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Agreed, could the germ phobic poster explain then why its an issue for breast feeding but not bottle feeding. Having done both, IME, there is more exposure to the elements when bottle feeding. And what about those awful pacifiers.
And I'm amazed at the number of people who are offended and angry at our polite requests to cover the breast while feeding in public. There really is no need to let it all hang out...unless you enjoy being offensive to others.
What is hanging all out. As many have said, you see more hanging out just being about in the general public, watching TV, looking at magazines, forget even going to the beach.
If you are taking your infant on an airplane you have already demonstrated poor judgment. Airplanes are unhealthy for adults with fully developed immune systems so they can't be a great place for an infant. I realize that this will unleash a flood of "Why shouldn't I fly with my baby" back lash. Too bad. The fact is that life occasionally imposes restrictions on us and there are no guarantees that you can engage in all activities all the time. Also, the massive pressure changes cannot be good for an infant' system.
Humans engage in many "natural" activities but that does not mean that if my non-infant, yet not fully matured children, are traveling with me for our vacation I should be required to explain breastfeeding to them because someone else feels the need to display it publicly.
While I agree that this country suffers from an overly developed Puritanical streak, a little consideration and moderation go a long way. Some people have a need to shove their every little activity in your face while many others find ways to live their lives and still be considerate.
Would you like it if your child could see pornography on my laptop screen and you had to explain it? It is after all, perfectly natural. Yet I would never exercise that right or need in public out of consideration for others. The same way I monitor my topics of discussion, voice level, cell phone use, staring, bodily functions, etc. while in public. I can exercise my complete freedom at home, I don't HAVE to do it in public.
Maybe a part of this is the result of our very small modern families. Children who grow up in large extended families are exposed to lots of other children at varying stages of development. My grandfather, who grew up in a family of twelve, wasn't the least bit freaked out by breastfeeding. He grew up watching his younger siblings fed that way and was always very matter-of-fact about it.
If you are taking your infant on an airplane you have already demonstrated poor judgment. Airplanes are unhealthy for adults with fully developed immune systems so they can't be a great place for an infant. I realize that this will unleash a flood of "Why shouldn't I fly with my baby" back lash. Too bad. The fact is that life occasionally imposes restrictions on us and there are no guarantees that you can engage in all activities all the time. Also, the massive pressure changes cannot be good for an infant' system.
Humans engage in many "natural" activities but that does not mean that if my non-infant, yet not fully matured children, are traveling with me for our vacation I should be required to explain breastfeeding to them because someone else feels the need to display it publicly.
While I agree that this country suffers from an overly developed Puritanical streak, a little consideration and moderation go a long way. Some people have a need to shove their every little activity in your face while many others find ways to live their lives and still be considerate.
Would you like it if your child could see pornography on my laptop screen and you had to explain it? It is after all, perfectly natural. Yet I would never exercise that right or need in public out of consideration for others. The same way I monitor my topics of discussion, voice level, cell phone use, staring, bodily functions, etc. while in public. I can exercise my complete freedom at home, I don't HAVE to do it in public.
Well lets see, the world is unhealthy and full of germs so I don't get the worry about infants on airplanes. Daycare and schools now there is where your child picks up germs and brings them home where you in turn take them to your job and spread them around. Being exposed is inevitable.
If children were exposed to breastfeeding as being a natural part of life and motherhood not shielded and taught that it is something shameful there would be no need for awkward explanations. Many children have already witnessed animal nursing. Its not a big deal to explain to children that is how babies feed.
I have never experienced a breastfeeding women shoving it in my face. If I happen to see someone nursing I just look away, or don't stare or watch. Same goes for porn or displays of affection. Avert your child's eyes and teach them not to concern themselves with what others are doing. At some point your child is going to see adult things they don't understand. As a parent it is your obligation to explain worldly things to your child in an appropriate manner.
I do agree with using levels of digression when in public settings but I don't see your average nursing mother being anything but discrete or that being anything to be offended over.
I nursed all of my babies in restaurants. Nobody was ever the wiser. I just lifted my blouse or used a nursing shirt. Honestly, nothing screams breastfeeding louder than than a baby blanket draped over your chest or, worse, one of those God-awful nursing capes.
Exactly! Over the years I've had quite a few nursing mothers as my friends (and I breastfed both of my kids, too). Often they would need to breastfeed while at my place for a party or just a friendly chat. Nothing freaked me more than when they would put a blanket over their baby's head.
For those who think this is normal, I suggest you get home after long day at work, plan a nice dinner with your spouse, then both of you put big sheets over your heads and plates, and start eating. Enjoy your bonding experience!
Edited to add: if you think a mother nursing her infant in public is about YOU, how it makes YOU feel, how she is trying to push some agenda on YOU - please, don't be so egocentric. Most likely, a mother of a 5 month old baby has other things on her mind that has nothing to do with YOU.
I don't want to see boobs and nipples either and I'm a woman. Manners is the issue, some people don't believe in doing anything they personally don't want to do no matter how much they know it bothers other people. Those people are the worst and deserve to be shamed. Not for the boob, for the bad manners.
When you share your space with others you don't get to do whatever you want. Sorry everyone.
When you share your space with others, you don't get to dictate the manner in which a person feeds her baby! Imagine if someone took offense to feeding a baby UNnaturally - with a bottle. What gives you the right to make that person cover up, go sit somewhere else, or have to deal with your bias? !!! Whether it's stuffing a bottle with dried-up, rehydrated imitation mother's milk in it or the real thing - -
Get over it. It's life.
I really have an issue with those who have no problem seeing a rubber nipple on a bottle or a plug being stuffed into a baby's mouth but have an issue with using a body part as intended by nature. It's a breast and its purpose is to nurture the next generation. Get a grip!
Exactly! Over the years I've had quite a few nursing mothers as my friends (and I breastfed both of my kids, too). Often they would need to breastfeed while at my place for a party or just a friendly chat. Nothing freaked me more than when they would put a blanket over their baby's head.
For those who think this is normal, I suggest you get home after long day at work, plan a nice dinner with your spouse, then both of you put big sheets over your heads and plates, and start eating. Enjoy your bonding experience!
Edited to add: if you think a mother nursing her infant in public is about YOU, how it make YOU feel, how she is trying to push some agenda on YOU - please, don't be so egocentric. Most likely, a mother of a 5 month old baby has other things on her mind that has nothing to do with YOU.
It is sickening that people are suggesting that mother's be forced to put blankets over their child's head while engaged in the feeding process.
I'm glad you pointed out that if people have a problem with the way infants eat that the problem is theirs, not the infants, seriously you need to be a full on moron to be trouble by the sight of a breastfeeding women anyway.
When you share your space with others, you don't get to dictate the manner in which a person feeds her baby! Imagine if someone took offense to feeding a baby UNnaturally - with a bottle. What gives you the right to make that person cover up, go sit somewhere else, or have to deal with your bias? !!! Whether it's stuffing a bottle with dried-up, rehydrated imitation mother's milk in it or the real thing - -
Get over it. It's life.
I really have an issue with those who have no problem seeing a rubber nipple on a bottle or a plug being stuffed into a baby's mouth but have an issue with using a body part as intended by nature. It's a breast and its purpose is to nurture the next generation. Get a grip!
People have a hard time seeing a breast as something other than a sexual body part. That's why they are freaked out. NO OTHER REASON.
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