1. Hassana

June 1st, 2005 at 3:07 am

Well, I know that every mum has a right to feed her kid but I don’t understand why women have to breast feed their kids in public. I’m also female and I can tell you that it is a very disgusting thing to watch women breast-feeding their kids in public. I think it is something that women should do in the privacy of their homes.

2. owukori

June 1st, 2005 at 7:39 am

I feel very sad that the sight of a woman breast feeding is disgusting to you. But tell me what is it exactly that disgusts you? Why should mothers have to go scurrying to their home or to the toilet of all places to do something that is so natural. Babies need to be fed and unless a mother is going to be locked up for 6-9 months she has no choice but to feed when needed. Personally I think it is something quite beautiful and natural. All my children were breast fed and at times that took place in public.

3. Elayne Riggs

June 1st, 2005 at 12:32 pm

“Why should mothers have to go scurrying to their home or to the toilet of all places to do something that is so natural.” Isn’t passing water and defecating also “natural?” And yet they are not done in public. What about sexual intercourse? For most people that is done in private as well. Yes, babies need to be fed, but doesn’t that mean the mother needs to adjust her life to the baby’s schedule, not to her own personal convenience?

4. Mark

June 1st, 2005 at 5:41 pm

In my opinion, it is by attaching feelings like disgust and shame to such a natural, nurturing act as breast-feeding that patriarchal societies begin to regulate women’s thoughts, behavior, and bodies - as well as interfering with the natural bond between a mother and her child.

5. owukori

June 1st, 2005 at 8:53 pm

It is interesting that you associate on the one hand sex and on the other pissing and shiting with breast feeding on the basis that all three are natural. What these associations tell me is that breast feeding not only has sexual overtones but also is seen as something dirty which needs to be hidden. What exactly is it you object to? Is it feeding a child in public or the sight of a women’s bare breast or the child suckling the breast?

The truth is breast feeding a child is much more similar to eating and nurturing also natural activities.

In cultures and societies where breast feeding is seen to be a perfectly normal and healthy activity that can be done anywhere, having sex and going to the toilet are not done in public. As Mark quite rightly points out it is by trying to regulate where a child should be fed and how that partriarchy maintains control over “women’s bodies, thoughts and behaviour” and even those who dare to call themselves feminists!.

Breast feeding is not a matter of convenience. If a mother is not allowed to feed her child in public she cannot respond to her childs need to be fed unless she never goes out in public for the period of breast feeding.

6. Janine

June 1st, 2005 at 10:08 pm

What century are we living in that we still have to explain and defend breast feeding?

Hassana - you may be female but it is doubtful that you’re a mother. Whatever you’re finding “disgusting” about breast feeding in public is coming from your own mind since I’ve never once actually seen a woman’s breast while she was nursing her child in public. Clothing or a towel are used to give privacy. Are women really filled with so much self-hate that the mere thought of seeing a breast is found to be disgusting? I hope not.

Elayne - your ignorance is showing but Mark and Owukori have already addressed it. I can only add that you should take some time to seriously reflect on what they’ve said and search for the root of the negative self image you have. Cause if you find out where it came from you’re that much closer to getting rid of it.

Mark and Owukori - Damn! I wish I was that articulate!