Breastfeeding in public

[KimmyAnn_678]

Just read the breast feeding story and it reminded me of my own (again when I worked in Women's Shoes).

A nice youngish lady comes in (maybe around 30) with her cute baby. She picks out some shoes and I go into the back to get them. When I come out, her tank top is pulled down and she's feeding. Nothing is covering her or the baby, I see baby sucking nipple. So I go over and set her shoes down wondering what I should do... and she asks me to put them on for her while she feeds! So I'm kneeling on the floor taking off her shoes and slipping on others and she just keeps talking as though nothing weird is happening and whenever I look up to answer, I'm staring right at her bare breast. She ended up not liking any shoes and just continued to breast feed until she was done, got up and left.

Soon after that I learned when anything weird is going on, to go into the Copy room (it makes me uncomfortable calling managers on customers as they are listening to me LOL) where there is an extra phone and I use that call Managers or security. My manager said in that situation, she would have asked the lady is she preffered to use the training room or a manager's office to finish feeding.

Nothing wrong with breast feeding, but I didn't appreciate having to put on her shoes as she was doing it.

 

[Miss A]

Re: To MUAs: Gross stuff ever happened?

[

I work in the art/museum industry. Right now I'm just a student hoping to go into museum curating, but from what I've learned some art museums can be "posh" places. Especially when they throw opening night/special art collection balls. I was attending one of these opening galas and there was a woman in a gorgeous dress with a very well behaved baby. The baby never even cried! So, I thought "What a great mother! She has such a cute well behaved baby!" But, before I knew it, she had pulled her dress strap down in front of everyone and started to breast feed her baby! I felt very uncomfortable about the whole situation, as did lots of people around me. Mostly because we were all dressed up for an event and she had pulled her dress down and exposed her breasts. No one said anything to her, because feeding a baby has to happen sometime, but we figured she should have found a more private room without all the people walking around in suits and ball gowns. Or, do what my mom did. Pumped breast milk into a bottle before going out. Course some people say I'm just a snobbish prude with out a full understanding of kids and the natural beauty of public breastfeeding...

[/quote]


THANK YOU!!!! I THINK that is soooo rude, now i do not have children either but my mom breastfed me and never did it in public, ITS CALLED A BREASTPUMP PEOPLE!! i was at a very nice seafood place in Dallas and i just looked over and ACK!! this lady is feeding her baby this is upsetting to me!!

lets just say ordered another drink while giving some chilly looks to this lady.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Re: To MUAs: Gross stuff ever happened?

I really don't want to turn this thread into a breastfeeding debate, because that's not what it's for.

But I will say this: Get your minds out of the gutter.

 

[lara]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Moved from a thread that was completely inappropriate for this discussion.

 

[CantAffordMAC]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Honestly...I dont see the problem in breastfeeding in public. Like, Im not sure Ill ever breastfeed, but I dont think its nasty or inappropriate. You're feeding your child. Thats a very special thing for most women and the baby...they shouldnt have to worry about offending people. I just dont see anything offensive or gross or inappropriate about it.

 

[KikiB]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Sorry, it is offencive. Yes, I understand that feeding has to happen sometime-but there is no time for that to happen in public. Either go in private, or pump milk beforehand. I know for sure I would never have kids but if that ever changed, I would never nurse in public. It's common courtesy.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

People getting all up in arms about a woman breastfeeding in public is a blazing example of the things that are wrong with the U.S.

In a majority of other countries, this wouldn't even be a topic, because people realize that there is nothing inappropriate about a mother feeding her child as nature intended. There's nothing sexual about breastfeeding, but somehow it's been made to look as so.

 

[pat]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Although I am not against breast feeding, I would have to agree with KikiB. I mean at least use a blanket to cover your area...

I know some people are uncomfortable with the sight of that, but yeah people shouldn't just assume everyone is comfortable and not cover themselves.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara Moved from a thread that was completely inappropriate for this discussion.

Sorry for the disruption, but I felt that it needed to be put out there.

 

[*Stargazer*]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikiB Sorry, it is offencive. Yes, I understand that feeding has to happen sometime-but there is no time for that to happen in public. Either go in private, or pump milk beforehand. I know for sure I would never have kids but if that ever changed, I would never nurse in public. It's common courtesy.

So you have no kids? Yeah, I could tell. Just for reference, there are MANY babies who are breastfed and will not EVER take a bottle. I breastfed my daughter for 13 months and she refused a bottle every single day of those thirteen months. When she was 2 months old and I had to have surgery, she screamed for 7 hours instead of taking a bottle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patty0411 Although I am not against breast feeding, I would have to agree with KikiB. I mean at least use a blanket to cover your area... I know some people are uncomfortable with the sight of that, but yeah people shouldn't just assume everyone is comfortable and not cover themselves.

Many babies will not nurse covered. Many times it is too hot to make a baby eat under a blanket.




Maybe, if it is SO awful and offensive, you should turn your head. And for godsakes, never ever travel outside of the "west" because your heads would all explode.

 

[glamdoll]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

If you think a mother should have to cover, why don't you try eating under a blanket? I use to think it was weird, and stuff too, but a child has to eat. If you dont like it you dont have to stare.

 

[Shimmer]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KikiB Sorry, it is offencive. Yes, I understand that feeding has to happen sometime-but there is no time for that to happen in public. Either go in private, or pump milk beforehand. I know for sure I would never have kids but if that ever changed, I would never nurse in public. It's common courtesy.

Common courtesy's ass.
It's a child being sustained in as healthy a manner as nature intended.
Desexualize the idea of breasts for a minute and realize that it's no more sexual than watching kittens nurse.

 

[DirtyHarriet]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Interesting topic...especially considering that I went to a breastfeeding class with a really good friend of mine yesterday who is 8 months pregnant.

I was shocked and saddened by the stats on the amounts of women that quit breastfeeding, or don't do it at all.

As a biologist, I can tell you that there are COUNTLESS benefits to breastfeeding over formula, or even over breast milk from a bottle. Not only that, but there are benefits to the mom as well. And then there are all the bonding/psychological benefits as well.

So all I have to say to all of the people out there who are shocked and disgusted by breastfeeding is STOP IT! What the heck is the matter with you? You should have that repulsed reaction when you see a baby eat from a bottle!

You should be supporting nursing mothers, not making them uncomfortable with your stares.

The fact that this is even a thread on a mostly female forum makes me sick. It shows us that as a society we have a very messed up view of what is 'normal' and 'appropriate'.

So come on girls, do some research. Read a little. Talk to some mothers who actually went against the grain and breastfed their babies. Educate yourself and get over the BS society has taught you.

And for pete's sake...GROW UP!

 

[Shimmer]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

I didn't breastfeed, it was unnatural for me, and I didn't like it. It made me loathe feeding time and created a LOT of stress for me.
But I won't say another woman is wrong for enjoying it.

 

[sharkbytes]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

I'm not a fan of public breastfeeding either, and it has nothing at all to do with the "sexualization" of it.

It's just that *in my opinion* it IS a private moment. Not because the mother's breasts are exposed (because honestly, with the amount of manboobs just hanging out there, there really is no difference) but because it's kind of rude to assume that people want to see someone breastfeed their kid. It IS different from bottle feeding because there is an intimate mother/child connection. It wouldn't make a difference to me if the mother fed from her arm rather than her breast, it still isn't something that the whole world needs to witness.

That said, I don't think there should be any kind of law against it. That's just way too far. I'd just rather folks be a bit more polite.

 

[*Stargazer*]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shimmer I didn't breastfeed, it was unnatural for me, and I didn't like it. It made me loathe feeding time and created a LOT of stress for me. But I won't say another woman is wrong for enjoying it.

It's not even enjoying it, really. I mean, I do, certainly and barring any impediments or allergies, I wouldn't chose another method. But it's the fact that people actually say things like "this lady feeding her baby is upsetting me."

Really? You see a lady breastfeeding and you're driven to drink and shoot her dirty looks? I guess with that gun to your head, forcing you to watch, there isn't much to do but complain. Good lord, that I lived in a world where that I had so little to worry about that a lady, at a different table, could do something so horribly offensive as feeding her baby!

Seriously, people, never leave the US. Your delicate sensibilities wouldn't be able to handle it. Out there in the big scary world, women breastfeed babies without even stopping the ten other tasks they are doing. They nurse each others' babies. They nurse toddlers.


And hahahahahahahahahahahaha to the things people say about "I would never" when they don't have any kids.

 

[Poison_Ivy]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

A breast is a breast and there isnt anything wrong or inappropriate about it it is a source of nutrition for a child...if it isnt right to feed in public then why is it ok for people to smoke it is damaging to others health...brest feeding isnt anything that should offend anyone and it doesnt effect others and this day in age its too damn expensive not to ya kno i will breast feed and i will do it in public if the need be i will cover myself but i wont deprive my child..and the pump doesnt work for everyone..

amd one last thing you are women you should know and belive we are beautiful creatures not only sexually but when it comes to bearing a child..i belive it is beautiful and innocent

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyHarriet Interesting topic...especially considering that I went to a breastfeeding class with a really good friend of mine yesterday who is 8 months pregnant. I was shocked and saddened by the stats on the amounts of women that quit breastfeeding, or don't do it at all. As a biologist, I can tell you that there are COUNTLESS benefits to breastfeeding over formula, or even over breast milk from a bottle. Not only that, but there are benefits to the mom as well. And then there are all the bonding/psychological benefits as well. So all I have to say to all of the people out there who are shocked and disgusted by breastfeeding is STOP IT! What the heck is the matter with you? You should have that repulsed reaction when you see a baby eat from a bottle! You should be supporting nursing mothers, not making them uncomfortable with your stares. The fact that this is even a thread on a mostly female forum makes me sick. It shows us that as a society we have a very messed up view of what is 'normal' and 'appropriate'. So come on girls, do some research. Read a little. Talk to some mothers who actually went against the grain and breastfed their babies. Educate yourself and get over the BS society has taught you. And for pete's sake...GROW UP!

As someone who defends a mother's right to BF in public, I also have to defend mothers who chose/choose to bottle feed.

You saying that it's gross to bottle feed is no damn different than the people who are grossed out about public BFing.

It's about moms having the right to choose and not be looked down upon for it, as long as she is doing what she has concluded is best for herself and are child and the child is being given proper nutrition.

 

[*Stargazer*]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

The funniest thing about this is that when I nurse my son, you see much less of my breast than you would if I was in a string bikini on the beach at Ocean City.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Re: Breastfeeding (moved from Industry Discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Stargazer* The funniest thing about this is that when I nurse my son, you see much less of my breast than you would if I was in a string bikini on the beach at Ocean City.

Absofreakinglutely.

It annoys the hell out of me.