I found this on my old blog that I’ve slowly been importing here, but I thought it was cute so I am adding it as a new entry.
I’m thankful for not having boobs thrown in my face all the time by offensive and indecent breastfeeding mothers like the ones below:
Wait…Well, this is a bad example. Let’s try again.
Hmm…Just a minute. I’m sure I can find better ones than these…
Eh, still not offensive enough. I’ll check one more time.
That is better. LOOK AT THAT! I see about a half inch of boob. DISGUSTING.
UGH. Look at that indecency! She must be from some third world country to be exposed like that!
Now that’s just…There are no words to describe how inappropriate that is. Something needs to be done!
But why stop at breasfeeding women? There are boobs everywhere. Beware! If you thought the above photos were offensive, you WILL DEFINITELY be offended by the photos below.
Not this one, though. This one was in plain view on news stands and in mail boxes in 19 countries world wide!
Not this one, either. This one actually won an award!
Oh, and I guess this one is fine too. Everyone knows you can’t sell jeans without someone being topless.
Or beer, for that matter.
Or sunglasses.
Or CDs…
You know what? Maybe I’m crazy, but I think that someone mixed up some photos here. The first batch are offensive, but the second batch are just fine and dandy???
People who live in glass bras:
Shouldn’t throw stones:
If you think women have the right to breastfeed their children no matter where they are, please repost this… anywhere and everywhere. Support breastfed babies and their right to eat in public!
EDIT: Holy Canolis! I had no idea this would get any attention at all! When I originally posted it 2 years ago nobody noticed!
I’m currently on my 3rd tour of breastfeeding duty and I support all women in all their breastfeeding endeavors! I have never had a problem breastfeeding in public and I do it so discreetly you most likely wouldn’t even notice I was doing it. People usually think I’m just holding my baby. Only once was I ever asked to cover up in a restaurant and I told the manager to go eat his dinner with a blanket over his head..
Thanks to everyone for the comments and the awesome support of breastfeeding!
2nd EDIT: I only have about 40 minutes while my little one’s nap and I still need to shower.. and there are SOOO many comments to respond to. I just had to add some more thoughts..
The pictures of breastfeeding women posted above, while beautiful, are not an example of what every single woman does when they find themselves needing to feed their child out in public.
Yes, I agree women should be discreet. I think people are forgetting that breastfeeding women are just as human as the people who are so offended by them. None of my kids would eat with a blanket on their heads, and I know a lot of other women that find their children reacting the same way to being covered with a blanket while trying to eat. They don’t like it, wont eat and will scream instead. Some kids pull the blanket off, some pull up moms shirt, sometimes mom forgets the blanket or nursing cover and the list goes on.. but babies still need to eat. If mothers in america (cause let’s face it, it’s only here that everything under the sun is sexualized) didn’t feed their babies because of modesty or forgotten blankets everyone would be all up in arms over that.
When I head out I pull on a breastfeeding tank top and throw my shirt on over it. When I lift up my shirt and open the nursing tank to feed my child you would have to be resting your head on my baby’s chin in order to even see the sliver of skin exposed. Now how is that possibly being offensive to anyone? Seriously, if you are that uncomfortable seeing my child eat, don’t look.
What if women still didn’t have the option of using formula? When my grandmother was still alive she told me how formula used to be something you had to get a doctor’s prescription for and they didn’t recommend it unless there was a medical issue and the mother could not breastfeed at all. If it were still that way today, would all women be expected to just sit in the house for a year or two to feed their child? Thats obviously ridiculous…
The variables on circumstance here are just about endless, bottom line is all babies deserve to eat wherever the heck they are. I bet moms who use formula would be mighty pissed if they were asked to go bottlefeed their child on a toilet seat, or to smother them with a blanket while they ate.
Fact is, the law is on the side of the breastfed child. With very few exceptions, women in this country are allowed to breastfeed on just about every publicly and privately owned piece of land.
Next time you see a woman feeding her child and you really think she is over exposing herself, why not say hello? Why not offer to stand in front of her? Maybe she forgot her cover, maybe she accidentally wore the wrong shirt, maybe she is exhausted and doesn’t realize her shirt rose up too high or maybe she is sitting there wishing people would stop looking at her like she just shot the pope!
Recently someone actually did that for me. While out for a walk with family and friends, the baby was fussing in the stroller.. that ‘I NEED to eat’ fussing. So I found a sorta secluded rock on the edge of someone’s property and plopped down to feed my little man. Of course I was not exactly dressed for nursing, so some of my belly was exposed. Not 30 seconds after I sat down another mom that was walking by noticed what I was doing (even though it was getting dark) and walked over. She laughed and said “do you need some cover?” and pushed my stroller over a bit to block me and stood and talked with me. It was nice.. made me think the world wasn’t half bad after all…
And once again, thanks to everyone that commented and everyone that reccommended this post!
Threaded Alchemy 
I’ve narrowed my stance on this debate down to three words… I like boobs.
Major props!
so if you breastfeed in public, and a person doesn’t judge you, is it still okay for that person to watch you breastfeed?
@usmck – Of course. I think if more people in this country took breastfeeding for what it is – simply feeding a child – then it wouldnt be an issue at all. Women that are uncomfortable with people seeing them nurse in public don’t do it. If I were out and uncomfortable in my surroundings for whatever reason, I’d go sit in my car. Frankly when I’m out I expect people will look at me, just as I look at others. Even when I’m not nursing people come up to me oohing and aahing over my kids all the time. People watch, it’s human nature and I’d expect nothing less.
@hatcherbee – really? i have to disagree. it’s more than just “feeding a child.” Otherwise, would it be ok if someone asked for a taste?
@usmck – If it isn’t just feeding a child, what else is it then? Why would you ask for a taste of breastmilk from a total stranger? Would you ask a bottlefed baby for a taste of their formula? Or for that matter, anyone out in public eating? Would you just walk up to random strangers and ask for a taste of what they were eating? That doesnt make much sense.
@hatcherbee – well i would ask my friend for some of her chips. This is socially acceptable behavior. So if she was in possession of a bag of chips, feeding her child, it would generally be acceptable for me to ask her for some chips or for her to offer some to me. Contrastingly, it is uncertain if she would be willing to offer me some of the “food” from her mammary glands. I understand that you strive to justify breast-feeding in public. I might even be willing to agree with you, that women should not be embarrassed to do so. However, by comparing it to “simply feeding a child” as if it were any other type of food, you lose some force in your argument. I’d encourage you to take the opposite approach: that it is something much more sacred and special and that mothers should not feel squeamish about it in public b/c it is an essential and fundamentally sacred form of providing nutrition to one’s offspring–and something so beautiful that mere social mores should not constrain a mother from doing.This might be a more effective means of supporting your contention. I recognize that reasonable minds may differ. However, if your sole argument was the “it’s just feeding a child,” I’d be hard-pressed in being persuaded.
@usmck – You make a good point. Yes, the bonds I’ve created through nursing my children can be explained in much more depth than “just feeding a child”. That, however, does not change the fact that if my child is hungry and we are not at home, he has the right to eat. Nothing would ever compel me to not feed him and nothing ever has.
Horray for boobs! I dont mind if mothers discreetly breastfeed their children in public, so long as I’m allowed to discreetly masterbate while watching them. You girls dont mind, right? I’m not hurting anyone, after all. And if that’s a problem for you, then just look away. Or put a bag over your head, pretend I’m not there.
@cApNhOwDy – So, are you comparing masturbation to breastfeeding here? Or will you be masturbating discreetly while watching bottlefed children eat as well?
@hatcherbee – I’m saying that there are plenty of sick fucks out there who get off on women breastfeeding, so women should be careful about where they do it. Same concept goes with walking in a dark alley late at night, alone. You may have every right to do it, but it’s not always the best idea. And there are people who do get offended by exposes breasts. Dont get me wrong, I’m all for breastfeeding. Tits getting sucked = awesome, especially if she’s got a nice rack. It’s better to be careful and take extra precautions where you breastfeed than having someone call the cops on mommy for committing a class 2 felony, and then mom not being there during those integral parts of the child’s life. It’s not always necessary to feed a kid right away, it’s not an emergency. Personally, I believe that the notion of constantly giving into a child’s every wants and desires immediately leads to over-dependance and over-reliance, and that many mothers will continue acting like a servant up until the child becomes a toddler and starts throwing tantrums in the toy store whenever he/she doesnt get what they want. So when a child acts up, and you’re in a crowded area, use a pacifier until you get to a discrete and private location. If anything, it’ll muffle the annoying screams so that not everyone has to be bothered with your problem.
Great post.
@cApNhOwDy – Clearly you have never breastfeed a child and have no idea how it works. Oh and I have never given any of my children pacifiers, there is no need for them at all.
@hatcherbee – I would hope so, since I’m a dude. I do know how breastfeeding works though. Glad to hear that your children didnt need pacifiers, I hope that I’m as fortunate when my children come along.
@cApNhOwDy – Ok, you are not a woman, you have no children and I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you are also not a lactation consultant. Yet you are certain you know all there is to know about breastfeeding? And apparently you are some kind of parenting expert as well? I don’t understand how you came to have these judgemental ill-informed opinions on raising and breastfeeding children.
@hatcherbee – I never said that I know all there is to know about breastfeeding, nor did I say that I’m a parenting expert. I said that I know how breastfeeding works, not that I had a Ph.D in the subject. I’m certainly no expert in parenting either, you’re just reading my opinions at this point in time given the knowledge I’ve gained from what I’ve observed of other parent/child behavior. It’s okay, you dont have to understand my opinions, nor do I expect you. Some people are turned on by women breastfeeding their children, I dont understand them myself, but that’s the beauty of opinion. It’s a big part of what defines us, makes us unique.
Thank you for sharing this inciteful discussion. There is nothing wrong with using the breast for its basic purpose, and trying to do it discretely is appreciated. I was fascinated when my sister would feed her babies (maybe because I was already sexualized). It is of interest to me as an adult, but not nearly as much of a problem. The biggest problem is the noisy suckler. You really cannot ignore that sound 🙂
I’m not at all offended, but when the child is like 4 or 5 that’s crazy. I got that from Desperate Housewives.
@mstigerfrogs – 2 years old is my personal limit, so far mine have all weaned by or before then.
@hatcherbee – That sounds about right. If a kid can walk talk, etc. they shouldn’t be breastfeeding.
It pisses me off that people are hypocritical (about other things on top of this) and they’re offended by women who breastfeed in public. Recommended.
When I see someone breastfeeding in view of the public my heart sinks a little. Why…. because I’ve come to the realization that I will probably never be one of those confident, comfortable, relaxed mothers who is able to sit carefree in front of the eyes of strangers and breastfeed. No matter how covered or how secluded I’m still retreating to my home, my car at the far end of a parking lot, a dressing room in a quiet store where the walls go all the way to the floor, or an exam room at the doctors office. The only people I’m comfortable nursing my little 6 week old guy in front of are my 3 year old daughter, my husband, or medical professionals. I’ll breastfeed covered (completely covered, blanket and all. luckily my baby doesn’t mind a bit at this point) in front of close family or freinds if I absolutly must. Needless to say, I’m spending lots of time at home or leaving gathering or shopping trips early. It’s an insecurity that honestly makes me feel like less of a mother.
@DessertHer – You should NOT feel like less of a mother! I barely left the house at all when my kids were that small either.. you are still healing and resting and getting to know the new little person you just brought into this world! Some women don’t even make it as long as you have! And hey, if you feel better going to your car or staying home, theres nothing wrong with that! Fact is you are a GREAT mom!
i still dont understand why some people are offended by breastfeeding. so stupid, oh yea like you werent breastfed when u grew up. sheesh.
While I don’t believe people should breastfeed in public, I don’t believe that people should dress like that either …so imo it’s indecent either way..
im glad you’re breast feedingwe shouldnt be drinking baby cows milkWe make milk for a reason!!=P
After the comment you made on your Facebook link, I just HAD to find this and check it out. I love it, very well written and explained. ❤ SuZ
@VioletMoonDancer7 – Thanks.. this post still gets several hits a week! Almost every day I see a footprint attached to it.. I’ve wanted to add some info about pumping and using bottles too, but I keep forgetting. Some comments on the more recent posts about his issue are really ignorant saying things like “that’s what bottles/formula are for” or “that’s why pumps were invented”. When people don’t realize how many women have trouble pumping and how many babies just wont take a bottle OR formula. Eh, I’ll get to it eventually.. haha
@neecielovesyou – Wow, that’s FUNNY! Look at how revealing the top you are wearing in your profile pic is… but you don’t think people should “dress like that”. LMAO. I guess ignorance is bliss!
Just giving this another look, as it was brought up on comments to my latest post.