Public Breastfeeding: Yea or Nay?

There is absolutely nothing wrong or offensive about a woman breast feeding her child in public. Any person who feels uncomfortable with it should avert his or her eyes and say nothing. Votes: +2

I do believe that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for a newborn. I am a mother of 3 children
However, I also believe that if the baby is at normal breastfeeding age that a mother should also either be at home with her 8 month and younger breastfeeder or should probably be in her car or prepare better for their outing. There is several reasons I feel this way but mainly because it might seem like bonding for you but for others not comfortable with it a mother should give them equal respect. For example, a mother wouldn't want a smoker to just light up anywhere. Right. Also, you shouldn't breastfeed a toddler, and third if the baby is so hungry u have to stop your shopping or any other activity then maybe you shouldn't be gone from home for so long with an infant.You should also consider outside germs and the cleanliness of breastfeeding in public places. If you have no other alternative then please go somewhere secluded or try to respect others. Votes: +0

I think it is fine as long as the mom is covered completely the entire time and it can be done , some people have such a good technique you don't know what they are doing , or they can pump into bottles before they leave home! NOT BRAIN SURGERY. Votes: +5

A woman should be able to breastfeed anywhere she needs to, and I've always felt this way, even long before I thought I would ever be a mother. True, I always try to plan it where I don't have to, because it's slightly inconvenient, but things happen. And when it's a hundred degrees outside, a stationary car might not get cool enough to sit inside for thirty minutes to do it there. Not to mention the wastefulness of a running car. And I'm sorry, you can't compare smoking to breastfeeding. First off, in most, if not all, states, you can't just light up anywhere. And smoking actually affects the health of those around it. Breastfeeding has no impact on anybody else. And as with a public smoker, if someone doesn't like it, they have the freedom to silently walk away. Votes: +3

I breastfeed any and every where home, church, library, mall, doctors office, parks. When baby is hungry I feed them. I have done so since my first child, I now have three. I do it very discreetly but there are times when someone will notice and give me the why don't you have a bottle look. It really doesn't matter how much planning you do at some point you will have to feed your little one. Breast are the first bottles and are better for baby in the long run (especially when mom is healthy). The benefits are great for both baby and mom. As a rule of thumb I BF until at least one year of age and have pumped for an additional six to seven months afterwards. Sitting in a hot car on a mall parking lot with two other children is not an option nor is going to a nasty bathroom. Votes: +3

yes! I think that it is a normal thing to feed your child!! Votes: +2

You know what I think is wrong and should be banned is artificial milk. For many obvious reasons, tainted milk, starving babies, flooded ER rooms with ear infections, poisoning, dehydration. We should be raising our eyebrows to a mother putting their child at even the risk of death by giving their child a bottle filled with artificial milk. We should be complaining of how can a mother put their child at a higher risk of diabetes, obesity, and many, many other dangerous infections, pain and suffering. Did you knw that a newborn infant goes through a certain level of pain (the pain level does not matter no newborn shld go through any unnecessary pain) when they are given formula for the first time. As for our breastfeeding moms, lay out the red carpet to you and welcome you to please feel free to breastfeed anywhwere you please. Thank you for thinking of your baby first, for giving them the very best start any parent can give! Such a natural thing should be praised, because a mothers choice to breastfeed helps our environment, saves millions in tax dollars and at the same gives that child the opportunity at a healthy life....not to mention these breastfed babies will be our leaders someday, and breastmilk babies do have higher IQs. So think again all you uneducated people before you give a bf mom a look or snare. I've breastfed all 8 of my children to a year and some longer and there is no way I am going to put my baby at risk because of an ignorant person...shame on you to the mother of three telling a mother to feed elsewhere secluded then talking about germs. FYI a mothers milk builds antibodies that fight off germs that a mother comes into contact withand is constantly doing so to keep their baby safe....I'd like to see artificial milk do that! Votes: -2

I really agree with all the mothers,that had there kids,and on what they are saying on this matter on here. Because they are all right about everything they are saying to.I feel if that was me Breast Feeding in Pulic I would not be going outside either.My Lord would not be condeming me for Breast Feeding my infant baby in public either.Because the My Lord would feel that I should not wait,and go somewhere outside to feed the baby.I will cover up really good so nobody could ever see anything either.So nobody will have to say a word to me at all. Votes: +1

I am a breastfeeding mother and it should be ok for a mother to feed her child anywhere any time because the child is hungry n its not like anybody hasn't seen breast before Omg its natural Votes: +1

I breastfed both of my children whenever they needed it. However, I was very discreet and always kept my shirt on (I used special nursing shirts with flaps, button-down shirts with one or two buttons undone, over-sized t-shirts that the baby could fit under, etc.). I also, covered the baby with a light shawl, blanket, or scarf, etc. I only breast fed in public for the first year, and restricted it to home once they became squirmy toddlers. I never once bared my breasts in public. My philosophy is that it is best for baby and if someone is offended because of what they imagine is happening under the shirt or blanket (but cannot actually see), they are the pervert with the problem. Votes: +0