Breast feeding in public
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| Imagine source |
Australian Channel 10 TV breakfast show presenter, David Koch made the comment that breast feeding women should be more "discreet and modest" when feeding their babies in public. What an outburst this has caused, outraged mothers saying he was completely wrong and that mothers "have the right" to feed their babies (uncovered) wherever and whenever they want in public. Koch replied that breastfeeding women need to think about the environment they are in and be "courteous and respectful" of those around them.
Koch was called a "dinosaur" for his outdated views on breast feeding and was told he was making women feel "ashamed" about breastfeeding for wanting them to cover up their breasts. Those angered by his comments said that breast feeding should be seen as normal and if a woman wants to breast feed her child in public, it should be 100% acceptable to expose her breast for all to see as it isn't done as an act of pornography or sexual titillation. Others around just need to accept it.
I have to agree with him on this, women do need to think about their environment and those around them who might be uncomfortable with the immodest. I completely understand that breast feeding is natural and good (and should be encouraged), but should breasts be exposed for all and sundry to see whilst you are feeding your child in public? I would say no.
Under the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act, a woman is entitled to breast feed her baby anywhere she pleases and cannot be asked to move or cover up. So whether you feel comfortable or uncomfortable, its the way it is.
I haven't breastfed in 20 years, things have changed considerably in that time - so to mothers who are breast feeding or have recently, how do you handle breast feeding in public?
Koch was called a "dinosaur" for his outdated views on breast feeding and was told he was making women feel "ashamed" about breastfeeding for wanting them to cover up their breasts. Those angered by his comments said that breast feeding should be seen as normal and if a woman wants to breast feed her child in public, it should be 100% acceptable to expose her breast for all to see as it isn't done as an act of pornography or sexual titillation. Others around just need to accept it.
I have to agree with him on this, women do need to think about their environment and those around them who might be uncomfortable with the immodest. I completely understand that breast feeding is natural and good (and should be encouraged), but should breasts be exposed for all and sundry to see whilst you are feeding your child in public? I would say no.
Under the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act, a woman is entitled to breast feed her baby anywhere she pleases and cannot be asked to move or cover up. So whether you feel comfortable or uncomfortable, its the way it is.
I haven't breastfed in 20 years, things have changed considerably in that time - so to mothers who are breast feeding or have recently, how do you handle breast feeding in public?
Source of quotes: Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper, 21st Jan 2013
Jo I haven't breastfed in 16 years but I have always felt discretion is the better part of valour. By no,5 I could do it while teaching & no child was ever the wiser. In fact I would sometimes have to refuse children who wanted to cuddle my baby because she was in the middle of feeding. You don't need to have everything hanging out all over in order to breastfeed successfully.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you completely:))) Hope you have had a nice week.
DeleteBreastfeeding is soemthing that I have always done ANYWHERE. Like absolutely anywhere! =)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it can most definitely be done in public without offending people. I don't think it should be necessary to cover the bub over with a cloth so that you can feed in public, but maybe that is the only way some women can feed. I have never covered up with a cloth, though I know my mother did. It is all in what you wear.
I saw a thing on the internet sometime ago, of a bub (older) under a cloth complaining about being fed underneath. After all, adults don't eat under a cloth, so why should a baby? =)
It is very obvious when a bub is being breastfed, if you don't like it, look away!
We had a lively conversation about this at work and we all agreed that being aware of our environment was important and depending on where one was would determine what to cover. It certainly is a topic that gets strong views.
DeleteOk to feed at any time or any place but I like to be private when feeding only because I felt more at ease but sometimes that is not possible then it's up the the people around you to not make a fuss.
ReplyDeleteMerle......
I agree that discretion is required. I always preferred to cover up as best as I could - I think it is a weird mother who LIKES to expose herself when breastfeeding, anyway - would she go around exposing herself if she didn't have a baby at the breast? Why does it change when she's breastfeeding??
ReplyDeleteAnd I know for a fact that Christian men can become very uncomfortable when they see a woman breastfeeding who doesn't cover up - especially if they are trying hard to be obedient to Scripture. And what of our sons as they grow up? If we don't like them looking at other pictures of women wearing little or nothing, why would it be different just because she's breastfeeding????? Yes - cover up, ladies. It most definitely can be done discreetly and modestly.
I wasn't one that like others to see my breasts so I always covered, but times have changed it seems. Following a discussion with my colleagues, we all agreed that depending on where you were, discreetly done was probably best. I'm with Koch on this one.
DeleteHe has also been attacked for saying anything at all and there have been follow up articles asking why men (in particular) can't say these sorts of things in public. He wasn't out to offend women, he just expressed his feelings (and they weren't nasty). But it appears that one is not allow to express their view (not supporting gay marriage is another example) otherwise the noisy ones jump up and down. Not very democratic really.
Democracy?! HUH. I highly doubt one could really call current social and political trends true 'democracy'. Otherwise we would be able to do and say what we really think. They provide us with 'democracy' within the bounds of their desires/personal agenda... that's all.
DeleteI agree with you, Jo, and with Clara.
ReplyDeleteIn the environment I grew up in it was considered very indiscreet to expose the breast while breastfeeding a baby - outside of one's own close family especially. I have seen a young woman breastfeed at a church dinner once without covering her baby, but she herself was covered. I felt bad for the men who I knew were uncomfortable with that, but even more I couldn't help being afraid the baby would let go and expose her - which babies sometimes do. It would have been *extremely* offensive in the group she was in. Women, especially Christian women who profess godliness, need to think about how their actions might cause a stumblingblock to others. It is a grave sin for a man to look on a woman with lust, Matt. 5:28, so I believe it is God-honoring for women to be especially careful with those parts of their body that are particularly attractive to men - whether or not the ladies are feeling "sexy" at the moment or not.
We might hear the rant about "not judging" but I would remind ladies of this verse which, though admonishing us not to judge, also admonishes us not to offend!
Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
What is it like in the USA, are women generally discreet or don't mine showing all those around them that they are feeding their baby? Like everything we do in public, we just need to think of others and in this modern age, that is disappearing before our eyes.
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DeleteJo, I haven't seen a lot of indiscreet breastfeeding in public, but I don't go to places in general where it might be done - malls or other public places where women might be sitting with their babies. I've had the impression also that some women pump so that they can give their babies breast milk in a bottle.
DeleteOur pastor's wife said that a few years before we came there was a woman who did breastfeed her baby right in the church service without doing anything to be discreet. Apparently this family was "testing" the temperament of the assembly to see if their ways would be accepted there. I think they were told that that behavior was not acceptable and they didn't stay. So, it does happen, even in Christian groups where one might look for more discretion.
In fact, I read some comments by one young Christian mother about not covering her baby while breastfeeding him that rather surprised me considering her upbringing. I wouldn't want to find out how she actually behaved, especially with my husband around.
I wonder sometimes what Christian women think that they would behave some ways around other women's menfolk. Besides being a stumblingblock to the men, do they think that we women are not offended that they would show themselves that way in front of our men? Would they want their friends showing their private body parts to their own husbands or sons? As you say, thinking of others is disappearing - even among believers, sadly.
It is an interesting topic and how women handle it. Like you, I'm generally not around women breast feeding so I don't see it very often. And when I do see it at shopping centers most women are discreet.
DeleteI haven't breastfed for way too many years, but when I did, it was very easy to be discreet and not bother or embarrass others. I think it's like anything else we do - if it makes someone uncomfortable, and if you can change what you're doing or the way you are doing it, do so. It's all about being considerate. Also, I'm not an exhibitionist and wouldn't bare my breast in public anyway!
ReplyDeleteIts about embarrassing others that is what we all need to remember. Hi Christina, nice to meet you:)
DeleteChristina - yes, consideration for other's is the key. Sadly, in the modern "me" generation that is sometimes terribly lacking.
DeleteI remember my first bible study after my baby arrived :-) The lady whose home the meeting was held showed me their spare room and a comfy chair for feeding. I didn't hear much of the study but I quickly learned the expected behavior in that circle. I always fed in public if necessary but always covered . I am not offended if a woman chooses to feed some where open and do cringe at the suggestion that she should go into the toilets (ugh) unless it is a designated baby room.
ReplyDelete