November 21, 2009
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Breast Feeding in Public?
Have you ever seen a mother breast feed her child in public? After all, it is a naturally body function, and it is legal in multiple states.
Why should these mothers be looked at any differently than any other women walking down on the street? The baby is simply eating his/her meal just as any toddler or adult would. Would you stare at other people over the age of 3 for eating in public? Perhaps in the library where they aren’t supposed to or if they were making some kind of dramatic scene, but in most cases, you wouldn’t give them a second thought.
But, is there a line as to where these mothers can breast feed their child?
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against breast feeding in public. I work at a retail store that sells baby clothes, and we have a special chair just for mothers who wish to breast feed their child in. I am used to such scenes and feel no awkwardness towards them.
However, just the other evening when I was on the bus during a busy rush hour, I saw a woman with an about 1-2 years old boy. The boy started whining, but he wasn’t creating much of a disturbance. The next thing I know was that the woman began to breast feed her child.
Do keep in mind that this small bus was already packed with people. There was a man in front of her who was holding on the railings and another man who was sitting beside her. Needless to say, it was a very awkward situation. I am pretty sure that it was not very comfortable for the men around her. I believe that I even saw the man who was standing directly in front of her blush.
Yes, breast feeding in public is a “basic civil right.” And yes, breast feeding “should be encouraged and not hidden.” But, shouldn’t mothers still be aware of where in public they choose to do this? I am not sure if the child then was suffering severely from hunger or not, but his cries did not suggest that he was in pain. Perhaps there should be more discretion in this act?
What are your thoughts?
How would you feel if you were on a bus and the person seated in front of you began breast feeding her baby? Would it be okay? Or how about in a restaurant, would you feel any different?
