Breastfeed in Restaurants OK or not OK?

BigDog · 08-19-2009, 08:13:32 AM

Now, I know the law says it is ok in most states.

But, I curious. With the recent events, involving wayward 6 month old baby in BK with no shoes. And another wayward baby wanting his "num nums" in Chick-Fil-A. I got pretty curious.

I'm breastfeeding (really I don't like it, but, DD (3 months) says she doesn't care, she is all about nursing). I have nurse 2 exclusively and 2 bottle fed. We will see where this one goes. And no I can't pump, takes me 30 minutes to get 1/4 ounce out, with the GOOD pumps.

But, I CHOOSE to go to the car and nurse. I don't want some creep watching me nurse and getting all aroused by it. Plus I'm just plain modest, and I do feel in general society is becoming a little too showy.

But, nursing in public, this is SUCH A GREY LINE for me.

It doesn't bother me per sey in the least when ladies cover up. Nurse away, have a blast, get down with your nursing self.

But, my 3 month old can't stand to be covered up. So I understand that point of view too. And yes I have nursed in a restaurant before. I have also, nursed in a bathroom, in the car, in a nursing room (weird), in the movie theater, in bed, the couch, and last but, not least in the shower (mastitis).

But, my question isn't should it be allowed. It is, Do you personally like watching somebody nurse while you are eating? I'm also assuming this a normal aged breast fed baby, not a 9 year old or something like that.

Sweet_Southern_Mama · 08-19-2009, 08:22:28 AM

As a woman it wouldn't bother me in the least as long as someone's not just blatantly trying to be seen doing it like the "showiness" you mentioned. However, I could see how some people might be put off by it, particularly some men.

Ggbwg · 08-19-2009, 08:27:08 AM

I understand babies need to eat and i know that is what they are there for, but there are some gross guys out there who get here kicks. I prefer for someone not to do it in public. I am not asking them to not feed there baby, just make it not so showy.

I took DD to musem and a lady had her boob out and walking around w/ baby just eating away. There were many many guys and people all watching. She could care less. It made me uncomfortable and hubby says it made him uncomfortable. We left.

queenofthehivemomof5 · 08-19-2009, 08:32:45 AM

I voted: Neither - I just don't watch.

Because it does not bother me and it is not like I LIKE to watch a mother nursing. I don't even pay attention. It's not like it's entertainment for me like I enjoy watching a movie or something. LOL

hiding57 · 08-19-2009, 08:36:30 AM

Honestly i have seen about two people nurse in public at all ever. it must be more common in other places.

raesana · 08-19-2009, 08:55:22 AM

I always nursed in public wherever and whenever my son felt like eating. I did always cover up with a blanket though.

I don't get grossed out when I see other women doing it nor do I "like" to watch them. I never really pay attention I guess.

It never occurred to me that some pervs might like watching it. Now that grosses me out! I'm so thankful for that blanket cover now!

shsshorty7 · 08-19-2009, 09:07:26 AM

if i'm eating or something and my son needs to be nursed then i will nurse him.. i cover up..

i picked the first answer.. but i thought about it and i don't like to watch other women do it... but it gives me a little fuzzy feeling that there are others out there who nurse. i'm strange i know.

mamawhit322 · 08-19-2009, 09:31:16 AM

Originally Posted by shsshorty7

if i'm eating or something and my son needs to be nursed then i will nurse him.. i cover up..

i picked the first answer.. but i thought about it and i don't like to watch other women do it... but it gives me a little fuzzy feeling that there are others out there who nurse. i'm strange i know.

I also picked the first answer, but I'm the same way. It makes me feel good that our society (most of the time) doesn't "scold" someone for nursing in public. Some women might not nurse at all if they felt shamed in doing so.

I will nurse this one, as I did with my DS, and I'll nurse in public. I'll throw a blanket over me, but it's not a big deal to me if I don't. My family jokes all the time that everyone in Memphis has seen my boobs because of me not caring to nurse in public. I'm not taking my baby in the bathroom, or out to a cold vehicle (DS was born in November, this one is due in February) so they can eat.

Yes, I could pump, but I saved that milk so that he'd have something to eat when I went back to work. (part time, overnight. He got one bottle while I was gone)

kval07 · 08-19-2009, 09:36:19 AM

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5

I voted: Neither - I just don't watch.

Because it does not bother me and it is not like I LIKE to watch a mother nursing. I don't even pay attention. It's not like it's entertainment for me like I enjoy watching a movie or something. LOL

I voted neither, I just don't watch. QOTH beat me to exactly what I was going to say.

In other news, I don't eat with a blanket over my head, so I don't think a little baby should have to either.