Breast feeding in public

[RedJeepXJ]

Calling someone's view distasteful is completely inappropriate and unnecessary. Don't make the mistake of doing so again. If you disagree with it, then state your reasons, but do not insult someone when doing so. Thank you.

my comment was not directed at any one in particular, no offense was meant

I was referring to society as a whole being over prudish to the point where such a natural act that is necessary for proper development is so shamed upon, there is no reason for the breast to even be covered in the first place but we have been taught that for some magical reason it is even though there is no moral or ethical reason to hide it over a male breast.

 

[Bones]

In my life I haven't really seen anyone breastfeed in public, maybe because I never actually notice it, maybe if I did catch a glimpse it wouldn't bother me, in the end it's a natural process.

once you go to a nude beach though and get accustomed to it you realize that nudity is no big deal....

That is the point, nudity isn't really a big deal, I don't understand the whole debate myself about this, it's one boob, it's a little bit bigger and a different shape to a males' chest, and a baby is sucking on it, wow.... it's not like the lady is flashing on purpose or anything. Plus you get newspapers in shops with page 3 girls that ANYONE could see, it's no big deal, and as everyone else has said, if it is a problem for you, don't look, simple.

 

[Phase Delta]

I personally see no problem with it. I believe it's both the mother and child's right (in the child's case a basic human right), completely natural and beneficial for the child in almost every way.

Some cultures would see now problem at all with this, and not see it as 'indecent exposure' at all - some cultures don't consider breasts as indecent at all. Although I don't think women should be walking around with their tops off, I believe they should be able to breastfeed.

 

[Marquis of Granby]

Well, the gray area of this debate is that breast feeding in public is borderline indecent exposure. I also think it makes people sort of feel uncomfortable. I mean, you're only going to see breasts in the bedroom or in an R-rated movie, so seeing it in front of you in public sort of takes you by surprise.

I've never been exposed to a woman breast feeding in public before, so my thoughts of how I would react may not be accurate. I wouldn't feel right about it, only because she has a "private" part of her body exposed, and I'd want her to feel like she has some privacy. Would have a fit because she's doing it in public? No I wouldn't, but I wouldn't feel that comfortable with it overall. I understand it's natural and all, but im sure actions can be made to sort of cover it up from others, especially kids who shouldn't be exposed to that (the naked breast or the baby feeding on it). I certainly wouldn't mind seeing my own child feeding though.

maybe youd feel uncomfortable because you see breasts as a sexual thing when in fact theyre not. i like tits myself but i dont see how its remotely indecent for a woman to feed her child "in public" or how, by doing so, she is "exposing" other people to...well anything. if i knew the person i'd make a joke about it, if i didnt i'd let her get on with feeding her child. as for the privacy thing, im sure if a woman wasnt perfectly comfortable with breast feeding she wouldnt do it, therefore would have no qualms (nor should she) about doing it "in public".

people need to get a grip and stop moaning about petty non issues like this. try addressing some of the real problems with society instead of hounding mothers who want to feed their babies.

 

[Squid]

Breast Feeding in Public.

What do you guys think about this?

Some talk show host said that women who breast feed should show some class and modesty when breast feeding and cover up when in public. Ofc Feminists and some mothers who breast feed got all in a rage and started protesting at this guy and it caused some big debates over here.

So my opinion is, sure breast feeding is natural, if you wanna do it it's your right to as a human and a mother but what I do not enjoy seeing is a mother flop her tit out in a public place and start feeding her kid. How hard is it to grab one of those baby feeding blankets and drape it over your shoulder before getting your boobs out.

There's also the argument about it being a natural thing and people should get over it. But so is taking a dump and having sex but people would be outraged if any of those things were done in public...

Anyway...

Now you.

 

[Six]

I think people pay way too much attention to others, if you're bothered by it, don't look. It's a natural thing to feed your child and if it's in need and you don't have anything to cover up, because that's what's "appropriate" what are you to do? Go sit in a public bathroom? It's tiny things like these that people worry about and I just think to myself, really? I'm more than glad to know that mother can feed her children rather than murder the child.

Me myself I wouldn't do that in public, neither have I considered breast feeding, but then again, I haven't considered kids in that way! So. Eh. Big deal if you see a boob. (Shrugs).

 

[Harlequin]

It's just a question of courtesy really, like not coughing in someone's direction. If it's something a few people might not want to see it's not as simple as not looking because unless the woman declares it publicly you might just catch a glimpse. How about instead of everyone else getting over seeing it because it's natural etc etc the woman breastfeeding takes the responsibility of being discreet about it with a blanket or whatever they'd use?

 

[greenyxi]

Ok, here's what I think:

If I saw a woman whop it out, I wouldn't be freaked out or anything...but I'd feel incredibly awkward. And what if she looked in my direction? It's like one of the most awkward situations I can think of :/ .
Still, I can't see a major problem with it to be honest. Maybe it's not age appropriate if any little kids can see it? I dunno. That's the worst part of it I can come up with.

 

[Toshiya]

I'm with greeny here. I have no problem with it, I'd never ever do it myself if I had a kid because I'm waaay too self-concious, though.
BUT when a woman near me does it I do feel awkward, it's one of those situations where you feel weird if you look at her doing it but weird if you deliberately look away
But if that's what she chooses to do, fine

 

[Sheechiibii]

I think people who have a problem with it should ask themselves why. I mean, breasts are there to feed babies, the sexualisation of them has nothing to do with their one and only purpose. It's actually more unnatural to feel uncomfortable at that than it is for a mother to whip it out and feed her baby. If you don't like it, don't watch.

 

[greenyxi]

I think people who have a problem with it should ask themselves why. I mean, breasts are there to feed babies, the sexualisation of them has nothing to do with their one and only purpose. It's actually more unnatural to feel uncomfortable at that than it is for a mother to whip it out and feed her baby. If you don't like it, don't watch.

You'd still hear the sucking, and the mother probably talking to the baby. e.g. "There there, have some more milk. Uh-uh, no biting!" etc ( ). There's no way of avoiding the presence of the woman breast-feeding in your area...even if you look away.

I wouldn't say it's unnatural to feel uncomfortable when a woman is breastfeeding next to you either. It's not like they do it all the time, so it's gonna be weird to see when it does happen. This may just be my country-boy perspective though, where I don't live in a city and see it happen very often.

 

[Squid]

I just don't see why it's too hard to reach into their babybag, pull out their modesty cloth, and drape it over their shoulder before feeding a baby. It's not like she's denying the baby any food and making it starve. People around are going to feel awkward. That's just how it works and some people are going to stare. Why should everyone else feel awkward? It's kind of rude.

 

[Sheechiibii]

You'd still hear the sucking, and the mother probably talking to the baby. e.g. "There there, have some more milk. Uh-uh, no biting!" etc ( ). There's no way of avoiding the presence of the woman breast-feeding in your area...even if you look away.

I wouldn't say it's unnatural to feel uncomfortable when a woman is breastfeeding next to you either. It's not like they do it all the time, so it's gonna be weird to see when it does happen. This may just be my country-boy perspective though, where I don't live in a city and see it happen very often.

Would you rather have a baby screaming the place down because they're hungry or see a boob while a mum feeds her baby? Feeding a hungry baby is surely going to be less annoying/loud. You might hear it if you're right next to her table, but really what's more important, a stranger feeling uncomfortable or her baby being hungry? I said it's more unnatural to feel uncomfortable because breasts one and only reason for being there is to feed babies, society focuses on the sexual side of things, so we feel more neutralised to that, but not to what they're actually for. I'm sure that's why the people who feel uncomfortable seeing breasts do - because they automatically associate it with a sexual nature, and so feel that it should be private.

Personally I would always cover up (pull a cardigan over or a baby blanket) but I don't think there's any reason why someone should have to do that just because other people would feel uncomfortable. People do things all the time that make other uncomfortable (fart, eat with their mouths open, show a 'builders bum') feeding a child is one of the least offensive ways to feel uncomfortable surely.

 

[Marquis of Granby]

I think people who have a problem with it should ask themselves why. I mean, breasts are there to feed babies, the sexualisation of them has nothing to do with their one and only purpose. It's actually more unnatural to feel uncomfortable at that than it is for a mother to whip it out and feed her baby. If you don't like it, don't watch.

cocks and fannies have true biological purposes too. nevertheless they are considered explicit by our society. we have no issues showing other animals mating on tv, but when you show humans mating it's called porn. as great as it is to pretend we dont hold ourselves in higher regard than we do other animals, its just not true. breasts are explicit because society says so. if people feel awkward about it that's probably why and not that they have some sort of fear of naked breasts.

its better for kids to know that breasts and cocks and vaginas are not evil. maybe if we are more open we can breed the ridiculous taboos out of our society whilst also encouraging consideration for others so that we dont have these BREASTS ARE EVIL AND I HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO SEE THEM IN PUBLIC and I WANT TO FEED MY BABY SO I WILL LITERALLY FLASH AN ENTIRE RESTAURANT arguments. if you have the right to breast feed in public and dont do it responsibly then it's your own fault if you get some perverts gawping at your tits. and hey. it's not illegal to look. i have no problem with it and it wouldnt bother me in the slightest. just like if i see an extremely ugly person or i am near someone who stinks i can just not look or move away if they offend me that much.

ps: being ugly and stinking are both very natural too. not for me as i am very clean and very very sexy. just ask my mum.

 

[greenyxi]

Would you rather have a baby screaming the place down because they're hungry or see a boob while a mum feeds her baby? Feeding a hungry baby is surely going to be less annoying/loud.

This is a good point actually. Babies crying are one of the most annoying noises ever, so I guess hearing a bit of sucking wouldn't be too bad in comparison.

You might hear it if you're right next to her table, but really what's more important, a stranger feeling uncomfortable or her baby being hungry?

I agree with this too. Definitely the baby would come first in this situation. Still, a cloth or baby blanket or something (like you say later on) would be a bit of common sense for the woman? Does a woman really like having them out in public and everyone staring?

I said it's more unnatural to feel uncomfortable because breasts one and only reason for being there is to feed babies, society focuses on the sexual side of things, so we feel more neutralised to that, but not to what they're actually for. I'm sure that's why the people who feel uncomfortable seeing breasts do - because they automatically associate it with a sexual nature, and so feel that it should be private.

I dunno, I just think it's weird seeing half naked women bobbing about when the train is going . That's an over-exaggeration, but should a man be allowed to pee with the train's toilet door open, ready for everyone to see? It's only natural, after all.

People do things all the time that make other uncomfortable (fart, eat with their mouths open, show a 'builders bum') feeding a child is one of the least offensive ways to feel uncomfortable surely.

I think the opposite here. It's in a different league to someone burping. It's nothing awful, or anything that I would feel offended by if I saw it, but it's just...weird

1 character

 

[Marquis of Granby]

Personally I would always cover up (pull a cardigan over or a baby blanket) but I don't think there's any reason why someone should have to do that just because other people would feel uncomfortable. People do things all the time that make other uncomfortable (fart, eat with their mouths open, show a 'builders bum') feeding a child is one of the least offensive ways to feel uncomfortable surely.

we should definitely all walk around naked then. if people are offended by that it's their problem. i mean why cant they just see everything for it's biological purpose instead of thinking any part of the human body has any other purpose. you cant have anal sex, the anus is only meant for pooping and farting. who needs clothes.

 

[Sheechiibii]

we should definitely all walk around naked then. if people are offended by that it's their problem. i mean why cant they just see everything for it's biological purpose instead of thinking any part of the human body has any other purpose. you cant have anal sex, the anus is only meant for pooping and farting. who needs clothes.

We're talking about feeding a baby here, it's certainly more important that the child is comfortable than anyone else being uncomfortable. The baby doesn't know anything about social etiquette or what's seen as private or taboo. All the baby knows is that it's hungry and it needs it's mother to feed it. Imo that's always going to be more important than anyone else's feelings on the matter.
Green Blud - I still think of you as Greenyxi lol
I also feel weird seeing someone breastfeed in front of me, and as I said I personally would cover up. But I still think that the baby is the priority, and I think it's important enough that the mother not bothering to cover up doesn't matter.

 

[Marquis of Granby]

im sorry to see that you think a baby is more important than any other member of society. that would certainly be what the child's family would think but the rest of the world isnt obliged to care. i dont tend to think of myself as better than anyone but for you to say that some slutty, dole scrounging nedette's baby is more important than someone who works and pays tax (effectively improving society) is just a bit daft.

a breast feeding mother has just as much responsibility to be considerate of other people's feelings as the other people do to be considerate of her (and her baby's) feelings.

 

[Rapture]

Well, knowing the benefits breastfeeding provides to a baby (antibodies providing immunities plus the fact that breastmilk is perfectly formulated for a babies growing needs) I have to say I don't really have a problem with it being done publicly as long as the mom isn't out there wagging her breasts around for the world to see while she does it. There are drapes and most people tend to use them when out in public, so I don't see the problem. I think the world needs to be more open to the idea of moms breastfeeding their kids because its the best thing for them and it gives moms a chance to bond with their children. I think if we keep having that "Ohhh that's vile and deragatory" outlook on it then it's in a way shunning one of the few good things that society in general can do for their children. ...and it makes me laugh how people think people should be allowed to smoke pot or cigarettes while out in public so others can inhale the fumes and reek like weed or be exposed to carcinogenic secondhand smoke, but when a mom wants to breastfeed her baby out in public people want to discourage that.

I'm glad Michelle Obama advocated to the workplaces to try and make it easier for moms to breastfeed their kids...I wish more businesses and society in general would be more accepting of a GOOD naturally occuring instance such as this.

 

[Marquis of Granby]

Well, knowing the benefits breastfeeding provides to a baby (antibodies providing immunities plus the fact that breastmilk is perfectly formulated for a babies growing needs) I have to say I don't really have a problem with it being done publicly as long as the mom isn't out there wagging her breasts around for the world to see while she does it. There are drapes and most people tend to use them when out in public, so I don't see the problem. I think the world needs to be more open to the idea of moms breastfeeding their kids because its the best thing for them and it gives moms a chance to bond with their children. I think if we keep having that "Ohhh that's vile and deragatory" outlook on it then it's in a way shunning one of the few good things that society in general can do for their children. ...and it makes me laugh how people think people should be allowed to smoke pot or cigarettes while out in public so others can inhale the fumes and reek like weed or be exposed to carcinogenic secondhand smoke, but when a mom wants to breastfeed her baby out in public people want to discourage that.

I'm glad Michelle Obama advocated to the workplaces to try and make it easier for moms to breastfeed their kids...I wish more businesses and society in general would be more accepting of a GOOD naturally occuring instance such as this.

just a few questions.

what is "mom"?

who is michelle obama?

why arent you calling out the billions of people who drive eco-unfriendly cars. you know the ones whose carbon emissions are polluting our air. the air you breathe in constantly. and instead picking on the miniscule, unimportant amount of time you spend passively smoking?

i think the first two questions are more important tbh.