Should Women Breastfeed in Public?

Should Women Breastfeed in Public?

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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  • mike
    Yes, but the question is "should" they.

    Are you saying they should not? Does that mean that they should be subjected to indecency laws?

    Why is the process obnoxious? Perhaps an overt pda might be offensive to someone who is uncomfortable with natural human behavior. Perhaps your personal preferences are to not see individuals exposing their bodies. What I don't understand is how you take your personal preferences and translate that to what people should or should not do.

    An individual who drops his pants in a shopping mall does so with the intention of impacting others. It is an act intended to offend others and arouse himself. That is an assault, and he should be cited accordingly.

    An individual who is clutching a companion in a lengthy embrace typically has no intention of impacting others.

    Similarly, an individual who is breast-feeding is simply feeding her child.

    There's a serious disconnect stemming from our Protestant roots in this country. A man on the beach may walk around without a shirt on and create no sensation of any kind, whereas a woman may do the same thing and receive a public citation.

    An agoraphobic would prefer that when she leaves the house, no one else was out and about that day. It would be preposterous that because she finds being in crowds of people a noxious experience, people should be required to stay home until crowds slim.

    Your problem with breast-feeding is an as-yet unjustified one, and therefore it is categorized as a personal issue. Personal issues should be addressed personally. The agoraphobe should seek help for her condition.

    - mikeUS June 25, 2009 3:04PM

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    Parenting educator Elizabeth Pantley is president of Better Beginnings, Inc., a family resource and education company. Elizabeth frequently speaks to parents at... More

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