Breast feeding in Public??

[Abdulmajid]

Is it right?

Strange class issue:

I have observed the trendy middle classes do it and the absolute underclass but not the vast middle ground.

Would you? (obviously aimed at lactating ladies)

Have you?

Are you offended or embarrassed when you see it?

Absurd that the most natural thing in the world is question for debate.

[daffy654]

I breast fed my son in public only when absolutely necessary,this was mainly because of other peoples attitudes.I was always discrete and if you'd seen me would probably not have noticed what I was doing.I am most definitely not offended or embarrassed if I see other women breast feeding their babies,its the most natural thing in the world to do.

[leelapops]

I don't mind it, although it always instigates an uncomfortable atmosphere 'cos no-one knows where to look! I don't care, if baby's hungry, it needs fed!

I wouldn't because I don't want anything chomping at my nips, to be honest. But I may feel differently if ever I have kids.

[whiffey]

I wouldn't do it, it's just one of those things that's "not on" and should be confined to a dark room.

[knobbynonuty]

Just like you then whifey

[leelapops]

whiffey, what happened before bottle-feeding? Should all nursing mums have been confined to dark rooms when feeding all the pre-bottle and formula babies?

[rabbitygirl]

I've never made my mind about this. It's not something I would have done. But attitudes have changed.

Had my house on the market in 2006 and was showing a woman with a baby around. The baby started crying so she promptly sat down on a bed and proceeded to breast feed.

And she carried on chatting about the garden, the neighbours etc. while doing it!

I excused myself after a couple of minutes. Not because it was a problem but because it was a room which lead to the garden and I had to warn Mr R and my boys NOT to come thru!

[Jillius]

I've done it but only very discreetly. I was once in a cafe when a woman and a kid about 5 years old sat on the next table and he kept nattering that he wanted a drink. I was mortified when she lobbed out her ample bosom for everyone to see, then was even more mortified when this kid attached it's self and started slurping loudly.
It was awful. I only did it if i was sat in a cafe where no one could see what i was doing.

[pastafreak]

I did it with my daughter,and that was 22yrs ago. I have absolutely no problem with it...it is just a shame that some narrow minded folk still seem to want to make an issue of it. As to the class thing.....maybe the 'yummy mummy'set are a bit more well informed regarding the benefits; the 'lower' strata of society may see it as something they left behind,or that being able to 'afford' to purchase infant formulae means they have moved up in the world. Of course-there are always those who either can't or choose not to.

[leelapops]

Ah, Jilluis has raised a good point: at what age is breastfeeding anywhere just entirely inappropriate?
x

[lil123]

I used to breastfeed my son just used to wear a baggy jumper or cardigan. I did hate it when men used to stare though and sometimes I felt that uncomfortable that I would go in the toilet to do it or some places have a special room now which is nice

[mrs_overall]

I fed mine in public if necessary but it was always discrete.

If I ever see a mum feeding in a public place and someone tuts at her or makes a derogatory comment, I end up opening my big mouth to tear them off a strip.
Feeding a baby is a natural thing and I have no time for anyone who finds it offensive.

[poohshunny]

If it is done discreetly, then I feel it is acceptable to do so. I breastfed my son in public. I only ever had one person ask me to stop stop as it was "disgusting" and then he told me where the toilets were. I was in a cafe having lunch with some friends. Noone around me had noticed, not even two of the girls sitting at the table with me! I think he must have had binoculurs to see anything! I answered the man by saying "would you eat your meal in the toilet?" He said that he wouldn't. A worker from the cafe (also a man) came over to the table to ask what the problem was. He said I was not causing any problem feeding the baby and was happy for me to continue.

[B00]

I'm bemused by the women, who've breastfed their children, who have deemed it necessary to add to their posts that they did it discreetly. Why? Isn't that what women breasts are for? Feeding babies?

We dont eat our meals discreetly do we? Why should our babies?

[poohshunny]

Hi BOO. The reason I did it discreetly is because I am so big busted (36k) that i get enough stares from people, mostly men, when they are covered never mind out and about for all to see. My hubby is a very happy man though, if you know what I mean?!? ;-D

[B00]

Oddly enough Legend, Mr Boo said he was all for it too! Bloody men!

[B00]

No don't get me wrong poohshunny- I think it's a shame that we/you/anyone feels they have to do it discreetly in the first place.

It's what breasts were for- and to have to hide the fact we're doing the most natural thing in the world for fear of being ogled at by lecherous men make me angry.

Crikey, I'll be wearing dungarees next and hugging trees!

[dot.hawkes]

Last Saturday afternoon at the busiest time of the day, a woman sat down on one of the stools on my department right in the centre and commenced breast feeding. I was trying to run a business and she was taking up a valuable seeting area and customers were walking past and reaching behind her to look at the displays, and many of them, when they realised what she was doing, walked off without looking any further! It cost me the week's target and so I lost money, I was livid, we have a purpose built room in the store which I could have taken her to if she had bothered to ask, I think it was thoughtless and selfish of her, she did it just to be attention seeking and she knew I was annopyed, it doesn;t bother me what she was doing, it bothers me that she chose the busiest saturday we have had in weeks and that she lost me business!!!!

[pastafreak]

I am sure most women would rather not have to do what is natural 'discreetly' .......but it is probably necessary in order not to offend anyone of a 'delicate' nature-lol......or to inadvertantly encourage the stares of some men.