I don't mind seeing mothers breastfeeding their child in public. However, it does go a bit too far when they show of more than is necessary. And personally, i prefer the mother breastfeed their child and give them all the yummy nutrients than to have to hear the child cry, as the mother tries to look for a bathroom that may be a little more private - this is especcially the case for me when travelling in public transport.

A lot of people are going off the wall about a bathroom. But honestly think about this. Is she going to be smearing her tits on the toilets or something? Cause the last time I checked you would get more germs changing your baby's diapper in the bathroom on one of those laying tables that pull out from the wall then you would from setting down on a bench (If they started providing one) and laying your child in your arms, breast feeding it directly from your nipple. Think about it. Why would that be disgusting and germy?

I agree. i think people just have a "thing" about restrooms. The bench idea is a good one too. like, putting it in the large hadicapped restroom.

So why don't we try to make people doing that wrong instead of the mothers who breastfeed?
Last time I checked, breatfeeding isn't perverted like people gawking at a boob which is being used in a nonsexual manner, so why do we punish the people who are not at fault at here?

I don't know about you, but I think a baby's health is a lot more important than I few prude's uppity sense of decency and self-superiority.

i think mothers should feed their children whenever their children are hungry, and if that means their baby is hungry in a store or a bank, they should FEED THEM. especially considering that people get particularly butthurt when babies cry. but they get butthurt if the mother pulls down her top and feeds it to stop it from crying. stop contradicting yourself.

everyone has boobs, even men. they're just smaller ones. is it really that bad? i've never even seen a woman with her breasts all flopping around while she was nursing. it's easy to look away, it's not easy to block out an infant screaming at the top of its little lungs.

Okay I understand that some people are grossed out by breast feeding in general, but to a baby it's no different than us eating in a resturant. If the woman covers herself with a blanket or something I don't think it's a big deal. But I would be grossed out if she just (excuse my wording) whipped it out in the middle of a room without covering up.

Basically I think there are some rules that mothers should use when breast feeding in public.
1.) If you can go to a more secluded spot then do it. (It's just more courteous to those around you and gives you some privacy)
2.) Cover up with something like a blanket or something (and being a woman I'm aware that I have the same body and delicatage that you do I just don't want to see it)

not if she was shopping or it was hot/cold outside. it can be expensive to leave a/c on in your car unnecissarily. it's not an option to have a young baby in a hot or cold car.

also, when you have kids in the store, you want to get in and out ASAP. it's a bigger inconvenience than you think.

So, I live in the South. It's hot and humid here. Very hot. If a mother has her child, and it's the middle of the summer, she can just go to the car (which averages about 112 degrees in the summer here! I'm not exactly sure where to get the source online, I saw it on the news D: ), and risk both her health and the baby's health by sitting in an overheated car because people get their panties in a bunch when their children need to eat? That doesn't sound right to me. In fact, that sounds like an inhumane thing to make a person do.

Or they can turn on their AC for thirty or forty five minutes, and waste both gas and money. That also sounds quite unfair to me. Why should we make women feel so uncomfortable about feeding their children when it's very simple to look away from someone, but not simple to have to go out of your way to breastfeed a child?

well, congrats. do you have a backup plan like bottle feeding?

I think breastfeeding in public is perfectly normal unless the entire breast is hanging out. Doing it so that other people aren't uncomfortable is the right way to go. Although, I think some people get overly uncomfortable when they see someone breastfeed, which isn't fair.

My friend was feeding her baby in a discreet place at a baseball game where no one was around except one male who worked there. He told her she had to use the restroom to do it, even though it was jam packed and excessively hot. Now, I think that is wrong...On the other hand, my sister breastfeeds everywhere and doesn't care about the feelings of others which I think is also wrong. Also, when my mother died, my sister put a picture of my mom breastfeeding my brother, and I know for sure my mom wouldn't have wanted that picture shown to people, even some people she didn't really know.

Another note, I see women's breasts hanging out of their shirt on television, public, and media everywhere, and that's a sexual thing that people don't seem to mind, or if they DO mind, no one is stopping it. At least breastfeeding is important for the baby to grow and be healthy.

no, because you turn your car off when you get out, right? there's no air conditioning or heat. in new york, the same problem could arise because of the cold weather. your baby's temperature needs to be PERFECT at all times.

pumping can be uncomfortable, not to mention a pain in the ass to sanitize all of your bottles and tote them around. that's not an easy option like some people may think it is.

like i've said many times in many different threads, we're not pissy. you posted in a DEBATE thread. you're getting a DEBATE. learn to identify the differences a bit.

breastfeeding is great and natural, but that doesnt mean everyone wants to see the kid doing it. theres no reason why women cant do it in private, like some other have said do it in the car if your out or somewhere private!

Jesus Christ, this is getting mind numbing.

Before you post, read the thread. The first post and the last two or three pages. It'll take you fifteen minutes and save sane people from having to bash their heads against the desktop.

No one is getting pissy with you. We've been debating this, therefore, you're going to get people who don't agree with you and they're going to tell you why. Read the below quote.
Thank You for saying exactly what I was thinking. Several of the things brought up here near the end have already been mentioned and talked about. Nothing wrong with continuing to debate a particular point, but it'd be nice if they'd add to the debate by expanding on their reasons in response to the points brought up.

My Views
PRO
I think it is a wonderful source of vitamins and immunities up to the correct age. My mom wanted to breast feed me, but couldn't due to being a first time mother without the resources we have (ie: she found out later she needed to move her breast back slightly so I could breather easier xD) but my brother was and as far as I am concerned it is wonderful, as long as you don't abuse the length. Excessive use after the standard age can cause colds and other sicknesses.

Am I for/against public breastfeeding?
PRO [As long as your being courteous]
The only thing I find irritating is where public breastfeeding is going on and when. When you're in a movie, attempting to listen to a speech or lecture and all you hear is "smack, smack, smack *cry cry*" it is very difficult to follow what you are trying to pay attention too. However, I feel that the public and the state should provide places for mothers to be able to breast feed. At my school they come to the woman's center to do it, so that way they can have a quiet place to do it, but it is still a public setting.
How do I react when I see it?
*smile*
Breastfeeding laws in your area
I honestly have no idea. I just moved here but I haven't seen any breastfeeding other than at my college. I'm assuming it is fine since a public institution like Manoa University is pro it.
Planning on having children? Are you or your partner going to breastfeed in public?
I do plan of having children in the future! And I don't know if anyone really plans on public breastfeeding, but yes. I probably will. If Nena wants to too, that's fine with me.