What's so offensive about breast feeding in public?

[TylerHopkins]

So, I'm watching the evening news with the updates on the breast feeding in the swimming pool story and Angela Epstein appears saying 'people should be considerate of breast feeding mothers however these mothers need to be aware that some people might find what they're doing as offensive'

Another viewer text in to say BFing in public is obscene.

AIBU to ask anyone out there that shares these views to please explain to me why it's offensive? Who are these offended people? Please don't be afraid of coming forward and admitting it if you feel like this. I need an offended person to explain this to me because I really can't get my head around it.

Surely the only issue with swimming pools is milk in the water? And even then it's not that awful, just not what everyone wants during a swim?

To call it obscene is hilarious, considering that's what boobs are for. I bet the same person wouldn't object to other forms of boob-visibility in public

It's same old same old though isn't it, unfortunately. When you live in a society that fetishizes breasts, it's always going to be a problem.

I have no idea. I can only assume that norms are seen as sexual vs their real purpose, so getting them out in public upsets certain people. Tis ridiculous.

I read this this morning. It's brilliant.

Poppanicolino

It just grosses some people out - it's just the way it is. Esp the idea of breast milk in the pool.

That is fantastic poppanicolino

I breastfed DS2 until he was over two, in public (although never in a swimming pool as far as I can remember). I don't think I ever met one of these offended people.

And if you want to see why some don't like it check out the DM today about the yoga woman and read the comments!

I'd rather have breast milk in the pool than a manky plaster or piss!

I don't imagine there are many people with the bollocks to walk up to a bf woman and kick off but you can bet there were offended people wee

One thing can be said for certain. Anyone suggesting that babies shouldn't BF in swimming pool on account of milk getting in the water has never breast fed.

Not feeding your baby in the pool will lead to more milk in the water that feeding the baby in the pool.

IF you don't want milk in the water you need to ban pregnant and lactating women from the pool...not BFing.

I just laugh at anyone stupid enough to air their limited views anywhere near me,

and I will explain to them how they are baby abusers, because they intimidate people out of breast feeding, which is damaging to a child.

If someone said the world is flat and insist it is, you laugh at them, give them the relevant information, and if they persist you tell them to trot off,

Negative attitudes to breast feeding should never be tolerated, it is bullying and ridiculous.

mothers should never attacked for feeding a baby breast or bottle, I take it very personally if someone comments negatively on anyone feeding,

it should always be others that defend the practice and not the mother.

Ooh, do you have a link President?

Some people are just squeamish about it.

I must say, a toddler pool wouldn't have been my first choice of place to breastfeed as I preferred somewhere quieter and I did like to be discreet.

But I am glad, that on the whole, it is easier to find somewhere other than the toilet to do it when you're out these days.

So you don't think calling someone a baby abuser is sick? Surely that's like calling an older man who dates a much younger woman a paedophile?

My breasts are certainly not sexy at the minute. Huge veiny things always with a baby attached on the end and leaking milk like its going out of fashion!

[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2394751/Naked-breast-feeding-yoga-mom-reveals-daughter-came-sneak-suckle-Hawaii-clothing-optional-commune.html here] Tyler! Didn't link to it originally because I thought I would be beaten up by the other posters!

Try again! here

It's not hard to imagine why people are uncomfortable about it surely. There are lots of older people who would be offended just because of the age they grew up in and lots of younger people who just don't like to see breastfeeding in public.

I'm super pro breastfeeding but it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that other people aren't and tbh I don't care if they are offended it wouldn't affect my own behaviour.

Anyone who is worried about breastmilk in the water can't have thought too hard about what other bodily fluids are likely to be in a public pool. Milk is probably the best of the bunch!

It doesn't bother me in the slightest but it just grosses some people out. I find cows milk completely gross myself, the thought of drinking it, the smell. Maybe the same thing with some people and BM.

As I'm bf my 10 week old dd, I've only received 2 odd looks, most shockingly from someone working in a gp surgery!

I try not to just whip the boob out and leave it there, its not like I put a neon sign up highlighting the fact either. I try to be discreet and get on with it.

I don't like pasties, next time I see someone eating one in public maybe I'll make a scene.

Thanks President

I think it's ridiculous that anyone would be offended by seeing a mother breast feeding her child.

But then again, some people find women showing their ankles and anything above them offensive.

So I guess they couldn't cope with a possible flash of a boob/nipple.