Woman breastfeeding on the bus.

Jonny Blaze

EDIT: Please note that this thread was originally posted under a different title. Some comments below refer to this. Please ignore these comments when posting. Thanks!

On the packed bus home this evening just after six coming out of city centre, I was shuffling around trying to make way for people getting off and I turned to face the back of the bus.

Just there in the first row of seats on the outside was a woman breastfeeding a child.

I tried to keep my expression blank, despite my surprise, and made my way back further (not to have a better look you scallywags!) to a seat that had opened up.

Now I don't personally have any sort of problem with public breastfeeding. Perfectly natural and all that.

But it did kind of strike me as odd that the woman was feeding the child on a really packed bus in rush hour traffic.

Also the kid was definitely older than a year old, maybe even as old as two.

Is this normal do you think?

I mean, if there are any mothers out there, would you do the same?

tightropetom

To be fair, when kids are hungry, they're hungry and probably won't wait quietly for the 45 minute trip home so meh...

LordSutch

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

Is this normal do you think?

Its totally natural, but for some reason many people still have hang-ups about breast feeding, never mind breast feeding in public.

Doom

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

On the packed bus home this evening just after six coming out of city centre, I was shuffling around trying to make way for people getting off and I turned to face the back of the bus.

Just there in the first row of seats on the outside was a woman breastfeeding a child.

I tried to keep my expression blank, despite my surprise, and made my way back further (not to have a better look you scallywags!) to a seat that had opened up.

Now I don't personally have any sort of problem with public breastfeeding. Perfectly natural and all that.

But it did kind of strike me as odd that the woman was feeding the child on a really packed bus in rush hour traffic.

Also the kid was definitely older than a year old, maybe even as old as two.

Is this normal do you think?

I mean, if there are any mothers out there, would you do the same?

Photos or gtfo

Afroshack

I can understand why it might make some people uncomfortable, but I'd much prefer someone breastfeeding on the bus than a hungry, crying baby on the bus.

dharma200

Would any mother who breast feeds feed their child from their breast, is that what you are asking?

Would it be normal for me as a mother to feed my child ? have no idea why that is even a question.

Gran Hermano

Thread title is a misleading. Big difference between a woman subtly breastfeeding and a woman sitting there with her left boob exposed whilst she plays angry birds on her phone or chats to her friend.

Muise...

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

Now I don't personally have any sort of problem with public breastfeeding. Perfectly natural and all that.

But it did kind of strike me as odd that the woman was feeding the child on a really packed bus in rush hour traffic.

Also the kid was definitely older than a year old, maybe even as old as two.

Is this normal do you think?

I mean, if there are any mothers out there, would you do the same?

Is it bothering you that she went ahead and breastfed without being ashamed of herself, because some other people have a problem with it?

Canard

She was using her breasts for what they're made for, I don't get why people have a problem with it.

Menas

Not sure what the point is here. Kids get hungry and need feeding.
Feed the kid and don't have it anoying the bus with it's crying.
Perfectly natural and proper imo.

Jonny Blaze

dharma200 wrote: »

Would any mother who breast feeds feed their child from their breast, is that what you are asking?

Would it be normal for me as a mother to feed my child ? have no idea why that is even a question.

Just curious as to whether women take setting into account when feeding/ about to feed.

It's not something i've seen before is all.

Didn't bother me in the slightest.

BNMC

What colour was the bus?

Jonny Blaze

BNMC wrote: »

What colour was the bus?

Regular dublin bus yellow i think. Wasn't paying attention when I got on but just the usual.

Why?

Archeron

Bitty!

Artful_Badger

Afroshack wrote: »

I can understand why it might make some people uncomfortable, but I'd much prefer someone breastfeeding on the bus than a hungry, crying baby on the bus.

If she was flicking the nipple and winking then it'd be uncomfortable. But I dont see how a kid getting fed could make anyone uncomfortable.

Banjo String

Bitty.

wolfpawnat

I have had to bf on the luas a good few times. My daughter doesn't really care how busy it is, and her fed and happy is way better than annoying everyone by screaming in hunger. Though I always cover up. As for the age thing, I don't see myself feeding for that long, but the HSE and WHO recommend feeding for at least 2 years.

Nodin

bosom or wailing child on bus.....hmmm...tricky.

dan1895

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

Just curious as to whether women take setting into account when feeding/ about to feed.

It's not something i've seen before is all.

Didn't bother me in the slightest.

Why would they? If the kids hungry, it's hungry.

Jonny Blaze

People seem to be getting the wrong impression that I took offence or have some problem with this.

I don't. I was curious if this would be common or if women don't even think about where they are at all when they need to feed their kids or what.

Nodin

Nodin wrote: »

bosom or wailing child on bus.....hmmm...tricky.

Yup, only two possibilities.

Nodin

Deleted User wrote: »

Yup, only two possibilities.

Well I thought shooting the child was a bit harsh, meself.

wexie

wolfpawnat wrote: »

I have had to bf on the luas a good few times. My daughter doesn't really care how busy it is, and her fed and happy is way better than annoying everyone by screaming in hunger. Though I always cover up. As for the age thing, I don't see myself feeding for that long, but the HSE and WHO recommend feeding for at least 2 years.

2 years? :eek:

hmmm...we've always gone with the principle that they should be weened before they can say 'boobies'.

Brussels Sprout

Ireland has the lowest rate of breastfeeding in the OECD (by a mile). This kind of attitude is part of the reason why.

Jonny Blaze

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

Ireland has the lowest rate of breastfeeding in the OECD (by a mile). This kind of attitude is part of the reason why.

What kind of attitude?

Lisha

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

People seem to be getting the wrong impression that I took offence or have some problem with this.

I don't. I was curious if this would be common or if women don't even think about where they are at all when they need to feed their kids or what.

Some women will feed the babies any where. . I even know some one who fed her baby at mass! Rightly so there were protests. Several people walked out at this shameless act of wantoness.
Strangely enough the priest had no issue at all. He even offered to hold the other one . , just to help her out like

Zebra3

If the kid is 10 years or over, it's wrong.

Menas

wexie wrote: »

2 years? :eek:

hmmm...we've always gone with the principle that they should be weened before they can say 'boobies'.

Nope, they should be weaned before they can open your blouse and help themselves.

sillysmiles

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

..... women don't even think about where they are at all when they need to feed their kids or what.

It's more that babies don't really think or care where they are when they get hungry. You seem to think that the mother has some control over when the kid gets hungry.

Daveysil15

I was hoping this wasn't going to be another breast feeding thread. I got excited over nothing.

December2012

Hey it's ok to ask your questions. Unless breast feeding is part of your life you wouldn't know those answers.

Yes I would breastfed on the bus. Luckily I was confident enough that location didn't prevent me from feeding, although I would always look for somewhere comfy and good for my posture.

And it's recommended to feed up to age 2, my kid didn't feed that long although longer than some so I'm sure we got a few funny looks.

Also - the title is misleading. She wasn't working a pole or anything!

Jonny Blaze

Daveysil15 wrote: »

I was hoping this wasn't going to be another breast feeding thread. I got excited over nothing.

Sorry Davey!

Sir Osis of Liver.

Own up now OP,ya got the horn didnt ya.

Didnt ya.

Ya durrty bollix ya.

wolfpawnat

Deleted User wrote: »

Yup, only two possibilities.

Well in the case of a bf fed baby, they are indeed the only two.

wexie wrote: »

2 years? :eek:

hmmm...we've always gone with the principle that they should be weened before they can say 'boobies'.

I know people with kids still feeding at 4 years, I even know of one with a child that is 7. To each their own.

Lisha

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2413495/Mother-arrested-China-breastfeeding-baby-driving-moped.html


You are only lucky she was not driving the bus as well op!

The One Who Knocks

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

Now I don't personally have any sort of problem with public breastfeeding. Perfectly natural and all that.

Oh really?

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

I tried to keep my expression blank, despite my surprise,


But it did kind of strike me as odd that the woman was feeding the child [in public]

Is this normal do you think?

April O Neill

Nothing wrong with it, but personally, if it was me, I would have covered my boobage with a little towel or something.

That's what one of my friends used to do when she was breastfeeding her baby. Swear to god, sometimes I'd be talking to her and she'd start breastfeeding her baby without me even noticing. Stealth. :cool:

Bog Standard User

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

On the packed bus home this evening just after six coming out of city centre, I was shuffling around trying to make way for people getting off and I turned to face the back of the bus.

Just there in the first row of seats on the outside was a woman breastfeeding a child.

I tried to keep my expression blank, despite my surprise, and made my way back further (not to have a better look you scallywags!) to a seat that had opened up.

Now I don't personally have any sort of problem with public breastfeeding. Perfectly natural and all that.

But it did kind of strike me as odd that the woman was feeding the child on a really packed bus in rush hour traffic.

Also the kid was definitely older than a year old, maybe even as old as two.

Is this normal do you think?

I mean, if there are any mothers out there, would you do the same?

you should have sat next to her and asked her for a drink of milk

Jonny Blaze

December2012 wrote: »

Hey it's ok to ask your questions. Unless breast feeding is part of your life you wouldn't know those answers.

Also - the title is misleading. She wasn't working a pole or anything!

Thanks, yeah I was just wondering like!

Also springs to mind to ask if there was anywhere you wouldn't?

Like a funeral or something for example?

Again I am purely curious about this!

Edited the thread title too.

April O Neill

LordSutch wrote: »

Its totally natural, but for some reason many people still have hang-ups about breast feeding, never mind breast feeding in public.

Well, travel back a few generations, and it was seen as "common" to breastfeed for some reason. The current lingering attitudes are a hangover from that, IMO.

Jonny Blaze

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

Oh really?

Yeah I was surprised alright, as i mentioned, it's not something i've seen before.

If I had seen If I had seen an orangutan playing the trombone I would have also been surprised as I wouldn't have seen that on the bus before either!

Gran Hermano

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

People seem to be getting the wrong impression that I took offence or have some problem with this.

I don't. I was curious if this would be common or if women don't even think about where they are at all when they need to feed their kids or what.

Maybe it was your original thread title of "woman with exposed breast on bus".

April O Neill

Canard wrote: »

She was using her breasts for what they're made for, I don't get why people have a problem with it.

EXCUSE ME, MY BREASTS WERE MADE FOR FONDLING AND NIPPLE TWEAKING.


:pac::pac::pac:;):p

Menas

April O Neill wrote: »

Well, travel back a few generations, and it was seen as "common" to breastfeed for some reason. The current lingering attitudes are a hangover from that, IMO.

That and Wet nurses are so jolly expensive these days.

Jonny Blaze

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Maybe it was your original thread title of "woman with exposed breast on bus".

Fair point.

I've edited the title.

the groutch

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd397/AdventuresInFluff/less-lip-more-nip-amirite.jpg

April O Neill

December2012 wrote: »

Hey it's ok to ask your questions. Unless breast feeding is part of your life you wouldn't know those answers.

Exactly. Think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP here, he's not being a troglodyte.

Jonny Blaze

April O Neill wrote: »

Exactly. Think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP here, he's not being a troglodyte.

I do my best!

up for anything

Jonny Blaze wrote: »

Also springs to mind to ask if there was anywhere you wouldn't?

One type of place springs to mind - the toilets in a restaurant/cafe.

I fed mine everywhere I went - at one stage it was tricky feeding a new baby and a toddler at the same time in public (and I don't mean my sitting room ) but I managed and I doubt that many people noticed and if they did they didn't jump up in horror.

April O Neill

Trigger Happy wrote: »

That and Wet nurses are so jolly expensive these days.

Quite. *swirls brandy*

Jonny Blaze

Lisha wrote: »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2413495/Mother-arrested-China-breastfeeding-baby-driving-moped.html


You are only lucky she was not driving the bus as well op!

:eek: