Breastfeeding in public

[enigma]

Should breastfeeding in public be banned or embraced as the most natural way to feed your child ? If breastfeeding is being promoted as the healthiest way to feed your baby and mothers are being advised of not only the nutritional benefits to their baby but also of the health benefits to both baby and mum , then why is it frowned upon in so many establishments such as eateries and department stores ?

[natalie_1982]

Frankly, if I was going out for a meal I wouldn't want to see any burps, sick or boobs. Also I think that the comment somebody made to DirtyHarriet is quite legit. Lastly, it's not going to make a huge impact on the child's life if you were to were to bottle feed occasionally if perhaps you wanted to be able to drink.

[natalie_1982]

P.S. I wasn't allowed to be bottle fed although my mum wanted to and I turned out just fine believe it or not!

[number8]

Oh dear, I'm going to be villified: I don't like it in public places, and I don't feel there is any need to do it in public - I have asked to move tables before because it was right in my eyeline and it was quite apparent what was happening - and yes, it did put me off my food. The tuts and evils I got was not on. I didn't like what I was seeing, and as I was a customer paying for a meal, I decided to exercise my rights: there is nothing wrong with that. And whilst we are on the subject, I am sick of the breastfeeding nazis telling me that feeding my child on formula is wrong. It is not. My partner tried in vain to breastfeed, and she could not: Trust me, it took some consoling to persuade her she was not failing our daughter.

[becks]

I have no problem with it either and can't comment on what i would or wouldn't do as i don't think you can answer that unless you've had babies and are able to give an informed opinion. However, the thought of a seven year old breast feeding seriously gives me the creeps, babies fine, toddlers fine, children no.

[tracymort]

well if you don't breastfeed in public you won't be going very far! often the feeding rooms are next smelly bins of dirty nappies. and no you can't give bottles, it's not good for breastfeeding, affects the contraceptive benefit of breastfeeding, disrupts supply and is awkward too! not to mention the chemicals you get in the bottles. I'm not saying i'd feed for 7 years (in fact it seems my son is starting to wean now) but if you read the article i posted above you'll see we were physiologically designed to feed for that long. Quote - " US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two." http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html also the mum has the added benefit of decreased risk of certain cancers the longer she feeds for. It's only the western idea of breasts only having a sexual function that freaks people out! breastmilk still is beneficial nutritionally to a toddler despite what people think! If you are interested there is a great book here on the subject http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q5D154849

[ianess]

Replying as a new grandad......my daughter was virtually ordered by some security attendant to breastfeed my grandson in the ladies toilets at a major shopping centre in Central Fife. Her reply was that he should perform a service on himself while he ate his lunch in the gents. 21st Century progress?????????

[Lurker]

I want to support Scubaboy. Please spare a thought for those who can't breast feed for various reasons. This happened to me. Also, some women really don't want to for good reasons. You should not make people feel they are failing because they do not breast feed and, I can assure you all, my bottle fed baby has grown up into the strongest, healthiest individual you can imagine. What feeds natural with your baby will be best for you and for him. A baby will pick up very quickly if his mum is unhappy breastfeeding. Feeding time should be a very close nurturing experience.

[zgma]

1. Scubaboy, I'm sorry you've gotten lectured because of your partner not being able to breastfeed... that just adds insult to injury. I don't think anyone here is trying to do that. It's funny how our societies condemn women for breastfeeding at the same time as they condemn women for choosing not to or not being able to.

[zgma]

2. To reply to the folks who have an issue with seeing nursing moms/babies in public, or think that making them go to a private place is a viable alternative: THIS MAKES ME SO MAD!!! Sorry, but nursing is one of the most important things I do right now. It's personally important to me and to my 2-year-old because it such a nice part of our relationship. It's socially important, because it is helping to create a secure, happy boy who will grow up grounded and self-possessed (hopefully). It's culturally important because it demonstrates women's power in a society that likes to take power away from women. It is VITAL that people see women nursing in public! If we want to see our society becoming more nurturing of children, we need to promote the idea that nursing is normal and healthy. We CANNOT promote that idea by forcing women into seclusion for nursing. If it makes you uncomfortable to see normal mom/baby behavior such as nursing, burping, spitting up, etc - think about why you are uncomfortable. It's not because this stuff is gross. It's because you have been conditioned by society to think it is. That is what needs to change. And I am unwilling to move to a private room, if I have an infant to nurse while I'm out to dinner. No way. I want to stay and eat dinner, and join in the conversation. Shaming women into going into the smelly bathroom to nurse makes it seem unhealthy, undesirable, dirty. Women and babies are part of society and should be treated as a valuable part of society. The way to do this is NOT to treat nursing as a dirty business!!

[zgma]

3. Regarding extended nursing. There are plenty of cultures that nurse their kids until 5 and older. PLENTY of them. I have been observing my son to see if he's giving me any signals that he is ready to stop - and so far, at age 2, he is not giving me any signals. I am going to wait until he does. That may mean 3, or 4, or 5. There's nothing wrong with that! As TracyH wrote, biologically, kids' bodies are programmed to nurse for years and years. That does not mean exclusive nursing (someone above seemed confused about this) - kids start on solids around 6 months, and by a year old are starting to get most of their calories in solid foods. My son eats 3 meals a day plus snacks, and he nurses 2 or 3 times a day for comfort, love, the relationship with me.

[TEAK36]

I have a 7 month old son, and my wife is still breastfeeding him at the moment.I do not find it in any way offensive to see other women breastfeeding a baby,and I think it should be encouraged.I must admit though, I would be offended if I saw a 2 year old,or 5 year old breastfeeding.Im sorry, but I dont care what the WHO or any other organisation states, I think breastfeeding is srictly for babies.

[Lurker]

I agree with TEAK36 about extended breastfeeding. I actually find it quite repulsive to see a two plus child still at the breast. A friend of mine's son was still asking for breast milk at four years old and was always grabbing at his mothers boobs in public. He became a very clingy child indeed. Mind you, each to his own and I wouldn't want to offend anybody that does carry on feeding their children after 2.

[Doolallygirl]

I'm not saying ban breast feeding all together, far from it! I just don't want to see it! I will probably attempt to breast feed my child. It's not breasts that I feel squeemish about, it's the baby feeding off the breast. Obviously I know that's how babies have been fed for millions and squillions of years but I think breasts have become a sex "object" if you like and I think it would be weird to do it in public. I wouldn't want to get my boobs out in the middle of a restaurant. I haven't seen people breast feeding for a long long time now so I don't intend to make a stand now by just going out and having a baby hanging off my boob.

[jills]

wow...just amazed at some of the responses here. I've breastfed in public and would liek to point out that no one sees your boob, or nay other part of you that you would put them off their food. As for the burping/belching baby syndorme....heads up folks, cos a bottle fed baby is FAR more likely to burp and be sick following a feed, so maybe you guys should just avoid all eating places which allow babies and toddlers!!! Good grief, some of these posts are positively pre-historic in their attitude....makes me sad that this is how closed off and weird our society has become to such a natural normal thing. The attitude on the continent to such things is so much more 21st century. Oh, and I live in Scotland, have not once had anyone even give me as much as an odd look for B/feeding in public. I do it discreetly and I'm quite sure a lot of people don't even notice. Good god...smoking is allowed in public (for the tiem being) and that can damage non-smokers health...yet breastfeeding should be hidden away?? It is a shame that some of you find it offensive but to be honest, I think that's your problem. scubabboy...sorry to hear about mrs scubaboy......you are right...the b/f nazis are a hideous breed who lay guilt trips on women without knowing the full facts.

[vittoria]

Breastfeeding in public should be allowed if your baby is hungry, you should not have to wander around looking for a place to do it. Good luck breastfeeding your third baby.