Recently in the news in some random Midwest McDonald's, a woman who was breastfeeding was asked to leave. The lady doth protest too much and proceeded to find other breastfeeding mothers and have a...tit-in? They all gathered at Mickey D's and whipped their ta-tas out to feed their breed. So I'm curious: when you see a woman breastfeed in public, what is your reaction? Do you think it's wonderful and natural? Do you instantly want to yell "PUT THAT AWAY!"? Or maybe you just don't care?

My opinion: it disgusts me. Just because you have a baby, it doesn't mean you get some sacred right to expose yourself in public to feed them, especially in a restaurant. I also don't intend on breastfeeding my child, if and when I have one. And please understand, I am not trying to imply any ill will towards any woman who choose to do this. I realize we have to freedom to do this, and I am just looking for your opinion.

Thaaaaank youuuuuuu
Love and Rockets,
Blinker less

Actually "exposure laws" DO NOT apply to breastfeeding babies in all states in the USA! It is not "indecent exposure" to breastfeed in public anywhere and in most states, there are actually statutes on the books reaffirming that a woman has alegal right to feed an infant anywhere she and the infant have a legal right to be. No matter what is "showing" or whether a "blanket" is used or not.

Most of us who have actually nursed babies for a significant period of time KNOW most babies CANNOT eat with a blanket over their head. Thus, Persephone's clever "Don't like to see my baby breastfeeding, put a blanket over your head.] T shirt. (I don't mean YOU individually, but this comment is gaining popularity with mothers who KNOW their babies need to eat.) And know that most babies simply will NOT eat with their heads covered. I suggest anyone who insists a nursing child be "covered up" try eating an entire meal with a full sized blanket over their head and body and see just how uncomfortable it really IS! less

Huh, I didn't know that. Learn something new everyday.
If that doesn't apply, then at least restaurants' policies of 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' would apply would it not? The shirt is not being used in its proper manner if it's not covering breasts (by covered I mean at least what is considered 'decent' among women). And it that doesn't apply, then couldn't they fall back on their right to 'refuse service'? less

I am not against it and I'm not for it and I'm not offended perse as much as I am wholly uncomfortable witnessing something so intimate.

That's what we're raised to believe right? Breastfeeding is as much an intimate bonding experience as it is a means to nourish the child. I don't know where to look or what to say and I feel uncomfortable holding a conversation with a woman who has a child suckling. And if the child can ASK for the boob, I think it's the appropriate time to switch to a pump and sippy cups. less

I think its ok to a certain point, if it's an infant at least put a blanket over the shoulder hidding what the kids doing, its obvious what they are doing but it's a lil discreet, if the boob is just out and you can see everything thats wrong, and people should get tickets for indecent exposure especially if it's a todler sucking on it, that makes me gag less

I wonder why they need to stop "if they can ask for it?" That oft heard phrase has always stumped me.

I'm a Lactation Consultant and I have studied Lactation for over 20 years. The average age for weaning is 4 years plus a few months. MOST children breastfed can and do ask for it.

My kids could talk at 7 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum age of one year of unrestricted breastfeeding (with solids NOT given until after the 6 month mark.) Where does that leave early talkers? Does that mean kids who learn to speak later (some kids didn't say a word until 3) get to nurse longer? While kids like mine, have to wean early (MUCH TOO early, IMO) because they can "ask for it" at 7 or 8 months?

And seeing as breastfeeding can add up to 12 points to a child's IQ, early talking is often the norm with some, but not all breastfed children. Why stop the very activity that is the best for a child, simply because they ask for it?

My babies went from saying "Numamammama" at 7 or 8 months, to "Num Num" at a year, to "Pwease, I have one?" at 15 months, to politely asking if they could have some milk (or Nummies, as we called it) at 2 or 3. IMO, telling someone that you need something you need is not a reason to stop it. Do we stop putting children in diapers when they start telling you they went? Or when they ask to be changed? Do we run out and buy a "Big" boy or girl bed and ditch the crib the first time they "ask" to be put to bed? Do we throw away the stroller because a baby asks to be put into it when they are tired and want to ride? What about kids who ask for bottles? Any different? Not in my opinion. When children learn language, the very FIRST things they talk about are the things that mean the most to them. That means the way they are fed (breast or bottle) and the comfort of their mothers are the first words spoken.

Do we stop hugging our babies because they ask for hugs? God, I hope not.

Breastfeeding is no different.

JMO

As you can see, to me, this is a really important part of not only parenting, but to society and humanity. I hope my comments are taken in the spirit they are given, kind and informative. less

I understand this is a passion of yours, it certainly is not a passion of mine. I really have no desire to see a three year old latched onto a breast, for any reason. No different than taking a pacifier or blanket away when it is no longer socially acceptable for the child to have one in the company of others.

I was not breastfed and I am incredibly intelligent. Well above the peers of my socio-economic class.

Honestly, I really couldn't care less one way or another. less

I understand if it isn't a passion of yours. But, pacifiers and blankets are not either forms of human comfort, not are they nutritive or do they enhance the immune system or the entire body.

I am not going to get into the whole "I wasn't breastfed and I'm fine." Argument, as it is simple anecdotes and proves nothing. I was breastfed for about 4 weeks, and have a high IQ, too. That doesn't disprove the 20 or so studies that show the additive effects on intelligence from a diet of human milk directly from the breast.

Each has their own opinion, but facts are facts. What people "don't like to see" has nothing to do with the immunological, nutritive, neurological, and bonding benefits of breastfeeding. Them's the facts. Not to mention women have the legal right to breastfeed anywhere they and their child have the legal right to be. (I see things I "don't like to see" every day of my life, including kids drinking blue Kool Aid or Coca Cola from a bottle or a sippy cup, but it is NOT my right to say anything to their mothers. Nor is it my "right" to wish such activity illegal. It's simply none of my business and I have the "right" to simply look away, which is what I do. It's my issue for being "offended" and I say nor do nothing about it.)

It's been kept civil up until now. I think we can agree to disagree on what we "like to see" and realize that what one "likes to see" has no impact on fact, science or reality of what is best for the people one is looking at. less

I wonder why they need to stop "if they can ask for it?" That oft heard phrase has always stumped me.

I'm a Lactation Consultant and I have studied Lactation for over 20 years. The average age for weaning is 4 years plus a few months. MOST children breastfed can and do ask for it.

My kids could talk at 7 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum age of one year of unrestricted breastfeeding (with solids NOT given until after the 6 month mark.) Where does that leave early talkers? Does that mean kids who learn to speak later (some kids didn't say a word until 3) get to nurse longer? While kids like mine, have to wean early (MUCH TOO early, IMO) because they can "ask for it" at 7 or 8 months?

And seeing as breastfeeding can add up to 12 points to a child's IQ, early talking is often the norm with some, but not all breastfed children. Why stop the very activity that is the best for a child, simply because they ask for it?

My babies went from saying "Numamammama" at 7 or 8 months, to "Num Num" at a year, to "Pwease, I have one?" at 15 months, to politely asking if they could have some milk (or Nummies, as we called it) at 2 or 3. IMO, telling someone that you need something you need is not a reason to stop it. Do we stop putting children in diapers when they start telling you they went? Or when they ask to be changed? Do we run out and buy a "Big" boy or girl bed and ditch the crib the first time they "ask" to be put to bed? Do we throw away the stroller because a baby asks to be put into it when they are tired and want to ride? What about kids who ask for bottles? Any different? Not in my opinion. When children learn language, the very FIRST things they talk about are the things that mean the most to them. That means the way they are fed (breast or bottle) and the comfort of their mothers are the first words spoken.

Do we stop hugging our babies because they ask for hugs? God, I hope not.

Breastfeeding is no different.

JMO

As you can see, to me, this is a really important part of not only parenting, but to society and humanity. I hope my comments are taken in the spirit they are given, kind and informative. less

Recently in the news in some random Midwest McDonald's, a woman who was breastfeeding was asked to leave. The lady doth protest too much and proceeded to find other breastfeeding mothers and have a...tit-in? They all gathered at Mickey D's and whipped their ta-tas out to feed their breed. So I'm curious: when you see a woman breastfeed in public, what is your reaction? Do you think it's wonderful and natural? Do you instantly want to yell "PUT THAT AWAY!"? Or maybe you just don't care?

My opinion: it disgusts me. Just because you have a baby, it doesn't mean you get some sacred right to expose yourself in public to feed them, especially in a restaurant. I also don't intend on breastfeeding my child, if and when I have one. And please understand, I am not trying to imply any ill will towards any woman who choose to do this. I realize we have to freedom to do this, and I am just looking for your opinion.

Thaaaaank youuuuuuu
Love and Rockets,
Blinker less

At this point, let me please thank you and the other members of your profession. I have no doubt you have eased the burden of dozens, if not hundreds, of parents. I know in our case, when my son was born, we tried and tried for 24 hours to get him to breastfeed, but he simply wouldn't do it. We were getting horribly concerned, when we had a lactation consultant visit us. Literally within one minute, she had our son breastfeeding, and we had no problems after that. less

Actually "exposure laws" DO NOT apply to breastfeeding babies in all states in the USA! It is not "indecent exposure" to breastfeed in public anywhere and in most states, there are actually statutes on the books reaffirming that a woman has alegal right to feed an infant anywhere she and the infant have a legal right to be. No matter what is "showing" or whether a "blanket" is used or not.

Most of us who have actually nursed babies for a significant period of time KNOW most babies CANNOT eat with a blanket over their head. Thus, Persephone's clever "Don't like to see my baby breastfeeding, put a blanket over your head.] T shirt. (I don't mean YOU individually, but this comment is gaining popularity with mothers who KNOW their babies need to eat.) And know that most babies simply will NOT eat with their heads covered. I suggest anyone who insists a nursing child be "covered up" try eating an entire meal with a full sized blanket over their head and body and see just how uncomfortable it really IS! less