Nursing in Public: Americans Need to Get Over Their Hang-Ups

Breast feeding is a natrual and beautiful thing. But it is something to be done behind closed doors. Someone commented that men can show their nipples in public. Well that isn't true. Stores and Restaurants will deny service to shirtless people. Public nudity is unacceptable. I don't understand why people thing that if you attach a baby to the naked part, it makes it okay. There shouldn't be a different standard for a nursing mother because she doesn't feel she needs to inconvienience herself by walking to a restroom or mother's lounge. If I whipped my breasts out in public, I would be charged with indecent exposure! And not everything that is natural and healthy is okay for in public. Pooping is natural and healthy, too.

I am in business to make money, not a social statement. When someone decides to nurse her baby in my shop, customers leave and it costs me sales. I do not let people nurse their children or change diapers in my store. In fact, I do not let any food or beverages be consumed in my shop. There is a time and place for everything. It may be the time, but not the place. Please be more considerate and take care of your business somewhere besides my business.

So breast feed in public! Just keep in mind that you are in public and you should be as considerate of others feelings as you want them to be of yours. Why should everyone share your beliefs and how do you make it your place to expose your breasts to other people who are uncomfortable with it, or their childeren? Go ahead, breast feed your baby...... just show a little consideration of others as you are asking them of you. We can all share public spaces....let's just use a little good ole' fashioned common coutesy.....that seems to be lacking in many situations.

I wish I could have been at that nurse-in. People are so warped. Breastfeeding is being pushed on women BY the government more and more, so people had better get over their hang ups. Breasts are primarily for feeding a baby. The USA needs to relax.

seriously, why does a breastfeeding mother make people uncomfortable??? after reading alot of the comments it seems as though people think that the mother is "exposing" herself or trying to "cause trouble"..but that makes no sense. ive seen more exposed at the beach, at the mall, on the streets, really anywhere than i have from a mother who is breastfeeding. i am starting to wonder if perhaps you dont want to see someone breastfeeding because you find it perverse? maybe in a way it embarrasses you to see that much contact between mother and child even though it is completely normal? from these comments it seems as though people are horrified by something as simple as breastfeeding. honestly, if you want a mother to breastfeed in private, on a toilet in the bathroom then you should eat in the bathroom as well..maybe your offending someone.

The problem IS the fact that breasts have become a sex object. This is why it has become uncomfortable for everyone. Until that changes it will be embarrassing to see women breast feed. We can't have it both ways. It doesn't work that way as much as women want it to be that way. Breasts are a tease to men. They get arroused expecially teenage boys.
As much as it is uncomfortable see women breast feeding I do believe that you should be able to do it in public. But at the same time everyone should have respect for others no matter what it is. If there is a private place available why not have respect for others?

When I was breastfeeding my daughter in public, I covered her with blankets out of my own shame. I wish I didn't have to and looking back now I would have made it more comfortable for her and myself by being braver and lightening up on the blankets. It's soooo unfortunate that public breastfeeding causes shame.

its the women who insist on breast feeding in front of everybody that need to "get over it" & quit thinking they are special cuz if we just stared at them they would then be complaining about that.

Going to the bathroom is the most natural thing also and it's not sexy either but I don't think you'll be catching these mothers doing this in the open! When is America going to go back to common courtesy instead of I have a right to this no matter how it makes others feel?!! I would never want to make others uncomfortable just because I can do something. I have feelings for others around me and do not want to go out of my way to make folks miserable just because I can!

I agree. You don't eat your food in the bathroom, why should my child? I nursed my daughter (14 years ago) ANYWHERE and ANYTIME she was hungry. I got stares but no one ever approached me. If I were in a department store like Wal-mart, I would walk over to the baby aisle and nurse there.