The topic of breastfeeding came up today on my facebook wall and one friend commented that she doesn’t have a problem with others breastfeeding in public but to her she feels like it is private.
Do you think breastfeeding is private?
I don’t and here is why; breastfeeding is the natural way for a human baby to eat and human beings are naturally social eaters. Most adults don’t feel the need to eat under a cover, or in a bathroom, or alone. Some who do feel like they must eat alone often have eating disorders and need help. So why should a baby eat privately? Could it be because the source happens to be an exploited female body part over sexualized?
Cover up if you want!
If you feel that breastfeeding is private, by all means use a cover! Do what works best for you and baby. I do ask though that you consider that not everyone feels the same way. Many women nurse in public without covers, this could mean that many just do not see breastfeeding as something private. Personal is different than private.
Never tell a breastfeeding mother to cover up! Never!
One of the things we need to do is teach logical manners, one of them being that breastfeeding is sacred and should not be interfered with simply because some might not be educated on it or because they might be mentally ill in thinking anything about seeing a baby eating is sexual. Too often I am hearing the word “discrete” being tossed around when it comes to breastfeeding and I don’t think it has any place in the topic. It implies there is a right and wrong way to nurse a baby in front of others. While some are able to pull it off in their opinion maybe, others might not be in that same situation, might not have small breasts or babies that are easy to nurse. Some might have to spend all her energy just getting baby to nurse correctly in the first place. I don’t think any breastfeeding mother is out to flash others or be an exhibitionist. More often than not, Moms have their minds on one of the most important things… feeding their hungry baby.
i think it is private and i’m against breastfeeding in public places really, never did it myself and my baby never missed it, it’s a home proccess or you can just leave for another room or a place where you’re alone with your baby so that nothing and noone can distract your baby’s attantion.
I am sorry to here that. I simply can’t agree with your opinion. Mothers shouldn’t be expected to just stay home and they shouldn’t be expected to find another room or place to be alone. Often those areas do not exists or are not sanitary. Your opinion is kind of like a vegan saying anyone eating meat should do so only at home alone or in another room or in a bathroom because they are against it, never did it themselves and never missed it. Some will not understand this logic sadly.
I’m all for it in public, just mothers need to be prepared with how others will react. Going to our local Big Latch On picnic this Saturday. 🙂
I’m all for it. I don’t usually BF in public though, my 4 month old is too easily distracted and it works best for both of us to be an a calm place where nothing exciting is going on.