Breastfeed in Restaurants OK or not OK?

[MrsPinecone]

Originally Posted by Sculpture Widow Did someone post this yet?? One nursing cover is called Hooter Hiders !! Another brand is Baby Au Lait.

Those are the same brand. They started out as Hooter Hiders, and then switched to Bebe Au Lait to upgrade their image.

[BigDog]

Originally Posted by moojie IMHO the question asked in the poll was rather sardonic, and kinds of sets you up to sound like a pervert if you're FOR breastfeeding in public.

Sorry, about not being perfect poll maker. I figured everyone here, was an adult, and understood that when they put, yes, it was because they saw it as purely a nutritional stand point. But, I admit, when re-reading it. It does look a little perverted. Your not the only person who has said this, this is in the family way thread (or at least for the time, hope it doesn't go to HUTC). So figured the only people answering would be women nursing or in that "phase" of life, where we are happy for those who can giving their baby the best they can give.

Originally Posted by Joyfulmom4 Do I *like* watching? lol! Well, when you put it that way, no, not particularly. But I don't *not like* watching either. Again sorry for the misunderstanding. I have yet to encounter a woman who was being "showy" about breastfeeding.

Been to mid-Ga lately? There are some "characters" down here. There are a few who I think nurse just to be able to flash. You know baby isn't awake, mom rips open shirt, 5 minutes pass as she is eating, feeds baby. Doesn't the lady back in for another 5 minutes or more. And no it isn't a forgetful thing. Hubby/SO says something and they go so "I'm a nursing mom, they can't say anything.

I'm sorry who this offends (well, maybe I'm not sorry), but, that mama has "issues".

Originally Posted by C.A.S.H.Mama I But the reason I love this thread is that it brings back such memories. My first son (now 11) would nurse for an hour (if I let him) and then he would be ready again in 20 minutes. Thankfully, he was my first. But I remember going food shopping...I would nurse him in the car, then quickly run in and get the shopping done and hopefully make it out to the car again before he started up. Many times I had to leave my cart in the store, go nurse him, and then finish up later. \ Kristen

Yeah all 3 (out of 5) of mine, including my now 3 month old does this. It is SO annoying (I'm not an uber pro-bf'ing person). So, I do get annoyed when I can go in for a run to get "essentials" (milk, eggs, fruit) and I have to leave.

And for all those who might suggest it. I am not nusing in a front carrier and grocery shopping. Yes, I know you can technically do it (at least some can). But I refuse.

[mandybeyl]

Originally Posted by beth119 It was TOTALLY a joke....

My apologies. Some people have been so negative (and serious about it!) in this thread, that I guess I got wrapped up in that

[C.A.S.H.Mama]

Originally Posted by BigDog;1982053 [COLOR=blue And for all those who might suggest it. I am not nusing in a front carrier and grocery shopping. Yes, I know you can technically do it (at least some can). But I refuse.[/COLOR]

LOL, that's one I never tried!

[castocreations]

Great post. I am planning to breast feed (hopefully) and I'm sure this situation will come up. I'm SUPER modest and plan to get some sort of nursing cover, but I'll still be self conscious.

It doesn't bother me if moms do it as long as they aren't just swinging free and open for everyone to see. :)

[enginerd]

I was able to BF in public all the time without exposing myself. I would just unhook and then pull my shirt over DS head - he didn't care one bit that the shirt was over his head. I could and did BF him while walking around - I remember one time specifically him nursing while I walked all over the Christmas tree farm looking for the perfect tree. It doesn't bother me one bit if BF is done in public - just respect those around you and be discreet. I had one niece that would just sit there and expose her breasts for all to see when she could have easily sat where her back was to us.

[CoffeeMom]

I have no problem with anyone nursing in public. I've nursed just about everywhere - grocery store, church, restaurant, etc- I have a great sling that DS2 can lay in and nurse without exposing my breast to anyone else and if we're in a restaurant I just put a thin blanket over him. It wouldn't bother me to nurse without covering up, but I do since I know it might bother others.

What I don't get is people who make a big stink about ANY nursing in public - they're just boobs, you see them everywhere else. Honestly, you see more on a Victoria's Secret commercial than you do when (most) moms nurse in public. :shrug7::shrug7:

[CoffeeMom]

Originally Posted by akita_mommy Personally, (and I don't want anyone to get offended) I am very offended when someone does this in public. I do agree that breastfeeding is very good for the baby and I plan on doing this buttttt... I was eating at a restaurant PAYING for my food and I had a woman sitting in the next table with her boobage all hanging out breastfeeding the baby. I really found it offensive that I was a paying customer paying for my meal and I couldn't even EAT IT because I was so disturbed by seeing nothing but BOOB! Again, I don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just giving my answer to the question!

If you were that offended, why were you looking? ...maybe the nursing mom found it bothersome that you were staring at her "boobage" while she was paying for her meal...?

[talk2ham.1]

Warning! Some serious soapboxing going on in the next few paragraphs!!!!

O.k., how do I say this? ummm . . . why would you make such a blind statement as "it's just a boob?" As if it doesn't have more than one purpose? It is sexual. And I LIKE IT THAT WAY!!! I really like my DH's attentions and I really don't like other women giving him something to compare too. Not that I think he would, but he's a guy. He's a really discreet, honest, faithful husband and I don't think he would do anything less than look away and frown. But do women HAVE to make it hard on nice guys to think nice things about women? I don't like bikinis and Victoria's Secret commercials and the like for just that reason. Maybe I'm really old fashioned, but maybe not.

Yeah, so maybe it's just an American problem to see boobs as only sexual. But, HELLO! We live in America! So why is it so hard to respect culture by trying to be discreet if we can?

And I've done some traveling around too. Did you know that there are cultures that force their women to go topless? Not because they are enlightened and simple folk, but to keep their women in subjection to the menfolk's random and instantaneous sexual desires. These are the cultures that rape girls regularly from the age of 8 or 9 and up. So before you jump to the conclusion that Americans are the only people that see breasts as more than just for baby feeding, realize that is simply not the case. It is universal to see breasts as having a sexual purpose as well. And it is universal to recognize that flashing breasts does arouse sexual perversion.

But isn't it possible to be thoughtful of other people who are living in their own little "American bubble" as to see boobs as erotic? I mean . . . they were brought up that way. So, why challenge their upbringing so rudely as to disrespect them publicly? Would you something in another country just to rile the natives on purpose? So why do it to your own people?


Just so you all know . . .
I'm not down on the women who nurse in public and try to be discreet but have trouble with their squirmy babies and thus show some skin for a few extra seconds. At least they are trying. But why are we defending the women who are flashing us on purpose?

I like breastfeeding and have done it for a combined total of 26 months. I would've gone longer with the first two, but I got pregnant and my milk dried up with both. I've nursed in public regularly with all three babies.

So here are some of my own personal reasons for discreet public breastfeeding.

I'd really rather not flash my boobs and make some little girl insecure about hers.

And I really rather not flash my boobs and have some man wish his wife had better ones.

And I'd really rather not flash my boobs and have some creep wonder how hard it might be to follow me home and get a better view . . .

I think discreet public breastfeeding is about being NICE in public and showing a few MANNERS!

[amys]

I guess I must've missed it - I don't remember reading about anyone being in favor of those who flash them on purpose. Most here have stated that discreet is the key, but women should not have to be embarrassed about it because of the negative reactions of others.

Discretion is necessary due to what pp^ just described, but women should be able to be comfortable bfing if that is the choice they make and not have to worry about the "looks" "remarks" "glares" "tsking" or "drooling" (and not the baby's drool)