Comments on: Nursing in Public: Practical or Gross?

By: Lorie Shewbridge

Lorie Shewbridge — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:36:52 +0000

I agree with you completely… I do not mind either when mothers breastfeed in public as long as they are discreet, covering up is not that difficult and can do a lot to make others more comfortable. Although I could only nurse my oldest for two weeks because of problems, I was very discreet when doing so in public.

By: Meghann

Meghann — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:42:00 +0000

I’m nursing my daughter (she’s my first), so nursing in public has taken some getting used to. It wasn’t such a problem when she was a newborn, because we could just quietly go about our business, but now that she’s 6 months old, she’s much more active and likes to whip the nursing cover up, and she’s so easily distracted. I prefer to be covered, and I always feel like it’s a wrestling match. I imagine we’ve flashed some poor unsuspecting person at some point, but what can you do?

By: jeanine

jeanine — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:11:35 +0000

i always cover up as best i can when feeding in public (i’m currently bf’ing my 4th baby) but that is out of my own comfort and preference. if someone else doesn’t feel the need, as long as nipple isn’t shown, i have no problem with it. the question to ask yourself in this situation is: what is the difference between a woman with her breast exposed to feed her child and a woman with a low cut revealing shirt (which you can see on any given day in just about any situation these days)??

By: Lin

Lin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:21:32 +0000

I’m not a mom so I really dont think I can have too much of an opinion on this but I agree with you.

I think it’s up to a woman to decide whether or not they want to drape a blanket or something over them, although I’m sure most would prefer it. Good post!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:24:49 +0000

I also feel that you can do it discretely but not feel like you need to hide.

By: Badger Momma

Badger Momma — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:42:10 +0000

I guess I would be considered a breast feeding advocate. I’ve breast fed all three of my children. However, I will say that although it is not necessary to cover up while breast feeding, I think it certainly is a no-no to expose yourself in such a way as you’ve explained.

By: Kayla

Kayla — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:55:26 +0000

I think it’s natural and beautiful and I take offense that people have such problems with it-Of course if they want to be considerate, then that’s up to them, but I honestly believe it’s the mother’s right to breastfeed in public.

By: Lori Z.

Lori Z. — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:03:35 +0000

It wouldn’t gross me out were I to see a woman with her boob fully exposed, but that’s not saying others wouldn’t be. Obviously it’s polite to consider other people’s feelings, and sitting around with it out in the open is an extreme statement of “I’m breastfeeding deal with it”, though I do think you don’t have to be overly considerate. No need to go off and find a isolated place or a tent or anything.

By: Aline

Aline — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:25:55 +0000

I don’t have a problem at all with women breast feeding in public as long as they are modest about it and cover up. I’m a nurse and see tons of body parts in the hospital, but I still can’t get used to a person whipping out their boob in public to feed a child without covering up. I guess it’s the context and breasts have many connotations in our society. Hope this didn’t sound too old fashion.

By: Kris

Kris — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:31 +0000

I agree Shannon. I have a 6 week old now that I’m breastfeeding and I think its great. There have been times where I’ve been out running errands where the baby just decides she’s hungry and you really have no choice.

However, I do agree that discretion is key. I’m not saying you should have to hide in a nasty public bathroom just to make other people feel comfortable but I think that if I’m in a place where I wouldn’t have whipped out my entire exposed breast before I had a baby, it probably isn’t a place I should be whipping it out after. If you’re in the middle of a crowded food court at the mall or on an airplane, just find a way to be discreet with a blanket or something. Again, I’m not saying hide the fact that you’re breastfeeding, I’m saying cover up your exposed breast and nipple.