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December 2015 Moms
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Hot topic. Breastfeeding in public.
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So for the past few days this has been a hot topic on my Facebook newsfeed. I have been floored by some other women's views on the topic. Whether or not it's appropriate to bf in public. Whether or not it's appropriate to do so without a cover. So, without evoking a war, I'd just really like to know where some of you stand on the issue. If you've talked to your dh or so about this topic and what they may think. I'll comment below with my view to start things off.
Re: Hot topic. Breastfeeding in public.
My feeling is that it depends a lot on what each mom is comfortable. For me, I preferred being able to go somewhere quiet and relaxed. I love that so many more places are starting to incorporate mother's rooms. Quite a few times I breastfed in the car at the back of the parking lot with the radio on low and just take a break from the rushing around doing errands.
I've seen mom's out in public breastfeeding and a few I was interested to see how they chose to do it. Some would find a place to sit down, cover with a blanket or a shirt or not. I've seen a few breastfeeding with something like a Moby wrap and just keep walking.
Since the formula push by pediatricians in the 1960's, Western culture became a bottle culture, breastfeeding was no longer normal and Drs recommended against it as they knew exactly what was in formula so it must have been healthier. (I have nothing against formula, it has saved lives).
It wasn't until the early 90's when breastfeeding started making its resurgence. In the time when breastfeeding was at its lowest in popularity, women became very sexualized and more open with their bodies and their breasts were seen as more of taboo sexual objects, rather than what nature intended them to be used for. To many still, breasts are still seen as something sexual that needs to be hidden. I believe this has largely contributed to shame that some mothers may feel for publicly feeding, and for those who shame mothers for feeding in public. I firmly believe that normalizing breastfeeding will help other view it more of an option, also to help reduce the sexualization of women. I hate to think one day I might have a daughter who feels shame in doing what is best for her child because she is a woman with breasts.
Its the people who think they have a say and try stop or give breastfeeding mums a hard time that I have a problem with
I am not worried about my "tits" being out for everyone to see, I'm worried about getting my children fed properly.
I also don't believe there is nothing we can do as a society to change the way public breast feeding is viewed. Even over the last few years, society's views on huge topics like gay marriage, have changed. So why can't we start to take away the stigma of bfing in public?
Personally if my daughter is hungry I'm going to feed her whenever and wherever. I will keep myself covered until she latches but I live in a very hot climate and will not force her to eat in an oven. I wouldn't like to eat that way so I don't expect her to.
Hahaha.
I do agree that at family functions I will try to go to a private room.
My personal opinion is that because breasts are so hypersexualized in our society, I'll try to stay covered or go somewhere private. I'm typically not a modest person, but this is one case I would be. I don't want to think some perv is getting off looking at me feed my child.
I was at lunch the other day with mom and she was giving awkward stares to a breastfeeding mom at a busy/open restaurant. It was a good teaching moment to discuss why it was ok and what my intentions are. I think there are a lot of generational differences in opinions.
When I'm out and about in public, it won't be that easy (I'm assuming since I am a ftm) and I will not feed my children in a dirty public restroom.
Boobs are sexual things hence why many women get breast implants. BF is awesome just not when people flaunt it like this for the whole world to see. If it slipped at a restaurant or in public then oh well but I wouldn't purposefully have my boob out with attempting to cover up just because of the looks I would receive and comments I would hear. Just my opinion, weirds me out. Especially knowing males are looking at me and my "sexual objects" which is sick considering I'm feeding my child but you can't help the way men and most women think.
Most of the time, even if a woman is not using a cover, you aren't going to see much at all. Most women, especially because of the stupid idiotic stigma attached are not out there flaunting. They are trying to feed as discreetly as possible for themselves and do not want to draw attention to themselves.
Before I had a child, I also thought that all women should be covered up. After I had my baby and the only thing that I could do was feed her to stop her from red-faced screaming, I couldn't give two shits if someone saw something. And what about when you don't have the option of going somewhere, or covering up, or going out to your car? I had to feed my baby in the waiting room while my car was getting worked on. The only thing I cared about was getting her fed.
The thing I hate the most about this topic is that it is considered a hot topic. It shouldn't be a topic at all. People need to grow up who think there is anything sexual about feeding a baby.
Jamie
My DH went to Disney land in California a few months ago and it was pretty crowded. As he was walking along this mom whipped her shirt off and exposed her boobs and started feeding her kid. Talk about an eyeful lol. No cover up or shirt or anything was used... Hats off for that moms confidence in a huge crowd. I really don't think I could ever have the confidence to whip it out walking down Main St USA.
There was a time when my son was a baby that I went to the mall with my MIL and had to stop and BF him. We went to a changing area that had comfortable chairs and there was a partition. I used a cover up and felt really uncomfortable. I turned my head and this man was standing there staring hard at me even though I was covered. It was so creepy.
After that, I pretty much just stayed at home to BF or timed my outings between feedings. Beware Breastfeeding at the mall, I guess.
WARNING *EXTREME GENERALISATION*
It seems that breastfeeding in public is a bigger deal in the US than in other countries, mainly because a lot of American's are quite prudish when it comes to nudity. It's breastfeeding, not burlesque, I don't see the issue with a bit of boob if it's keeping a baby nourished and happy, rather that than a wailing baby.
PSA -If you have issues with exposed breasts, you should never visit a beach in Europe in the summer.
Also if you see a boob it's just a boob lol, life will go on.
The average mom is not walking around in their underware, waiting for their baby to get hungry. Breasthe primary purpose is to feed children, they have been sexualized by society. That doesn't mean that women should no longer BF in public. Also, have you actually ever seen someone BF? The beast is exposed for maybe a few seconds when baby latches, but is then pretty much covered by the baby and shirt. Your likely to see more boob in Victoria secret add.
Jamie