# breastfeeding in public. OK or icky? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2002, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295 "2002-07-10T20:26:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/41 "2002-07-12T18:39:37Z")
“Mothers have a right to breastfeed where they go with their baby, even if that is out in public. It does not matter whether the mother goes to a public or a private place, or even whether they are in a state with legislation. No one has the right to tell a mother how to feed her baby, especially a way that increases the risk of illness to both mother and baby! Legislation has been enacted in nearly one-half of the states in the U.S. because they want to clarify this right, and in some cases, provide a remedy for mothers told to stop breastfeeding.” So even states without legislation it’s perfectly legal to breastfeed whereever you want. See [http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawBills.html](http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawBills.html) for details on a state by state basis. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Wrong_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/42 "2002-07-12T18:52:21Z")
Exactly what I wanted. Thank you, **autz**! ---
**Author:** ![hedra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@hedra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hedra)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/43 "2002-07-12T18:52:25Z")
[Breastfeeding Laws in the US](http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills8a.html) ---
**Author:** ![hedra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@hedra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hedra)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/44 "2002-07-12T18:59:13Z")
ya beat me to it, autz… (preview preview…) ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/45 "2002-07-12T20:32:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eunoia \* > Some women _are_ overly obvious about public breastfeeding I am genuinely curious: what exactly does “obvious” mean to you? I mean, when the baby is latched on, you can’t see the nipple anyway, so are these women taking their entire tops off and exposing the other breast as well, or what’s going on here? I have never seen a woman being overly obvious about public breastfeeding, so I am interested to find out exactly what “overly obvious” means. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/46 "2002-07-12T21:01:22Z")
I feel vaguely uncomfortable with it, probably because it’s not something I see often and I feel like I’m invading the woman’s privacy (even though of course I’m not). But that’s my problem, not hers. So no, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/47 "2002-07-12T21:04:33Z")
Definitions for “overly obvious” may vary. This is the crux of the debate you’re trying to instigate. Exposing both breasts IMO is not necessarily being “overly obvious”, but breastfeeding with both breasts exposed while sitting at a terrasse (that better be decaf!) facing the busy street while singing loudly and off key is. If you’ve never seen this you should be thankful. Again, not icky, just really, really embarrassing for all in attendance. ---
**Author:** ![kitarak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kitarak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitarak)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/48 "2002-07-12T21:48:59Z")
Hmm. I must admit it makes me feel a _little_ uncomfortable. I have no real problem with them doing so - Certainly they’re completely entitled to it - but I still can’t shake the slight nagging feeling of embarassment. Generally I try to just carry on as normal. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/49 "2002-07-12T22:20:22Z")
It makes me feel uncomfortable, too. More mothers should do it, topless, everywhere, so I don’t feel so uncomfortable anymore. ---
**Author:** ![TheThill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheThill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheThill)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/50 "2002-07-12T23:11:57Z")
Thankfully, breastfeading isn’t a real issue here in (East) Germany. When my wife was still feeding our little one during the day (down to twice a day now) we noticed how nobody cared or seemed to notice even when we were once caught in a suddenly busy park area. But we also live in a place where many women (and men) swim and sunbathe topless or fully unclothed and people generally seem to have fewer hangups about their bodies. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/51 "2002-07-13T03:18:19Z")
Yeah, when I was in Germany, I noticed a really different attitude toward the naked body. I went to an indoor water park in Berlin called the Blub several times. (Love the name. Blub Blub Blub!) In the locker room, men, women, and children were changing their clothes. Nobody seemed freaked out by, or even particularly interested in the incidental nakedness that occurred. It just seemed so sensible to me! Blub! ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/52 "2002-07-13T05:51:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > …was giving her brat the tit… What I find inappropriate is your choice of words. You are right to feel upset about her bringing the child when you specified adults only though. Still, she did come (presumably because you invited her) to show her (as a guest) support for your marriage and the kid didn’t cry, so I think you should cut her a little slack and get the fuck over it. ---
**Author:** ![LeeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@LeeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeJam)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/53 "2002-07-13T07:12:44Z")
I think breastfeeding is the one of the most natural and beautifull things in the world. People who are concerned about it worry me 🙂 LeeJam ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/54 "2002-07-13T10:22:53Z")
OK, the breastfeeding while exposing both sides and singing loudly at the top of your lungs thing is definitely “overly obvious.” Good grief. But barring bizarre situations like that, I have no problem with mothers feeding their children however they need to. For the record, I drink a cup of coffee on occasion, and Whatsit Jr has never seemed to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/55 "2002-07-13T13:01:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eunoia \* > \*\* > > It’s like smoking pot in public. \*\* Excuse me? Smoking pot in public is \*\* illegal \*\*. Breast feeding is \*\* not \*\*. I don’t understand why a man with size 40DD breasts can walk around outside totally topless, but a woman breast feeding is wrong somehow. We’ve had several women breast feed in our office, and nobody said anything. There was a “Mad About You” on this very subject. When one of Ira’s 10 year old Little Leaguers saw Jaime breast feeding, Paul asked him if it didn’t make him uncomfortable. “Hey, the kid’s gotta eat.” ---
**Author:** ![nahtanoj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@nahtanoj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nahtanoj)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/56 "2002-07-13T16:06:58Z")
Should I ever encounter one of these “earth-mother” acts I think I will do the following: Buy a cup of coffee from a nearby coffee shop and proceed over to the mother in question. Then, I will politely interrupt the feeding mother in question and ask: “The coffee shop was out of creamer, could you oblige me with a squirt or two?” If nothing else, it would catch them off guard. Should they called my bluff, I would think that this person was definitely worth knowing. 😉 nahtanoj ---
**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/57 "2002-07-13T18:36:55Z")
**jjimm** , the woman at your wedding did commit a terrible faux pas, IMHO. But it wasn’t breastfeeding her baby during your wedding; it was _bringing_ her baby to your wedding after being specifically asked not to. I am getting married this September. My sister-in-law and I will be the only breastfeeding moms in attendance. The only problems I see with feeding our kids would be interrupting the ceremony (what with me being the bride and her a bridesmaid), and trying to move our dresses out of the way. Wedding attire isn’t exactly designed for that sort of thing, ya know? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/58 "2002-07-13T18:52:06Z")
**jjimm** , perhaps the mother at your wedding thought that was the only way to keep the infant quiet. It is the wrong setting though, IMHO. After all, you wouldn’t expect a grown-up to get out a knife and fork and have dinner in the pews. ---
**Author:** ![Leifsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a698b9/32.png) [@Leifsmama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leifsmama)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/59 "2002-07-13T23:37:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cher3 \* > \*\*Leifsmama, you do know that whoever asked you to do that was breaking the law, don’t you? You have the right to breastfeed anywhere you otherwise have the right to be. So someone was way out of line. \*\* No, I had no idea. I just packed up and went to my car to finish. ---
**Author:** ![Leifsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a698b9/32.png) [@Leifsmama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leifsmama)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295/60 "2002-07-13T23:50:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*My church has a nifty lil room for nursing mothers only. Nobody else is allowed to go in there. It’s situated above the sanctuary that way Mom can watch/hear the service while the baby eats. \*\* This is the coolest thing I have ever heard of!!! How do I get one, say for a movie theater? University lecture hall? Concert hall? Restaurants with live music? How handy! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breastfeeding-in-public-ok-or-icky/118295.md?page=4)