Breastfeeding

[zakisrage]

What are your guys' opinions on breastfeeding? How about extended breastfeeding and public breastfeeding? Were you breastfed as a baby?

I was breastfed as a baby. In my family's culture, breastfeeding is pretty much the norm, although most women don't do it in public because of modesty rules. My mum did it for a year before I was weaned off of it. It kinda weirds me out that some of those "crunchy mums" breastfeed their kids until they're 6 or 7.

Remember to be civil in this thread.

 

[Melody]

Breastfeeding is perfectly OK. It's a natural process that I don't believe should ever be discouraged.

All medical research points to good things happening when babies breastfeed; immunity is conferred leading to healthier child, bonding occurs between child and mother, potentially reducing chances of child abuse, the child is getting a natural diet from it's mother that it's body is uniquely equipped to digest until it's later stages in life which reduces things like colic and lack of sleep from it. Overall I think any small inconveniences or risks it poses to anyone is far outweighed by the good things.

I have no problems with Breastfeeding in public; though I do think it's wise to educate new mothers on the versatility of using a pump so that they have a supply readily on hand for public venues where it's less easy to bare a breast to feed. So far as I'm concerned; if the kid is screaming because it's hungry, I am not going to ever say a cross word to a mother who exposes her breasts to feed, even if she takes her top completely off or exposes most of her chest and belly in doing so. I'd advise a mother to seek a quiet place to do so, but to be honest if it calms the child and there's nowhere to duck off and feed privately, I don't think it's wrong. Generally speaking I trust that a mother's sense of decency will prevent her motherly instinct from kicking in prematurely in an inappropriate situation.

It's a responsible member of society who will notice that feeding is occurring and will do what they can to not stare at the event. Even if the situation IS inappropriate; I'm sure the mother is well aware, and I don't think anyone need to do or say anything to address it. While there will always be debate over when it is appropriate and such, we shouldn't really waste time quibbling over small things. Really people shouldn't be concerned at all if the child's well-being is being well looked after, and a public feeding or twelve isn't going to cause mass cases of literal eye bleeding. Worst case scenario, you get to think "Oh, Ew" and move on politely to give the mother and child privacy.

 

[Sir Codin]

Breastfeeding in public being illegal needs to stop being a thing.

Being put on a sex offender list for naturally feeding a baby in public has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

 

[Somewhere_]

Make breastfeeding in public legal. Its the mother's body, and the baby's benefit. No one has the right to take away her rights.

I was breastfed as a baby and it is completely natural. Nothing wrong it at all, and has many benefits.

 

[gimmepie]

I'm pretty neutral on the matter myself, but a big part of that is probably because I think the vilifying of bottle feeding a lot of people do is pretty unfounded.

 

[NinjaRaichu]

I think its a good thing and more beneficial than bottle feeding, that being said I wasn't breastfed and I understand why some mums don't want to do it. Bottle feeding shouldn't be vilified, it contains everything a baby needs to be healthy and most people turn out just fine with it.

As for breastfeeding in public, it shouldn't be an issue. a lot of the arguments i've seen is "feed the baby in the house" yeah doesn't work like that, by that logic mothers should never go out because babies get hungry.

 

[moon]

Where is breastfeeding in public illegal? O.o Like, wow.

 

[noa]

Are there really people who don't think breastfeeding is a good idea? It's the best way to feed a baby, and of course if the mother can't provide milk then formula is the next best option. There's not really an argument here, no?

As for public breastfeeding, people need to stop getting so upset, it's 2016 now, can we stop sexualizing breasts to the point where a mother taking her breast out to FEED her CHILD is somehow a disgusting thing? I mean, I'm saying this because I'm tired of breasts being so taboo, but come on people...

Is it really illegal in some places? o.O

 

[WindriderShiva]

Are there really people who don't think breastfeeding is a good idea? It's the best way to feed a baby, and of course if the mother can't provide milk then formula is the next best option. There's not really an argument here, no?

As for public breastfeeding, people need to stop getting so upset, it's 2016 now, can we stop sexualizing breasts to the point where a mother taking her breast out to FEED her CHILD is somehow a disgusting thing? I mean, I'm saying this because I'm tired of breasts being so taboo, but come on people...

Is it really illegal in some places? o.O

QFT. Gawd, it annoys me that it seems our breasts are viewed primarily as sexual and have to be constantly hidden from sight, to the point breastfeeding a baby is a sexual offense in some areas. Ugh. That attitude is downright disgusting.

I don't hear complaints about it often, at least in my area; and that's a good thing. I was breastfed myself, and if I can, I'll do the same... if I ever have kids. But in the end, it really is up to the mother; some are unable to for various reasons, some have tried and find it exhausting, some would rather pump and ween...

 

[Keiran]

I think it should be legal everywhere because female breasts need to stop being so over sexualized in general.

 

[Sir Codin]

I think it should be legal everywhere because female breasts need to stop being so over sexualized in general.

I....agree with this, but being a straight dude at the same time I don't. I'm so conflicted right now. :3c

 

[WindriderShiva]

I....agree with this, but being a straight dude at the same time I don't. I'm so conflicted right now. :3c

Welp, that's because you're not at the other end of it. As a man, in most areas, it's perfectly legal to go out shirtless. As a woman, it's not. Why? Because it's seen as sexual. Hell, we can't even breastfeed in peace because someone is bound to be offended by the sight of a breast because it's "supposed" to be for "sexual" purposes. A bra strap - a freaking bra strap - is enough to cause offense because they're so linked to sex.

 

[Sir Codin]

Welp, that's because you're not at the other end of it. As a man, in most areas, it's perfectly legal to go out shirtless. As a woman, it's not. Why? Because it's seen as sexual. Hell, we can't even breastfeed in peace because someone is bound to be offended by the sight of a breast because it's "supposed" to be for "sexual" purposes. A bra strap - a freaking bra strap - is enough to cause offense because they're so linked to sex.

It is pretty ridiculous, yeah. Besides, sexualization often occurs in people's minds; there's nothing really all that inherently sexual about breasts...hell, I don't find lactation all that sexual at all. If someone gets offended by the sight of breastfeeding because it's "sexual" (hell if I know why), it's pretty much their fault, but you're the one who gets put at fault about it. So stupid.

 

[Livewire]

Where is breastfeeding in public illegal? O.o Like, wow.

Come to America, we always aim to surprise/disappoint, haha.

I think people are finally coming around and being more open and accepting of breastfeeding in public, and maybe more cognizant of women's health/reproductive rights in general, in the U.S. at least.

 

[Lotus the Cat]

Thankfully breastfeeding is completely legal to do in public in Australia. A newborn will, on average, feed every two hours so it's extremely difficult to go anywhere with them and not have to feed them at some point. That being said, because normally it's not okay for women to be brandishing their breasts, it's still embarrassing, awkward and stressfull to want to breastfeed your baby and be in a public location. Yesterday I was stuck breastfeeding my daughter in my car in a carpark while waiting for a doctor appointment (husband in the waiting room) as I was too embarrassed to feed in the waiting room with an audience.

It's also not always feasible to express and feed using a bottle when on the go. Our hospital midwife recommended we expose the baby to the bottle as early as possible as they can sometimes reject them later on. Therefore I have expressed milk and fed my baby using a number of bottles. Often she is fine but twice she has refused to take the bottle at all.

Breastfeeding is certainly the best option for the baby (as mentioned above by others), but it is also beneficial for the mother. Breastfeeding releases hormones that help with uterus contractions (so it gets back to its original size) and weight loss following pregnancy.

I want to end on a note that you shouldn't judge mothers that formula feed. Breastfeeding is not easy and some mother's bodies simply do not produce enough milk to feed their child making it impossible to go without formula.

 

[Pebbles]

Always breastfeed and breastfeed as long as the baby needs it. Forget about modesty rules, they are stupid.

If breastfeeding is impossible for you, pump. You should not use formula, from my point of view. Breastfeeding until a child is 6 or 7 maybe going over a bit, but IMO it's not that big of a deal

seriously, people actually do that?
till a kid is 6/7? thats weird, never heard that one before

anyways

i agree with you the rules of society about this are stupid
i do not get why people make a big deal out of it when they see a woman doing it in a public
yet porn magazines all over the place is just fine
get real people​

 

[Electricbluewolf]

I've seen varies "shock news" stories of people breastfeeding up to 10 years. Biologically by then the milk will have no nutrients that will help the child grow so it's a bit pointless.

I think it shouldn't get the stimulation that people have around it. I wouldn't care if someone did breastfeed in public, or a restaurant, but I do think the reason people stare is that we don't see it because so often it is behind a loo door, or in a car.

As long as mother and baby are happy than she should be fed wherever she feels appropriate. There was one article a while ago about a mother's disgust about not being allowed to breastfeed in a public swimming pool, I did think that isn't exactly right for the baby

 

[for him.]

Babies need to breastfeed because their mother's breast milk helps strengthen their immune system. I don't understand why people have such a negative attitude towards public breast feeding because I don't personally see a problem with it. It's not disgusting; it's natural.