Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

As a BF mom, i so wish our society was more open to moms BFing in public. I was watching an episode of THE DOCTORS and thet were discussing it and some people on the panel (inc women) were against women BFing in public.

what are your thoughts?

lets try not to flame peoples opinions. just want to hear honest thoughts

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

As long as your covered ,I don't mind at all

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I'm feeding my child. End of story. If you don't lilke it, you don't have to look at me.

It's not like I have my ta-ta's hanging out...I'm descrete when i do it and you don't see a thing, even when I don't use a cover up.

I honestly could care less what people think when I'm out in public.

However...when I am at a friends house, where it might be a party, or a dinner party etc...I will excuse myself to a quite room alone.

When I have been to GTG's with other mommies I will ask what the protocol is and if anyone minds if I am right there when I do.

Message edited 2/27/2010 1:32:51 PM.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I think BF'ing in public is awesome, whenever I see women doing it I think....You Go Girl!!! I hope to be able to do it when (if) this new baby is ever born!

However, I live in a country where its probably more acceptable than in the USA.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I have absolutely no problem with it whether covered or not...

Yet, I am not comfortable BFing in public and I have never done it.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Feed your child wherever & whenever you want. However - ideally I'd like some discretion. That gets harder when your baby gets older & decides to suddenly look around as he/she are eating but it can be done - and I know because I did it.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I am totally fine with it, covered or not....that said, for ME and MY comfort level, I would ensure that I am 100% covered up

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

As long as it is done discretely and with dignity, breastfeeding in public can be an amazing site. To know that the mother is feeding and caring for her child is a great thing, I can't see why it is looked down upon. However, I couldn't really breastfeed with DD#1 and am not sure if I would of been comfortable doing it in public if I could have.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I think woman should BF their babies wherever and whenever they want. I don't eat my meals in the bathroom why should a baby have to? I mean they are only boobs and when a Mom is BF you can't even see anything.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

If you need to breastfeed, then breastfeed. Covered, uncovered, I really don't care. It would never bother me seeing a woman breastfeeding. I really have no issues BFing in public. I try to only do it when it's necessary, and personally I make sure I'm as covered up as can be because that's what makes me most comfortable. Anyone who doesn't like it doesn't have to look. My children need to eat.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I was surprisingly uncomfortable at first, but over time I've become more accustomed to it and now i have no problem anywhere whether I am covered or not!

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Uncovered, covered while doing a handstand, doesn't matter. Whatever is most comfortable for mother and baby. No woman should be made to feel that they have to hide to feed their baby.

I nurse without a cover. Amelia (and none of my other DC) ever wanted a blanket over their head.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Doesn't bother me at all! To me its a natural thing. The human body does not offend me in any way.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

100000% it doesn't bother me at all and it shouldn't. I will never understand why people think it's "gross" or "unnatural" or doesn't belong in public, EVER. I can see if a woman is sitting in public with no shirt on, boobs hanging completely out-- I don't want to see that either. But I've NEVER seen a nursing mother do that...though I have seen some trampy (non-nursing ) women with their business all out and people don't seem to have a problem with that, what sense does that make, you know?

That said, with DD I wasn't comfortable doing it in public...but that was MY insecurity...plus DD was a very picky nurser, had to be in a certain position, took FOREVER to nurse, etc...I just wasn't uncomfortable doing it in public personally and I was able to be home to do it almost all the time. BUT-- I reallllllly hope I am more comfortable with DD#2 coming, esp. since with a toddler I won't want to be cooped up in the house all day.

Message edited 2/27/2010 2:20:11 PM.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Since most people are discrete about it I see no problem with it. You are doing what is natural and feeding your child. To me I find it kinda odd that it would make people uncomfortable considering how over-exposed our society is. It seems like it's ok to expose a breast if it has some sexual purpose, but God forbid they are slightly exposed for the purpose of what they are actually supposed to be used for. That's JMO though. I BF-d DS until he was 2 months. Never did it in public though. That's my decision though, yet if someone else needs to/wants to so be it. You are feeding a baby!

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I didn't BF, so I don't have an opinion about myself, and I don't really think it is my place to tell anyone how or when to feed their child.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I BFd for only about 2 and a half months and I never liked doing it in public. I always found a place to go or at least cover up. I don't like seeing boobs hanging out - I am simply not comfortable with it and I don't care if anyone likes my opinion or not.

HOWEVER, do I think there should be legislation against it? No. But I don't think that openly BFing women should expect those of us who don't like it to do a 180. I support any woman's right to do so, but I don't have to like it and I am smart enough to keep my mouth closed. I am the one who will look the other way and that is my prerogative.

Message edited 2/27/2010 4:27:48 PM.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I BF anywhere and everywhere, and have with all 3 kids. My inlaws used to ask me to go in another room (mentioned it to DH actually) and I used to but stopped doing it with Juliana. I don't see why I should have to leave the room.... don't invite me if you don't want me to feed my child.

I think BF in public is great, covered, uncovered, whatever. Society is the problem.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I'm all for it! I EBF both my kids and when they needed to eat, I fed them! I was always covered, that was just my comfort level.

I saw something on FB about a group, but I didn't really catch the whole thing, but the gist of it was

If Breastfeeding Offends you, put a blanket over YOUR head!

Message edited 2/27/2010 6:05:40 PM.

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

I think it's really interesting that people don't really bat an eye when they see a bare-chested woman in a movie, but a breastfeeding woman causes all sorts of raised eyebrows!

I've fed in lots of places in the past 7 months and haven't encountered any adverse reactions. My poor dad does tend to leave the room and because I know it makes him (and a lot of my family) uncomfortable, I try to find a quiet place when I have to feed in their presence.

But, like Racheeeee, I live in the UK and it's probably a bit more accepted here (that's another discussion, but I think it probably has to do with the fact that women in the UK have a much more generous maternity leave than in the US, so they're more likely to breastfeed and breastfeed exclusively without giving bottles).

Re: Open discussion for all moms- BFing in public

i dont have a problem with it as long as you are covered up. this happened to me the other day at my job at my desk a woman with a kid that looks to be about 2 or so right in front of my whips up(from the bottom of the shirt up to her neck) her shirt and puts this toddler on her. i was VERY uncofertable. I understand that he is throwing a temper tamtrum but i really do not need to see your ta ta in my face. but then again a 2 year old really should not be bff anymore. this is MY PERSONAL opinion. if you want to do it great fine go right a head but please cover up a little better.

Message edited 2/27/2010 6:08:12 PM.