Breast-Feeding: Private Act or Public Right?

[Angel Heart]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/Story?id=3378982&page=2

Breast-Feeding: Private Act or Public Right?
Several States Have Passed Laws Allowing Women to Breast-Feed in PublicJuly 15, 2007

It is an act millions of new moms do everyday. But when it comes to breast-feeding, some argue there is a time and a place for it.

The topic is a provocative one for parents and even those without children.

"I think it's perfectly natural and decent," one woman said.

Another man agreed.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "It's none of my business, to tell you the truth."

But not everyone was on board for breast-feeding.

"It's something that should be kept behind closed doors," one man said.

Another woman said she found it disgusting and immoral to breast-feed in public.

"We have a lot of ambivalent feelings about breasts being used to feed because we see them as sexual objects," said ABC News parenting contributor Ann Pleshette Murphy.

Cate Bruce-Low tries to be discreet and cover up her skin, unless it becomes too hot or uncomfortable for her child.

"I'm not trying to show myself off," the 29 year old said. "I'm just trying to feed my child."

Bruce-Low is an active woman with a 7-week-old boy and 2-year-old daughter. She finds everyday mundane errands often become a major juggling act.

"You're in the middle of supermarket, you have one hand on the cart, one hand on your credit card," she said. "In a pinch, if you have another child screaming at you..."

Bruce-Low said occasions exist where she can cover up, but there also are times when it's impossible. She recalled how aggressive onlookers were on a few occasions when she was unable to cover herself.

"At the restaurant, I had a woman coming over to ask me to cover up," Bruce-Low said. "One time, I was in an office [and] a woman came to tell me I needed to go to the bathroom to nurse."

She said she was hurt and offended by the comments.

But now, 46 states allow woman to nurse in public or at least exempt them from prosecution.

But, public opinion hasn't caught up with the law. A recent study found 57 percent of Americans said women should not have the right to breast-feed in public. Seventy-two percent said it was inappropriate to show a woman nursing on television.

For many mothers, it may ultimately be a health issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies should be breast fed for up to at least one year. It said the health benefits include fewer food allergies and a stronger immune system.

"The longer you breast feed, the better the health benefits, not only for the baby but for the mother," said Baby Talk magazine editor Susan Kane.

Bruce-Low said it is important for more woman and people in general to see mothers nursing in public, calling it a natural thing.

Kane did have some suggestions for woman planning to breast-feed in public:
Use a cover up.
Feel comfortable while breast feeding. There are lots of products on the market that let moms cover up while nursing.
Wear a button-down shirt and nursing bra.
Ask permission if you are a guest.
As a courtesy, when at a private home or party, ask if it's okay if you breast feed.
Stand up for your rights.
Don't be ashamed of feeding your baby. In most cultures, it's considered completely normal.

 

[Annie]

IMO, as long as the mom and baby are covered, shouldn't be an issue. Bathrooms as we all know are gross.

On the other hand, if a Demi Moore wannabee free and natural, that is not fair for the many that don't want that nudity, which a bare breast is.

 

[Angel Heart]

ITA

How ever having been a nursing mama, I do know that's not always the easiest thing. When their little great. But once they have mastered grasping... Forget about it. Unless it happens to be after they have fallen asleep.

Myself, I would usually find a quiet place out of the way with my back to the crowd if we where out in public. It was easier anyways. A distracted baby makes it a lot harder. I however REFUSED to nurse in the bathroom. I was asked when my soon to be 16 yr old was 3 months old to take it in the bathroom by a mall security. I commented to him, "how would you feel about eating your lunch in the bathroom?" He then escorted me out of the mall. I called up LLL and we had a nurse in the next weekend. You know, I never did see that rent a cop again. And the mall made it a rule that you can't bug nursing moms. The law protecting nursing mamas and babies a few years later. I celebrated that day.

I'm also a strong supporter of extended nursing and the family bed.

 

[Annie]

ITA

How ever having been a nursing mama, I do know that's not always the easiest thing. When their little great. But once they have mastered grasping... Forget about it. Unless it happens to be after they have fallen asleep.

Myself, I would usually find a quiet place out of the way with my back to the crowd if we where out in public. It was easier anyways. A distracted baby makes it a lot harder. I however REFUSED to nurse in the bathroom. I was asked when my soon to be 16 yr old was 3 months old to take it in the bathroom by a mall security. I commented to him, "how would you feel about eating your lunch in the bathroom?" He then escorted me out of the mall. I called up LLL and we had a nurse in the next weekend. You know, I never did see that rent a cop again. And the mall made it a rule that you can't bug nursing moms. The law protecting nursing mamas and babies a few years later. I celebrated that day.

I'm also a strong supporter of extended nursing and the family bed.

I nursed all 3 of my kids until they were over a year old, youngest now 21. No one said anything to me, but I kept covered. The kids got the drill. Family bed? Not to my liking, too many pitfalls.

 

[Angel Heart]

What about taking away the right of another family to choose the family bed for their family?

 

[Annie]

What about taking away the right of another family to choose the family bed for their family?

Hey, I'm not into entering anyone's bedroom. You want your kids in bed? Another couple men and/or women? Not my place. Start preaching that may come under another heading.

 

[actsnoblemartin]

Old Position: I am 100% against a woman breats feeding in public, i respect your opinions, but we should do certain things in private.

new Position: (because my sister explained the situation to me, and I sympathize with her). I support public breast feeding, as long as it done discreetly, and with consideration of others, a.k.a. as politely.

 

[maineman]

I am 100% against a woman breats feeding in public, i respect your opinions, but we should do certain things in private.

And I am sure if she is also Hispanic and trying to control one child while providing nourishment to another who NEEDS it, you will tell her how insulted you are that she is speaking Spanish.

you have obviously never been a parent and had to run errands and had a screaming hungry infant on your hands.

you are an immature narrow minded bigot, IMHO.

 

[Angel Heart]

I am 100% against a woman breastfeeding in public, i respect your opinions, but we should do certain things in private.

But do we require everyone to eat in private? How about you stop eating out?


Myself I don't care if I see anything or not. The sexual part of breast is the bonus plan. They where designed for one thing.... Feeding human babies!

 

[Shattered]

We don't require everyone to eat in private.. However, when your children are screaming, common courtesy dictates that you remove them from the restaurant for everyone elses sake, as well as their own.

As for breastfeeding, a mother KNOWS when her child is most likely to want to eat. What's she doing traipsing through a mall during that time, anyway? It's also stressful for a baby to be fed in anything except a nice, calm environment. A friggen mall ain't it. Nor is a grocery store. If you MUST be out, then why not just go back to your car, if the place you're at doesn't have one of those nice little feeding rooms? Your car is at least private, and quiet.

 

[Gunny]

Y'all want to duke it out, the rest of the thread which is off-topic is now in the taunting arena. Leave this thread to address the topic please.

 

[maineman]

I, for one, view breast feeding as a natural and necessary event. I am not drawn to stare at the event, nor do I find it titillating. In fact, I find it heartwarming and uplifting.

 

[Shattered]

I, for one, view breast feeding as a natural and necessary event. I am not drawn to stare at the event, nor do I find it titillating. In fact, I find it heartwarming and uplifting.

You would think that you want whats best for your wife, and your child.. And that isn't being gawked at in a VERY public place, which hosts every type of person imaginable.

It's not about alienating a woman/mothers rights. It's about decency, and common sense.

 

[Gunny]

I, for one, view breast feeding as a natural and necessary event. I am not drawn to stare at the event, nor do I find it titillating. In fact, I find it heartwarming and uplifting.

I can't say I find it "heartwarming and uplifiting," but I don't find it unnatural and don't really pay much attention to it.

 

[maineman]

I can't say I find it "heartwarming and uplifiting," but I don't find it unnatural and don't really pay much attention to it.

we are really on the same page...you are just too "crusty" to allow yourself to get in touch with your feelings!

 

[Angel Heart]

I, for one, view breast feeding as a natural and necessary event. I am not drawn to stare at the event, nor do I find it titillating. In fact, I find it heartwarming and uplifting.

I find it very heartwarming and uplifting as well. It's one of the healthest and natural choices a parent can make for their child.

 

[actsnoblemartin]

I apologize for my joke, it was inappropriate.

 

[Shattered]

god forbid i offend you people

Im sick of it, get over yourselves, if you cant take a joke, you shouldnt be on a message board, where worse things are said.

Some of you people are just idiots.

You're in the wrong thread, dumpling...

 

[actsnoblemartin]

 

[Bern80]

If the U.S. as a country didn't have such a complex about sexuality........

Er rewind. Okay breast feeding really isn't about sexuality, but it involves breasts and you know where are brains go next, you get the picture.

Anywho, few countries are is uptight about anything remotelyu sexual in nature as the U.S.