breastfeeding in the supermarket

[wtfisgoingonhere]

Ok so I'm all for breastfeeding and think all mums should (assuming mother/baby are able to) but WALKING AROUND SAINSBURYS breastfeeding. . . Seriously? ?

Maybe it's only me that's shocked and I am not a mum myself if that makes a difference.
Don't get me wrong I certainly disagree with mums being ushered into toilets and the like but I felt a bit of modesty could have avoided awkwardness for both mum and others she may come across.

I have no issue with nudity either, i enjoy sunbathing topless and strolling around my home in various states of undress but I couldn't imagine ever feeling comfortable doing this myself

The last thing I expected on a Saturday afternoon trip to sainsburys was to round the corner of an aisle to come face to face with a woman with her top down and FULL BOOB OUT (I saw nipple and all!) strolling down the home entertainment aisle feeding baby. Yes I know this is what they are intended for but when men aren't allowed to enter shirtless is this not a bit much? Had she been sat outside the store on the benches or in a cafe (if they had one) I guess i or anyone else wouldn't have batted an eyelid

Just interested in others opinions

Is this taking things a bit far or perhaps it is just a multitasking achievement extraordinaire?

Vind, this is exactly what I mean. Jesus, you can't even make a tounge in cheek remark without someone getting offended when it comes to breasfeeding. Sorry, I keep forgetting we drink from actual udders, that's not exactly natural is it? harharhar.

I apologise, no offence with the 'udders' remark was meant.

Personally I think top less sunbathing is unnecessary and a bit tacky, but you think it's ok and do it.

At least breastfeeding has an actual purpose, unlike wapping your baps out in public just because it's by a pool...

Seems rather hypocritical - public is public, poolside or supermarket.

Maybe she forgot to put boob away OP? I've nearly answered the door like that before!

I have answered the door like that. Poor bloody postman. Didn't realise until I'd shut the door.

It was a signed for delivery so not a quick 'hand over parcel, flee' situation.

Has anyone posted the historical images of breastfeeding meme yet?

Really? I've done it. I've also seen some women make a great show of lopping their tits out and waiting a good few minutes before latching baby onto the nipple...because they are the only few worthy women in the world to breastfeed right??
TBH I seldom notice if someone is breastfeeding because the majority do it discreetly and don't make a show and dance about it.

I've done it, more discreetly, but if it meant I could get round without a screaming baby then I did it. YABU

I missed udders did I? Wow. That's a new one for me. I shall add it to my bingo sheet in between children with teeth and children who ask for milk and beneath 'bitty'.

Coolaschmola - public is public? So by your logic it's ok to wear a bikini to supermarket too?

I respect you don't agree with topless sunbathing in the same way I respect the lady breastfeeding however I also appreciate you may be shocked to see me sunbathing topless whilst I was shocked re the breastfeeding.

I didn't however say it was wrong whereas you suggested I am uneccesary and tacky

I wasn't offended so no need for an apology MrsG.

My comment was also tongue in cheek.

Seriously Saul, I did apologise to anyone offended by that remark. No need to be so immature about it . It was meant to be tounge in cheek as I said. However, you add it to whatever sheet makes you happy.

"lopping their tits out" tick

Would you rather the baby was screaming its head off hungry?

Personally I wouldn't BF whilst doing the weekly shop, but I really don't care where other women BF, that's their choice and tuff titties to those who are offended by it IMO.

OP, this woman was simply feeding a baby.
I think it's sad that you would be comfortable with seeing artificial feeding but not normal feeding.
What you saw was normal.

When I was breastfeeding my daughter I didn't like going out because of these attitudes. I found breastfeeding hard enough without the feeling of shame.
In the early days babies sometimes want to be on the breast all.the.time.

Thank God for sites like MN and all the savvy posters.

Seriously OP, the problem is your perspective not a baby being breastfed.

Breasts can be sexual, but not when you are using them for feeding your child.
My mouth can be sexual, but not when I'm eating.
My vagina can be sexual, but inserting a tampon doesn't turn me on.

I'm all for breastfeeding
I do not think this means what you think it means OP.

Fwiw for ME personally topless sunbathing has the purpose of avoiding tan lines when I was wearing a strapless wedding dress so I definitely didn't "wap them out for no reason"

Nor have i or would I sunbathe topless in Tunisia egypt dominican republic or any other country I may visit where it's not the norm/culturally acceptable/frowned upon

It's only boobs, they are for feeding babies! Get a bloody grip!

MrsGB, I was talking to vind. I wasn't being immature so you can pack your face away. I was being light-hearted and tongue in cheek (just like you) about something I actually find quite interesting. I was commenting on the linguistic representation of breast feeding when the commenter doesn't approve of the manner of feeding. It's not childish or immature actually. It's deadly serious. The reductive and comparative language exacerbates the problems caused by the sexualisation and fetishisation of breasts in this country.

Nicely put FriendofBill

I couldn't get further than if said supermarket bikini covered the parts considered to offend public decency.

I didn't say YOU were unnecessary and tacky, I said something you choose to do is, imo, unnecessary and tacky. Small but important difference.

Honestly OP, feeding baby is more important than avoiding tan lines!

You mention not having children and I HATE the 'if you had kids you'd understand' thing (having struggled with infertility), but if you did have experience of breastfeeding a hungry baby I'm sure you would approach this very differently, even if personally you wouldn't feed in public.

Surely you're not comparing the legally protected act of public breastfeeding in the UK with going topless in an observant Muslim country OP?

Friend - I'm sure you didn't mean it to read that way, but I think it's a very rude way to describe it as 'artifical feeding and normal feeding'. Please keep in mind, supporting the right to breastfeed is one thing, but not everyone is capable of actually doing so, and language such as this may be hurtful to some. You say that you stayed in because of certain attitudes, well using language like that is another type of attitude that is unhelpful to other women.

And yes, that is somewhat of a point I've been making. Things can be both sexual and none sexual, but however you see something, it's ok to feel a bit uncomfortble about it.

Hairy

Ok "I personally feel all women and babies who are able to and want to should breastfeed in appropriate places eg where they feel comfortable whilst acknowledging others may rightly or wrongly and down to their personal opinion feel surprised or uncomfortable seeing this in a situation where this isn't common place and also respect the fact that some people are unable to breastfeed and so shouldn't be ashamed to bottle feed nor should people berate them for their choices"