Comments on: What Is Proper Etiquette For Breastfeeding In Public?

By: CEM

CEM — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:53:36 +0000

I also live in Chicago. For some one who did not breastfeed and have seen others do it in public, I would just suggest that you use a blanket to go over that area and your baby. As long as you follow that simple rule, no one should have a problem with it.
For the girl who said you don’t have to cover up if you don’t want to, and there are no laws that say you can’t expose your breast or nipple : Just because your breastfeeding doesn’t mean you can just whip out your breast in public for all to see. There are such things as indecent exposure – doesn’t matter if its “your right” to breastfeed or not. Besides, why the heck would you want people to see such an intimate part of your body anyway? I certainly wouldn’t want to, and if you expose your nipple to the guy walking down the street, you’re just asking for nasty comments.
Edit: I completely agree with Ann M. I too am tired of these people “I breastfeed, please look at my boob, I have a right to show it to you.” Whatever. I’m certainly not against breastfeeding in public, but these people need to be aware of people around you if you are purposely exposing your breast or nipple. Would you pull your pants down and pee on the sidewalk for all to see? Why not, because it’s your vagina? I see no difference.

By: nikkie24

nikkie24 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:50:20 +0000

If you are out in public and you need to feed, you could go to your car and sit in the back and feed away.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:03:30 +0000

I swear to GOD there is nothing more annoying than this. IT IS NOT proper at all. There are breast pumps and bottels you can use to make bottels and bring with you to feed your baby. Yes babies need to be prepared for that.
Edit:
Dear God I made a typo early in the morning. Sue, me. But I don’t care there are laws. Just because you are a nursing mother I don’t care and I don’t think you need to have ‘special’ rights. I as a non nursing mother can’t whip out my breasts when I desire but you can becaue you have a baby on it? I’m sorry but you need to go somewhere private, its nor necessary for me to see it, I don’t care its natural, so is taking a dump but you don’t do that everywhere.
Also, back of a movie theather? GOD leave your baby at home not in a theather, I hate when a crying baby ruins my movie.

By: Needle&T

Needle&T — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:25:41 +0000

Yes, there are laws that say people cannot sue you for accidentally seeing a boob. I will give you an example of what I did when I had my first child.
My husband was in deployed and I was flying out of state to see his family. My daughter ate seriously almost every hour or so. On my connecting flight I had time to sit and feed her before boarding the plane so I sat away from everyone where no one was. There was no one around me. Out of no where I swear everyone and their moms were sitting right on top of me staring at me. I did have a few women give me nasty looks but I was there first and didn’t ask anyone to come sit near me.
Feed your baby mama because that is what boobies are for! Just have a light blanket handy to cover up.
Edit: For the people who think breastfeeding mama’s should go sit in a bathroom stall or in their cars. I invite you to eat your lunch on top of a dirty toilet or bake to death in a hot vehicle. Get off your high horse it’s just a freaking boob. That is why we have them. They aren’t sex objects! Good grief!
Edit: Belinda, I know! What I don’t understand is what is the difference between the mountains of cleavage, thongs and butt cracks that are being “covered” by today’s fashion, lol!
When breastfeeding it’s possible to stay almost fully covered, even without a blanket, omg not the top or side of someones boob! HA!

By: Amanda C

Amanda C — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:27:04 +0000

I cannot quote laws exactly but in Texas where I live I just carried a light blanket and covered up with it. No one could see anything that they shouldnt. I am 10 weeks pregnant and will be breastfeeding once again and intend on using the same tactics

By: ☼Pleasan

☼Pleasan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:23:16 +0000

The proper thing to do is throw etiquette out the window and do whats best for the baby. Bottles and meals in the public bathrooms are not what’s best for babies
Discretion will help YOU and cause less drama, but is not required. YES there are laws in every state protecting your right to breastfeed. Here is a link to the laws for your state:http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills18.html

By: Clare S

Clare S — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:51:43 +0000

It is all about being discreet about the way you feed and it will take practise to manage it but you can manage it. I found a vest top with a loose blouse over the top worked really well. Most of the time people will not even realise what you are doing and to be honest if they do then they are looking far too closely.

By: rootofno

rootofno — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:57:13 +0000

Are you in the US?
Here’s a summary of breastfeeding laws in the US:http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea…
Honestly, you probably don’t need to worry about it. Find a cushy chair or couch, sit and nurse your baby. You don’t have to use a nursing cover, but you’re welcome to try one if you feel shy.
The proper time to nurse is to answer your baby’s cues *before* he or she needs to cry. When you see the rooting, find a good place! I like coffeeshops–I can get a drink (and maybe a snack) and they usually have nice, comfy seating areas.
I live in Virginia. While we don’t have laws protecting the right to breastfeed here, there is a law exempting nursing mothers from public indecency. I’ve never worried about where I nurse. When the baby is nursing, nothing much is visible, anyhow. I just lift my shirt enough to latch babe on, then move it back down so that it’s near (but not touching) his face.
ETA: Illinois protects your right to breastfeed your baby.http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea…

By: Olivia's Mama

Olivia's Mama — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:38:08 +0000

you can and should breastfeed in public. Depending on where you live, there are laws protecting you. in my state, michigan, it is not illegal to expose any part of your breast or nipple while breastfeeding. you dont have to cover yourself up but you can if you want. I did when my baby was smaller but now she would just rip it off her head, she likes to see everything

By: Johnny's Mommy

Johnny's Mommy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:30:44 +0000

Depends on where you live as to if there are laws regarding this.
It also depends on what you are comfortable with. I, for one, can’t STAND people staring at me. So, while I was breastfeeding my son, I would always to go a private area, usually out to my car, feed him, and then go back to whatever I was doing. However, the one time that I wasn’t able to get to a private area to feed him, I just sat down and covered myself up.