Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I am a first-time nursing mother. While it is within my own personal comfort zone with my body to nurse discretely, I do not think that a mother should feel embarrassed or ashamed if someone happens to observe her nursing her baby.  

  

Whether breastfeeding is attractive or not is NOT the issue. It amazes me that so many of us are intolerant of this natural process but yet we feel compelled to be polite and tolerate other personal choices people make that we may not favor. We need to NOT COMPARE NURSING IN PUBLIC TO CHOOSING TO WEAR LOW-CUT PANTS OR SKIMPY TOPS!!! If my server in a restaurant was wearing low-cut jeans with her bottom hanging out, she most certainly would not be doing it to provide nourishment to a growing child! Breastfeeding mothers do not typically walk around with their breast hanging out at all times as if it is in fashion.  

  

I live in a very warm climate and regrettably, I have withdrawn myself and my baby to the bathroom or car to nurse. This is very uncomfortable. It is unfortunate that many of us Americans feel it necessary for a baby to eat in often cramped, hot, smelly or humid conditions. I've regretted whisking my baby girl away to eat in such conditions before, only to end with both of us sweating and cranky after only 15 minutes. Also, not all women use a breastpump. They are often expensive and It takes time to pump milk. Yes, I have occassionally brought a bottle of pumped milk for my daughter, but again, to avoid sitting in a humid bathroom and the slight chance that someone may catch a glimpse of my breast. This just doesn't make sense when we come built with a way to feed fresh milk to our babies when they need it.  

  

We as a society do not seem to be uncomfortable with the image of the breast, since we see it often in movies, advertising, and other media. So why are we uncomfortable with seeing a baby feed from a breast??? I agree that we need to desensitize our society to the discomfort we feel with such a natural human process. Increasing understanding of this one issue would get us one step closer to improving the value our society places on women and families.  

LOL That's classic!

I have no idea why women feel the need to breastfeed in public.  There is no need for it.  I successfully breastfed 2 boys  for close to a year each with out ever CHOOSING to breastfeed in public.  I would nurse just prior to leaving the house and make sure my outing was timed right to get home for the next feeding and nap.   

  

I am offended when I witness mothers breastfeeding in public.  To me it is a private thing to be done in the privacy of your own home or space away from others.  There is no need to make other people feel uncomfortable.  I am surprised that so many women are inconsiderate of others sense of modesty.   

  

The breast feeding fanatic on the show was so rude and self-centered in thinking that she has a right to make other people uncomfortable.  I relate it to smokers that do not take other peoples health in to consideration when they light up.  Both are equally offensive and rude. 

  

  

So you say that just because my son or daughter HAS a condom doesn't mean they will use it, yet in the same comment you say that if he DOESN'T have it, he WILL have sex.  I think you need to check your statistics.  Is it very possible that my or your child will make a bad choice regarding sex.  Absolutely.  But last time i checked,  it was not 100% of our children that are sexually active.  If my child chooses to have sex, then they and I will have to deal with the consequenses.   I would rather teach my child that there are consequenses for their wrong choises than to hand them any easier way to make a mistake without getting caught.  Have you ever thought of the esteme and emotional problems that result from giving them a green light to do whatever they want. 

  

I understand it takes more patience and time to teach them to do the right thing and it is much easier for you as a parent to just say "Here have a condom" so you can get back to your TV or whatever it is that you spend your time on.  Maybe you should take a little more time with your kids! 

I have a 3 month old.  I breastfeed both in private and in public.  I also have a very good electric breast pump.  Do you know how much milk I am able to express per day?  6 oz.  6 pittiful little oz.  Do you think my baby would be content with that?  I have no problem producing milk, I just can't express it with a pump the same way my son can express it by latching on.

Isn't it ironic that the majority of people who are against breastfeeding in public either don't have kids or don't breastfeed the ones they have?  Talk about not knowing what you're talking about!

As you have the right to free speech, us nursing moms have a right to feed our children and I personally will do so whenever and wherever for the benefit of my child.  Most of you people don't even have children and you are debating about an issue that you probably have not educated yourself about. 

breastfeeding is best for baby.  It's scientifically proven. Even the makers of formula know it.  Is it so hard to imagine that there are those of us who want to do whats best  for our child?  I know it's tough fo some to imagine being to selfless, but it does happen. 

  

  

And it is making it incredibly hard to buy clothes for young teens that are appropriate.  My daughter would rather stay home than go out dressed in most of todays styles, she's very modest (for which I am thankful!) and I wouldn't let her out dressed in most of them anyways. It's getting harder to FIND clothes that fit nicely and LOOK nice too. 

  

  

If parents were doing their job of educating their children as to the issues of having sex at their age, the schools wouldn't need sex education classes would they? The fact is teen pregnancy is on the rise becasue teens don't have enough information to make an informed choice. If all they have is to "say no"  the hormones at one point will overwhelm some. The real issue is that unprotected sex is a health risk to anyone having sex regardless of age. When you mix morals with this the health issue goes out the window which is shame since it is the most important issue in the long run. I'd rather that my grandkids have a condom in thier purse or pocket with information on why and when to use one than not. Getting one from a sex or health education class is not a bad thing. Don't we teach kids how to drive a car safely, why not teach them how to protect their bodies? One day they will probably have sex...either young or old...you won't be there to stop it so why not give them the tools they need to make it safe? If the parents were providing condoms then the schools wouldn't need to would they.