Should women be discreet while breastfeeding? Mum sparks online debate
A mum who says she’s “completely supportive” of breastfeeding has sparked online debate, asking why some women are so indiscreet with their feeding habits. Taking to an online forum, the mother has admitted she disagrees with purchasing specialty clothing for nursing but believes women can still make more of an effort to be more discreet.
“Am I being unreasonable to wonder why you wouldn’t make a small effort to cover up whilst feeding? Not in your own home or whatever else that is within comfort zone for you. I’m talking restaurants, places to eat, etc.,” she wrote.
“A good friend of mine liked a picture that I came across today titled ‘Not even trying to cover up in public anymore, most natural thing ever,'” she continued. “Picture is of said woman in a bit swankier than average place to eat, boob completely out without thought and baby isn’t covering it at all really. You do not have to cover a baby’s head to be discreet. You don’t even have to wear specialist clothing, it’s very easy to be discreet without having to have the whole breast completely on show… it isn’t necessary and although breastfeeding is natural, some people do feel uncomfortable about breasts and aren’t comfortable seeing one completely on show.”
Despite breastfeeding her own children, the poster still feels that women could make a greater effort to be discreet. This opinion sparked debate online, with some reminding her of the primal nature of the act.
“It’s only a boob being used for the very thing it was designed to do,” commented one reader.
“I have zero issues with people breastfeeding in public. It is natural and if anyone thinks seeing a boob is sexual or inappropriate then it reflects on them,” added another.
However, others agreed that seeing a breast in public can make some people feel very uncomfortable.
“It’s simply being a bit discreet about how much you have on show because it does make some people a little uncomfortable. I wouldn’t have an issue getting the whole thing out in public… But I know not everyone is comfortable with that and I’m happy to make a small effort to consider other people too,” agreed one commenter.
“I don’t really care who sees them personally, but I don’t have them on show because some people that aren’t me see them as private. I don’t see why I shouldn’t consider anyone else. Yes they’re my breasts, that’s fine. I don’t feel bothered who sees them. But I know some people don’t particularly like it/want it in eye line and so I take this into consideration,” added another.
Others reminded the mother of sexuality in today’s society, using social media – and the media in general – as examples of overtly sexualised content in comparison to a mother breastfeeding.
“I see more breast when I’m browsing Instagram or celeb news than when I see women breastfeeding. Do you feel as uncomfortable with tiny triangle bikini tops or people in sheer nipple exposing tops? It’s very strange that we’re conditioned to feel awkward about others using their breasts in a natural way but have become totally desensitized to them being out in any other context,” shared one reader.
“It’s OK to be on holiday topless on a beach and have a tiny thong and flip flops, or large bare breasts on the red carpet, or in a pop video, but the moment a breast is seen in a non-sexual way oh my mercy, get it covered,” added another.
While the opinions varied, the final consensus remained the same among the majority of commenters: if you feel offended by public breastfeeding, you can look away. What do you think? Should women breastfeed in public?
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