It's not disgusting or tacky... it is natural and beautiful, but I still think that it is better to do it more privately. It can make people uncomfortable.

I don't mind as long as the breast is covered, I'm not a prude at all but I'd rather don't see everything.

You know that's where i'm amazed by first world nations. In Zimbabwe women just pull it out and feed the baby, no one cares and no one stares, as far as people are concerned the baby needs to eat!

Totally acceptable! I never just flung everything out because I'm kind of modest, I tried to cover up as best as I could, but I'm not offended if anyone else is doing it. I really hated that I felt like people were acting like I was doing something wrong for breastfeeding my daughter any other place than in my house. Even if you don't choose to breastfeed in public, I think it's better to show support (or at least not disrespect) other mothers who do.

i picked other: cover it up. if you don't want to cover it up because it's too hot or something, then go in a bathroom or some place more secluded.

i'm not a mom. i probably will be in a few years, but not now. the only thing that really freaks me out is when a kid asks for it or pulls at the mom's shirt. and then the mom says something like, "num nums?" and i just shudder. i don't know why! maybe when i'm a mom i'll feel differently.

i thnk its tacky and uncomfortable for other people around you and kinof inapropriate to do in broad day light, go to a bathroom or something, its not polite to in public

i don't think it's tacky, but i think it should be covered up or done privately. kinda weird to just see someone whip out their breast and feed their kid. can't they use a pump if they're going out?

personally, i'd feel uncomfortable doing it in public, and feel uncomfortable watching someone do it too.

maybe i'm just a prude or something . . .

one day i was sitting on the inside seat of a bus on my commute to work and a woman sat down next to me and just started breastfeeding. i was honestly disgusted and felt trapped. maybe okay in public, but not public transportation.... she really couldn't wait till she got to wherever she was going? she actually had to stop to let me get up when my bus stop came....

There is a pretty good option for making sure your infant is fed your breast milk - it's called pumping. If you're dragging your breast feeding infant out in public, and it needs to eat...why don't you just make sure you put a BOTTLE with some pumped BREAST MILK in there. Even as a child, I was HORRIFIED when I'd see a mother breast feeding a baby in public. Ew.

All opinons of mine aside, I think there's something extremely beautiful and pure about that picture above.

It's not tacky- it's natural. Breastfeeding mothers know that babies feed on demand for breastfeeding to most effective- that includes public transportation and restaurants. For those people suggesting that breastfeeding women take it to the bathroom- you don't eat your meals in the bathroom, so why should a baby? You have a right to breastfeed anywhere you have the right to be!!

We need to get past our puritanical view of breasts as sexual objects and remember their biological function- feeding babies!!

I don't mind if it's done a little set back from people and with a blanket. I really don't want to have to look at a woman's naked boob with a little mouth attached even though, yes it is a part of life. It a very private, intimate part of life, kind of like sex, and not something that should be paraded around. I feel like I am intruding on them and I feel uncomfortable that I'm being made to participate in something I feel is very personal even though I don't even know the person.

I think it really depends on a lot of different factors: where you are, how discreet you are about it, the people around you (I think it's totally inappropriate to do in plain view of other people's children or preteens, because even though it is natural it's still a boob!), and the age of the child. The closest I've ever come to straight up vomiting in public (without aid of sickness or alcohol, I mean) is when a woman started nursing her kid at a hockey game, and I swear that little boy had to be about three...so nasty. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong AGE! Le leche league might say to breastfeed until the kid's in kindergarten, but I just don't get it. I still have that image in my head, sick...

I hate it when people say "Go breastfeed in the bathroom" That is disgusting. Would you want to go eat in the bathroom? And I can tell you from experience it's really difficult to even TRY. It's really hard to juggle yourself and your child and try not to touch something unsanitized or downright filthy.

And I understand the recommendation about pumping - however - breastmilk needs to be stored cold and then warmed up before giving it to the baby, which is really difficult to do when you're out and about.

I think if the child is old enough to ask to be breastfed it's too old to be breastfeeding. I chose to stop when my daughter was a year old. But, every mother has the right to decide when she's going to quit breastfeeding her child. I would think, though, that at an older age, a child will be able to go longer between meals - or at least will also be eating/drinking things other than breastmilk, so there are more options.

Before SweetPea was 6 months old, she was on breastmilk exclusively, and it's ridiculous to expect every mother to stay secluded in her own home for any time just because she wants what is best for her child.

And in case I haven't commented enough - (ha) - I have to disagree with comparing nursing to sex. It's not an intimate part of life "like sex". Yes, it can create a closeness between parent and child, but it's EATING. And it's necessary for the child to survive. You can go out in public and restrain from sex for as long as it takes to get home. You can't just say to a baby, "Nope, sorry, inappropriate. You have to wait. We'll be home in three hours." But, hello?! I'd absolutely say the same thing to my husband if he were feeling frisky in public.

I think is gross not all breastfeeders look great with their boob hanging out, you know...I personally wouldn't do it I think is a private thing....and no...I don't look.

and....of course the picture is beautiful...but that's a model and probably not really breastfeeding!

men show thier nipples all day everyday in public and they don't get blurred out.

don't look if it makes you feel uncomfortable. it's such a societal concept this whole notion of discomfort when encountering women who breastfeed.
it's natural and should be embraced. babies need to eat too!

It is natural, but there are very discreet ways to breastfeed in public which, to me, is preferable to the "in your face" manner some women feed their infants. As a side note, if your child is old enough to remember being breastfed, then he's too old! and I can understand why that would make people uncomfortable.

I would totally breastfeed for a year or so. I'm not sure I would do it in public. I'm pretty sure that there are methods for mothers or obtain their milk for later uses. If I knew that I was going out I would preplan for it. Also, there are some super cute slings nowadays. There was a women in the mall one day with one and I thought she was just swaddling her baby. Then she gave me a weird look and only then did I realize he was breastfeeding.

or = to

i dont think its tacky, i'ts just not somethig i'd do in public

Mothers have the right to breastfeed their babies in public, but I think they should make the effort to do it discreetly (e.g. cover up with a blanket) b/c people do see and people are uncomfortable seeing it. I think the best answer is a compromise. mothers can try to be more discreet and people should be more understanding and tolerant. win win?

Well, babies need to eat don't they? I think it's perfectly alright if a mother has to feed her baby in public. Of course, for modesty's sake, you should do it discreetly and people should also be abit more understanding to the needs of the child. I'm surprised that there are suggestions for mothers to feed their babies in public bathrooms. Would you pack your food off to the public bathrooms to eat?

I don't have a problem with women who breastfeed in public... it's natural... I just ask that you cover your bare boob. And for heavens sake, if you must stop mid-conversation to feed, please give the other person some warning... don't just whip it out! A polite, "Excuse me, I have to feed little so-and-so" would suffice.

I'm just curious: why wouldn't you cover up your breast during feeding? You cover your breasts all day with bras and shirts... what makes breastfeeding any different? Is it a form of protest or defiance? Why forgo modesty at this point and not at others?

What really bothers me is kids who are old enough to pull up you shirt, undo your bra, and pull out the boob... too old to be feeding from the breast in my opinion. Express your milk and give them a bottle. Would you allow you child to pull out food from the fridge without asking permission? So why is OK for little Johnny to pull out your breast without even asking?

I think that when a baby is hungry....and you breast feed no mother would ever sacrafice their childs needs for the comfort of stangers....people can just mind their own business and let nature happen. I have never seen a mother breast feeding her baby without covering up, and if there is a little peep show I really think that (being a mother myself) after everything a women goes through while she is pregnant, and then by giving birth showing a little breast or nipple is not going to bother her.

I think it's an awesome thing to be able to breastfeed your baby, but I'd rather do it in private. I've always had no problem with seeing other women in public breastfeeding because it's something natural.

I've not had to do it in public anyway, but if I have to, I'd probably do it inside my car, doors closed (our windows are properly tinted too...).

I think breast feeding is a beautiful thing to do by itself, cos it's natural. But I wouldn't do that in public, because it's more of a private act. And you don't have to share with anyone. People are different and it can make some people feel really uncomfortable.

I wouldn't exatcly call it beautiful, but still it looks nicer than a baby sucking from a bottle.

And if the baby's hungry, you should be allowed to breastfeed it anywhere - even in public. And let's be honest: you see more breasts on the red carpet than during breastfeeding, and it's not always nice to watch adults eating.

A don't. I find it distasteful. Seriously, if you can do it outside, why can't you go into a building somewhere and take care of it or use a breast pump and put it into a bottle. I think it's just another one of those things that people want to complain about that they can't do or if the do do it, it will cause a commotion. People thrive off of making other people uncomfortable or making people want to start an argument. I'm sure I'll get hated for this comment but I don't really care. We can say what we feel right?

I don't think it's tacky however I do think it's appropriate for mothers to cover up.

I say if you're going to do it in public you should be prepared for people to look and not get all indignant when they do. My sister used to just whip it out in all sorts of mixed company, no attempt to cover up and then make people even more uncomfortable by loudly deriding them for staring.

I think it's fine as long as you're discreet. No boob hangin' out. But to say it should be done privately is essentially saying that the woman can't leave her house while the kid is breastfeeding. When a baby wants to eat, it wants to eat, and you can't really say "well can you hold off just a bit til mommy can get someplace where no one will be bothered by you having lunch?" Um, no. And babies need to eat OFTEN. So you can't exactly plan your day around when there might be a >2hr window where it wouldn't be an issue.

I work on an airplane. Those are some tight quarters when the flight is full. So if the kid wants to eat, she's got to feed it. I would NEVER suggest a mother feed her baby in a nasty airplane bathroom - but I would hope she'd use a blanket to cover up. Because what's the alternative? She shouldn't fly? That's so middle ages.

Its grosses me out BIG TIME. I know its natural and part of nature- but I can't get past the fact os seeing another womans breast in public. It should be done in privacy somewhere- or use a pump!

The thing is, most of you probably have seen a woman breastfeeding in public, but it was so discreet you couldn't tell. During the feeding, you hardly see any of the breast anyway. I don't know anyone who just "whips is out" as so many of you put it.

I personally was always discreet if I was feeding SweetPea in public. With nursing tops and nursing bras, as well as a cardigan or hoodie, or a small blanket, nobody could tell what I was doing. But, if someone saw anything, I certainly didn't look at them in disgust for looking at me. That seems weird.

I just wish those of you who would prefer not to see it wouldn't refer to it as "disgusting" or "gross". Words like that often hinder people from breastfeeding in the first place, which is a shame.

As long as the mother is attempting to cover up with a blanket, I'm cool with it. I still don't look, because sometimes blankets slip, and I wouldn't want anyone looking at me while I breastfed in public, but I'm not going to give anybody a hard time as long as they're trying to be modest. The people who just whip their boobs out in public make me uncomfortable, and I think they're being a little inconsiderate since they don't know who could witness their boobage, but overall, I think there are more important things to worry about in the world.

As long as it is done descreetly. I hate when people assume that its ok to ask you to feed your baby in the bathroom. Who would want to eat in the bathroom, that's just gross.

I can't believe people get all weird about it! It's a natural, beautiful bonding time and THE BABY NEED FOOD. I know I wouldn't want to find a gross public bathroom to sit in to feed my baby...that's horrible people expect women to do that.
Honeslty, to the peopple who think it's tacky, do you have a baby screaming in the middle of the mall or train or dinenr party because it's hungry? Probably not. Walk a mile in the mother's shoes before you give your two sense.

I don't think that it's tacky or disgusting, but it's the kind of thing that is going to make some people uncomfortable - that's just a fact of life. So I don't think that a woman should be completely secluded and hidden when she does it, but she should try to be as discreet as possible. Like, cover up with a blanket, or sit back from everyone else.

But, since breastfeeding is a necessity, and sometimes it's just gotta be done, no matter what the circumstances, people should respect that and not give mothers a hard time when they do it in public.

i agree with WhipLash and SweetPeasMom 100%! Why all the hate towards feeding a baby???

I never thought much about it until my car was stuck getting an oil change in Wal-Mart for three hours yes I brought a bottle with pumped milk but that was gone so I had no choice to feed my baby. I sat with her and did so (in the snack bar no less lol) I covered myself with a blanket for my personal comfort and she ate.

For those that say take it to a public bathroom why don't you go sit and eat your lunch in a public bathroom and see how long you last before you throw up. You don't like it don't look Grow up! Fish gotta swim babies gotta eat!!!

An absolute do. How can feeding a baby be tacky and inappropriate?

Lots of things done in public make me uncomfortable. It's a fact. I get over it, it's my hang-up, not someone else's.

I have a bumper sticker that says "Go drink your latte in the bathroom, can't you see I'm breastfeeding here?"

And absolute don't. Gross and uncomfortable. I do not want to be in public and watch some woman breastfeeding her baby. No, I don't have kids now, and if my husband and I do, you can guarantee that I won't be breastfeeding in public. It's just something I don't want others to see and don't want people to have to watch me.

A couple of thoughts:

1) Would you rather sit next to a screaming baby or a breastfeeding mom.
2) Pumping takes a long time to do and carrying around all the accessories to bottle feeding (especially if you are bottle feeding breast milk) is a lot of stuff. The bottle, the bag to keep it all cool, or the purified water to mix the 'formula" with. All in all very inconvenient when compared to feeding your baby with a body part that is always on you and always sterile and doesn't need to be refrigerated.
3) Breast milk is free and perfectly formulated for the baby's nutritional needs. Formula is expensive!
4) The American Pediatric association recommends breastfeeding a baby for a year and the WHO recommends breastfeeding for 2 years.
5) If a breastfeeding mom is disturbing to you, avert your eyes, leave the room or move. She is dealing with a baby and you are just you and individual that can move about much more freely. They say it takes a village to raise a child so be respectful of the natural feeding process.

Most women are discreet about breastfeeding. They cover themselves with a blanket and take great pains to be modest. Once in awhile, somebody gets flashed, but that's just a part of life. I can't believe how many people are disgusted and uncomfortable about it. Like most moms here have said, it's not something you can plan...when your baby needs to eat, it does.

JBlondie- have fun sitting in the bathroom when you breastfeed...that or never leaving the house. I'm sure it will be a very special time for you and your baby.

Not all women can pump efficiently, either. Pumps on average get only 50% of the milk available and cause milk supply to dip. So pumping regularly just to avoid breastfeeding in public so that no one's delicate senses are offended can negatively impact the supply and cause long-term nursing problems. So does the nipple confusion of offering a bottle to an otherwise breastfed baby.

Manual pumps get even less milk and can cause mastasis from clogged milk ducts. And affording an electric pump isn't in everyone's budget.

If the mom attempts to cover up than great, if not, than buy a blanket. I dont like when the moms still breastfeed up to 3 years old either, and i have seen it plenty of times. If the kid can actually ask for it...its time to stop

sweetpea you couldn't have said it better. and greggie I love your bumper sticker! as for the pumping before you leave thing...yeah that works great...until you start to fill up again, and your breast pad leaks, then you have a wet t-shirt contest going on. Stay home or leave baby with a babysitter? Thats riiculous. To those of you who think it inappropriate and disgusting...would you rather hear a screaming child while your indulging in some retail therapy or on your way home from work? Didn't think so.
Anyway, I'd rather offend a few strangers than have painful, rock hard boobs, a wet top and a screaming child.