Breastfeeding In Public

[Terry Lennox]

Presumably you're not ALWAYS in public. And the last two hundred years have been long enough for us to get used to other stuff.

Put a shirt on,
Viola

What "Other Stuff" of the last 200 years are you refering to?

And why not put a shirt on your avitar if you're so offended?

 

[Miss Neecerie]

But Viola, I'm still wondering ... why do you feel that breastfeeding should be private?

.

Go back and read my post again Marc, this is going to be an unagreeable thread and if it keeps progressing into arguing.....

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'm sorry, I genuinely didn't mean to seem argumentative. I'm just asking folks to not only express their opinion, but also the reasons behind it. ClassicIsBetter did a fine job of it; I'm hoping that others will follow his lead.

.

 

[jamespowers]

I am with Viola on this one and I am nearly faced with it---about a month or so. There are ways to store breast milk quite easily and it lasts for quite a while in the refrigerator and longer in the freezer. Having gone through several classes on the whole breast feeding versus formula debate, I can say that formula is not exactly a choice for us. The other side of it is that I, as the father, tend to want to involved in the feeding of the child because it is a bonding experience. Pediatricians recommend this as well.
However, bottle feeding is not recommended for the first month until the baby gets used to breast feeding. No need to introduce confusion. During that time covering up is just fine for me. You are going to have to carry a blanket or some such thing in case the child get colicy anyway. Anyone ever burped a child? You need it. The diaper bag is already there so having a blanket and/or stored milk in bottles is not a huge imposition. [huh]

Regards,

J

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What "Other Stuff" of the last 200 years are you refering to?

And why not put a shirt on your avitar if you're so offended?

No one should feel offended here -- nor should they give offense. Chill out and have a beer on me, Terry, ok?

.

 

[mysterygal]

reasons to breastfeed: I both breastfed and bottlefed my girls. I still bonded with them as babies while bottle feeding, but, there's something about breastfeeding that really is good for both mother and infant. For one, healthwise; I was able to breastfeed with my first child but not my second (medical reasons) and I noticed that my second child had a lot of ear infections and colds while my first child had only one mild ear infection and rarely gets sick. Also, no supplement can replace what's naturally found in breastmilk.
I breastfed also in public, but I feel I in no way was offensive since I was VERY careful to always keep covered up. Personally, there is nothing sweeter than that, so, if a lady's breastfeeding yet covered up, I see absolutely nothing wrong...but I agree, it's VERY uncomfortable when she's all exposed.

 

[Lady Day]

Why is this thread in the P' Room..?

B
T

Thank you!

LD

 

[mysterygal]

There are ways to store breast milk quite easily and it lasts for quite a while in the refrigerator and longer in the freezer.Regards,

J

And I agree with taking a bottle along, but, I know there were times when , ok, I wasn't quite as prepared as I thought I was, doctor apt. went way longer than expected , ect., that, when the baby needs to eat, they want to eat!

 

[Elaina]

I'm a conservative person, raised old-fashioned I guess. At the risk of starting a bonfire, I think it's nothing more than feminists group trying to assert themselves. Like I mentioned, I never see it in public, therefore it's not really an issue. I don't see any kind of breast feeding epedemic anywhere yet.

I am conservative too, and I don't like breastfeeding in public. I also wasn't, and did not, breastfeed because the natural course of things doesn't work in my family. We'd of all starved to death.

However, I do agree with Classic. Those that whip it out and then look around with the attitude of "And what?" are annoying. I'm offended by it. Greatly. I don't want to see it, I'd prefer my son not have to see some strange woman's breast and I find it distasteful that they would publicly display themselves. I've also noticed those who just expose themselves also are deep into the women's lib and I've head "It's my body I can do what I want" more then not (and no I don't go around saying "Holy cow! Cover up!" I try to just leave as gracefully as possible). If they cover up with a blanket, I know what they're doing, but it's not so bad. I just might be a prude.

Of course I'm aslo offended by thongs peeking out of too low of jeans too. So it may be immodesty offends me.

Elaina

 

[Terry Lennox]

No one should feel offended here -- nor should they give offense. Chill out and have a beer on me, Terry, ok?

.

Marc,

I'm not offended in the least. Nor did I intend to offend anyone. I wear a shirt in public everyday.. pants are a different story.

I, like you just asked for clarification to a statement. I was just wondering what she ment by the last 200 years?

I'm not hot and don't need to chill out. Save the beer for a rainy day.

 

[ClassicIsBetter]

I'd like to add this also, the very few women that I have seen publicly breastfeed appeared to have done it for in your face reasons, due to what they were wearing, how they were acting, etc. Since that is all I've seen, I've made the incorrect assumption that women do that to make a statement. In hindsight, there are classy ways to handle culturally sensitive things like this in public. I should have known, but forgive a guy for drawing that conclusion based on experience. I do recall seeing a woman at Disney World breastfeeding in public. It was very hot, she was in the shade and covered to the point of almost not knowing that she was breastfeeding. That is the best way to handle it, and the perfect type of scenario to breastfeed in. Anything less is more than likely going to make a lot of people uncomfortable, like a lady i saw in a mall letting it all hang out like some soft core porn. You don't need 2 breasts to feed you know.

 

[jamespowers]

And I agree with taking a bottle along, but, I know there were times when , ok, I wasn't quite as prepared as I thought I was, doctor apt. went way longer than expected , ect., that, when the baby needs to eat, they want to eat!

Yep, there are always exceptions. I am sure you didn't go all exhibitionist on the public though.

Regards,

J

 

[ClassicIsBetter]

Marc,

I'm not offended in the least. Nor did I intend to offend anyone. I wear a shirt in public everyday.. pants are a different story.

I, like you just asked for clarification to a statement. I was just wondering what she ment by the last 200 years?

I'm not hot and don't need to chill out. Save the beer for a rainy day.

To heck with the past 200 years. Look at the last 20 years and this generation of teenagers. This country is on the slickest grease pole to hell.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'll go ahead and bow out of this thread, but let me part with a couple of thoughts, neither of which are mine exclusively:


1.) Some folks who find public breastfeeding distasteful cannot explain exactly why they feel this way. They just do, and that's that ...which is fine. Nonetheless, I'd encourage all of us to question our beliefs from time to time. Make like Socrates and ask yourself a few more "whys" than usual.

2.) Breastfeeding is done exclusively by women, so it is a topic that seems suited to the Powder Room. If this isn't the case, I'm open to hear the reasons why not. Lady Day?


Bye!

.

 

[Lauren]

Anyone have any links on the social history of breastfeeding? I'm curious when it became something to do in public. There are many places with public restrooms that offer a little sitting room for this type of purpose.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Try this --

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/2/421S

The idea of bottlefeeding as the dominant approach was primarily a construct of the postwar era -- and it wasn't until the mid-'70s that breastfeeding made a real comeback. Most of my generation was bottlefed, but I suspect that's not true of the generations that have followed.

 

[scotrace]

...they are engaged in the one and only act for which nature intended them?
.

Read Desmond Morris.


I am not at all offended when I see someone breastfeeding a baby. Anytime I see a baby in any context, I tend to just get all grinny.

But there have been a few times when the feeding has begun abruptly. (in one case in the middle of a close-quarter conversation. I turned to speak to a third person and upon turning back - Hey! Presto! Breasts!)
A warning is a good thing in such circumstances.

 

[DancingSweetie]

Try this --

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/2/421S

The idea of bottlefeeding as the dominant approach was primarily a construct of the postwar era -- and it wasn't until the mid-'70s that breastfeeding made a real comeback. Most of my generation was bottlefed, but I suspect that's not true of the generations that have followed.

Interesting article Lizzie.

 

[Viola]

What "Other Stuff" of the last 200 years are you refering to?

And why not put a shirt on your avitar if you're so offended?

I just find the "bottles are only 200 years old" unconvincing because surely most Americans including those utilizing this argument care for their baby using modern conveniences, including central heating, antibiotics, car-seats, and less-than-natural food going into the woman who is the one nursing the baby.

My avatar doesn't look undressed to me. She looks like a woman in a nightgown or slip-dress. She isn't effectively topless. (Topless Gene Tierney being something to see, but not on the street! lol )

Hope that helps,
Viola

 

[RedShoesGirl]

Feces smells bad, and it carries nasty bacteria which can cause diseases. Naturally, we shy away from it.


However, lactating breasts provide babies with nutrition. Breast milk doesn't smell bad, and it helps babies fight off disease.


We don't seem to have a problem with seeing cows give milk to their calves. Why would we have a problem with seeing human mothers give milk to their babies?

.

because we are a society whose roots are puritanical at best and the breast is something of a sexual taboo if "too" much is seen. the breast has more sexual conotations than it does food meaning.

why, as a society, do we let children see horrid violence, on the t.v., in the movies,in the news, on their video games, but sex is a no-no.

we are a weird society.

lara