Why is it so offensive?
By viakri
@viakri (123)
United States
May 15, 2012 10:15am CST
I have 3 children and have nursed them all. I have received rude comments, stares, and been talked about. I can remember nursing in restaurants and being asked to go into the bathroom to feed my baby. I would politely ask the person how would they like to eat their lunch where people poop. I have had whole conversations with people while nursing and they don't even realize. They will say something like "oh, is he sleeping under there?" and I would say "no, he's eating." Usually at that point the person would make an awkward face and walk away. I also nursed two of my children after the age of one and people would have thought I was child predator. I am feeding my child! Why is nursing looked at in this country as something awkward or unnatural? I don't get it.
Does this bother any of you Mom's out there?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@swapmind (355)
• Australia
15 May 12
Either the feeding needs to be in nicely allocated parents rooms or the place where you and your baby are comfortable.don't bother about someone's reactions for you satisfying your babys appetite and your comfort is more important than peoples remarks.toilets are no nice place for such things.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
16 May 12
Nursing a baby is a natural thing, and I don't think nursing in public is bad. You have to do it somehow! If you're out to eat or at the grocery store, and the baby needs to eat right then, people have to understand it is a necessity. As long as it is done appropriately (with some covering, I would think!) then it's totally acceptable. I think of it the same as a dating couple feeding each other. It's just a mother feeding her baby. Everyone needs to eat; it's just done a different way when they're that little! When a couple feeds one another, people can sometimes frown on that, too, but it's the same difference. I wouldn't care what people think other than your little one, of course, because s/he is hungry, and s/he is the one you need to please right then or you'll hear about it!
@viakri (123)
• United States
16 May 12
Right on, JJ4Ever! Maybe the people would rather hear a baby screaming their lungs out in public because they are starving... That might be something I try with the next baby when someone says something... Stop feeding the baby and let it scream and ask if they prefer that... LOL
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
16 May 12
That's exactly what I'd do if I were you! I'd tell them, "Ok, so you don't want me to nurse him/her in your presence...so...would you like to hold my screaming child for me while I finish my meal / shopping??" Easy for them to say that nursing a child in public is inappropriate when they're not responsible for him/her. I'd much rather deal with a nursing mother than a screaming child!
@peavey (16936)
• United States
18 May 12
I don't know why it's looked at as something awkward or unnatural. It's the most natural way possible to feed a baby. I fed all three of my babies that way and would again.
Ignorance of the human body is growing, it seems. They seem to think that it's only for S e x and nothing else.
@viakri (123)
• United States
18 May 12
I agree. Most "men" you come across these days aren't men. People are not raising their children to be responsible or to function in the adult world. It is truly sad. It is a rarity to find a man that is hard working, responsible, and a gentleman these days!
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
18 May 12
Perhaps everything is natural or should be? As a mother you have every right to do the natural things. My only concern would be that when you interacting socially with people that do have trouble with thier un-trained brains is that you might be affected by this and likewise your baby. Therefore, I hope you find pleasure and contentment feeding your baby always and comfortable in the places you dwell in because the most important person in the place is baby.
I had a male friend that would say funny things and his comment was "lucky guy", meaning the baby. 
@viakri (123)
• United States
18 May 12
That is funny :) I have a doctor friend that told his son during the weaning process that it was the last time he would be doing anything like that until he was married... lol The boy was only just over a year old at the time but it was so funny! I love when a man can be relaxed about it and not squeemish!
@rashme317 (250)
• Philippines
16 May 12
here in our country it's normal to nurse babies everywhere nursing is best for babies until 2 years of age, . maybe their mindset is very different from those people or mothers who nursed their babies
