Breast Feeding in Public (actors, woman, kids, how to)

[jkmewright]

I breastfed my child until he was 9-10 months and HE cut me off when I returned to work. He just got too busy to concentrate as well. I do find a child that can do a fast-food drive through (lifting shirt and bra for a snack) a little too old to be nursing. I did nurse in very public areas and I seriously doubt that anyone ever saw my breast. However, I have seen some VERY outrageous (sp?) things that ppl do in public. Just boobies hanging out everywhere! I LOVED LOVED LOVED my larger breasts, but only a select few actually got to see them (hubby and child). I do think it is a very natural thing and encourage EVERY mother to do it, but I don't think exhibitionism should be part of the deal. Remember when that mother was on TV who nursed her 8 year old? This thread may well cause that kind of controversy. I am interested to see......

[DBNN]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

I breastfed my child until he was 9-10 months and HE cut me off when I returned to work. He just got too busy to concentrate as well. I do find a child that can do a fast-food drive through (lifting shirt and bra for a snack) a little too old to be nursing. I did nurse in very public areas and I seriously doubt that anyone ever saw my breast. However, I have seen some VERY outrageous (sp?) things that ppl do in public. Just boobies hanging out everywhere! I LOVED LOVED LOVED my larger breasts, but only a select few actually got to see them (hubby and child). I do think it is a very natural thing and encourage EVERY mother to do it, but I don't think exhibitionism should be part of the deal. Remember when that mother was on TV who nursed her 8 year old? This thread may well cause that kind of controversy. I am interested to see......

8 year old! WoooooooooW

[nhyrnut]

O.K. It should be allowed in public it's natural well not at 8 but hey, Not everyone was taught common sence. After reading this tread I do Realize something though. I now KNow why Men are amazed by breast, we are not thinking wow look at those we are thinking hey LUNCH.

[jkmewright]

nhyrnut! LUNCH! Yeah right! Goofball

[pixieshmoo]

While I don't see anything wrong with breastfeeding in public (hey, if you're out and they're hungry, what're you going to do? Never go out?), I do think women should try to be more discreet. I don't think anyone has the right to simply "fling" their boob out in public (it's gross). So simply use a shawl, big deal....breastfeeding is a natural thing, however we shouldn't all be privvy to someone's nakedness (especially when others who have kids that ask questions that you might not be ready to answer). So again, yes, it should be okay, if done with class.

As for ages in breastfeeding, I know a lot of people who breastfed until their child was about 2, maybe a little more. Ugh. Not me. I tried with my first one, ended up having to pump and that lasted a whopping month. At least we got that much though. I didn't even bother with the others, I don't quite know why though. Maybe it was selfish, I don't know, I think I was just turned off by trying because the first wouldn't take. It was very stressful and emotional for me and I didn't want to "fail" again. However, had I succeeded, I don't think I would've done it for more than 6 months. That's the most common age I've heard. Plus, you've got to consider, they start teething so between hard gums and teeth, ouch. The most important part of breastfeeding though is the beginning, that's when they really get their immunities and such. Nowadays, the formulas are made with nutrients to help the development the way breastmilk does. I know it's not exactly the same, however, it's sufficient, nutritious and keep in mind, plenty of mothers have to return to work these days.

Lastly, I think raising kids is trial and error for all of us. As long as you're loving and attentive and not neglectful or abusive, there's really no right or wrong. We all have different ideas and opinions and values that we want to instill in our children. We all were raised differently from each other and may agree or disagree with not only each other but how our own parents raised us. While I basically follow the "traditions" that my mother used on us, I also have incorporated some of my own opinions and ways into motherhood (of course, that's because I swore at 16, I'd be much cooler than my mom anyway LOL). I think my mom was a great mom, but I'm a different person and the 70's/80's are different from the 90's/00's.....times change, theories change. Again, it's all trial and error. What makes a good parent isn't what you do by the book, it's the love, affection and guidance you give your children as well as the example you set for them. By the time their teenagers, they'll all think that we're all idiots and then by the time they actually have kids themselves, they'll realize we're all right but they won't admit it...so either way we're "screwed"....there's no right or wrong.

Ps. Here's an example. When my oldest was two, I started potty training her. All the books said that was the appropriate time, the doctor said "go for it" and it worked. She trained in two weeks, never wet the bed once and that was that. The middle did so-so, I guess sort of average, not as quick as the oldest, but in a decent amount of time I guess. The youngest? Well, I started at a little over two yrs., she wanted no part of it whatsoever. I asked my doctor at 2-1/2 why it was so hard and his exact words were "leave her alone. she'll do it when she's ready. nowadays some kids don't do it until their 5".......Five? Five?
5 ??!!!!!! Not in my house!!!!! I never heard of that in my life!!!!!!! Luckily for us, it's a week before her third birthday and guess who decided on her own about a week ago, that she wanted to be like her older sisters and go on the potty. Yeah!!!!!!! So, now we're on pull-ups and potty. But 5 ?!?! My kids have the same doctor but look at how times change, in their 7 year difference potty training went from 2 to anywhere up to 5 years old.

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by nhyrnut

I now KNow why Men are amazed by breast, we are not thinking wow look at those we are thinking hey LUNCH.

"Oh, what is that mysterious mound of flesh beneath your shirt?"

[connie]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

I used the Carnation Good Start as I was told by a nutrional expert that it was just as good as the others and much cheaper and the only reason doctors don't recommend it is because Nestle does not give samples to the doctors. LOL!!! No problems for her on it at all.

I've heard exactly the same thing. I nursed all 4 of my kids for 1 year, except the eldest, whom I nursed about 6 months. Then I did formula and used Carnation. I had no problems either.

One thing that helped with nursing in public - I always, always wore a nursing shirt if I was going to nurse in public. They are a pain to buy and wear, but I found them helpful for discreet nursing. Although I have no problem nursing in public, it's always been a nice excuse when we are visiting my husband's family to go into a back bedroom!

Several posters have stated that they have seen women nursing indiscreetly and that some women let it all hang out. I guess I need a stronger prescription on my contacts, or perhaps I'm too much in my own world! Never have seen a thing .... Maybe I should ask my husband??!!

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Well, I do know of some women that were proud of their attributes and were NOT discreet no matter where they were. I've seen some women openly breastfeed w/ no manner of being discreet about them. Sitting in the middle of a crowded mall or the table of a busy restaurant with bare breasts while you get ready to feed, change sides, whatever is not appropriate. I've seen it all.

Yup, now you wonder where guys get all these ideas. Age 2, age 8, hey a lot of guys age 20 or 40 or 60 would love to still give it a try.

Ok, go for age 80, back to square zero, got no teeth, lil groping hand is no problem.

It was not something guys invented. Is sort of like dogs and how they never do whatever in the den. There is a big conspiracy here. Guys get blamed for liking what they always wanted.

Finally blame the Mommas for all of the guys problems.

[Rapture]

A several years ago I was bartending in a restaurant and just passing by a table I caught a woman out of the corner of my eye breast feeding. She was covered up but it does make you do a double take. When I looked over again I saw she was with two men and one was John Bon Jovi. The woman was his wife, so I was surprised that she would do anything that brings attention to the table when they obviously don't want to be bothered. Then I thought more about it and felt, that's so cool she doesn't care what others think she's just feeding her baby.

[nhyrnut]

Originally Posted by Cosmic

Yup, now you wonder where guys get all these ideas. Age 2, age 8, hey a lot of guys age 20 or 40 or 60 would love to still give it a try.

Ok, go for age 80, back to square zero, got no teeth, lil groping hand is no problem.

It was not something guys invented. Is sort of like dogs and how they never do whatever in the den. There is a big conspiracy here. Guys get blamed for liking what they always wanted.

Finally blame the Mommas for all of the guys problems.

Hey that's right women can only blame themselves for this. lol I mean our dads didn't breast feed us. (well I hope not) so now there is something the woman must take responsability for. LOL But seriously if guys had to breast feed there would be no issue. Half the time we can't keep our butt cracks in, you think woman are bad because they show a little breast while feeding their child?