Breast Feeding - A perfectly nature requirement for all mammals, humans included. Why the big taboo to do it in public? Is there a need to do it in public? 14th August 2011

Politics UK

The late night Question:

Breast Feeding - A perfectly nature requirement for all mammals, humans included. Why the big taboo to do it in public? Is there a need to do it in public?

M.J.N.

I have no problem with it being done in public. If a baby needs feeding, he shouldn't be forced to wait.

Richard Frazer

Absolutely with you on that one. I actually have no idea why in the modern age there are people who still see it as an issue. We all know what the human body looks like and it is simply to help a baby get nurishment

Alan J B Wyllie

In Scotland it is illegal to NOT allow breast feeding.

T.S.

I think it harkens back to the old victorian idea of public decency when women shouldn't be exposing themselves in such ways in public. Personally I have no problem with it, certainly more preferrable to a baby crying.

Richard Frazer

I think your right Tom - However a lot of clothing nowerdays exposes nearly the same amount of flesh. Yet society tends to fear seeing the whole breast but except without question most of it.

R.F.

What taboo? Seriously, anyone here that would take offense at a woman breastfeeding in public please put their hand up.

J.S.E.

Well I never made a point of going out and publicly breastfeeding, but saying that, if I was out and my child needed to be fed I would.I have fed my baby in (years ago) a restaurant and been asked to leave even though I was discreet, I argued that everyone else in the place was eating so why not my baby?Nothing gets my back up more than this debate, we dont feel offended when we see sheep or other mammals feeding their young in a field and no-one would ever suggest the poor african women stop feeding their starving babies for the sake of a poor offended westerner.If a baby needs a feed it should never matter where you are its a human right.

J.S.E.

loving you men for your positive views by the way :)

J.W.

i did it at home and i think there is a place in mother care feeding a baby i dont see why people want to do it in a public place

J.W.

in mother care for feeding a baby**

Jac. W.

Nowadays maternity clothes accommodate for this and everything is hidden, that you wouldn't even know a baby was being feed. It's shallow minded people that cause the problem. Here's a thought people don't look.

Richard Frazer

I think there are still those (maybe of the older persuation) who would feel uncomfortable sitting in a restaurant with a lady breast feeding either discreetly within eyeshot. I hasten to add that offence is in the eye of the beholder and it is their problem.

It is interesting to hear it is law in Scotland. What is the law in England and Wales around this?

J.W.

if you feed the baby before you go out why would it need feeding again if you are out for a long time you can bring some milk thats what i did in a bottle end of prop

J.W.

problem*

Richard Frazer

J.W.-

Do you consider it unneccessary or not pleasant?

what?

A.L.

most natural thing in the world, why do people coo when they see an animal sucking on a teat in a field, and have hysterics when they see a woman doing it in public, think there would be less fuss if someone was to have a public shit. victoria is no longer on the throne and grow up you narrow minded little bigots. and what is wrong if a breast is displayed, is it going to corrupt the young, start a right or what.

Richard Frazer

You never breastfed when out at all. Sounds like a policy. Or did the situation never come up?

Richard Frazer

This is perhaps our worst debate since opening this page as everyone appears to agree. Taboo is perhaps the wrong word. Society seems to have changed for the better here I think

J.W.

well i did it for a year and i dont personally like to do it in public

A.L.

and why should a mother be forced to retire to a toilet or tiny room to spare the blushes of the bigots, feed a child when it needs feeding.

J.S.E.

my babies would not have a bottle, so like I said I only ever fed in public if my baby needed fed, it should never be an issue and folk should never be offended by what is the most natural way to raise a baby.

J.W.

bigots narrow minded you are full of it arnt you lol we are all entitled to our opinion and i personally wouldnt be doing it in public view but if some like to its up to them

R.F.

Yeah but, BOOBS! Like, in public!! OMG!!

Seriously, in this day and age, anyone who has a problem with this should be rounded up and shot... I mean, reeducated.

A.L.

don't think it is illegal in wales, but been a lot of contreversy here in the past, the assembly though has very enlightened attitude to these things. maybe we need an e-petition on behalf of our babies.

Jac.W.

Babies are not machines and can't be forced a bottle or a breast before going somewhere, have you never felt a little peckish when you have gone out.

Richard Frazer

Alan - I thought most people would of said exactly what Jeanette said. Society makes people especially women uncomfortable exposing themselves. Vanity issues and social stigma. I obviously cannot share the feelings but from a male perspective I think men (normal men) would have no issues with any women serving such a natural need.

J.S.E.

Its not a case of "liking to" its a god given right to feed a baby when it has to be fed out or not!

A.L.

its actually a very beautiful sight and not sexual in any way, good luck to any feeding mother i say.

Richard Frazer

There is something wrong if someone finds it sexual. . . but who knows there are some strange people out there

A.L.

don't you just love this site, so next question. when should you start feeding them solids?

Richard Frazer

I have learnt loads from this!

A.L.

yes richard, shocking that in this day and age that there is a need to even discuss this issue.

J.S.E.

‎(o) (o) boobies rule!

A.L.

no jayne, common sense should rule

J.W.

i suppose i was lucky in that my child accepted the bottle as well

Alan J B Wyllie

Jeanette, very fair point.

J.W.

thank you alan

A.L.

night people, may all your little ones sleep quietly all night

J.S.E.

I was just trying to be light hearted...and Jeanette you were lucky and everyone to their own

J.S.E.

Breast bottle, who cares so long as babies get fed when they need it whether in public or not :)

A.C.M.

I was never breast fed once, not even on my first day out of the womb, it was formula everyday for me, I shall ask my mother why though as her reasoning will intrigue me.

R.F.

To be fair to your mother A.C.M., If I were a woman, and I gave birth to you, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with breast-feeding you.

G.B.

lol@Robin.... My other half tried Breast feeding all of ours but they all ended up on the bottle after a couple of days so didnt breast feed in public, My sisters all Breast fed in public and that was in the 80`s they wouldnt let anyone tell them they couldnt, I cant see a problem with it and would defend any womans ( and childs ) right to feed or be fed anywhere at any time.

G.D.N.

Feel very sorry for those mums! There is nothing worse than listening to your hungry baby scream.

S.F.

I have breastfed both my girls till 22 months and always did it in public but most of the time people were not even aware that I was breastfeeding. How many times did a waiter in a cafe or restaurant ask 'is the baby sleeping?' when she was feeding!

S.F.

When I had my first I was living in Clapham and most mums breastfeed there and it's very common to see them feeding in public!

S.F.

I could not let my baby scream, in fact I would assume that hearing screaming is more anoying for people around me than possibly seeing a bit of soft flesh when I put my baby on the breast??

M.R.

Breast feeding is perfectly natural, and healthy. of course it should be permitted in public. Exactly who should be watching apart from Mum, Baby and possibly Dad?

M.R.R.F.....loving your ideas on re-education.......I would happily re-educate 650 wasters in Westminster!

V.O.

Congratulations Gillian! Hope mum and baby are in good health. As for breastfeeding in public, what on earth does it have to do with anybody else apart from mum and baby?

D.L.

people seem to make things their business that is simply not their business must be they are bored to death with their own choices .....

V.O.

I think too many people like being outraged Dawn, not happy until they'v got someone or something to complain about.

Richard Frazer

Well historically I guess the taboo comes from Victorian prudishness, but any idea why? It would be interesting if it can be pinpointed.

H.A.

I don't know on this one really. All I do know is that when I had babies, I made sure they were fed before I went shopping..

M.C.‎

@ D.L.“people seem to make things their business that is simply not their business must be they are bored to death with their own choices .....”

Going to use that myself, expect it back at some point :Lol

D.L.

I think you are right V.O.some people just like disapproving of others

Richard Frazer

Mick - Perhaps breast feeding is not your business either :p

M.C.

True, never got my tits out in public TBH so cant comment :P

V.O.

Lol at Mick! ^

M.R.

M.C.....stop being a complete moron.......oh, sorry...you can't, can you?

V.W.

Hello mother (J.S.E.) I'm joining the 'party' haahaa. Thought I'd really freak people out and tell them all I'm still breastfeeding my 2yr old......*waits for the 'bitty' comments* pahahaha. I just don't get people at all, they see a calf feeding off a cow in a field and it's all "Awwwww look, how cute is that??" But they see a woman feeding her baby and it's "Urgh good God, how awful" Breasts are far too sexualised!!!! They are there to feed ur child!!!! Jesus, you can't expect a woman in Africa to pop down to bloody Boots for some formula, can you???!! It's the most natural thing in the world. Pfft!