Please note that the opinions on regarding these polls are solely those of their writers. The #!Parentsroom doesn't necessarily agree nor disagree with these opinions unless otherwise stated.
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#!Parentsroom Weekly Poll Results - Breastfeeding in Public
Welcome to one of our past polls. Don't forget to answer this week's Poll.
Results #!Parentsroom Poll - Breastfeeding in Public
Do you think it is okay and/or proper to publicly breastfeed an infant/baby?
This week's poll resulted the most responses we've received so far for a poll! This is obviously a subject that is important to many of you parents.
Here are the results:
- 73.3% say YES it is perfectly ok and proper to breastfeed a baby in public. (Most believed in being discreet.)
- 11.1% do NOT believe in it is ok to breastfeed in public. (Interestingly enough, most of our "no's" did not leave comments as to why they felt this way.)
- 15.5% Checked off the "OTHER" box, but when reading most of their comments, it appeared they were mostly concerned with being discreet, just as most of our YES voters were.
The following are some comments we received:
- Breastfeeding, as long as it is discreet and with consideration of others, is always appropriate. Unless of course you're meeting the queen of England or something out of the ordinary.
- What is the big deal? People who can't explain to young children the purpose of women's breasts for feeding a newborn child are either uneducated or simply insecure of their own sexuality. I have seen mothers feeding in public, but have never seen as much as a nipple.
- While I think it is perfectly acceptable to breastfeed a baby in public I have never done so . I breastfeed all 3 of my children for a total of two and one half years. I managed to breastfeed while on vacation and even while taking one child to emergency. People are willing to give you privacy in most circumstances if that is what you want. I found that having this private time with my children a definite advantage.
- Breastfeeding a baby is a natural and necessary part of life. everyone should be able to accept that.
- I breast fed both my 2 kids for a long time. My daughter...until 22 months old and my son...until 18 months old. I breast fed them in public but discreetly. I would use oversized shirt or cover up a bit with a blanket. There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public if one does it discreetly.
- Breastfeeding is natural, and should not be considered something that is unacceptable. We shouldn't be coming down on those women who choose to breastfeed in public. Most women who do breastfeed do so discreetly, and do not "push" it in the faces of others. Encourage the mothers that decide to do so, don't shame them. Mothers have rights as well as the rest of the population. If people are so bothered by the fact that mother's are breastfeeding in public, then they shouldn't be watching.
- I feel that a woman should not only have the right, but be protected by law to breastfeed her baby in public. That is what breasts were made for after all! If the Hooter Girls can wear cut up tank tops without prosecution and not asked to go to the bathroom, then breastfeeding moms should also be able to nurse their child in the manner that is most convenient and satisfying to the breastfeeding couple whether or not a little flesh shows!
- Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed a baby. We should be offended when we see people bottle-feeding their infant children in public! Get with it, Americans are the only people who have a hard time seeing a woman feeding her child.
- Yes I think it's okay as long as the mother does it a PROPER way. I mean she has to be decent about it. But breastfeeding in public is normal and normal for the baby as well. We can't pick times that a baby needs to feed.
- If people would not get so hung up on the sexuality issue and remember that all species nurse their young, and in essence that is what we are doing also, it would not be a controversial issue.
- I have breastfed my daughter all over the place, from coast to coast and not a single soul has said anything negative. A few waitresses are reluctant to come to our table right away, but I always try to make them more comfortable and cover up. My husband and step-children have always been supportive, and my daughter couldn't be healthier. She is 13 months old and has never had an ear infection!!
- Since I am a nursing mom (20 months and still going strong) and aware of all the health benefits -- who cares if people like it or not?
- If it is ok to breastfeed it should be ok to walk around topless.
- Our society needs to get out of the dark ages in its way of thinking. Just because a woman is breastfeeding in public doesn't mean she will be flaunting her naked body for all to see. Just because someone is an infant does not mean he/she can't eat lunch in public.
- Is it okay for adults to eat in public? Breastfeeding is a lot nicer than feeding them formula in public or private.
- I think that it is not only OK or proper, but it is very important. Breastfeeding is very important - the risks of formula are well documented - and the more open people are to breastfeeding, the more babies will be given the opportunity to breastfeed.
- Both of my boys were breastfed in public and I adjusted myself to the surroundings. One was a ferocious eater who would latch on and no one would notice for he wouldn't move till he was finished. He was fed everywhere from a golf course to a busy airport. The other one was a wanderer and needed quite to feed or I would be a constant exhibitionist, which didn't really bother me but it did interfere with the feeding, so I went somewhere quiet to feed him.
- I think it's okay as long as they do it discreetly.(like placing a blanket over herself and baby).
- I believe it is appropriate to breastfeed a child anywhere you are if the child is hungry. However, discretion must used as we must be sensitive to other peoples feelings. I do not believe it is appropriate to expose the breast and appropriate coverup should be used.
- I think it's okay if the mother's breast is covered. If I could not be someplace private, rather than letting my baby go hungry, I'd just put a baby blanket over my shoulder to hide my breast. It partially covers the baby but the baby wouldn't suffocate or anything.
- The problem is Western Culture is that the breast is thought of, far too often, as pertaining to sexual interaction. i have breast fed all my children (five of 'em ages 25 to 7). However, i was always mindful of the mindset of the culture that i reside in. Therefore, when i did have to breastfeed in public, i made sure that i had a cloth to cover the feeding. Anything less is asking for a lot more than feeding your baby naturally.
- It is my belief that when a baby is hungry you can't just tell him it is not the right place to eat. My son breast fed until he was 5 months old. This time included a trip to New Jersey on a plane, a trip to NY on a bus, and many other places. What else could I do but feed him when he was hungry? I will say, though, that the breast and baby should be covered. There is no need to offend just to feed a baby. And they WILL eat covered up if they are hungry!
- It is okay to some degree. Don't just wing it on out in the grocery store or in the mall. You can do it in this places but be discreet about it. Cover with a blanket or towel. If you do it like this no one will even know what you are doing. Some people are to quick to just throw it on out and not use any morals. These are the people who give it a bad reputation and make the younger mothers to be not want to breastfeed. I know, I had my baby 19 months ago and until I decided to do it I looked down on those who did. Now I know there are ways around showing everyone what I was doing and still get my child feed.
- Go for it. Just please be sensitive to those around that find nursing offensive
- I think breastfeeding can be done in public in a very tasteful way if handled carefully. I breastfed my last two children, and there were a number of times when I started the nursing process in a private spot and then moved back to a more public area. This gave me a chance to get the baby and me situated in a way that looked like he was simply napping. If anyone asked, I told them he was eating, and I never had a problem. I think it is a problem when it is not done discreetly, and others become uncomfortable.
- I think breastfeeding is a good thing for the baby. Much healthier than formula. BUT it should be done with a little bit of etiquette in public. I had the experience of going to the mall with my teenage son and he seen a mother doing this in full view of everyone. Teenage boys don't look upon breasts as a form of nourishment. They look upon them as a sexual thing. My son was very embarrassed. Women should use a cover-up of some sort while in public.
- Although most moms, myself included find it easier to try and get baby on a schedule, the most effective way to breastfeed is to do it on demand. With my first child that meant every four hours early in the day and often every hour in the evening. Even with no other children it is often difficult to try and find a place to "hide" and feed your baby...but when there are multiple members (children) in the family it borders on ridiculous.