Our obsession with the female tit (or is it fear?) has a new movement to suck on. Now 'Lactivists," moms who breast-feed publicly, are taking their gazoombas to the streets. It's one big fat nurse-in. They're gonna stick their lactating tatas right in your face, dude.…
Article comments
26 - Victor Plenty
People who want nursing mothers to hide in bathrooms may just be afraid they might fail to restrain their own temptation to stare, in much the same way as the people Phillip mentions.
Sometimes I get slightly embarrassed because I will see something unusual out of the corner of my eye, focus for a moment to figure out what's going on over there, and then when I realize it's a mother nursing a baby, look away as quickly as possible, out of worry that I could look like one of those weird staring people.
But all that is entirely my own problem, and no reason to impose any guilt trips on nursing mothers.
27 - Phillip Winn
I think most women can tell the difference between curiousity and leering, but I suppose I could be wrong.
28 - adam
When I was a kid, I used to stare hard at nursing mothers. Maybe I was a pervert when I was a kid.
29 - Dawn
When you were a kid I seriously doubt you ever saw a nursing mother.
Nursing is only now making a comeback and while I proudly nursed my daughter until she was about three, with the new conversative tide ever encrouching, I have to admit, I take the poor 18-month-old into a bathroom these days - and that is indeed no place for a little man to eat.
30 - adam
I grew up in South Africa. Nursing moms were everywhere. It's only in the US where they get hung up on shit like this: everywhere else women go topless on beaches without anyone batting an eye. Just one example.
31 - Catty Mama
Just a comment on breastfeeding in public....We STILL live in a very Victorian society here in the U.S...compared to the Eurpopean nations where women not only breastfeed in public, but often go topless with nothing on but a light-weight skirt. They almost NEVER wear panties, either, as they are considered to be detrimental to a woman's health...promoting yeast infections, etc. Geez...here we go into nice restaurants and are forced to look at men (and some women) who are COVERED with hideous (MY opinion!) tattoos, rings through the nose (and..um..."nose excreta" attached..YUK), rings through the lips, exposed bellies, and yet we are PREJUDICED against a woman who breastfeeds in public...a normal and natural part of nature??? REALLY...Gimme a break!! And yes, I have breastfed my babies in the past in the car, in a public place with my hubby's hands covering any exposed breast as well as at home. I've never worn a bra anyway as to me, they are like some kind of "harness"...hurting my back, shoulders and covering a normal part of my anatomy. Hey...we don't ASK that men put THEIR personal part in some kind of weird sling!! I've never worn panties, either, but prefer a dress which covers all the parts thought of as "dirty" here in the U.S., but also allows me to remove it quickly as soon as I'm home (I live on a remote 200 acres with my wonderful hubby and kids) or to lift it to my waist while riding alone in the car with my hubby. What a shame we are so very prudish in this country as the entire female body is so very beautiful...breasts and all.
32 - Nancy
Underwear is worn mainly for reasons of keeping more expensive outer clothes clean, not for reasons of morality...at least that's how it started out. Underwear wasn't regularly worn until around the time of the US Civil War. Bras are also intended not for covering but for trying to arrest or at least retard the effects of gravity. Of course the clothing/lingerie industry has created all kinds of other rationales for wearing undies, besides the obvious of getting their mitts on our money.
33 - Martin Taylor
Ladies please don't think I'm sick or perverted for saying this but take it from one mans point of view: It is a very sexy turn on for me to see a pregnant women!! Yes I love the way your tits look!! it's not the case of being big or small it's the nipple that's the sexist!! I guess I've always wanted to see what breastmilk tastes like!! When my wife was pregnant with our first child, she thought I was sick and didn't want any part of it. So I say if a women wants to show her tit in public....the more the marrier!! But please don't get mad if us guys want a peek just smile at us and let us know that you caught us looking...Keep up the good work!!
34 - Heather
I am a breastfeeding mother of an almost 12 month old. I truly do not get what all the fuss is about. My husband is morbidly embarrassed by my brestfeeding in public. I think he thinks every person out there is staring at me/us/him with Martin (previous comment) like thoughts. Who cares?! I am feeding my child - I'm not auditioning for Girls Gone Wild! I could give a rats ass if people are gawking. This country is so f-ng uptight about the human body.
35 - momo
It amazes me how people are terrified of using the word, "breast." It is also amazing at how people seem to believe breasts are somehow spring-loaded and when a woman so much as discreetly adjusts her nursing shirt, her breasts spring forth like a dam breaking. Seriously, someone's going to lose an eye if this is the case. More babies would suffer concussions as well.
Why is a explicity and sexually displayed breast seen as desirable and a barely seen breast functioning biologically is seen as "gross"? Why is everyone so terrified of breasts?
Some of the comments seem to be against the idea of women "flaunting" breasts; I'm not sure why lactating is a prerequisite for flaunting. We see women flaunting their breasts every day in public, on the streets and in the media. I went to the grocery store and was treated (not) to a woman in sheer white pants with a clearly visible thong stuffed up her ass cleavage. I went to the bursar's office at college and the woman at the information window barely had her breasts covered. She didn't even have the excuse of needing to feed a cranky, crying and hungry child.
Let's get real about this ridiculous "flaunting" stuff. Breastfeeding moms are baby focused. When I feed my daughter I am looking at HER, not at those around me. We stay as discreet as possible and I'd much rather she not disturb others by crying. People who are uncomfortable don't have to look at us. They really shouldn't be looking, anyway. Maybe I should toss them a porn mag or something "acceptable" and "appropriate."
What a world.
BREAST!
Scared you, didn't I?
36 - Tom
Remind me to carry a camera around.
There are lots of "natural functions" we humans have little choice about, but if they're so proud of showing this one in public, a photo or two shouldn't bother them. If having their picture taken in PUBLIC bothers them, perhaps they should look more kindly on the subtle use of a blanket or scarf...