Hooter hiders cause controversy

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) May 21st 2006 12:00PM

Categories: Pregnancy & Birth, Media, Mommy Musts

Recent distribution of a line of nursing covers in Vancouver has stirred up quite a bit of controversy, according to this article.

"Hooter Hiders" are special cover-ups that allow nursing mothers to feed their babies in public while remaining fully shielded from the public and allowing Mom a clear view of her baby. It's causing fierce debate between breastfeeding advocates who believe that such a product returns women to "the dark ages" with the unspoken suggestion that it's not appropriate to breastfeed without cover.
Proponents for the product argue that some women are uncomfortable with their breast partially exposed in public, and they should be able to have access to whatever products make them happy. Some also say that the public should not be subjected to "a dinner plate sized nipple" (I know, I know.)

As a breastfeeding Mother, I'm fine with products like this. I do wish they'd chosen a slightly more dignified name, however. Hooter Hiders just reminds me of orange shorts and owls.

Anyway, I am not comfortable nursing in public, for my own reasons, and I think my preference to cover up is my business. If I want to wear a gigantic 10 foot tent to conceal my breasts, so be it. I also fully support women who want to breastfeed completely exposed in the middle of a restaurant if they're comfortable with it.

What do you think? Do products like this nursing cover send a message that public breastfeeding is distasteful? Or should they be encouraged for the comfort of the general public?

Comments (27)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

thordora 5-21-2006 @ 12:29PM

I believe that it's up to the person doing the feeding-if they're comfortable and the baby is comfortable with how they've covered/not covered, then that's cool. Of course, I'm one of those freaks who thinks it's nice to see mother's breastfeeding, but that's just me. I also think a giant cover up like that would make people gawk more. Most mother's I've seen breastfeeding in public are very subtle about it. It's not like a first timer winging her boobs around the room...

And that it the worst name possible. I'm sure it's meant to be cute, but I wouldn't buy anything named that.

Ethel 5-21-2006 @ 12:32PM

Who gives a flying f*** what the public thinks? Maybe they should look the other way if they have a problem.

Okay, that was the endstage pregnancy hormones, but come on! With those hot flashes that last until the end of nursing and summer coming, never mind my large endowments that make it difficult to manage getting a kid to latch on, let alone deal with a cover up, why would I want another layer of clothes when there is no reason for it? Okay, I have been known to change my shirt out of the trunk of my car in front of a Starbucks on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Seattle, but I was wearing a bra...

I guess my thing is I am not nursing my kid for other people, and if they have a problem there are laws in every state that I travel that says I can not be barred from doing so. I'm not interested in titillation, although the men in the Portland International Airport seemed to have a hard time looking away, even when I stared them down, one by one.... Maybe women are bothered by their men watching other women do their thing? And the men who have a problem are just, well, messed up.

MamaChristy 5-21-2006 @ 1:05PM

Products like this are fine - barring the horrid name, of course. I'm all for people having options if they want them. I was never a big public nurser because I wasn't very comfortable (physically) just nursing in any old chair. When my boy was new my favorite excursion was to Babies R Us because a) there was always something else I needed or thought I might find helpful and b) they have a private nursing room complete with newborn and size one diapers. In the rare even that I had to nurse out in public, I found a discrete spot where both of us could relax. To me, this kind of product would be more to limit distractions for be nursing child rather than shielding "a dinner plate sized nipple" (God help me not freak out over this statement!).

Kristen 5-21-2006 @ 1:18PM

I was okay with nursing in public, but generally I would cover myself with something. And these are great - we ran them on our site and got a great response. They're really light and easy to use.

Some people don't feel comfy whipping out their boob for the child in public. So, for those folks, these are perfect. And seriously, if that makes them anti-breastfeeding, then some people need to get their priorities straight. There are bigger battles, people.

anon 5-21-2006 @ 1:24PM

Why don't we just all wear burqas and have that be the end of the discussion?

Seriously, if this helps more women nurse more comfortably, I am all for it. But things are never going to change until society gets comfortable with babies eating naturally.

Lil' Liberal 5-21-2006 @ 2:15PM

I'm of the opinion that whatever makes a woman comfortable is a good thing. If someone's comfortable about breastfeeding without a coverup- wonderful. If someone's not comfortable about breastfeeding without a coverup, what are her alternatives? 1- Undergo a stressful experience 2- Opt to pump or formula feed for public places 3- Give up breastfeeding earlier than she would have otherwise.

I don't see why breastfeeding proponents criticize something that potentially allows more women to breastfeed/breastfeed for longer.

Yes, it might increase the pressure on other women to cover-up. But that pressure already exists regardless of coverup methods.

When I breastfeed in public, I'll most likely cover up. I'm not overly comfortable with my body to start with- and do silly things like wear long pants even in the middle of summer rather than show the world my knobbly knees. Saying I can't cover up my boobs is like saying I can't opt to wear long pants.

It's a personal decision.

Oddly enough, despite the fact that I'll most likely use a cover-up, I'm also *definitely* likely to get into a fight if anyone ever suggests that I shouldn't breastfeed in a public place or a place that is open to the public. I'm shy about my body, not about fighting for my right to feed my infant in a safe and comfortable way.

Wallaby 5-21-2006 @ 2:23PM

Is it just me, or does anybody else think that thing might as well have "BREASTFEEDING BABY UNDER HERE" amblazoned on it in red lit up letters. Um, discreet is not the word for that thing.

I would never use one of those. I don'tmind if others want to, but I would feel really uncomfortable. Something like that would call a lot more attention to me than the way I do it now. (I dress in light layers, a zip up top layer so I can unzip that and it covers my exposed side from my t-shirt being pulled up). Most people never know I am even feeding, they think I am just cuddling my baby. Several times I have actually been speaking to someone I know and like five minutes into the conversation they will ask "are you feeding him now?" they can't even tell.

Not that I would care if they could. I think it is sad society has so many hangups about breastfeeding.

Lisa 5-21-2006 @ 2:54PM

I think it draws more attention than not using one, but if it helps a mother feel comfortable nursing in public, then that's great!

LS 5-21-2006 @ 3:10PM

Ok, my computer and hook up are *really* slow, so I couldn't load the whole catalog, but it looks like this "Hooter Hider" (STUPID name!) is retailing for somewhere between $35 and $50. Why would I lay out that kind of money when I can just as easily reach into my bag and pull out a little receiving blanket? This looks like another gimmick that's going to fall by the wayside, and it's silly for us to get all up in arms about hiding breastfeeding because of it. If you want to cover up, cover up. But for pete's sake, you've already got a blanket, you don't need this ridiculously named fad!!!

Mary 5-21-2006 @ 4:07PM

I have no problem with the product. This should be about the mom's comfort, not anyone else's.

(Anyone who's "disgusted" by a woman breastfeeding can a) not look and b) try harder not to be a pervert. Honestly. She's feeding a baby, not having sex in the middle of the restaurant.)

The name is silly. "Hooters" is just plain vulgar, and "hider" suggests something shameful is going on under there. I agree with the commenters who say that thing is awfully, er, OBVIOUS, but I also agree that if it makes a nursing mom more comfortable, she should use one. I also agree with Lisa that receiving blankets are just as effective at a fraction of the cost.

The more moms who just get out there and feed their babies when the babies are hungry, the more used people will get to it, and the less attention it will get. Which will be a good thing.

Belinda 5-21-2006 @ 6:44PM

I think istead of causing a fuss why don't people look the other way? I mean if you don't want to see it, just DON'T LOOK! Damn! I get so tired of hearing about another public breastfeeding case.

I wanted nothing more then to breastfeed my daughter, but I couldn't get the hang of it and I had no one to help me adn then she developed thrush and passed it on to me.

Now I am looking into a sling for the next baby (a few years down the road) because I plan on using it so I CAN breastfeed my next baby. I will do everything in my power not to give up the next time.

ann adams 5-21-2006 @ 6:53PM

It seems to be unanimous so far. It's the mother's comfort that's important; the general public can turn their voyeuristic eyes elsewhere.

I wouldn't wear that tent to a dogfight but I'm way past having to worry about it. For me it screams of a sandwich board saying "look at me, I'm nursing". However, if women like it and feel more comfortable using it, fine with me.

If they would rather nurse their child uncovered at high noon under the town clock that's okay with me too.

Kristen 5-21-2006 @ 7:46PM

Just an FYI - the thing actually has another name - "bebe au lait" - and it was created by 2 moms. They originally called it hooter hider and then decided to change it over - however keeping the old name as well.

Granted, I think all of these do call attention to what you are doing - some people (me for one) are not as talented as some in the "whip the boob out latch baby on while not really showing the nipple" thing - and if you have an older child that pulls on and off - well, it's not the easiest thing to cover (if that's what you want to do).

With that said, the price may seem high, but seriously, people LOVE them - and if you see the cough-crappy-cough ones over at First Step Ahead or whatever it is that people rail me over dogging at least one time a week on my blog because they are so "darn great" (and these coverups are like rain ponchos people) then you can imagine how much people really love these.

And, I'm not quite sure we're going to win over anti-NIPers by letting the boobs hang out - regardless of how discreet you are w/o a coverup (and I got pretty good at it for awhile there) - it's probably NOT the way to go.

Kristen 5-21-2006 @ 7:49PM

Last thing - maybe if we can get women to feel more comfy breastfeeding in public, then we'll have more people doing it - and the more people doing it, the more other people are going to have to get used to it.

Just a thought...

Corrie 5-21-2006 @ 8:49PM

My boobs have performance anxiety when in public. I'm not saying that it hasn't stopped me from whipping them out in Canada, the movies, the mall and other places, but they get a little nervous when about and about. I'm also scared someone when get a look at my strech marks. Poor public.

Kim Voynar 5-21-2006 @ 9:20PM

I agree that anything that encourages women to keep breastfeeding is great. My oldest just had her first baby, and we checked out the "Hooter Hider" at a store because she was afraid she'd be shy about public nursing. I suggested to her that a baby sling and a top that's easy to pull up (t-shirts and tanks are perfect), rather than a nursing shirt with holes to navigate, might be just as discreet and easier.

Once she got the hang of using the sling, she quickly mastered the art of quickly getting baby on the breast while he's in the sling. The sling and the tank provide as much coverage as this Hooter Hider, and it's actually far more discreet. I nursed four babies in the sling (the same one my daughter is using now, actually), and most times people just assumed baby was sleeping in there. Some slings are better than others for this, btw. The best one I found was the Rosado Sling (http://www.rosadosling.com/), because it's made with more fabric in the pouch, which allows you to pull up the sling to shield yourself more while nursing, if you prefer to be discreet.

chris 5-21-2006 @ 9:42PM

I nursed two children, a decade and a half apart, and both of them always grunted, squirmed, sucked and and pulled with such gusto, that no aspect of my nursing them was discreet, no matter waht I did. I have NO problem with women who do nurse publicly w/o a cover-up, but it is a PERSONAL choice after all. I still don't like undressing in locker rooms, but there are women who can have a total conversation with you in the buff no problem.....It's all about personal comfort levels. Besides the noisy nursing, once my kids were past infancy, they would absolutely refue to get back to nursing if anyone coughed, sneezed, or even if the cat meowed!!!!! So I always went out to the parked car and nursed them while out in public- it worked for me- we had peace & quiet, they got their fill and happily dozed off.....

VL 5-21-2006 @ 10:25PM

I have nursed both of my children, and in public. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with it only if you're covered up, I think something like this may be too hot for a baby and I don't see how this would make nursing discreet. If anything this may make it more discouraging for first time moms if they try it.

margalit 5-22-2006 @ 12:29AM

Modesty is just as much of a personal choice as breastfeeding. Some mothers who breastfeed practice modesty as part of their religion or cultural practices. Letting it all hang out is something they just could not tolerate, so they would be forced to stay home rather than to take their baby out for any length of time. Although the name of this product is unfortunate, I think it has a place within the breastfeeding community, especially amongst moms who breastfeed multipes and can't be modest no matter how hard the try.

Robin 5-22-2006 @ 12:50AM

This is great to have as an option, but for me back when I had infants it would have been just one more thing to remember - whereas I always had a blanket or sweater. BUT the cool thing about the picture is that Mom can see baby while using it, UNLIKE a blanket or sweater.

I'm glad to see that we are all pretty much united on this one, in that it should be a personal choice. Way to go, sisters!