In a discussion I had with my brother in law today (who is a future nurse!), I learned he is uncomfortable with public breastfeeding unless there is a blanket involved. I know some folks wouldn't even like it with a blanket! I strongly feel that, as nurses, we should be doing what we can to support and advocate for breastfeeding and shed it in a positive light. I couldn't believe that a health care professional would feel differently. Obviously, this is coming from the United States (sigh).
I'm someone that usually works to make people feel comfortable in situations, but if my baby needs to be fed and some guy doesn't like it, well then he doesn't have to look! My baby comes first. That's how I feel about it. Guys will say that we shouldn't expose our breasts because they are too sexual, then agree that breastfeeding isn't sexual, but still say that we should hide it.....I cannot follow the circular reasoning.
I want to raise sons who know that breasts, as sexually appealing as they may be to them when they are older, are made to feed babies. That a uterus carries babies and lady partss birth them. I believe that this gives men a truer, deeper respect for women and for all human beings ... our bodies are not just sex objects! I saw a funny T-shirt that said -- Breasts: Not just for selling cars anymore!
I wanted to see what other nurses thought about this, on a personal level as well as a public health level.
I would really like to know how many people have actually seen someone breastfeed their child with their whole breast showing? I have never witnessed it myself and can't really imagine it.
I breastfed my three boys until they were well over a year old and only covered up with blanket for the first few weeks until they got the hang of latching on without a lot of coaxing. I found that my shirt covered everything up very nicely, and I was very well endowed. The only way anyone would have ever actually seen any flesh that was not my stomach, was if they were at baby's eye level. In other words they would have had to be trying to see something, and if they were I couldn't be bothered to be concerned about them.
I also live in Canada so it may just be cultural thing because most people would be too polite to say something rude to a breastfeeding mother, but I never ran into anyone who was not supportive of my nursing my kids in public.
I think there's a big difference in breastfeeding your own child in front of your own other children and breastfeeding them in front of someone else's children, especially when they are teen-aged boys and in public. Natural function or not, these boys are at the "hormones are raging" stage and guaranteed NOT to be thinking about the nutritional aspect of it.
Think of this from a community prospective. If all children see moms breastfeeding. It isn't a sexual issues when they turn 13. They have seen it so much in thier lives it isn't an issue. It shouldn't be an issue. This is part of childreaering, don't shelter future childrearers from seeing it. It is an important educational experience for them.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I would really like to know how many people have actually seen someone breastfeed their child with their whole breast showing? I have never witnessed it myself and can't really imagine it.
I breastfed my three boys until they were well over a year old and only covered up with blanket for the first few weeks until they got the hang of latching on without a lot of coaxing. I found that my shirt covered everything up very nicely, and I was very well endowed. The only way anyone would have ever actually seen any flesh that was not my stomach, was if they were at baby's eye level. In other words they would have had to be trying to see something, and if they were I couldn't be bothered to be concerned about them.
I also live in Canada so it may just be cultural thing because most people would be too polite to say something rude to a breastfeeding mother, but I never ran into anyone who was not supportive of my nursing my kids in public.
I am an old woman and I have never seen such a thing. Your question has been asked several times, and no one has really presented any compelling answer to suggest that it is an actual problem, so I will assume the answer is rarely, if ever.
I nursed both my babies exclusively and did so anywhere I went. The only person I ever offended was my mother in law and she was bound to be no matter what I did. I wore nursing tops whenever I went out and they covered most everything. Never got a sideways glance and certainly never was asked to leave a public place.
As far as the whole discreet thing- as soon as my son was able to, he would remove anything over his face, so that wasn't an option for me! Also, I found that he really liked looking @ me while nursing and would fuss and refuse to nurse if he was all covered up, and I couldn't really blame him.
Still, I never felt I was "letting it all hang out." I guess the problem with everyone agreeing that bfing moms should be discreet is that many of us have a different version of what "discreet" is. I, myself, never felt I was overexposing, and I always felt comfortable, but I'm sure someone else had a different opinion @ some point.
In the end, my baby needed to eat, so I fed him whenever he needed to, and it was really as simple as that for me. And I hope that we can let other mothers feed their babies, too.
I breastfeed my daughter for 10 months. I was always unsuccessful with feeding her in public. I don't know if it was the blanket covering her or if it was the inability to get into a comfortable position. I fully support women who chose to feed in public, just don't do it in an eating environment.
I have yet to have my milk jump out of my breast and land in your food:rotfl: I am, however, sure that some women have wet their pants laughing in a food court. How dare they urinate in public, and around food!!!:rotfl:
Just started to read this thread. I was in a fast food place my teenage son was across from me with his back to the table where a woman who who had a tiny baby, completely lifted her blouse and with both breasts hanging out put the baby on the breast. Here was I, someone who nursed for a long time and helped other mothers nurse was completely shocked and embarrased, I couldnt talk. I was wishing my son would not turn aroundand he didn't. It gives everyone who wants to nurse a bad name. I nursed with a blanket.
I am male and really do not understand society's hang up on breasts. I don't care about Janet Jackson's boob or anyone elses. Mother's should not have to read an ever growing list of exceptions to where, when, how to breastfeed as to not offend someone. Let babies eat!!!
What is the difference, breasts or any other body part? Many people find faces sexual, or feet or tongues or any skin really. By this logic, we should all wear burkas. Still, others would also be offended by that.
With that said, I feel we should always try to accomodate others. However, just remember, if they do not want you to breastfeed in public, it is because they simply are not concerned (or are ignorant) with your child's or your comfort.
You have my approval (for what it is worth) to breastfeed how, when and where you deem appropriate.
How does your BIL feel about women in tight sweaters, low-cut blouses, snug tee-shirts showing the nipples and such? Seems like that is just taken for granted nowadays, while the natural function of the breasts - to nourish babies, is looked at as somewhat obscene. What a screwed up point of view!
And, although I do feel it most women would want to be tasteful, and not flaunt their breasts while feeding, it certainly would be nice if children were raised to think of breastfeeding in public as natural, and not something to gawk at or snicker about.
As far as being 'grossed out' by a woman breast feeding in full view of others eating in a public restaurant, ya wanna know what grosses me out? Seeing teenagers bent over and half their butt crack showing over the low cut pants they choose to wear. But I'm told that is stylish!
In Saudi Arabia, where many (if not most) women cover their faces, breastfeeding in public doesn't raise an eyebrow.
This is common in many nations where women cover themselves for the sake of mosesty- they have no problem showing the breast if they need to feed. I am reminded of the many beautiful paintings of the Virgin Mary from the Middle Ages which hang in churches all over Europe in which she (like all Chrisian women of centuries past) is covered from head to toe with the only parts exposed being the face, hands, and breast with which she is nursing the Christ Child. Women in those days were expected to keep even their hair covered in public but no one had a problem to attend mass in church with a large image of the Blessed Virgin with her breast exposed hanging over the main altar. We have so sexualised the breast over the past century that I have actually read of a poor South American immigrant being arrested on child abuse charges because her husband took pictures of her breast feeding their child. It seems that an over zealous photo developer turned them into the police who agreed she was forcing the child into a sex act. I promise I'm not making this up. I only wish I could remember where it took place and provide a link to the local newspaper who covered it but it's been a couple of years. Personally, I like to see women nursing in public. I wish more women would do it.
I was able to discreetly breastfeed all 4 of my kids in public, sans blanket. My shirt and or bra covered up more than enough of my breasts, so that nothing was visible.
I was also known to say to rude people who even gave me that "look" or had a rude comment, that "No, I'm not feeding my infant in the bathroom. Do you eat in the bathroom?"
It's repulsive the number of people that think they have any say in how/when/where a baby is fed.
I will say though, that even though two of my kids nursed well past their 2nd birthdays, I didn't nurse them in public at that age, and I do find it disturbing to see older children nursing in public. I've seen 5yo children nursing while in a shopping carriage and mom was standing in front of them. That was just a little too much for me, though I would still never say anything.
I have no problems with moms breastfeeding their babies in public. However, it can be done discreetly and there is no need to pull out a boob and display to the public that the baby is being fed.
I do find it disrespectful to others, when mom does put on a "show" and calls it "natural".
melsch
68 Posts
I would really like to know how many people have actually seen someone breastfeed their child with their whole breast showing? I have never witnessed it myself and can't really imagine it.
I breastfed my three boys until they were well over a year old and only covered up with blanket for the first few weeks until they got the hang of latching on without a lot of coaxing. I found that my shirt covered everything up very nicely, and I was very well endowed. The only way anyone would have ever actually seen any flesh that was not my stomach, was if they were at baby's eye level. In other words they would have had to be trying to see something, and if they were I couldn't be bothered to be concerned about them.
I also live in Canada so it may just be cultural thing because most people would be too polite to say something rude to a breastfeeding mother, but I never ran into anyone who was not supportive of my nursing my kids in public.