Breastfeeding in Public places

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 11:29AM

I don't see the big deal in breast feeding in public, I did it myself and can be done very discreetly with or without shawl to cover the baby while feeding. I do however take offence to the militant hippies whipping out their floppy babs without the least bit of discretion, their primary goal here is to cause controversy. These are the types that love to raise the issue of breastfeeding in public. You would swear they were on a crusade. There are plenty of women breast feeding and these ones don't need to stir s!*t to further the cause of women breastfeeding. In my opinion they are doing more harm than good. Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding by seeing how these crusaders draw the ire of the other coffee shop going public.

Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders without the least effort of discretion. Don't pretend you're not doing it to get a rise out of people. You are!

Its not helping the breastfeeding rates and you just look like a complete tool.

Rant over!

OldNotWIse · 05-12-2014 11:31AM

emmabrighton wrote: »

I don't see the big deal in breast feeding in public, I did it myself and can be done very discreetly with or without shawl to cover the baby while feeding. I do however take offence to the militant hippies whipping out their floppy babs without the least bit of discretion, their primary goal here is to cause controversy. These are the types that love to raise the issue of breastfeeding in public. You would swear they were on a crusade. There are plenty of women breast feeding and these ones don't need to stir s!*t to further the cause of women breastfeeding. In my opinion they are doing more harm than good. Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding by seeing how these crusaders draw the ire of the other coffee shop going public.

Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders without the least effort of discretion. Don't pretend you're not doing it to get a rise out of people. You are!

Its not helping the breastfeeding rates and you just look like a complete tool.

Rant over!

:eek:

That's a bit harsh!

Neyite · 05-12-2014 11:48AM

emmabrighton wrote: »

I don't see the big deal in breast feeding in public, I did it myself and can be done very discreetly with or without shawl to cover the baby while feeding. I do however take offence to the militant hippies whipping out their floppy babs without the least bit of discretion, their primary goal here is to cause controversy. These are the types that love to raise the issue of breastfeeding in public. You would swear they were on a crusade. There are plenty of women breast feeding and these ones don't need to stir s!*t to further the cause of women breastfeeding. In my opinion they are doing more harm than good. Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding by seeing how these crusaders draw the ire of the other coffee shop going public.

Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders without the least effort of discretion. Don't pretend you're not doing it to get a rise out of people. You are!

Its not helping the breastfeeding rates and you just look like a complete tool.

Rant over!

The summing up of this thread mostly seems to be:

Nice Tits = wayyheyy, get 'em out and proud! Maybe flash the lad a bit extra because you are only really breastfeeding to show them off you naughty minx you.

Ugly Tits / Ugly owners of Tits = you militant feminazi flashing your floppy saggy veined udders at us - how dare you - eww breastfeeding is disgusting - go do it in the loo.

lazygal · 05-12-2014 11:52AM

emmabrighton wrote: »

I don't see the big deal in breast feeding in public, I did it myself and can be done very discreetly with or without shawl to cover the baby while feeding. I do however take offence to the militant hippies whipping out their floppy babs without the least bit of discretion, their primary goal here is to cause controversy. These are the types that love to raise the issue of breastfeeding in public. You would swear they were on a crusade. There are plenty of women breast feeding and these ones don't need to stir s!*t to further the cause of women breastfeeding. In my opinion they are doing more harm than good. Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding by seeing how these crusaders draw the ire of the other coffee shop going public.

Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders without the least effort of discretion. Don't pretend you're not doing it to get a rise out of people. You are!

Its not helping the breastfeeding rates and you just look like a complete tool.

Rant over!

I have never seen what you describe. Anyone I know or have seen breastfeeding never acts that way. Most of us just want to feed our children in the easiest way possible and aren't on any crusade.
I think people toss out the 'militant' tag far too easily. Not feeling the need to throw a shawl over you or be 'discrete' doesn't mean you're on a crusade. I just couldn't be arsed with either.

IvyTheTerrible · 05-12-2014 11:58AM

I think this "militants whipping out their big ugly breasts for everyone to see" is a strawman. None of the breastfeeding mums on this thread have said that's what they do/want to do. Breastfeeding mums want to be able to continue to breastfeed DISCRETELY as they have been doing without being asked to stop/cover up/move. Stop arguing against something that doesn't exist.

saintsaltynuts · 05-12-2014 12:00PM

Was in a restaurant yesterday.There was a woman sitting there with her tits hanging out....Fookin baby was havin' cornflakes.

kylith · 05-12-2014 12:02PM

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

I think this "militants whipping out their big ugly breasts for everyone to see" is a strawman. None of the breastfeeding mums on this thread have said that's what they do/want to do. Breastfeeding mums want to be able to continue to breastfeed DISCRETELY as they have been doing without being asked to stop/cover up/move. Stop arguing against something that doesn't exist.

The only 'militants' that I can think of that may remotely fit that description are the women who stage protests in places where mothers nursing discreetly have previously been harassed.

darkpagandeath · 05-12-2014 12:03PM

Everyone knows Nipples and breasts are not suitable for children.... :pac:

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 01:08PM

lazygal wrote: »

I have never seen what you describe. Anyone I know or have seen breastfeeding never acts that way. Most of us just want to feed our children in the easiest way possible and aren't on any crusade.
I think people toss out the 'militant' tag far too easily. Not feeling the need to throw a shawl over you or be 'discrete' doesn't mean you're on a crusade. I just couldn't be arsed with either.

Then you breastfeed like I do. I breastfeed and don't use a shawl. But I have seen and have also heard fellow members of la leche league comment on other members who do it more, lets say, obviously just to cause a stir amongst the more prudish in society. Just so they can have a rant about how breast feeding is the most natural thing in the world and to "further the cause".

These people openly talk about how they do do it deliberately because they have "every right" to breast feed in public and "how dare" anyone say otherwise.

Of course they have every right to breastfeed in public and they should but their motives aren't 100% to feed their children. They are being more obvious, deliberately. And, in my opinion they are dissuading less confident breastfeeders by doing so because of all the furore that is caused when they do it so obtusely.

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 01:09PM

Neyite wrote: »

The summing up of this thread mostly seems to be:

Nice Tits = wayyheyy, get 'em out and proud! Maybe flash the lad a bit extra because you are only really breastfeeding to show them off you naughty minx you.

Ugly Tits / Ugly owners of Tits = you militant feminazi flashing your floppy saggy veined udders at us - how dare you - eww breastfeeding is disgusting - go do it in the loo.

Thats ridiculous, i never said if you're a hottie whip your top off.

Dolbert · 05-12-2014 01:10PM

In a country of billboards covered in tits, some mothers still breastfeed on toilet lids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiS8q_fifa0

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 01:14PM

Dolbert wrote: »

In a country of billboards covered in tits, some mothers still breastfeed on toilet lids.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiS8q_fifa0

My point exactly.

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 01:19PM

kylith wrote: »

The only 'militants' that I can think of that may remotely fit that description are the women who stage protests in places where mothers nursing discreetly have previously been harassed.

These are probably the ones I am referring to. I was coming back from a La leche league conference on the train and one of the other conference goers started breastfeeding her baby but rather than one breast out at a time she opened up her top and feeding her baby on one breast with the other on show. There were two old ladies sitting across the way obviously uncomfortable and she was laughing with her friend saying things like "That will show em".

Of course they were uncomfortable. You are deliberately breastfeeding that way just to try and get something going.

This isn't the only time I have seen it happen either.

CramCycle · 05-12-2014 01:29PM

emmabrighton wrote: »

I was coming back from a La leche league

Luckily the La leche league loo lahs (they are not all loo lahs, just a minority) are not the majority. My OH signed up to their face book page and could see posters getting abuse as they were stopping breast feeding for going back to work or because it was proving difficult. Many were nice and congratulating them for getting on as long as they could but no one called out those who were downright abusive to those who had said they were giving up due to various issues eg work, strain, tiredness, age, back problems etc.

I have no problem with the situation you describe, it might be more comfortable, it is just the abusive attitude of some of the members of that group I found appalling. Great place for advice etc. but if anyone is signing up to them, just learn to ignore the vocal minority, up at their conference in Maynooth last year some of them sounded like paramilitaries calling for revolution.

Venus In Furs · 05-12-2014 01:41PM

I don't know if Emma used the most fair language

but I know what she means about certain breastfeeding mothers being sanctimonious about how they feed their baby, and looking down on mothers who don't. They are indeed a minority, but a minority that shouts the loudest.

Some women can't breastfeed. The thought of how painful it could be makes me squirm. And mastitis seems horrendous! :eek:
When you have a baby though, you just go ahead and do it despite the above - but it doesn't always work out.

Neyite · 05-12-2014 01:49PM

emmabrighton wrote: »

Thats ridiculous, i never said if you're a hottie whip your top off.

No you didnt. But you did say:

"floppy babs" and "Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders"

So you were the one that brought up lack of attractiveness, not me. And without a shred of irony you then say:

"Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding ..."

Well yes, yes they will, if they think that even other breastfeeding mothers are judging them on their post partum bodies as well as the rest of the world. And you are in La Leche League too? For shame. Very supportive of you. :rolleyes:

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 01:58PM

Neyite wrote: »

No you didnt. But you did say:

"floppy babs" and "Of course you are going to get a negative reaction if you whip out your floppy veiny udders"

So you were the one that brought up lack of attractiveness, not me. And without a shred of irony you then say:

"Pregnant women who are "on the fence" about breastfeeding could be turned off breastfeeding ..."

Well yes, yes they will, if they think that even other breastfeeding mothers are judging them on their post partum bodies as well as the rest of the world. And you are in La Leche League too? For shame. Very supportive of you. :rolleyes:

I am a breastfeeding mother and am very supportive of breastfeeding mothers and am conscious of the need to improve breastfeeding rates but I am not supportive of women who hijack this cause for their own agendas. Surely there is another less well meaning cause they could be damaging with their antics...

I hear pro fox hunting need people to support them... maybe they could damage that cause instead.. .

lazygal · 05-12-2014 02:07PM

emmabrighton wrote: »

I am a breastfeeding mother and am very supportive of breastfeeding mothers and am conscious of the need to improve breastfeeding rates but I am not supportive of women who hijack this cause for their own agendas. Surely there is another less well meaning cause they could be damaging with their antics...

I hear pro fox hunting need people to support them... maybe they could damage that cause instead.. .

Why did you feel the need to comment on the appearance of those 'militant' breastfeeders? What is the relevance of the appearance of their mammary glands to the debate?

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 02:08PM

lazygal wrote: »

Why did you feel the need to comment on the appearance of those 'militant' breastfeeders? What is the relevance of the appearance of their mammary glands to the debate?

To paint a picture

IvyTheTerrible · 05-12-2014 02:11PM

emmabrighton wrote: »

To paint a picture

Was the woman in the article in the OP one of these militant breastfeeders? Did the hotel staff see her "saggy udders"?
If not, why bring those militants up?

OldNotWIse · 05-12-2014 02:13PM

Venus In Furs wrote: »

I don't know if Emma used the most fair language but I know what she means about certain breastfeeding mothers being sanctimonious about how they feed their baby, and looking down on mothers who don't. They are indeed a minority, but a minority that shouts the loudest.

Some women can't breastfeed. The thought of how painful it could be makes me squirm. And mastitis seems horrendous! :eek:
When you have a baby though, you just go ahead and do it despite the above - but it doesn't always work out.

Yup, this. I have a few FB friends/relatives etc who are religiously feeding all their kids themselves up to 2 years or whatever. That's great, cheaper, better for baby etc but I'm so tired of the constant stream of pro breastfeeding things appearing on my feed (if you'll pardon the pun). We get it! Breastfeeding good, bottle feeding not as good. You don't need to keep posting wisecracks about asking cows in the field to wear blankets etc. And have you thought about the women on your feed who might not be able to breastfeed and how you are constantly reminding them of their own "inadequacy" in that regard.

emmabrighton · 05-12-2014 02:19PM

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

Was the woman in the article in the OP one of these militant breastfeeders? Did the hotel staff see her "saggy udders"?
If not, why bring those militants up?

I could not say as I was not there and do not know her. But, based on the OP I don't think she was out to further/damage any cause, just going about the business of breastfeeding her child.

However several pages in, the discussion had moved on and I was throwing in my two cents worth with respect to those comments.

That sort of behaviour bothers me because I have seen people too uncomfortable to breast feed in their company.

I realise my descriptive language, which was obviously done for shock value, aint gonna win me on pulitzer prize :pac:

Tarzana2 · 05-12-2014 02:30PM

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

Its just about choice, if you don't want to use a shawl, don't.
But no harm being cognisant of those around you.

This for me. I've no problem with public breastfeeding, but on a personal level, I don't really like seeing it. But averting the oul eyes generally works, I find! :pac:

cyning · 05-12-2014 02:47PM

You know some aspects of breastfeeding make me very uncomfortable. I can't bear the thoughts of tandem feeding so I didn't do it. Nursing a 2/3/4/5 year old isn't for me. I would never have a low cut top that I pull my boob out over. I'm not a fan of breastfeeding pictures. I don't get nurse ins: I think they do more harm than good.

But they are my issues. I have no right to project my uncomfortableness onto other peoples actions. Particularly not where they are legally protected.

pippip · 06-12-2014 10:34PM

Mums Stage Breastfeeding Protest At Claridge's

http://news.sky.com/story/1387098/mums-stage-breastfeeding-protest-at-claridges

myshirt · 06-12-2014 11:06PM

A mass breastfeeding outside Claridges.
Great to see. And great to see that it was not only supported by breastfeeding mothers but also supported by a significant number of young men who showed up in solidarity; an age group lest we forget usually tarred with the apathetic brush. It is good to see the level of support to stand against this absolute bullsh!t from Claridges.

Piliger · 07-12-2014 01:51AM

pippip wrote: »

Mums Stage Breastfeeding Protest At Claridge's
http://news.sky.com/story/1387098/mums-stage-breastfeeding-protest-at-claridges

What kind of completely perverted state of mind does a person get themselves into that they find this either offensive or even uncomfortable ?

Also .. a) young men don't get horny looking at it, but do get a really good experience of seeing the maternal side of a baby feeding, and what breasts are about, and how magic it is .. and b) older men, and certainly those who are fathers, enjoy the reminiscing about their own babies.

More women feeding, in more places, on a more regular basis would produce a healthier attitude and society. And while I do understand some women may be shy, I really don't think they should be so over-concerned with encasing the whole process in side a tent

CramCycle · 08-12-2014 12:01AM

myshirt wrote: »

A mass breastfeeding outside Claridges.
Great to see.

Funnily enough, no breasts on show for anyone to get annoyed about. The only time breastfeeding is noticeable or offensive is when some one gets annoyed about something they would barely have noticed if they were close to being well adjusted.

Tarzana2 · 14-12-2014 05:57AM

OldNotWIse wrote: »

I guess being comfortable is a subjective issue, and not something that can be defined to an objective standard. One might think it unreasonable to be feel uncomfortable, but that's based on your own feelings as opposed to theirs.

This is it.

People might be fine with women breastfeeding in public, but it might personally make them uncomfortable if there's a lot of breast on show. Boobs on display in public whether to do with breastfeeding or not, whether young or old, big or small, veiny or not, would raise an eyebrow in our society currently, not just in Ireland but in most of the western world anyway. Maybe that will change but for now that would be a fairly standard reaction due to social conditioning. It's a bit unfair to attack people for it, it's not necessarily specifically to do with breastfeeding, more an exposed breast.

ceadaoin. · 14-12-2014 06:57AM

Tarzana2 wrote: »

This is it.

People might be fine with women breastfeeding in public, but it might personally make them uncomfortable if there's a lot of breast on show. Boobs on display in public whether to do with breastfeeding or not, whether young or old, big or small, veiny or not, would raise an eyebrow in our society currently, not just in Ireland but in most of the western world anyway. Maybe that will change but for now that would be a fairly standard reaction due to social conditioning. It's a bit unfair to attack people for it, it's not necessarily specifically to do with breastfeeding, more an exposed breast.

The point is though that breastfeeding does not equal exposed breasts. A lot of people seem to think women just whip out their nipples or something. I've never seen a woman feeding a baby in public with her breasts exposed, it is normally done discreetly. Youd see more exposed flesh when reading a tabloid newspaper. Page 3 anyone? A lot of the breastfeeding hand wringers don't seem to have a problem with that, but breasts being used for what they are designed for? Disgusting!

Breastfeeding in Public places

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