25, 2009 2:19PM
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