Women across America are divided on an issue: breastfeeding in public. On any given day, you can read countless blogs, tweets and Facebook posts, written by impassioned women on both sides of the fence. 
While most women, moms especially, agree breast milk is the best nutrition source for a baby, there is a great disagreement in how that natural sustenance should be delivered to a hungry little mouth.
According to a recent survey by TheBump.com:
- 57 percent of ladies without children are uncomfortable when they see a mom breastfeeding in public
- One of every four mothers feels uncomfortable with public breastfeeding
- 23 percent of new moms wouldn’t nurse in public
- Over 50 percent of moms say women feel pressured to quit breastfeeding before they would like to
Both sides of the public breastfeeding debate have valid arguments.
Supporters point out that breastfeeding is natural and has nothing to do with human sexuality, less skin is revealed during breastfeeding than wearing a bikini and breast milk not only provides well-balanced nutrition, but promotes the building of healthy immune systems. If a baby is hungry, she needs to eat and shouldn’t be hidden.
Those who are uncomfortable say that whether or not the primary function of breasts is to provide nourishment for children, the American culture views them as a sexual part of the female anatomy. And while breastfeeding in public isn’t wrong, it should be carried out with some discretion as a courtesy to those who are uncomfortable.
I personally have a hard time choosing a side. I breastfed in my home and pumped to bottle feed when we were away. I’m one of those women who felt awkward about sharing such an intimate moment with the rest of the world. Advocates quickly disagree with me (because I’ve wound up in the midst of this debate more than once), saying that it’s not a “personal moment,” it’s just the natural way to feed a baby. I, however, respectfully disagree. For me, it was a something special shared between my children and me.
On the other hand, I’m not shocked or disgusted when I see other moms breastfeeding in parks and restaurants. It’s just not something I’m comfortable doing myself. And it makes me angry that because our national community views breasts as “hooters,” women who do want to breastfeed in public have to defend their right to do so. Unfortunately, until the whole country changes its view of the breast, there will continue to be stares, disgusted looks and rotten comments.
Where does your loyalty lie in the great breastfeeding debate? Are you a full-on, no-holds-barred public breastfeeding advocate? Do you think it’s something personal that should be done out of the view of others? Or are you stuck in the middle like yours truly? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/2880409244
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