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Name: Lola-May
[ Original Post ]
So I have this friend who likes to think that she knows everything about everything and that no matter how ignorant her claim is or how blatantly wrong she is proven to be that she is still somehow right.

Right now we're in a disagreement about breastfeeding.
Being a mother I know that breastfeeding is in no way obscene. I know that I personally prefer to be discreet about it but that I wouldn't deny my baby food just because I forgot a blanket to cover myself up with.
I am not offended when I see other women breastfeeding because it is natural and necessary.

My friend however thinks that breastfeeding should be done in the privacy of ones home and should be kept completely out of the public eye so as to not offend people because(and I am quoting her directly) "people don't need to see that"

To which I replied "If you don't like it, then don't look."

I'm not going to NOT feed my child because someone might have a boob phobia. That's ridiculous!

She of course had a whole pile of wonderful advice about bring pumped breast milk, and blankets and blah blah blah.
Keep in mind that she has no children and has never had to endure the torture that is a breast pump.
She clearly doesn't realize that breast milk doesn't keep and I highly doubt that she would feel comfortable eating with a blanket on her head.

Next time she eats in front of me I'm going to tell her it offends me and ask her to please go eat in the bathroom or to cover herself in a blanket so I don't have to bear witness to it.
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Name: VonDoomsMom | Date: Dec 28th, 2008 1:39 PM
I kind of agree with your friend...this is a hot subject though...

When I was breastfeeding I was uncomfortable whipping my tits out in front of other people and when other people have breast fed their children around me I feel just as uncomfortable.

I don't think its obscene and it doesn't offend me but I've seen men especially get very uncomfortable around a breastfeeding woman that isn't his significant other. Its like you don't know exactly where to look...baby eating a very cute natural thing but in our society we have been raised as our breasts are "private parts" and should be kept covered. Its the "mixed message" that is what gets people I think. Saying "if you don't like it then don't look"...well I think thats the whole issue...we are brought up to think we should not look at naked boobies so when someone breastfeeds in front of you...you are not sure whether its okay to "see that" or not and this is where the dilemma is.

It is what it is though...you KNOW it does offend SOME people. So its up to you whether you decide to offend or not offend. Not liking reality doesn't change it. 

Name: Lola-May | Date: Dec 28th, 2008 4:36 PM
I'm not saying sit there with your tits hanging out but I'm not going to wait until I get home just to spare the feelings of a stranger. My child comes first.

I personally prefer to be discreet because I am self conscious but I think that in this day in age, people need to grow up and accept the fact that people are going to breastfeed wherever and whenever their baby is hungry.

She thinks that it shouldn't be done in public period and I think that's just ignorant.

She also thinks that trick or treating is still as safe for kids today as it was for us when we were kids so it kind of shows you where her mind is. 

Name: ..RoSey.. | Date: Dec 29th, 2008 2:37 AM
Yep your friend IS an idiot... the longer people put off breastfeeding in public due to being " embarissed " the longer this whole breast feeding taboo will go on.... Its the most natural thing in the world, how on earth can it be embarising.. ?? 

Name: bmes | Date: Dec 29th, 2008 11:52 AM
well....this is a hot topic for many. there will ALWAYS be people who are uncomfortable with it. I didn't like to do it in public. but mainly cause I have very large breasts and it was hard to cover up and feed at the same time. i usually tried to find a private place to feed. but i am never offended or uncomfortable if i see someone else feeding their baby out in public. it IS a completely natural thing and shouldn't be viewed as disgusting. BUT like I said, there will ALWAYS be people out there who think differently, and we can't change that. i say just do what YOU are comfortable doing with YOUR child and forget everyone else.

ALSO....you did say she doesn't have children...i'm sure she'd be singing a different tune on certain things if she did have children of her own. I know i have. 

Name: Lola-May | Date: Dec 29th, 2008 1:53 PM
Yes that's right, she the type of person that I 'loooove' getting parental advice from the most...a non-parent.

She says she doesn't plan on having kids and I think that's very wise on her part. 

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