Breastfeeding In Public: Hey LA! One Mother’s Fight For The Right To Breastfeed In Public

I'm all for breastfeeding- in public even if they are covered adequately. But nurse-ins are anything but the normal breastfeeding experience. Think about it- Mothers demand the right to breastfeed anywhere at anytime because children are unpredictable and difficult to schedule feedings. Yet, amazingly all these mothers manage to arrange their feedings for the nurse-in day at the same specific time and place. Also, most babies prefer a quiet and calm place to nurse away from any distractions (my own child refuses to nurse unless the TV is turned down and no one is talking), while the nurse-in is a menagerie of chaos. Lastly, while the singular mother nursing her child quietly for nutritional purposes is the image conjured by lactivist, the very notion of nursing en masse to prove a point and make a scene detracts from the message. Not to mention that the feeding done in such an environment is stressful and unfulfilling for the little one. By all means, new mothers should feel welcome to breast feed anywhere at anytime. Let the act stand as your protest, your voice, your expression of civil liberties. But don't take time away from your child or yourself to participate in the melodrama of nurse-ins. They do breastfeeding the greatest disservice.

So what do you think when you see a naked plump breast?

The WHO, AAP and every other medical authority would disagree. Humans need breast milk beyond 6 months of age. We are designed to be fed human milk for a minimum of 2 yrs.

Some people don't like to see a gay couple simply holding hands, others find it uncomfortable to be around people with disabilities- would you say that it's a no-brainer & they need to have respect for others around them by not holding hands or maybe they shouldn't even be in public? Have a little class & look away if it bothers you so much. Bottom line women have the legal right to nurse in public- nobody has the right to not be offended by something.

An almost two year old doesn't need need breast milk. Or was she feeding the three year old?

I know that sounds easy, but many breast fed babies ( including mine) refused to take a bottle. Who is going to pay for the $200 breast pump for the mother so she doesnt offend people? I hardly ever "whipped it out", usually my shirt and my baby's body covered up everything- yet its amazing how people would rubber neck and TRY to see something so they could comment, or they couldnt see anything showing and commented anyway. A woman showing cleavage is attractive and gets smiles all around, yet a mother just feeding her child has to " have a little class". Its a sad double standard.

So, what's wrong with seeing a boob?

It's incredible that there are laws ALLOWING a child to be fed.

there is a huge difference between whipping out your boob, and 2 guys holding hands and it isn't up to me to have to "look away". If it were any other woman besides a breast feeding mother who whipped it out, she would be arrested. That's your double-standard

The negative response to breastfeeding continues to disgust me. We live in an extremely sexual culture where breasts serve a singular purpose - to titillate men. I chose to nurse my last three kids in public after being expected to sit in dressing rooms and public toilets to feed my first child. I defied people to say anything. I attempted to be discreet but people also have the option to avert their eyes, It's what a community does to support healthy lifestyles for the benefit of children. If a community cannot suppress its judgement, it should have the decency to keep it's opinions to itself.

who cares what they think. this is about nurturing children.

I look around to see if any men are staring at it and drooling.