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GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?
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noelle1225 posted:
Just another reminder that someone needs to take over the GTKYFP posts if you want to keep them going. I'll do one next week if I'm still around, but it'd be nice if someone could go ahead and do it:)


So my fello preggos... how do you feel about women who BF in public? Is it just a natural thing, or does it make you uncomfortable? Do you or would you have an issue with your child seeing another woman bf in say a park or a restaurant? Do you think it's okay as long as you can't see it? Why do you think we have the feelings we do about breast feeding in this country? Do you want it to change? Could it change?


I personally think it's a beautiful thing to BF a baby and it hurts my heart that some women feel like they either need to pump, switch to formula, or stand in a restroom while feeding to be socially correct. I think where I live, in east tn, it's still quite taboo to feed openly. Though there are laws to protect a mother's rights, it doesn't stop the angry stares and whispering. I think it's sad that breasts have become so sexual in our society that people almost see BF'ing as something sexual that should be hidden away also. I plan on feeding Cael when and where he's hungry. I have a nursing cover, and will use it if its not too much a hassel, but if someone sees my nipple while I'm getting him latched, they can just get over it. You know facebook considers pics of moms bf'ing pornagrafic and they are removed from the site... really? BF'ing is porn? Not saying I would want to post pics, but I might. I could post a pic of myself bottle feeding my son, and you can't see anything anyway once the baby's entire head is in the way.
Noelle(27) Hubby (27) One MC @ 8.5wks July 2010. 2 Kitties and 2 Dogs. Yay for furry kisses! Cael Ryan due Oct. 21, 2011! Blue Team!
20 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?Just another reminder that someone needs to take over the GTKYFP posts if you want to keep them going. I'll do one next week if I'm still around, but it'd be nice if someone could go ahead and do it:)<br /> <br /> <br />So my fello preggos... how do you feel about women who BF in public? Is it just a natural thing, or does it make you uncomfortable? Do you or would you have an issue with your child seeing another woman bf in say a park or a restaurant? Do you think it's okay as long as you can't see it? Why do you think we have the feelings we do about breast feeding in this country? Do you want it to change? Could it change?<br /> <br /> <br />I personally think it's a beautiful thing to BF a baby and it hurts my heart that some women feel like they either need to pump, switch to formula, or stand in a restroom while feeding to be socially correct. I think where I live, in east tn, it's still quite taboo to feed openly. Though there are laws to protect a mother's rights, it doesn't stop the angry stares and whispering. I think it's sad that breasts have become so sexual in our society that people almost see BF'ing as something sexual that should be hidden away also. I plan on feeding Cael when and where he's hungry. I have a nursing cover, and will use it if its not too much a hassel, but if someone sees my nipple while I'm getting him latched, they can just get over it. You know facebook considers pics of moms bf'ing pornagrafic and they are removed from the site... really? BF'ing is porn? Not saying I would want to post pics, but I might. I could post a pic of myself bottle feeding my son, and you can't see anything anyway once the baby's entire head is in the way.
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Smithc27 responded:
I too feel it is a natural thing to breastfeed. When a dear friend of mine had her little girl, she tuned me into the health benefits of BFing and (I've been told) the spit-up doesn't smell as bad as formula! Yesterday, I set up a baby registry and added a BF cover to the list. I plan to BF after our LO arrives, and if people don't like it, tough!
~Charlotte(26), DH(26), Furry child Gin (Aussie), M/C 3/2/2011, BFP 6/6/2011 EDD 2/12/2012, Green Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?I too feel it is a natural thing to breastfeed. When a dear friend of mine had her little girl, she tuned me into the health benefits of BFing and (I've been told) the spit-up doesn't smell as bad as formula! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> Yesterday, I set up a baby registry and added a BF cover to the list. I plan to BF after our LO arrives, and if people don't like it, tough!
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noelle1225 replied to Smithc27's response:
It's not only the spit up that won't smell as bad! lol
Noelle(27) Hubby (27) One MC @ 8.5wks July 2010. 2 Kitties and 2 Dogs. Yay for furry kisses! Cael Ryan due Oct. 21, 2011! Blue Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?It's not only the spit up that won't smell as bad! lol
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earleyml1012 responded:
I can kind of voice my opinion based on someone who BF for a short period and then switched to formula. I didn't switch based on what people thought, rather my supply was not keeping up and DD had jaundice that wouldn't go away b/c she wasn't getting enough milk.

Anyway, when I was in the hospital it didn't bother me if someone walked in while I was feeding her (like a janitor). However, when I got home and we had visitors even though I was in my own house I did not feel comfortable feeding DD infront of them so I'd take her to the nursery. This is probably more me b/c I'm a very discret person...I don't even wear binkis even though I have the body for it. Not sure why I was comfortable in the hospital, guess it was b/c most people were health professional?!? So that said, if I would've been able to BF DD I don't think I would've done it in public.

Oh and I didn't think formula spit-up or poop smelled that bad. It's all gross anyway! ;c)
Me (28) DH (28) DD (12/6/08) EDD (10/21/11) Pink Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?I can kind of voice my opinion based on someone who BF for a short period and then switched to formula. I didn't switch based on what people thought, rather my supply was not keeping up and DD had jaundice that wouldn't go away b/c she wasn't getting enough milk.<br /> <br />Anyway, when I was in the hospital it didn't bother me if someone walked in while I was feeding her (like a janitor). However, when I got home and we had visitors even though I was in my own house I did not feel comfortable feeding DD infront of them so I'd take her to the nursery. This is probably more me b/c I'm a very discret person...I don't even wear binkis even though I have the body for it. Not sure why I was comfortable in the hospital, guess it was b/c most people were health professional?!? So that said, if I would've been able to BF DD I don't think I would've done it in public.<br /> <br />Oh and I didn't think formula spit-up or poop smelled that bad. It's all gross anyway! ;c)
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LynnaeMarie replied to noelle1225's response:
LOL about "not only the spit up"!

I completely agree ladies, BFing is better for baby & mom & I have no problems doing it in public. I got a couple good nursing covers at my shower but I also have no problem just sticking the kid up under my shirt, lol. My SIL has 4 kids & BF's in public all the time, she is very tasteful about how she does it with or without a cover.

The only 'bad' story I ever heard was from a gal who was with her son (& a huge group of teenage boys) at a wrestling tournament. Two rows in front of them a very well endowed woman just whipped em out without any cover to feed her baby & those poor teenage boys just couldn't stop staring. Yes, our society is to blame for it affecting those boys like it did, but the woman should have had some consideration for the fact that she was in a gymnasium full of teenage boys whose hormones currently control their lives.

I heard about the FB thing too, I have a client who's a college professor & she BF'd in public with both of her kids. She posted a big thing on FB about how mad she was that they are calling it porn. I agree with her but didn't put much stock into my own opinion on it until recently.
Me (29) DH (35) M/C 2/2010 at 12 weeks. Bailey, Molly (pups), lots of cats. BFP 2/20/11! EDD 10/31/11! Blue team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?LOL about "not only the spit up"!<br /><br />I completely agree ladies, BFing is better for baby &amp; mom &amp; I have no problems doing it in public. I got a couple good nursing covers at my shower but I also have no problem just sticking the kid up under my shirt, lol. My SIL has 4 kids &amp; BF's in public all the time, she is very tasteful about how she does it with or without a cover.<br /><br />The only 'bad' story I ever heard was from a gal who was with her son (&amp; a huge group of teenage boys) at a wrestling tournament. Two rows in front of them a very well endowed woman just whipped em out without any cover to feed her baby &amp; those poor teenage boys just couldn't stop staring. Yes, our society is to blame for it affecting those boys like it did, but the woman should have had some consideration for the fact that she was in a gymnasium full of teenage boys whose hormones currently control their lives.<br /><br />I heard about the FB thing too, I have a client who's a college professor &amp; she BF'd in public with both of her kids. She posted a big thing on FB about how mad she was that they are calling it porn. I agree with her but didn't put much stock into my own opinion on it until recently.
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LynnaeMarie replied to earleyml1012's response:
A good friend of mine had her milk dry up when baby was only a couple weeks old, so I agree with you also Michelle. Sometimes you just can't control what happens.
Me (29) DH (35) M/C 2/2010 at 12 weeks. Bailey, Molly (pups), lots of cats. BFP 2/20/11! EDD 10/31/11! Blue team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?A good friend of mine had her milk dry up when baby was only a couple weeks old, so I agree with you also Michelle. Sometimes you just can't control what happens.
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earleyml1012 replied to LynnaeMarie's response:
I just wanted to add that if something does happen and you can't BF for whatever reason, don't get down on yourself. I was so disappoint that I cried for a few days but DD was actually healthier and happier when I switched. Another warning, if you have to switch, you baby might be constipated for a day or two b/c of the extra iron in the formula.
Me (28) DH (28) DD (12/6/08) EDD (10/21/11) Pink Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?I just wanted to add that if something does happen and you can't BF for whatever reason, don't get down on yourself. I was so disappoint that I cried for a few days but DD was actually healthier and happier when I switched. Another warning, if you have to switch, you baby might be constipated for a day or two b/c of the extra iron in the formula.
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BethAnn88 responded:
I don't have a problem with women BF in public, as long as they are being discrete. I'm really hoping I'll be able to BF. But being the conservative person I am, I think I'd prefer to find somewhere that's semi-private instead of BF in front of everyone. If others want to do it wherever they happen to be, then more power to them! I think it's a perfectly natural thing.

FB considers BF pics to be porno? Really?!!! How sad....
Me(30) DH(31) Two little angels, m/c 5/09(10wks), m/c 6/11(5wks), BFP 7/22/11!!! EDD 4/2/12
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?I don't have a problem with women BF in public, as long as they are being discrete. I'm really hoping I'll be able to BF. But being the conservative person I am, I think I'd prefer to find somewhere that's semi-private instead of BF in front of everyone. If others want to do it wherever they happen to be, then more power to them! I think it's a perfectly natural thing. <br /> <br />FB considers BF pics to be porno? Really?!!! How sad....
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noelle1225 replied to BethAnn88's response:
Sorry Michelle, I was actually talking more about what happened w a GF of mine when I mentioned women who switch to formula. She had a milk supply to rival a dairy cow, but was so uncomfortable feeding in public that we had to park next to the dumpsters behind walmart for her to feed one day. Before long she was suplementing w formula whenever she wasn't home alone w the baby and btwn that and being too uncofortable to pump more than once a day when she went back to work, her milk was gone. It kind of made me sad bc she said she really liked bf'ing and like I said, she had a supply to envy! I swore to myself that even though I am a shy person by nature, I wouldn't let it affect me the way it had for her. I've spent alot of time this pregnancy reminding myself what the girls were really made for:)
Noelle(27) Hubby (27) One MC @ 8.5wks July 2010. 2 Kitties and 2 Dogs. Yay for furry kisses! Cael Ryan due Oct. 21, 2011! Blue Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?Sorry Michelle, I was actually talking more about what happened w a GF of mine when I mentioned women who switch to formula. She had a milk supply to rival a dairy cow, but was so uncomfortable feeding in public that we had to park next to the dumpsters behind walmart for her to feed one day. Before long she was suplementing w formula whenever she wasn't home alone w the baby and btwn that and being too uncofortable to pump more than once a day when she went back to work, her milk was gone. It kind of made me sad bc she said she really liked bf'ing and like I said, she had a supply to envy! I swore to myself that even though I am a shy person by nature, I wouldn't let it affect me the way it had for her. I've spent alot of time this pregnancy reminding myself what the girls were really made for:)
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KonaMommy responded:
I breast fed my son for 14 months and plan to try to make it a year with this baby as well. It was a big commitment (especially because I was working full time much of that first year), but I think it was worth it and I'm hoping that it'll be a little easier this time around because I've done it once before. I consider myself a very modest person, but quickly determined that it was not practical to hide in a corner every time baby needed to eat. At home, I never used a nursing cover- if we had guests, I'd throw a burp cloth over my shoulder to be a little discreet. If we were out, I used the nursing cover and it didn't seem like any big deal. The one time I was uncomfortable was at my son's baptism when we were in the 1st row at church and he started SCREAMING to be fed (and was really fussy about taking a pumped bottle at that time even though I had prepared one). I had no choice but to pull out the nursing cover and feed him and since it was his baptism, I couldn't really leave. It was awkward, but we survived.
Beth (33), DH (32), DS (2), Missed M/C 12/10 @ 12 weeks, EDD 12/24/11, Yellow Team
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?I breast fed my son for 14 months and plan to try to make it a year with this baby as well. It was a big commitment (especially because I was working full time much of that first year), but I think it was worth it and I'm hoping that it'll be a little easier this time around because I've done it once before. I consider myself a very modest person, but quickly determined that it was not practical to hide in a corner every time baby needed to eat. At home, I never used a nursing cover- if we had guests, I'd throw a burp cloth over my shoulder to be a little discreet. If we were out, I used the nursing cover and it didn't seem like any big deal. The one time I was uncomfortable was at my son's baptism when we were in the 1st row at church and he started SCREAMING to be fed (and was really fussy about taking a pumped bottle at that time even though I had prepared one). I had no choice but to pull out the nursing cover and feed him and since it was his baptism, I couldn't really leave. It was awkward, but we survived.
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noelle1225 replied to KonaMommy's response:
LOL Beth:) that is too cute! babies like things on their own schedule huh?
Noelle(27) Hubby (27) One MC @ 8.5wks July 2010. 2 Kitties and 2 Dogs. Yay for furry kisses! Cael Ryan due Oct. 21, 2011! Blue Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?LOL Beth:) that is too cute! babies like things on their own schedule huh?
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Babyhopes614 replied to noelle1225's response:
Grad Lurking, ahhh that feels sooo good to type lol

Unfortunately I tried to bf and just couldn't, my milk supply was just pitiful. But I did try for 2 weeks and in that 2 weeks we had to go to the doctor to have her jaundice levels checked. They tell you to feed on demand when bfing so I was ready with my cover up and easy to get into bfing shirt. Well the lab was crowded and they were way behind, Parker started screaming so I politely got up and moved to the back of the waiting room, which she was screaming so loud everyone was already looking. I finally got her latched and settled when they called her name. So I quickly pulled her off, poor baby, and got myself all covered. When we left we walked by where we were sitting and I noticed that my nursing pad was laying in the floor where we were sitting. Lmao DH picked it up, keep in mind it's still packed waiting room, and goes hey honey isn't this yours? I was mortified and started laughing so loud. But I felt very comfortable bfing in public and I didn't feel like I offended anyone by doing it.
Jennifer(24) DH(27) M/C 10/12/2010 at 6 weeks. BFP 12/27/2010 EDD 9/13/2011. PINK TEAM~Parker Anne. Sched induction 9/8
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?Grad Lurking, ahhh that feels sooo good to type lol<br><br>Unfortunately I tried to bf and just couldn't, my milk supply was just pitiful. But I did try for 2 weeks and in that 2 weeks we had to go to the doctor to have her jaundice levels checked. They tell you to feed on demand when bfing so I was ready with my cover up and easy to get into bfing shirt. Well the lab was crowded and they were way behind, Parker started screaming so I politely got up and moved to the back of the waiting room, which she was screaming so loud everyone was already looking. I finally got her latched and settled when they called her name. So I quickly pulled her off, poor baby, and got myself all covered. When we left we walked by where we were sitting and I noticed that my nursing pad was laying in the floor where we were sitting. Lmao DH picked it up, keep in mind it's still packed waiting room, and goes hey honey isn't this yours? I was mortified and started laughing so loud. But I felt very comfortable bfing in public and I didn't feel like I offended anyone by doing it.
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bbylove21 replied to Babyhopes614's response:
Grad Lurking..I didn't read all of the posts because lucas want's mommys attention lol but i'm glad you posted this Noelle ..I'm very glad to live in an awesome city that promotes Bfing. I have no shame seriously!! i've bf at wendy's during lunch hour with men all around, I've resently had to do it at the zoo , I have fortunatly an abundant supply and i'm in pain if i go more than 3 hours without a feeding. I really don't care if my nipple slips out and if someone has a problem they need to get the stick out of their ass i'm trying too feed my child. Thankfully i haven't experienced any negative comments, I dunno what to say to people that think bad of bfing it's honestly the most natural thing in the world like noelle said. I think it's beautiful thing also I did think it was wierd before i had my child because i didn't understand it but i was a teen and also though everything was gross lol, I think the public should educate themselves and see that it's the best thing for mom and baby and maybe it wouldn't have so many negative connotations and more women would be willing to try it( I'm the only one out of my friends ) no judgemnet for those who don't tho. I have been so blessed
Adriana(21) DH(26)Furry baby Lola (3yrs old shih-pom).. mc at 9 weeks in 5/22/10 BFP!! 10/22/10 EDD 6/29/11 Yay summer baby!! Chicago is cold! Yellow team
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?Grad Lurking..I didn't read all of the posts because lucas want's mommys attention lol but i'm glad you posted this Noelle ..I'm very glad to live in an awesome city that promotes Bfing. I have no shame seriously!! i've bf at wendy's during lunch hour with men all around, I've resently had to do it at the zoo , I have fortunatly an abundant supply and i'm in pain if i go more than 3 hours without a feeding. I really don't care if my nipple slips out and if someone has a problem they need to get the stick out of their ass i'm trying too feed my child. Thankfully i haven't experienced any negative comments, I dunno what to say to people that think bad of bfing it's honestly the most natural thing in the world like noelle said. I think it's beautiful thing also I did think it was wierd before i had my child because i didn't understand it but i was a teen and also though everything was gross lol, I think the public should educate themselves and see that it's the best thing for mom and baby and maybe it wouldn't have so many negative connotations and more women would be willing to try it( I'm the only one out of my friends ) no judgemnet for those who don't tho. I have been so blessed
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noelle1225 replied to bbylove21's response:
You know, it's kind of strange in east tn bc everybody acknowledges that bf is ideal if you can do it, but there is still the taboo about it for alot of people if you can actually see it going on. It puts new moms in a bad spot where they feel like anything they do is hampered by their ability to feed without ruffling any feathers. Nobody wants to feel confined to their home or a public restroom. I'm glad it's gone so well for you Adri:)
Noelle(27) Hubby (27) One MC @ 8.5wks July 2010. 2 Kitties and 2 Dogs. Yay for furry kisses! Cael Ryan due Oct. 21, 2011! Blue Team!
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?You know, it's kind of strange in east tn bc everybody acknowledges that bf is ideal if you can do it, but there is still the taboo about it for alot of people if you can actually see it going on. It puts new moms in a bad spot where they feel like anything they do is hampered by their ability to feed without ruffling any feathers. Nobody wants to feel confined to their home or a public restroom. I'm glad it's gone so well for you Adri:)
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bbylove21 replied to noelle1225's response:
It's a shame, I mean i don't think we need a special section or anything but i have read that some restaurants have asked nursing moms to leave in other states, I'm not sure what i would do but i'm pretty sure they would get a load from my mouth!!! My aunt in law works at o'hare intl airport and she said before nursing moms would all have to nurse in the bathroom but they now have designated areas for these mothers traveling and pumping..a move in the right direction. Thanks Noelle, But yes Breast feeding is defentatly a struggle because you basically get nooo sleep for the first month and the pain I strongly recomend Lanolin from medea they should give you some at the hospy it's awesome!! I hope it works well for you too I have a baby in the 95th percentile from my boobs milk LMAO!!( sorry for all this unsolicited advice lol but don't give the baby a paci until after a month and your milk supply is established nurse as often as possible and you'll do great )
Adriana(21) DH(26)Furry baby Lola (3yrs old shih-pom).. mc at 9 weeks in 5/22/10 BFP!! 10/22/10 EDD 6/29/11 Yay summer baby!! Chicago is cold! Yellow team
Report This| Share this:GTKYFP: How do you feel about BF'ing in public?It's a shame, I mean i don't think we need a special section or anything but i have read that some restaurants have asked nursing moms to leave in other states, I'm not sure what i would do but i'm pretty sure they would get a load from my mouth!!! My aunt in law works at o'hare intl airport and she said before nursing moms would all have to nurse in the bathroom but they now have designated areas for these mothers traveling and pumping..a move in the right direction. Thanks Noelle, But yes Breast feeding is defentatly a struggle because you basically get nooo sleep for the first month and the pain I strongly recomend Lanolin from medea they should give you some at the hospy it's awesome!! I hope it works well for you too I have a baby in the 95th percentile from my boobs milk LMAO!!( sorry for all this unsolicited advice lol but don't give the baby a paci until after a month and your milk supply is established nurse as often as possible and you'll do great )
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