Breastfeeding Poll

[Lucy]

IMO It's a matter of being considerate to others - kind of like how you might pick your nose or scratch your butt at home, but wouldn't in public. ::

Yes....

And it's like cussing as well. Please feel free to cuss as much as you want with your family / friends / and anyone else who is used to hearing that. But please don't do it in a public place where there are people you don't know, and therefore do not know whether that type of talk would make them uncomfortable or not.

[nanglgrl]

I voted covered and discreet. I breastfed 4 children. The oldest is now 19 and the youngest is almost 3. I had to use a smock or blanket with my eldest but with my last 3 children I was able to find a variety of comfortable bras/t-shirts/blouses and tank tops made for breastfeeding that covered my breast and were easy to wear/maneuver when breastfeeding.
I don't care where a woman chooses to feed her child as long as she isn't exposing herself and making other people uncomfortable. I know it was hard 19 years ago when we didn't have all of the awesome clothing made for breastfeeding and moms had to fight a blanket to stay covered but I guess I just don't see the reason in this day and age to let it all hang out.
I agree there is a huge mentality of "who cares what other people feel, it's my right so I'm going to do what I want". We see that mentality all of the time from our clients.

[Crystal]

I'm not trying to start a war of words here, but let me just say this. And please know that it is not directed at YOU personally. It's just that your choice of "feeding my child" that caught my attention.

We (the people who would prefer not to see your boobs) are NOT annoyed that you're feeding your child. We LOVE that you're feeding your child. Breast milk is the BEST thing you can give your precious baby. Please, by all means, breast feed your child! We love it! (And no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

However, while it is a natural and beautiful thing, I don't want to see a naked boob. Marital relations is also a natural and beautiful thing, but I don't want to see it. (And NO, I'm not equating breastfeeding to sex -- puh-lease!) I'm just saying that it is awkward and uncomfortable when someone's boob is out of their shirt. I instinctively want to respect your privacy and avert my eyes. But apparently you don't WANT privacy, so then I focus on the fact that you didn't respect MY right to not be twitchy and weirded out by the elephant in the room (Totally NOT calling your boobs elephants!! ).

And that's exactly what it becomes - something that everyone knows is there, but no one wants to look at it or admit it's there. So we all try to pretend like it's not, and just hope that the baby eats quickly so the awkwardness can be overwith.

Look, I don't think anyone on either side of this issue is going to change their mind. I just wanted to put out there the way it makes ME feel. It's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

This!!!! Exactly how I feel.

[Texasjeepgirl]

I'm not trying to start a war of words here, but let me just say this. And please know that it is not directed at YOU personally. It's just that your choice of "feeding my child" that caught my attention.

We (the people who would prefer not to see your boobs) are NOT annoyed that you're feeding your child. We LOVE that you're feeding your child. Breast milk is the BEST thing you can give your precious baby. Please, by all means, breast feed your child! We love it! (And no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

However, while it is a natural and beautiful thing, I don't want to see a naked boob. Marital relations is also a natural and beautiful thing, but I don't want to see it. (And NO, I'm not equating breastfeeding to sex -- puh-lease!) I'm just saying that it is awkward and uncomfortable when someone's boob is out of their shirt. I instinctively want to respect your privacy and avert my eyes. But apparently you don't WANT privacy, so then I focus on the fact that you didn't respect MY right to not be twitchy and weirded out by the elephant in the room (Totally NOT calling your boobs elephants!! ).

And that's exactly what it becomes - something that everyone knows is there, but no one wants to look at it or admit it's there. So we all try to pretend like it's not, and just hope that the baby eats quickly so the awkwardness can be overwith.

Look, I don't think anyone on either side of this issue is going to change their mind. I just wanted to put out there the way it makes ME feel. It's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

THIS...
I WAS a breastfeeding mom.. twice..
I also was a long term breastfeeding mom...
My second daughter was 2 years 9 months old before I managed to get her weaned...
BUT.. I was always respectful of others... while feeding my child..
AND.... AS an older child.. it was for SLEEP ONLY... she just really didn't know how to fall asleep unless she 'nursy sleep'...

[MarinaVanessa]

I'm not trying to start a war of words here, but let me just say this. And please know that it is not directed at YOU personally. It's just that your choice of "feeding my child" that caught my attention.

We (the people who would prefer not to see your boobs) are NOT annoyed that you're feeding your child. We LOVE that you're feeding your child. Breast milk is the BEST thing you can give your precious baby. Please, by all means, breast feed your child! We love it! (And no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

However, while it is a natural and beautiful thing, I don't want to see a naked boob. Marital relations is also a natural and beautiful thing, but I don't want to see it. (And NO, I'm not equating breastfeeding to sex -- puh-lease!) I'm just saying that it is awkward and uncomfortable when someone's boob is out of their shirt. I instinctively want to respect your privacy and avert my eyes. But apparently you don't WANT privacy, so then I focus on the fact that you didn't respect MY right to not be twitchy and weirded out by the elephant in the room (Totally NOT calling your boobs elephants!! ).

And that's exactly what it becomes - something that everyone knows is there, but no one wants to look at it or admit it's there. So we all try to pretend like it's not, and just hope that the baby eats quickly so the awkwardness can be overwith.

Look, I don't think anyone on either side of this issue is going to change their mind. I just wanted to put out there the way it makes ME feel. It's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

You summed up how I feel about it also.

[mom2many]

I'm not trying to start a war of words here, but let me just say this. And please know that it is not directed at YOU personally. It's just that your choice of "feeding my child" that caught my attention.

We (the people who would prefer not to see your boobs) are NOT annoyed that you're feeding your child. We LOVE that you're feeding your child. Breast milk is the BEST thing you can give your precious baby. Please, by all means, breast feed your child! We love it! (And no, I'm not being sarcastic.)

However, while it is a natural and beautiful thing, I don't want to see a naked boob. Marital relations is also a natural and beautiful thing, but I don't want to see it. (And NO, I'm not equating breastfeeding to sex -- puh-lease!) I'm just saying that it is awkward and uncomfortable when someone's boob is out of their shirt. I instinctively want to respect your privacy and avert my eyes. But apparently you don't WANT privacy, so then I focus on the fact that you didn't respect MY right to not be twitchy and weirded out by the elephant in the room (Totally NOT calling your boobs elephants!! ).

And that's exactly what it becomes - something that everyone knows is there, but no one wants to look at it or admit it's there. So we all try to pretend like it's not, and just hope that the baby eats quickly so the awkwardness can be overwith.

Look, I don't think anyone on either side of this issue is going to change their mind. I just wanted to put out there the way it makes ME feel. It's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Exactly! I have no issues with breast feeding either and breastfed all 3 of my kids.

My 6 mth old grand daughter is currently being breastfed and is thriving, but my daughter is discreet and manages to feed on demand even in public w/o causing any eyebrows to raise...IMHO it's all about how you do it!

[Sereetta]

Very interested

So I covered in public with my shirt or a blanket but I don't mind if people don't cover. Honestly when it comes down to it everyone will have an opinion.... to breast fed to not, to cover to not, to pump to not.... In the end its not a big deal as long as the child is fed.
I've lived and travelled abroad and have never remebered this conversation ever being discussed. Breast feeding was never viewed as sexual its a necessity because things such as formula are not a readily available. Sometimes I wonder if our "modern society" has us focused on the wrong things?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I saw this on Facebook and thought of the board ...

[Sprouts]

I breast fed all three if my children....with my first i made sure i was super covered and did not want my nipple exposed at all....but now by my third..I still cover, and dont want people to see my nipple or anything, but things slip, baby pulls at blanket...and I truly don't care...if my baby is hungry I could care less what anyone else thinks...my child needs to eat, don't look if you don't want to see anything by accident

i'm happy thAT i never have had to waste money on formula and that my child has the best milk out there

[Hunni Bee]

I plan on breastfeeding and I will cover. I didn't run around flashing my breasts in public before, and I won't start now because I'll have a baby.

[Unregistered]

THIS absolutely says it all!