Most of us nowadays are aware that breast milk is by far the healthiest way to feed a baby, both for the child and the mother.
To name just a few, it contains around 400 nutrients, provides the perfect balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein, passes on vital antibodies, and has been proven to reduce the baby's risk of suffering allergies, eczema, asthma, obesity, diabetes and cancer in later life.
In the mother, it reduces the likelihood of her getting premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and burns around 500 calories a day.

Of course, not all women are successful when it comes to breastfeeding, it can be extremely painful and difficult... but with so many health benefits, surely it is the responsibility of the rest of society to encourage and support mothers who chose to try to breastfeed in any way they can?

However, according to a survey conducted by the NCT, 65% of mothers who chose not to breastfeed do so because they're simply too self-conscious to nurse in public, and are afraid of getting negative reactions from other people.
Not because they find it painful, not because they find it inconvenient, not even because they just don't like the idea of it... but because of the discrimination they face.

This surprises me because the British Government are very pro-breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not classed as public indecency, and it is now illegal in Scotland to ask a mother not to nurse in a public place, unless the establishment can offer her a designated place to breastfeed (not some scummy public bathroom with a chair in the corner), and this same law is in the process of being passed in the rest of the UK.


So... what're your views?
For or against public breastfeeding?
How do you react when you see it?
What are the laws regarding breastfeeding in your area?
If you have children, did you/your partner breastfeed, and if so, did you do it in public?
What kind of reactions did you get from people?
If you plan on having children in the future, do you plan on breastfeeding in public, or would you mind if your partner did?

If I see someone breastfeeding, I take a look, then look away.
sure, it's normal but it's still a boob. and a nipple.
they draw my attention and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I wouldn't breastfeed in public, I wouldn't want random people to see my naked boob(s). and I'm sure my partner would feel the same about it.

boobs are seen as sexual things, and it's not like it changes when you start
breastfeeding. it's still seen as such (though the baby sucking it might be a
turn off >.> ).

I don't think it should be illegal or anything though. it's a personal choice,
but .. I wish some people would be a bit more considerate and ask if there
was a more private place to breastfeed rather than just pop it out of their
shirt suddenly.

"U.S. Public Law 106-58 Sec. 647 enacted in 1999, specifically provides that "a woman may breastfeed her child at any location in a Federal building or on Federal property, if the woman and her child are otherwise authorized to be present at the location.""

"* Forty-three states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have laws with language specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming).
* Twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws (Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming)."
Continued..

It's a matter that has seen a lot of attention, but has usually been upheld to favor the mother. Personally, I don't have any problem with it- but I'm asexual and apathetic, so I'm a bit less bothered by such pettiness*.

*(Even if you argue that the matter itself is not petty, it is petty when compared to other acts that ARE allowed in public without discrimination, and are actually severely harmful, insulting, and degrading (Ie, Smoking))

Arguments against breastfeeding in public are: A) Bothersome to onlookers B) It's their child, their responsibility, hence they do not have the right to force others to be uncomfortable for it
For it is: A) It's good for the child, and the mother really can't be considered to be doing wrong if it's for taking care of a child- that's a core moral standard. B) It's not really that bothersome, except to people generally considered prudish.

Hence, it boils down to: It really isn't a problem, unless the mother is being grossly offending or overt about it- it's one thing to do it somewhat revealing, but it's another to shove it in other people's faces. Do that with anything else, it's considered harassment, and so it is in this case. So no, no shame need be felt on it, but at the same time, a mutual system of respect does need to be honored.

It should be encouraged for public health. There is nothing wrong with a nursing mother discreetly nursing an infant.
People who are all breasts are sexual objects to be hidden away need to get over themselves.

Originally Posted by Sagitar

If I see someone breastfeeding, I take a look, then look away.
sure, it's normal but it's still a boob. and a nipple.
they draw my attention and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I wouldn't breastfeed in public, I wouldn't want random people to see my naked boob(s). and I'm sure my partner would feel the same about it.

boobs are seen as sexual things, and it's not like it changes when you start
breastfeeding. it's still seen as such (though the baby sucking it might be a
turn off >.> ).

I don't think it should be illegal or anything though. it's a personal choice,
but .. I wish some people would be a bit more considerate and ask if there
was a more private place to breastfeed rather than just pop it out of their
shirt suddenly.

If you find breatfeeding a sensual, sexual act then...I'm not sure what to say to you. x____x

I think that if a woman is breast feeding in public, it's fine, but they should at least be a little conservative about it. They shouldn't let everything hang out in the open and whatnot, you know? I've never actually seen someone breast feeding in public, but I'd probably just be like, whatever, and walk away. I've never heard of any laws about breast feeding where I live. I'm too lazy to look it up and I don't want to ask.. it would be awkward. xD My mom always breast fed me when I was little, but I have no idea if she did it in public or not. When I have kids, I probably won't breast feed in public because of my own comfort level, but whatever. I think for people that are uncomfortable breast feeding in public, maybe there could be a way for them to pump their breast milk into a bottle so they can take it with them for their child to have while they are out without feeling uncomfortable.

I hope they partake in the practice of covering themselves with a blanket.
That's what I generally see breastfeeding mothers do. Now if she just whips out her boob, and attaches the baby, I wouldn't feel bad if someone said something to her.
Just like she wants to feel comfortable, so does everyone else.
So is public breastfeeding so bad, no I guess not, but at least cover up.

To me anyways, it DOES seem more like an intimate moment between baby and mother, so I don't know why you'd WANT to do it in public, but if you NEEDED to, who am I to deny your baby and yourself such benefits.

Well, almost all of us typically live stressful, demanding lifestyles, and it's understandable that the mother may be in a position where that seems the most suitable course for her to take- she doesn't have time to get anywhere too secluded, she has to have the baby on hand- especially if she wants to make sure it gets adequate nutrition in it's development- and she's stressed on top of it. You can sympathize with her, especially if she's fatigued enough that covering up isn't an overwhelming thought in her mind. Like many of us, she likely wants to get it over with fast and get to the next demand of her life.

Nevertheless, mild carelessness and purposeful declaration are not the same thing, and then we move from debates on the right of public breastfeeding to the right of unrestricted nudism.

@Darkeyes: Ya know, you can't pee on the streets. You have to hold it in until you find a proper bathroom. Resisting your urge to pee can result in early incontinency.

Eating a banana is healthy, it works as a full breakfast for people who don't have the time to take a knife to peel any other fruit or cook a full dish. It should be encouraged. But you can't throw the peel on anywhere that isn't your own floor. You have to go look for a trash bin and throw it in there. Not having breakfast can result in many uncomfortable symptoms I'm sure most of you are familiar with.

So saying they should show their boob in a especific situation just because it brings benefits doesn't seem the way to go to me. Sure, it's a natural act, and I can't really go against it, but I feel very uncomfortable already when girls wear low-cuts. If you have to breast-feed in public, have some consideration of those others and bring a blanket with you. I don't think it's that hard, is it?

So... what're your views?

Personally, idc if someone pops it out of their shirt as long as it's to feed the child. I'd rather see something I don't want to see than split my eardrum when little billy's hungry and feels like screaming.

For or against public breastfeeding?

For it. Besides... it's kinda cute seeing a mother and child bonding ^_^

How do you react when you see it?

I just look in their general direction.3

What are the laws regarding breastfeeding in your area?

Idk the laws here, but on the bus women always seem to have a blanket over it, so it seems like it's either "indecent" or not allowed on public buses.

If you plan on having children in the future, do you plan on breastfeeding in public, or would you mind if your partner did?

Idk if I ever plan to have kids in the future... but I actually told my best friend that if she had a kid, she could nurse it wherever she wants in my house ~_^ It's natural isn't it?

Boobs are only seen as sexual things by some cultures. Like america.

Other cultures, like japan, don't see them as sexual at all.

A comic i read about by a guy living in japan is the perfect example.

Here, enjoy.

http://www.drunkduck.com/Raw_Fish/index.php?p=560068
EDIT: the comic contains a picture of boob pudding, and since the hide tag doesn't seem to be working right, here's a link to it.

Originally Posted by Kris

If you find breatfeeding a sensual, sexual act then...I'm not sure what to say to you. x____x

no, I don't find breastfeeding sexual, I find BOOBS sexual.

Sagitar: Breasts are not sexual objects in all situations. They are not sexual when you're getting a mammogram. They are not sexual when you are breastfeeding.
Human beings are mammals. We lactate in order to feed our offspring. That is the primary function of breasts, that's what they're there for. They have no sexual function, other than that many people find them sexually attractive... but a lot of people also find feet sexy, does that mean nobody should be allowed to wear sandals?

Butter and Kah- While I agree that they should at least try to find a quiet corner or more secluded area, covering with a blanket is not always possible.
A lot of women find breastfeeding very difficult, especially in the early weeks. You have to make sure that the baby's head is at the right angle, that the breast is at the right position, and the nipple enters the baby's mouth at the right angle. Many women need to be able to see what they are doing in order to do this, which you can't do under a blanket.
Also, you need to keep in mind that baby's are little people with their own personalities, and not all will feed under a blanket (even a muslin or very thin cellular blanket) especially in warmer weather. Some younger babies will cry and refuse to feed until the blanket is removed, and some older babies will simply pull the blanket off.
Which disturbs you more; a crying baby that screams and screams and won't quiet down because it's hungry, or a woman quietly sat in the corner feeding without a cover?

I agree with Darkeyes, that there's a difference between discreetly feeding out of necessity (as most nursing mothers will need to at some point, as it's important that babies under 6 months old are fed on demand... not 30 minutes later when you've finally found an allocated breastfeeding area) and blatant exhibitionism just because you can get away with it.

Lol yeah, I saw a girl breastfeeding in a mall. I was all "lolwut?" and my guy friend was trying to look at her boobies. And while he was trying to, she saw him. 8DDD The looks on his and her faces were hilarious. :rofl:

But yeah, I think that breastfeeding shouldn't be done in public. I'm not sure if there are any rules about it around here though. D:

Nicca: Why exactly do you think that breastfeeding shouldn't be done in public?

Originally Posted by Kah Hilzin-Ec

@Darkeyes: Ya know, you can't pee on the streets. You have to hold it in until you find a proper bathroom. Resisting your urge to pee can result in early incontinency.

You can certainly take a piss in the streets, so long as you don't disrobe. It's considered horrifically rude, but, at times, it also can't be helped- which is why some people wear diapers or catheters. Anyway, semi-relevant smart-aleck responses aside, there is a difference: As Cherish touched upon, babies are making the demands themselves- if anything, the person at fault is the baby, and who seriously is going to hold them at fault? The only fault on the mothers you can make is that they have such stressful lives and still had a baby.. and yes, in many situations that might be correct.. but, as I said before, you can't hold a baby to harm for another person's mistakes. An adult can manage their pains and troubles, a baby cannot.

And then there is another difference: (Purposefully) taking a piss in public causes a horrible reek and is public defacement- if you were to cover up while doing it, it still wouldn't be public indecency. As such, it's an irrelevant argument. Also, children take pisses in public all the time without any retaliation- obviously supporting that their needs come first. Hence, we have overwhelming precedence. And finally, the locations where you piss, are, for better or worse, typically considered more sexual than breasts (despite what some guys may say ;P). Once again, as Cherish said: In many areas, breasts are not considered sexual. In many places, they can't afford to be.

And finally, to once again touch on a point that Cherish made (I'm nothing but a copycat :'( ): Is there anything really more annoying than a squalling baby? Come on, I'd rather have a league of people with displeasing figures strip down and start dancing, than that. After all, you can always..close your eyes..or look away. It's much more annoying trying to block out sounds.
(And, once again, to support the baby freecard: Babies crying are displeasing, but not noise disturbance.)

You can pee on the streets? o_o It's illegal in my country... as is throwing a banana peel [or any other trash] and spitting, even if it is the [strange word I don't know] that comes out of your throat when you've got an horrible cold.

But seriously, all these situations can be helped. If you know you're going to be out at the time the baby is going to feel hungry [because their bodies do have a schedule], the mother can pump milk, store it, and give it to the child in public without exposing their breasts.

And even though I can eat breakfast [sandwich and cup of tea] in a vehicle moving at 50 km/h through curves, I understand some people just don't have the ability to multi-task. There are other ways to do it discreetly, or if you've got some money, you can get something like this.

Be it a natural thing, you've got to admit most other natural things you don't do it in public, at least not with some discretion.

In China, almost all toddlers have a flap in their outfit and can and do pee and defecate in the streets wherever they want. It's kind of gross at first, but I got used to seeing it and it didn't really bother me. /shrugs

Additionally, I can't see anyone being brash enough to get someone else in trouble if they start uncontrollably leaking bodily fluids in the streets. It's when it's purposeful that it's an issue, which is what I was trying to clarify; Sorry that my formatting was a bit muddled.

And the stuff that comes out of your throat is phlegm.

I don't have a counterargument to bottling, though I imagine there will still be random occurrences that demand a mother feed the babe naturally. Life is life, after all.

Well, I have issues with these because if nobody cleans it [poo/pee/phlegm] inmediatly, it could produce a bacterial cultive which people walking-by would smell and, well, get infected xP

Doesn't happen with breastfeeding though. It still disturbs me. It's hard having an overactive imagination, making me see what's not there... >.>'

Originally Posted by NiccaWoodStar

Lol yeah, I saw a girl breastfeeding in a mall. I was all "lolwut?" and my guy friend was trying to look at her boobies. And while he was trying to, she saw him. 8DDD The looks on his and her faces were hilarious. :rofl:

But yeah, I think that breastfeeding shouldn't be done in public. I'm not sure if there are any rules about it around here though. D:

Is it odd that I find your friend to be a pervert for trying to sneak a peek at a baby's lunch? Or that he exhibits so little self control that he must stare at a woman trying to feed a baby?

What do you suggest women do when they have a small child who is hungry, and they don't happen to have a bottle on hand because they're breastfeeding? Let the child scream and cry and go hungry (and, depending on how long she's out, put its health at risk) so that people like your friend won't have to exhibit manners and self-control?

Originally Posted by Sagitar

no, I don't find breastfeeding sexual, I find BOOBS sexual.

Sure, tits in a porn or while you're making love, or in a lacy bra or corset might be sexy, but is a boob with a feeding child at the end sexual?

Originally Posted by Kah Hilzin-Ec

@Darkeyes: Ya know, you can't pee on the streets. You have to hold it in until you find a proper bathroom. Resisting your urge to pee can result in early incontinency.

Eating a banana is healthy, it works as a full breakfast for people who don't have the time to take a knife to peel any other fruit or cook a full dish. It should be encouraged. But you can't throw the peel on anywhere that isn't your own floor. You have to go look for a trash bin and throw it in there. Not having breakfast can result in many uncomfortable symptoms I'm sure most of you are familiar with.

So saying they should show their boob in a especific situation just because it brings benefits doesn't seem the way to go to me. Sure, it's a natural act, and I can't really go against it, but I feel very uncomfortable already when girls wear low-cuts. If you have to breast-feed in public, have some consideration of those others and bring a blanket with you. I don't think it's that hard, is it?

So, what do you want these women to do if their child refuses to eat under a blanket? :|

Originally Posted by Kah Hilzin-Ec

But seriously, all these situations can be helped. If you know you're going to be out at the time the baby is going to feel hungry [because their bodies do have a schedule], the mother can pump milk, store it, and give it to the child in public without exposing their breasts.

There are some arguments against using a pump an bottle feeding while breast feeding- it's called triple nipple syndrome

Using artificial nipples, meaning supplemental bottles and pacifiers, reduces the time your baby spends at the breast. Time spent nursing at the breast tells your body how much milk to make, meaning that using artificial nipples can reduce supply.

Artifical nipples may lead to nipple confusion, which means a difficulty transitioning from bottles to the breast and back. Some babies get nipple confusion, and some don’t. Some babies will flat out reject the breast after having one bottle. Some babies can have a supplemental bottle and go back to Mom, and some will refuse the bottle altogether.

However, studies show that using artificial nipples increases the likelihood that baby will wean before one year. So, wait until breastfeeding is well established and your supply is adequate for baby’s needs before introducing artificial nipples, and even then, limit their use.

I know personally I plan on trying to breast feed, I do not want to pump or use bottles if I can avoid it - and if that means that I need to feed when I'm out in public so be it.

I have seen mothers feeding in public and I have never seen anyone who doesn't at least try to be subtle about it and have a blanket, or nursing shirt & bra (the shirts have slits so she can pull out her nipple without exposing the whole breast).


So all this to say - I think the right of women should be protected to feed in public as long as they are subtle about it and not exposing their entire breast.

boob is a sexual object, and even if you add a baby infront of it, it's still a boob.
people will stare.

I didn't say you SHOULDN'T breastfeed, I'm just saying to be considerate
like a lot of people here have said.

I've talked about this with guys before, and they all say it does feel akward to them when someone they know suddenly starts to breastfeed infront of them... >.-

Originally Posted by siaasgn

So all this to say - I think the right of women should be protected to feed in public as long as they are subtle about it and not exposing their entire breast.

That's the point - if you feel you need to breastfeed in public, at least do it discreetly. Ya know, if the baby doesn't want to drink under a blanket, you can wrap it around so it covers you from views.

Originally Posted by Sagitar

boob is a sexual object, and even if you add a baby infront of it, it's still a boob.
people will stare.

I didn't say you SHOULDN'T breastfeed, I'm just saying to be considerate
like a lot of people here have said.

I've talked about this with guys before, and they all say it does feel akward to them when someone they know suddenly starts to breastfeed infront of them... >.-

Why doesn't the feeding mother deserve some consideration?
People here talk about how it makes people stare and feel awkward. Well, perhaps we should put it up to them to stop staring and give the mother some consideration, as well. And I don't think it's considerate to her to tell her that she should should have to do some ridiculous things (go to the bathroom to feed her child, cause the child confusion with a bottle, etc) because some people feel awkward.