Breastfeeding Rights - Page 2

Bernard · 10-22-2007, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

... you'll have prostitutes walking around with their boobs out holding a baby in their arm to attract new clients next ...

Yeah, because nothing is more sexually arousing than watching a baby eating.

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernard

Yeah, because nothing is more sexually arousing than watching a baby eating.

You are a sick man

Where in that quote did I say the kid would be feeding while the prostitute got a client, my point what (jokingly as it may have been) that is could be 'used' as an excuse. She gets caught and says "Oh officer, I was just about to breast feed my little boy"

Honestly if I have to explain myself to one more 'person' on here I will shoot someone in the foot.

Julie · 10-22-2007, 07:24 AM

I think that if a women has any self-respect, they will make every effort to breastfeed their child at home or discreetly. I suppose in a rare instance there could come the need occasionally to do it in a more public spot, however, I think one could still do it discreetly without having it all hang out and drawing stares. Or why not go sit in your car or something like that?

Personally, if I had a baby, I'd make every effort not to do it in public. And if I were a man, I think I wouldn't want my wife/girlfriend to be showing off her breasts like that in public, even if it is just to feed a baby.

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 07:26 AM

Good girl, here's a cookie lol

Natural Elements · 10-22-2007, 07:35 AM

I think in Europe we are more open on this subject.

I saw many women breastfeed their babies when taking the Metro or bus, this is common.

I don't even talk about topless women on the beach, that's another subject but we are very open minded.

There is a name for that between Americans and Europeens: The invisible differences on many subjects.

**Rankenstein** · 10-22-2007, 07:50 AM

Yup, in Europe I've seen women breastfeeding in a pub, an art gallery, on the park bench, and so on. It's really not that much of a big deal over here, well it is a bit more in the UK than mainland Europe, but nowhere near like in the States. It's definitely not something you want to ogle either, you just ignore it. It's not flaunted, it's generally pretty discreet. Not a big deal, like I say.

StrongInTheArm · 10-22-2007, 10:00 AM

Mikey your idea for a discrete bra for mothers to use while feeding their babies already exist and has been in wide spread use for too many years to mention.

Having been around breast feeding mothers for the last four odd years I can say it doesn't bother me, and I have never caught sight of 'things hanging out/about'. Most mothers are discrete about it, few actually feel a need to flaunt it or want to expose themselves. Most are indeed embarrassed to do it in public because of peoples reactions and staring, so don't.

For babies and breast feeding mothers it is a necessity. The babies would not eat until they got home, which could be sometime, and thus not good for them or the harassed mother. And breasts can become engorged and very painful if the baby does not feed on time. Interrupting feeding patterns can cause problems with milk 'production' and the babies routine, something best avoided.

It is the most natural way to feed babies and I'm sure most of you know the benefits to babies and their mothers. But just in case you don't, then mother's milk contains anti-bodies that help to keep the babies, who do not have an active immune system healthy. Also mothers who breast feed for 6 months or more are considerably less likely to suffer cases of breast cancer later on in life. WHO recommends at least six months. On top of that, breast feeding takes up a considerable amount of energy and most breast feeding mothers lose weight.

Please do not make breast feeding in public even more difficult than it is already with uninformed silliness. It is how it should be. If anything feeding babies powdered milk in the immoral act here.

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 10:13 AM

So, Strong, what you're saying is, all the more power to the 15 ladies breast feeding their kids around you, while you and your lady try and have dinner, is completely normal, and should be accepted?

I know, i'm being a little sarcastic, however, I do agree that for the babies, it's important they get breast fed, completely with you there. I'm not saying it should be banned, my point is, make rooms for them to do it in, or at least make sure that these woman know, that its not 100% natural to, breast feed your kid in a restaurant at the bloody dinner table. Know what I mean?

Not trying to offend the ladies here, I think breast feeding your baby is a wonderful thing, i know im jealous of those little critters sucking on titties all day, but what I'm saying Strong, is that there's a way to go about it, and a blanket over a babies head to hide it, is not what I call being discreet, you're still there, in front of me, breast feeding your kid while I eat. (yes im using the restaurant situation as an example bt this goes for it in general)

StrongInTheArm · 10-22-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

So, Strong, what you're saying is, all the more power to the 15 ladies breast feeding their kids around you, while you and your lady try and have dinner, is completely normal, and should be accepted?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

I know, i'm being a little sarcastic

You are

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

I'm not saying it should be banned, my point is, make rooms for them to do it in, or at least make sure that these woman know, that its not 100% natural to, breast feed your kid in a restaurant at the bloody dinner table. Know what I mean?

I'm all for a small dingy room in a toilet being set aside for the idiots that can't cope with seeing a baby feeding naturally. Note I did not mention even seeing a breast since that is rarely the case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

... that its not 100% natural to, breast feed your kid in a restaurant at the bloody dinner table. Know what I mean?

What is more natural than a baby eating in a restaurant with the rest of its family as babies have done since the dawn of time, saving for the prudishness of Western civilisation over the last century or so?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey.

... is that there's a way to go about it, and a blanket over a babies head to hide it, is not what I call being discreet, you're still there, in front of me, breast feeding your kid while I eat. (yes im using the restaurant situation as an example bt this goes for it in general)

Explain to me why it offends you so much. Does it offend you to walk down a beach and see ladies in bikinis eating ice cream? Would it offend you if they had a toddler with them playing football? What is it that disturbs you so much by seeing this? And why would you be even looking? Surely as a gentleman you would avert your gaze?

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 10:58 AM

I will answer by saying pregnant or lactating women should never be allowed to appear in public anyway, it's gross.

**Cricket** · 10-22-2007, 11:03 AM

Good lord Mikey. Go lay down by your dish before I have to call Tanya to get you back under control again.

TheFriend · 10-22-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Scott

Do you think that restaurants, etc, should be allowed to ask women to not breastfeed their babies in public?

Yes, why not?

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 11:07 AM

Woof Woof

Do I care? not really, i was sharing my opinion, i also forgot to add something.
Here it is, Strong asked me to explain why it offended me so much, well, it doesn't really, I would just rather not see an over grown woman, or petite for that matter, for a second even, feeding her baby while I eat. Some might find it normal, I guess i find it RUDE. Simple as that.

watley · 10-22-2007, 11:10 AM

Mikey, with all due respect I am with SITA on this one. My experience has been that most lactating moms do exercise a modicum of discretion while breastfeeding. Young babies need to feed often - as often as every two to three hours - and are not always predictable in their schedules.

Also, please be advised that the politics forum is a no-sarcasm zone, where fervent literalism fans the flames of enthusiastic dialogue. It is why I almost never come in here; it is simply asking for trouble.

SITA, I'm going back in the lobby now; I like the drapes better in there anyway.

mikey. · 10-22-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watley

Mikey, with all due respect I am with SITA on this one. My experience has been that most lactating moms do exercise a modicum of discretion while breastfeeding. Young babies need to feed often - as often as every two to three hours - and are not always predictable in their schedules.

Also, please be advised that the politics forum is a no-sarcasm zone, where fervent literalism fans the flames of enthusiastic dialogue. It is why I almost never come in here; it is simply asking for trouble.

SITA, I'm going back in the lobby now; I like the drapes better in there anyway.

Watley, I respect both what yo and Strong had to say. My point is feed the baby before, and if you must again, do so not in front of everyone. I mean, if you guys have had kids, did your wife hang around in the living room with your best friends sitting around and Breast feed her baby or excuse herself and do it some place else?

I said it up there and i'll say it again. I find it rude, that's all.

Domestic Diva · 10-22-2007, 11:45 AM

*ahem*

I breastfed both of my kids....and though I think it's a perfectly natural thing to do, I had NO desire to show the world my ta-tas in the process.

So, if I knew I was going out, I'd feed my baby first.....but, on the rare occasion he/she became hungry while I was out, I always took him/her out to the car to feed.....or, if there was a ladies' lounge (with a sofa...not in a toilet area!) I'd feed him/her there...under the privacy of a blanket.

If I went to a restaurant, I always brought a bottle with me, as nursing in a restaurant is never an option I would use. If I'm not mistaken, shirts and shoes are required in such establishments...so, surely whipping out a boob violates that to some degree....despite it being "natural".

watley · 10-22-2007, 11:48 AM

She preferred to do it in private, wherever possible. But not a few reactions such as the one you are expressing led her to feel actively persecuted. Not the feeling one needs when dealing with the stresses of a newborn.

The standard in our society has been, for a long time, that public breastfeeding is an actionable offense. Even in states where laws have been passed affirming the right to breastfeed, law enforcement agents often don't know or don't care about the statute; in California they printed cards citing the specific statute for breastfeeding women to hand to officers when challenged.

I will stipulate that there are mothers who probably are more public about breastfeeding than their fellow citizens are comfortable with, and out of consideration it may be advisable to essay some form of concealment or privacy. But in a world of genuinely inconsiderate actions and willfully offensive behavior, I hardly think that breastfeeding warrants the focus or irritation that you appear to be expressing. That is, of course, my opinion.