RE: Walmart breastfeeding fiasco

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 08/06/1999 4:32:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Feb98@... writes:

<< can understand the feeling BUT by breastfeeding in public we are saying

many things. We love our children and they are important to us. We are also

an example to women who are pregnant or may be someday. We want that example

to be Yes you can breastfeed in public without drawing attention to yourself

and making others uncomfortable. No don't get me wrong I don't think the

world would come to an end if your breasts were showing but we do want to

try

and be drescreat. Alot of peopel are leary of breastfeeding and choose to

bottle feed because they think everyoen would be watching them and if we

were

to be indescreat about it well lets face it everyoen WOULD

>>

I've been wanting the chance to talk about this, but I used to be quite

modest about b/f in public. But with the second child, it seems easier. I

have b/f in a crowded barber shop, in Pizza Hut, Friendly's and Burger King,

and even at work all week. I've gone back temporarily while someone else is

on vaca, and I've brought Paige with me. I have her in the sack that I wear,

and I just lift the panel for her to nurse. I can take calls, schedule

appts, and yell at insurance companies all while nurishing my daughter. Men

all over the world should be jealous at what we women can accomplish at the

same time!!!

jennifer

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 12:21:23 AM !!!First Boot!!!, angehowe@...

writes:

<<

If breastfeeding in public were as commonplace as calves nursing,

discreetly or not, in public, then it wouldn't make a hill of beans.

When breastfeeding mothers are comfortable enough to stop hiding under

blankets, shawls and wraps while they breastfeed, and stop making it

seem as if there *is* something negative going on under there, any

exposure of the breast in that manner would be NORMAL.

That is the goal. >>

I personally would feel a bit uncomfortable with this.....cows are not

clothed when they are not feeding the calves. There are ways to be discreet,

meaning not having your whole breast hanging out. I don't think women feel

that there is something negative going on, at least I don't, but I am also a

modest person, so my perspective may be a bit skewed here. JMO Joan

[Guest guest]

Amy,

It is helpful to remember that most of us on this list come from

different spots in parenting/mothering, and in causes. If someone's

choices to practice " indiscreet " breastfeeding based on your definition

(some part of the breast shows) is offensive to you, it isn't

necessarily so to others.

If breastfeeding in public were as commonplace as calves nursing,

discreetly or not, in public, then it wouldn't make a hill of beans.

When breastfeeding mothers are comfortable enough to stop hiding under

blankets, shawls and wraps while they breastfeed, and stop making it

seem as if there *is* something negative going on under there, any

exposure of the breast in that manner would be NORMAL.

That is the goal.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 1:32:27 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

Feb98@... writes:

<< if we were

to be indescreat about it well lets face it everyoen WOULD

>>

Sadly, I don't agree.. I think we need to DE SEX the female anatomy and make

our bodies what they were intended for, instead of raunchy sex objects..

I also believe that breastfeeding in itself covers most if not all of you!!

I hope I don't sound too strong, but I hate the idea that I need to cover up

with a blanket just to make someone else feel comfortable.. after all its not

a sex act its a meal

Christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 5:21:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

angehowe@... writes:

<< If breastfeeding in public were as commonplace as calves nursing,

discreetly or not, in public, then it wouldn't make a hill of beans.

When breastfeeding mothers are comfortable enough to stop hiding under

blankets, shawls and wraps while they breastfeed, and stop making it

seem as if there *is* something negative going on under there, any

exposure of the breast in that manner would be N >>

Thank you , this was what I was trying to say.. I don't even think

about who is around, because breastfeeding for me is as natural as sitting

down to dinner for my other children.. No shame at all

take care

Christi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 12:55:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

MadelynnS@... writes:

<< I think we need to DE SEX the female anatomy and make

our bodies what they were intended for, instead of raunchy sex objects..

>>

I totally agree with this! It's about time that we started seeing woman's

breasts as BOTH functional AND sexual. (And in that order IMO) : )

One of my favorite quotes and I'm sorry I can't remember for the life of me

WHO said it ... maybe even one of you??? (if so, please let me know. I would

love to be able to give credit for it)

" We use breasts to sell EVERYTHING *except* breastmilk!!! "

That's pretty sad.

I don't think that we should feel uncomfortable about nursing in public. Hey,

I try my best to be discrete but if I show my breast for a second, well then,

so be it! I refuse to go in a corner, hide under a blanket or anything like

that. I nurse in public regularly, wherever I happen to be, grocery store,

Walmart, mall, Mcs, Chuck E. Cheese Etc. : )

Dana -Mommy to Philip ph 9/17/97

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 12:59:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

MadelynnS@... writes:

<< I don't even think

about who is around, because breastfeeding for me is as natural as sitting

down to dinner for my other children.. No shame at all >>

I agree! It never even occurs to me anymore that someone MAY be bothered by

it! If they are, it's their problem in my opinion. Like you said before, I'm

only feeding my child! I'm PROUD of it!! : )

Dana : )

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 1:32:39 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

Feb98@... writes:

<< We are also

an example to women who are pregnant or may be someday. We want that example

to be Yes you can breastfeed in public without drawing attention to yourself

>>

I guess I may be different, but I never considered if I was being descrete or

not when I nursed in public. My first concern was to nourish my child,

though I think it is typically a descrete exchange anyways.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 1:48:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, NFLI4U@...

writes:

<< Men

all over the world should be jealous at what we women can accomplish at the

same time!!!

jennifer

>>

Too cool!

michelle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 5:21:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

angehowe@... writes:

<< When breastfeeding mothers are comfortable enough to stop hiding under

blankets, shawls and wraps while they breastfeed, and stop making it

seem as if there *is* something negative going on under there, any

exposure of the breast in that manner would be NORMAL.

That is the goal.

>>

Good point. I agree totally!

[Guest guest]

Just have to agree totally with everything you said....

> From: PhilsGal@...

>

> In a message dated 8/7/99 12:55:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> MadelynnS@... writes:

>

> << I think we need to DE SEX the female anatomy and make

> our bodies what they were intended for, instead of raunchy sex objects..

> >>

>

> I totally agree with this! It's about time that we started seeing woman's

> breasts as BOTH functional AND sexual. (And in that order IMO) : )

>

> One of my favorite quotes and I'm sorry I can't remember for the

> life of me

> WHO said it ... maybe even one of you??? (if so, please let me

> know. I would

> love to be able to give credit for it)

>

> " We use breasts to sell EVERYTHING *except* breastmilk!!! "

>

> That's pretty sad.

>

> I don't think that we should feel uncomfortable about nursing in

> public. Hey,

> I try my best to be discrete but if I show my breast for a

> second, well then,

> so be it! I refuse to go in a corner, hide under a blanket or

> anything like

> that. I nurse in public regularly, wherever I happen to be,

> grocery store,

> Walmart, mall, Mcs, Chuck E. Cheese Etc. : )

>

> Dana -Mommy to Philip ph 9/17/97

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 7:21:20 PM Central Daylight Time,

angehowe@... writes:

<< If someone's

choices to practice " indiscreet " breastfeeding based on your definition

(some part of the breast shows) is offensive to you, it isn't

necessarily so to others. >>

I don't mean to say that everyone should throw a blanket over themselves and

there baby's I surly don't gave that idea up LONG ago And it surly

wouldn't be offensive to me if I saw an entire breast. What I was saying was

that we should try to be very descreat and casual about it so that other

mothers who ARE shy about it can see that it is so easy to burse a baby and

have no one know what your doing at all. For me showing my breast is no big

deal but alot of peoel I have talked to said they would try nursing but would

never do it in public cause they don't want to be exposed in public. We can

show them this way that it is EASY to nurse and NOT show yourself. I hope

that made sence.

Amy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/99 11:55:04 PM Central Daylight Time,

MadelynnS@... writes:

<< I hope I don't sound too strong, but I hate the idea that I need to cover

up

with a blanket just to make someone else feel comfortable.. after all its

not

a sex act its a meal >>

I didn't mean to cover up with a blanket. I actually think you are way more

obviosu WITH a blanket then without everyoen KNOWS what your doing if you

have a blanket over you alot of times peopel just think your holding your

baby without.

Amy

[Guest guest]

Howell wrote:

> If breastfeeding in public were as commonplace as calves nursing,

> discreetly or not, in public, then it wouldn't make a hill of beans.

> When breastfeeding mothers are comfortable enough to stop hiding under

> blankets, shawls and wraps while they breastfeed, and stop making it

> seem as if there *is* something negative going on under there, any

> exposure of the breast in that manner would be NORMAL.

That is so true! I have seen tons of women friends breastfeeding. I have seen

some whip

it all out and some try so hard not to show skin. I even have one friend who

insists on

pumping and bottlefeeding because she is too embarrassed to nurse in public. It

was really

funny when the two of us were at another friend's house and the first one was

bottlefeeding

breast milk to her son, and our friend was breastfeeding her daughter. I

personally think

breasts are beautiful and when they are being used to feed our babies that is

the most

beautiful use for them. I don't mind seeing a little breast when a baby is

being fed, but

unfortunately many do since they view it as " sexual " even though feeding a baby

is not.

Our society has made breasts sexual rather than functional. I'm all for bfing

in public

and whether it's very, very discreet or whether it is showing a bit of skin, who

cares.

It's whatever the mother is comfortable with.

Then there can be weird people. A friend of mine who is now pregnant with #4

was feeding

#3 when he was about 3 months old in the corner booth at a restaurant while

waiting for her

husband and brother and other two kids. She had the baby under a big blanket so

no one

could see what she was doing. A stranger (woman) came up and *lifted up the

blanket*

asking her if that was a doll under there! She replied no (yanking back the

blanket)

that's a baby! How weird is that???

~

EDD 2/8/00

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 9:58:44 AM Central Daylight Time, gazley@...

writes:

<< I have found nursing bras to be combersom and unnecessary! I own one of

them, and I have the rest in sports bras. I can pull the bra up over my

breast, nurse and quickly pull it down without much effort and even if

people are staring at my chest don't see a thing, cause I can have my shirt

down, and put my hand under and pull the bra down second....maybe I just

didn't have the right nursing bra, but I won't by one again >>

Hey if you have somthing that works all the better. I used my nursing

bras exclasly for the first 15 months and now that Daivd is nursing less

oftewn (3/4 times a day) I have a time or two used a really cheese bra that

is more or less worthless but WOW its 10 times easier then my nursing bras.

Now if it only had some support I would be set. But I do LOVE my nursing bras

becuase they REALLY lift me up and have so much wonderful support. That is

hard to find without an underwire and I HATE underwires.

Amy

[Guest guest]

> There are ways to be discreet,

> meaning not having your whole breast hanging out.

I wouldn't be comfortable nursing in public with my whole breast

" hanging out " either.

I have found though, that when I am so discreet that no one can tell

immediately that I had been breastfeeding, people suddenly become

offended or embarrassed when they realize what I *had been* doing as I

quickly snap my bra flap while turning away from prying eyes.

How do you manage times when you have to nurse in public?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 5:04:47 AM !!!First Boot!!!, PhilsGal@...

writes:

<< . I nurse in public regularly, wherever I happen to be, grocery store, >>

Just curious....HOW? There's no where to sit!

I'd like to learn ;-)

~

[Guest guest]

> I have found though, that when I am so discreet that no one can tell

> immediately that I had been breastfeeding, people suddenly become

> offended or embarrassed when they realize what I *had been* doing as I

> quickly snap my bra flap while turning away from prying eyes.

>

> How do you manage times when you have to nurse in public?

I have found nursing bras to be combersom and unnecessary! I own one of

them, and I have the rest in sports bras. I can pull the bra up over my

breast, nurse and quickly pull it down without much effort and even if

people are staring at my chest don't see a thing, cause I can have my shirt

down, and put my hand under and pull the bra down second....maybe I just

didn't have the right nursing bra, but I won't by one again

Gazley

Mom to (Oct 8, 1998)

http://members.tripod.com/~MysticMom

[Guest guest]

> What I was saying was

> that we should try to be very descreat and casual about it so that other

> mothers who ARE shy about it can see that it is so easy to burse a baby

> and have no one know what your doing at all

[snipped here]

> alot of peoel I have talked to said they would try nursing but would

> never do it in public cause they don't want to be exposed in public. We

> can show them this way that it is EASY to nurse and NOT show yourself. I >

hope that made sence.

That's the " Catch-22 " I'm talking about. When we try to be " very

discreet and casual about it " so that " no one knows what you're doing at

all, " we tend to become invisible and lose the opportunity to

demonstrate *how to* breastfeed, particularly if those observing can't

tell we're breastfeeding.

Sometimes, using cover-ups to hide our nursing activities makes the

mother more comfortable in that she isn't " being an exhibitionist who

bares her whole breast " when her baby cries. It can also signal to

anyone in viewing range that there is a nursing mother in the corner.

It is one of the most visible signs of a nursing mother -- more so than

the mother who is breastfeeding with no hint of any breast exposed.

Does it really matter if someone can tell that we are nursing, even if

no breast tissue is exposed? Do we need to hide the fact that we are

nursing our babies?

Twenty-four states have passed laws that protect a mother's right to

breastfeed in public, even if her breast is exposed. I think this is

one of the most comforting things that shows that our country is headed

in the right direction!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 2:26:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Mygrdntool@... writes:

<< Just curious....HOW? There's no where to sit!

I'd like to learn ;-)

~

>>

,

I either nurse him while walking through the aisles (have I gotten good or

what?? <wink>) OR since he's getting a bit heavy these days I'll go over to

the pharmacy area and there are usually chairs there you can sit in. : )

Hth,

Dana -Mommy to Philip ph 9/17/97

[Guest guest]

I myself have mastered the art of breastfeeding while walking and holding

her.. hard to shop but it works..

Christi

[Guest guest]

> oftewn (3/4 times a day) I have a time or two used a really cheese bra

that

> is more or less worthless but WOW its 10 times easier then my nursing

bras.

Call me wierd, but what do you mean by " a realy cheese bra " ??

Gazley

Mom to (Oct 8, 1998)

http://members.tripod.com/~MysticMom

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 11:26:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

Mygrdntool@... writes:

<< Just curious....HOW? There's no where to sit!

I'd like to learn ;-) >>

i can nurse standing up quite well myslef, with or without a sling

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 12:49:28 PM Central Daylight Time, gazley@...

writes:

<< Call me wierd, but what do you mean by " a realy cheese bra " ?? >>

No support AT ALL pretty much there to just be able to say your wearing a bra

My mom always buys bras too small for her (lucky for me she gets MY size)

and then gives them all to me.

Amy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/7/99 1:26:19 PM Central Daylight Time,

Mygrdntool@... writes:

<<

<< . I nurse in public regularly, wherever I happen to be, grocery store, >>

Just curious....HOW? There's no where to sit! >>

I have nursed pushing the cart before hehe was kind of laying on the

handle and leaning on me and we were walkign along shopping.

I have nursed everywhere it seems. In all the super markets around here

anyway there is usually a bench by the front where they keep the ads. I have

done it there while waiting for hubby to check out. If all else fails go to

the row with the plastic chairs take one down and there you go right in the

grocery row hehehe

Amy