Baby image of the day: breastfeeding in public

i am so tired of this debate. i don't care how natural or beautiful it is, no one *wants* to see some nipple or saggy boob while you're breastfeding. really, it's not that attractive. please, you will not smother the baby if you drape a light blankie over the shoulder. go ahead and *fight for your right,* but what ever happend to modesty and common sense?

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You know, my daughter REFUSED to keep a blanket over her. That is what people don't get. She REFUSED to eat with a blanket over her and would use to hand to pull it off. Plus in the summer it is just too hot. People don't breastfeed to show off their tits--I was so embarrassed and it took me awhile to get use to breastfeeding (BECAUSE I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE ME), but now I'm fine with it and it is people like you (the first blogger that left a message) that makes people not want to do what is best for their baby--breastfeed.

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I was surprised by the comment by *apologies in advance* that *no one *wants* to see some nipple or saggy boob while you're breastfeeding.* I looked very closely at the photo in the newspaper and I could not see ANY of the mother's skin showing.



Like most nursing mothers, this lady was being extremely discreet. She was wearing a knit top, which drapes nicely, and lifting it from the bottom rather than undoing top buttons. Many new mothers find it helpful to practice nursing in front of a friend or a mirror. There are lots of very useful tips about nursing in public at this URL:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/discreet.html



The bottom line though, is that if you find that watching a mother feed her baby is offensive, just don't look.



Granny to three, beautiful breastfed babies whose parents were also breastfed.

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Speak for yourself,apologies in advance! Well Isn't That Special! You're coming off soundong like The Church Lady on that one. No harm,no foul in mommy whipping it out and letting the little one feed...most people I know could care less...it's just nature taking its' course. Relax and have a Prozac and a beer!

Good Day, Mate! :-)

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I share the comments that my son just wouldn't let me cover him with a blanket. And he would scream bloody murder if he was hungry and couldn't get at mommy. Usually, we'd time things just right, so I wouldn't have to *gasp!* expose myself in front of tens of people...



Luckily, these days, he's fed solids and only nurses a few time a day. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about embarrassing people like you (first poster) anymore when I would nurse (rather privately) in public.



Seriously, if you're tired of the debate, why the hell did you bring it up? Good grief.

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I've never understood the theory that breastfeeding in public is something to be ashamed of. If I ever have children and I am able to breastfeed (my mother wasn't able to breastfeed me) I will certainly do it whenever and wherever my baby needs it, just as if I am not able to breastfeed I will use a bottle whenever and wherever.

*apologies in advance*, I have a question: how would YOU like to eat with a towl over your head?? Or how would YOU like to eat in the bathroom (or restroom, I think it's called in the US) as some people have demanded in the past??

Babies have as much right to be fed as anyone else, and as it has already been mentioned, most nursing mothers do not whip their breasts out and deliberately flaunt them - most times you can't see any flesh at all, other times you may see a small amount of bare skin, but the basic fact is that you can't see the breast because, well, it's obscured from view by the baby that's feeding from it.

That picture is beautiful. I love it. I don't see a woman baring her chest in a disgusting manner; I see a mother feeding her child, and doing it very descretely and modestly at that.



One thing that gets me: women (and men) can walk down the street wearing practically nothing, and nobody bats an eyelid. A fully dressed mother tries to feed her child descretely without offending anyone and from certain hypocritical individuals there is uproar.



Irony, anyone?

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Add me to the group that is:

(1) Stumped. Where is her breast? I just see shirt and baby.

(2) Blessed or cursed with a baby that will not tolerate a blanket. I wish I could use one, and I try. But it winds up being less discreet as my baby pulls it in all directions, refuses to nurse, and yells about it.

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Draping a blanket is awkward, draws attention and annoys babies. That is a nursing shirt so that no tummy or chest is exposed. When a baby is hungry they don't care where you are or what you are doing. Feed your baby and don't feel guilt, embarrassment or anger about how or what your baby eats. Mothers need to support each other instead of fighting. Focus those energies on babies and children who are hungry and without food. BTW - I posted a breastfeeding picture every day during World Breastfeeding Week last August and the only exposed shot is one where I fell asleep nursing.

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At least I'm not the only granny here. Hi other granny.



What do these prudes think breasts are for? I didn't see any exposed skin either but even if I had, so what?



Alice is right. It's hypocritical.



Prurience is in the eye or mind of the beholder, not the woman who is feeding her child and those of us who support her.

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My son is 14 months and I'm still breastfeeding. I breastfeed him in PUBLIC and NO ONE has EVER given me a dirty look, well I take that back, I haven't cared much to look and check to see who's looking. What is the big deal anyways....I have a suggestion to those who suggest that moms cover their babies up: Try covering your head when you're eating and tell me how comfortable that is!

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My son is 14 months and I'm still breastfeeding. I breastfeed him in PUBLIC and NO ONE has EVER given me a dirty look, well I take that back, I haven't cared much to look and check to see who's looking. What is the big deal anyways....I have a suggestion to those who suggest that moms cover their babies up: Try covering your head when you're eating and tell me how comfortable that is!

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Thank you for such a lovely picture of a baby being fed. I wish others--especially some here could actually understand what breastfeeding in public is. It is allowing a baby to be fed. The rest of us have this basic right.



Pam, who must be a voice for the least among us and wonders why most women don't embrace the most powerful substance (breastmilk) they possess besides their eggs. Unfortunately corporate America doesn't have to wonder. They have marketed brilliantly to women for half a century and robbed them of the complete joys of motherhood all in the name of MONEY.

Here is an interesting link to the argument for guilt:



http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/drjack/guilt.htm

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