We’ve all heard people talk about it, the good the bad and the ugly. As we all know breasts are celebrated on tv, in movies, magazines, etc. Maybe that is why feeding your child in public has been given such a bad connotation. A lot of people like to make the argument if a bottle-fed baby can have breakfast in public, why is it any different than a breastfed baby?
Most people find it inappropriate because breasts are view as a sexual part of the body. If you weren’t feeding your child, pulling your breast out in public would be frowned upon. So where do you draw the line?
Way too often stories are popping up on my newsfeed about another mother who was asked to stop feeding her child in public because it’s “disgusting” and “no one needs to see that.” Your child needs to be fed; I totally get that. But when it comes to feeding in public should there be personal boundaries?
Breastfeeding Boundaries
No mother should be forced to be locked in a cramped, dirty bathroom to feed their baby, that’s just not ok. But seeing as though breasts are looked at as a sex symbol, I would feel uncomfortable pulling mine out in public even if it is to feed my baby. Yes, God gave us boobs for nursing purposes, it’s one of the most natural parts of the human body. But that doesn’t defeat the fact that they are a sex symbol. I would feel uncomfortable with someone pulling out their boob in front of my husband, and I know he would as well.
This is all due to what society and the media have made breasts out to be – a sex symbol. So I can understand both sides of the argument. A woman shouldn’t be shamed for this, though. A lady can walk around with her cleavage hanging out, and that’s ok, but God forbid someone to give their child nourishment.
So it comes down to asking what we can do to make breastfeeding more accepted, and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone has an answer for that.
So what are the pros and cons to breastfeeding in public?
Breastfeeding Pros
With breastfeeding it’s a never ending supply, you can forget your formula at home but good news, you can’t forget your breasts at home! Although I’m sure, you sometimes wish that was an option. So when you are out and about, and your baby is hungry your only option is to, well, feed him! And yes this means in public as well.
For me, I have and will always use a cover up when I feed my children due to my personal preference, but too many people are still looking at breasts as a sex symbol instead of the reality, it’s simply just a child eating their lunch.
With breastfeeding, your diaper bag gets to solely stay your DIAPER bag, how great is that!? No forgetting bottles, or spilling bottles, and how great is this; you can’t drop and spill your boob! And don’t even get me started on all of the amazing nutrients your baby will get from supplying their milk.
Breastfeeding Cons
One big drawback with breastfeeding is that your child needs to be attached to your hip for the first few months of their life, and if you aren’t with him/her, you have to always be pumping. The majority of your time will be spent feeding or pumping for your baby.
The only other con with breastfeeding in public is the scrutiny that women receive every day, even if they are covered. The dirty looks, rude comments, breastfeeding is made more difficult for millions of women and it people should start being more empathetic. Breastfeeding in itself is not an easy task, and it is a shame that it isn’t made more easy for a woman to feed her child in public.
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