Breastfeed in Restaurants OK or not OK?

[TheWoman]

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

The more kids I have the more I realize that one should not joke about babysitters. They are way, way too important for that.

[urchin_grey]

I wait tables for a living. The breastfeeding rate where I live is VERY low though so I am overjoyed when I see a mom breastfeeding in public, anywhere.

[urchin_grey]

Originally Posted by beth119 WTH? All my kids were bottle fed... 1. I didn't want to. 2. It didn't matter... I didn;t seem to have made any milk anyway 3. My DD was SO sick, that I COULDN'T have breastfed her. So, maybe before you judge, you should remember that everyone's circumstances are different. If a mother doesn't make any milk, should that kid just starve to death?

FWIW, its likely that your true milk didn't come in BECAUSE you weren't nursing. So that doesn't necessarily mean that if you had tried to nurse, you wouldn't have had enough because breastfeeding is based on supply and demand.

Originally Posted by nicellis0325 Seriously? How do you compare breastfeeding to bottle feeding? So how would you feel if a man whipped out his penis on the table next to you? I am all for having a breastfeeding section, just as some places have a smoking section. Why should others have to be exposed to that? I for one do not want my husband to be exposed to another woman's naked breasts. Very inappropriate. Yuck.

OMG seriously??? Where is the barf smiley? I don't know about you, but my children don't eat from penises! Ew, yuck, yuck, yuck. How can you compare a sex organ to breasts???? They MAKE MILK you don't pee or reproduce with them!!

And smoking??? Since when does seeing a woman feed her child give you cancer??

Ugh. Just... gross.

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5 Best thing about all of this is it does not really matter what others opinions are it is 100% legal to breastfeed a child in public.

Best post, IMO. None of these opinions matter at all. If a baby is hungry and you're out, feed him. I was so worried about opinions and comments from others that I actually tried to work going out around my son's feedings. It was impossible. He nursed for 20-40 minutes at a time, every two hours. This didn't mean I had two hours between feedings either to go out either. The clock started ticking for the next feeding when he latched on. I felt like such a prisoner in my home until I got over myself and just started to NIP. I've not had a single negative comment or disapproving look yet. We're still nursing at 14 months.

Some of these comments are insane.

[cjnelson]

Originally Posted by blakersmomma Best post, IMO. None of these opinions matter at all. If a baby is hungry and you're out, feed him. I was so worried about opinions and comments from others that I actually tried to work going out around my son's feedings. It was impossible. He nursed for 20-40 minutes at a time, every two hours. This didn't mean I had two hours between feedings either to go out either. The clock started ticking for the next feeding when he latched on. I felt like such a prisoner in my home until I got over myself and just started to NIP. I've not had a single negative comment or disapproving look yet. We're still nursing at 14 months. Some of these comments are insane.

Totally agree with you, that was my experience. Bully for you!!

[murphycoupons]

I have never been good about nursing in public myself. However I have nursed in many interesting places including planes. It is kind of hard to find a dark corner (for my own comfort) to nurse. However there is nothing better for take off and landings with a small child who does not take a pacifier. Luckily I always had someone next to me who was supportive.

[beth119]

Originally Posted by urchin_grey FWIW, its likely that your true milk didn't come in BECAUSE you weren't nursing. So that doesn't necessarily mean that if you had tried to nurse, you wouldn't have had enough because breastfeeding is based on supply and demand. I NEVER "leaked", "swelled", etc... I am pretty darn sure it was never there... I may not be a lactose expert, but I think I would notice if my boobs were carrying extra liquid. OMG seriously??? Where is the barf smiley? I don't know about you, but my children don't eat from penises! Ew, yuck, yuck, yuck. How can you compare a sex organ to breasts???? They MAKE MILK you don't pee or reproduce with them!! Depending on WHO you ask, a breast IS a sex organ. A penis has dual purpose... sex or peeing, or both. A breast is for feeding, sex, or both... Both have a "natural" function, and a "sexual" one. .

[mnnice]

Beth--

lackof leaking, engorgement,or feelings of letdown does not necessarily equal lack of milk. I never, ever leaked with DS2 and he nursed for 3 and 1/2 years. I breast only "felt" full and looked bigger than my non-pregnant/nursing self for maybe a week.

Babies that are wetting and soiling the required number of diapers and gaining weight are the true "judges" of supply.

[amys]

Be that as it may - there are some moms who are truly unable to nurse - there are some moms who do not produce milk at all - there are some moms who are shaped differently and the baby can not latch - there are many ways/reasons that can affect a woman's ability to bf - we are not to judge the decision made by the mom nor the reasons behind it.

[wisewallet]

I don't like the wording of the poll "DO YOU LIKE" infers that it gives me some sort of pleasure. I believe that breastfeeding should be permitted anywhere and everywhere. Not because I "like" it. But because it is wrong to ban it.