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Havard
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I’m sure Freud would have a field day with this one.
Pope Francis Supports Breastfeeding Enough To Know It Needs To Happen In Public
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lutheran_farmer
Guest
I had a cover because I was fearful of criticism and shy about exposing myself. I fed our son in many places,but never in a bathroom. Someone actually suggested that breastfeeding women go to the bathroom to feed their children. That was inappropriate. If another woman is not as shy as me, I would simply look away. To each her own so long as the baby is happy.
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zab
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I really don’t think it is a widespread problem. I think the problem in secular society ( Read: komonews.com/news/archive/4154451.html ) of this country, anyway, is that many feel that they do not need to cover up and are insensitive to those around them who are uncomfortable- not with the breastfeeding- but with the seeming lack of modesty. Mothers who breastfeed in church are very discreet in my experience and observations. I have never seen a problem with it. However, for the sake of these mothers who may feel somewhat uneasy about it, our Holy Father’s comments on this subject has been encouraging.
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jmr_1985
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At NFP class, our teacher pointed out that when she breastfed, covered up, people would give her dirty looks all the time. She said that she was forced to go to the bathroom and breastfeed there sometimes. Basically, people totally judged her for her choice to breastfeed her kids. I’m so glad she mentioned it because as a man I was totally ignorant of this issue. Seriously, as a culture, we need to just get over ourselves. Thanks to the Holy Father for his remarks.
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fastenatingguy
Guest
Yes, we men are often ignorant about most things (even womens’ breasts??)
I am curious if those who complain about breastfeeding tend to be of a certain gender or age?
It seems like one of the most natural things in the world to me.
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Havard
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Oh it’s totally natural, which is why I support it. But here’s how I know that modesty is still concern:
Posters who say “get over it” also say, for example,
If something is so beautiful and natural and modesty is not an issue, why shouldn’t we all be able to stare in admiration of such a beautiful thing? (Playing the devil’s advocate here, I don’t actually think that.) We don’t hear many complaints about people staring in admiration parents holding babies, do we?
So, at least in my eyes, it’s clear that modesty is at play here, and I see no evidence suggesting that it’s not.
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ProVobis
Guest
I agree with you.
Furthermore, looking away can be construed as being disapproving of the act. It certainly can put the third party in an awkward position. For example, I don’t know what I’d do if she had sat in my pew and I had to walk around that mother for communion or something. Or if she needed assistance with something.
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PeopleB4Things
Guest
I agree. Breasts were made by God to feed children. If people have sexualized them and can’t handle seeing women breast feed in public, that’s their demons to fight.
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ProVobis
Guest
But what’s the purpose of politicizing or promoting awareness of the event? The first time I saw my baby brother (6 yrs younger), my mother was breastfeeding him with full exposure. My dad didn’t pull me aside and explain it to me, though I’m sure he was tempted. I just accepted it as life.
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pnewton
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It’s not a demon. It is their issue, but it is not immoral. Feelings are never immoral.
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Phemie
Guest
That brought tears to my eyes.
The first woman I saw breastfeeding was my 17 year old, unwed mother friend. She hadn’t had an abortion and she was doing the best she knew how for her daughter. I thought it was so beautiful that I decided then and there that when I had a baby that’s what I would do. I was 19 at the time and dating a man I was considering marrying. When he saw her nursing her child he felt the same way.
Fast forward 6 years and I’m the one breastfeeding our newborn daughter. I did it, discretely, anywhere I happened to be when she needed to feed and I never had a problem. On a military flight on board a Herc the load master actually dimmed the light so that I could have some privacy – there’s little other privacy on that kind of flight where you’re seated in facing rows.
Husband supported me 110% and counseled other prospective dads of the importance and practicality of breastfeeding.
One of the saddest things I ever saw was when I was in the hospital after delivering our third child. A young mom confided in me that she wanted to nurse and that if she were doing so she could take her preemie out of the incubator for feedings and cuddle him but that her husband had forbid it because her breasts were his alone.
:crying:
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ProVobis
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It’s unfortunate some feel this way. If a baby is hungry, he or she has got to eat. Goes without saying. Maybe some people should see a litter of kittens or puppies with their mothers. On second thought…One of the saddest things I ever saw was when I was in the hospital after delivering our third child. A young mom confided in me that she wanted to nurse and that if she were doing so she could take her preemie out of the incubator for feedings and cuddle him but that her husband had forbid it because her breasts were his alone.
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Joie_de_Vivre
Guest
And yet in many cultures breastfeeding is not a big deal.Listen, I agree with a lot of what you say, and I am NOT against feeding, but the “too bad/get over it” comments don’t show charity or understanding of the other side.
Human female breasts clearly have a feeding function, but the mass of scientific and historic evidence also points to a second function, which is arousing and attracting mates. If you doubt this, read any scientific journal article about “why other female primates don’t have permanent breasts” or “why human female breasts are round”.
So all I’m asking for is that we be at least cognizant of all the factors at play. If some people feel awkward about it, it’s not necessarily because they are anti-women or anti-mother. I think these feelings can be overcome, but through a thoughtful and reasoned dialogue, not through a “get over it” dismissal. If we recognize why people feel how they feel, we’ll all have a healthier outlook and be able to move past this.
Whose lunch?I just came onto this thread because the headline made me imagine throngs of women and babies streaming to the Sistine Chapel at lunchtime
I grew up in the US and I don’t care for the extreme level of exposure at the beach; professional swimmers and I find a one piece far superior for swimming.Thanks for the laugh
As regards breastfeeding, in places where it has always been the norm, the sexual aspect does not seem to be much of a problem. (Conversely, in places where women are normally covered head to heel, a regular beach in the US might present a major problem). Perhaps we can get it back to where breastfeeding in public becomes as innocuous an act as reading a newspaper on a park bench…
Women are rarely exhibitionist about breastfeeding.
There is definitely societal displeasure in much of the US at least.
I wouldn’t say men are often ignorant about most things however they are often quite ignorant about women’s bodies and sexuality.
I have to tell you if I had a child and I was breastfeeding people staring at me would feel rather uncomfortable.
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ajecphotos
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God bless Pope Francis yet again! A true ‘Man of God’ 
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zab
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Sometimes it is difficult to understand the context of a post when you do not follow the flow of the conversation.
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ProVobis
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As I’ve pointed out before, I have seen breastfeeding in restaurants and airline flights. Perhaps you have seen other situations. Naturally in our sensitive culture, we have “decency” laws against public exposure of sexual parts, or what’s accepted as sexual parts, and I doubt the Supreme Court will act based on what this or any Pope says. But that’s my opinion.
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MrsR
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I have breastfed all 4 of my children and am quite shocked at some of the views on public breast feeding on this thread. A newborn requires feeding constantly and there is no telling when! I feed my 11 week old son anywhere, including during mass, I use a cover but if I didn’t the babies mouth and head cover most of the breast anyway. I’m horrified now to think some perv is getting turned on over me feeding my infant child :-0
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Havard
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What views are you shocked at? I haven’t seen anyone say it’s wrong, only that covering is appropriate in public because there is a modesty issue. If you’re covering, why would you think people would gawk? That shouldn’t be a problem at all.
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Havard
Guest
Also I just want to add that most of us understand that covering can have logistical issues and the point is the effort. If someone’s suit falls off when they dive into water, they typically hope that people will afford them the kindness of privacy. On the other hand, when someone simply chooses not to wear a suit or clothing at all, I think we can all agree that they have no such hope.
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