Mother Asked To Leave Houston's Restaurant For Breastfeeding (Florida)

[matcom]

<snip>

BOCA RATON, Fla. - A new mom is at the center of controversy after she was asked to leave a Houston's restaurant for breast-feeding her infant.

"I didn't know what my rights were," Bertucci said.

She was breast-feeding her infant son during a family dinner at Houston's when management asked her to leave.

"I wanted to cry," Bertucci said. "I wanted to crawl under the table like I did something wrong, but I didn't do anything wrong."

Bertucci said she finished feeding her son in her car and came back inside the restaurant.

"I'm humiliated," she said. "I really am. I am in shock."

After consulting a family attorney, Bertucci said she found out that the Houston's restaurant violated her rights.

"I want all women to be aware of it," she said. "We do have rights and there is nothing wrong with nursing your baby in public."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18317218/

[Lil Missy]

1. You rascal!

:popcorn:

[matcom]

2. 2 stories in 2 days

i'm on a roll! :rofl:

[Lil Missy]

8. I'm having an overwhelming urge to go whip out a tit in public

But I don't have a baby. I'm just bored.

[Mandate My Ass]

21. LOL

Be careful, though. I sunbathed topless once and now everytime I wear a bathing suit top I feel constricted. Those babies really do like to breathe.

[frogcycle]

52. and I grant you the right to do that

I promise not to leer




much

[youthere]

90. COPOUT!!

LOL!

[Forkboy]

258. What are you doing this weekend?

:D

[Oddball]

291. Whipping it out

Be extravagant and whip them both out Mis. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

[meegbear]

171. Well those things usually do come in pairs ...

:hide:

[AlCzervik]

3. Dear God can we please get a Florida tag?

[trumad]

7. Why

This happens all over the country....

[Karenina]

12. Then, of course, there ARE places

where social bidness and child nourishment are NOT mutually exclusive.

[wicket]

17. What a beautiful pic

Thanks for posting.

[Rosemary2205]

19. The guy behind Chavez is copping a peek.

But thank goodness there's SOMEPLACE on planet earth where feeding a baby isn't "obscene".

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. Chavez is looking at the lady's FACE!!! Wow!!!!

I am impressed, as the owner of a pair of formerly functioning mammary glands.

(Not man boobies).

[piedmont]

29. did someone say "man boobies?"

[scorpiogirl]

31. That is just sooooooo wrong!!! n/t

[piedmont]

32. I know. But it felt so right!

[lpbk2713]

51. OxyRush's brother!!

SKIPPY Limbaugh!!

[mtnester]

165. Saddest part of that picture? He can go topless in public without getting arrested

which is REALLY wrong.

:shrug: :)

On edit (referring to post #29 - man boobs)

[Retired AF Dem]

281. Here is the proof

that beer contains female hormones.

[Luna_C_06]

53. I just like the fact that he's looking

into her eyes, lol.

[BoneDaddy]

149. And a nice

pair of eyes she has.

[Cha]

59. Wow! Chavez looking

straight at the woman's eyes! Cute! Where in the world did you find that pic?

[Rockholm]

159. FARK.com has a Florida tag. Very funny stuff, indeed.

[johnnie]

4. No popcorn for me

I'll just get drunk

:beer:

[IronScorpio5]

226. Next round is on me.

:beer:

[jackster]

5. My daughter and I will be flying to Florida

next month with a nursing infant

My daughter is scared to death that she'll be thrown off the plane for breastfeeding after that incident earlier

I told her it would be over my dead body

I am going to call the airlines however to get their official statement

[Kolesar]

9. Naw, they would never open the door at altitude

What with the pressure differential and all.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. .....

:spank: :spank:



:rofl: :rofl:

[jackster]

22. That will make her feel MUCH better

:rofl:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

105. Opening the door would make a helluva

breast pump.

:rofl:

[AspenRose]

95. I've nursed my son on a plane

If your daughter is "discreet" about it (read: if people can't see a boob, then they can't freak out), there shouldn't be a problem. I think passengers prefer a quietly nursing baby to one crying the whole trip because they are hungry.

Motherwear has great nursing shirts....I've purchased quite a few from them and they're comfortable.

www.motherwear.com

Good luck!

PS-Nursing during takeoff and landing helps with the baby's pressure in the ears....baby will be less likely to cry.....

[jackster]

183. thanks - she is always very discreet -

her 5 year old niece can stand right beside her and never even know she's nursing.

I think though with all the crazy wingnuts loose today, she's just nervous - I am a bit too but as HER mother - I'll know where we stand before we get on the plane.

[Kolesar]

278. Infants have incompletely-formed sinuses and hence have pain during decompression

...as the airplane gains altitude. At least that is what I recall. Perhaps the nursing and swallowing helps open the the eustachian tubes and otherwise help to relieve pressure on the ears and nasal cavities. Just guessing--don't have children

[Oddball]

292. nursing on a plane

The thing about nursing during take off and landing is true but the airline makes me chew gum instead.

And don't even try to nurse a baby in a school classroom because the teacher will say, "Did you bring enough for everybody?"

[Touchdown]

201. I would rather she feed the baby on the plane

than to hear him scream the entire flight because he's hungry.

I hate screaming more than anything else. If he's crying, sit next to me and give him a tit. I'll be thankful for the peace.

Signed: A man who has no kids.

[jackster]

221. hey I'm with ya.....

a mother of two and a grandmother of three - I hate hearing children cry but know that it's not always easy to keep them quiet

It's the parents who don't even try that drive me crazy!

[ornotna]

In Florida, the law is on her side

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 383.015
1993 Fl. ALS 4; 1993 Fla. Laws ch. 4; 1993 Fla. HB 231

The breast feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A mother may breast feed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to the breast feeding.



In Mass you may not be so lucky.

The only legislation in Massachusetts regarding breastfeeding pertains to maternity patients’ right to know the annual percentage of women breast-feeding upon discharge from their admitting hospitals. M.G.L - Chapter 111, Section 70E Patients' and residents' rights

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. This is an outrage!

Would they ask a bottle-feeding mom to leave?

Of course not!

Breastfeeding one's infant is the most natural, healthiest and lovliest way ever to feed that infant!

I hope she takes them to the cleaners.....

We are so hung up on breasts as sexual objects that it's ridiculous!

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

On edit: K&R

[Connonym]

13. sadly, there are talk radio wing nuts here who continue to compare it to defecation

"that's a bodily function too" they say. It's really tragic. Especially from the right where they claim to value family and children so much. Personally, I was always too inhibited to nurse in public but think women who do are brilliant and I always wish there was some way I could give them a show of support it seeming sleezy that I'm even noticing what they are doing.

[progressoid]

16. WTF???

These people are NVTS (that's Roman for batshit crazy).

A more apt comparison of breastfeeding to a bodily function would be...EATING!

[AwakeAtLast]

28. And they would know about those other bodily functions

Except it comes out of their mouths. :evilgrin:

[Kali]

10. yes

we really need to warm things up. got any marshmallows? :rofl:

:popcorn:

[Catherine Vincent]

11. This really ticks me off!

[Critters2]

14. Breasts are for ogling. Everyone knows that!

Just in case...:sarcasm:

[matcom]

18. is that why I refer to them as Yams?

:hide:

[verse18]

20. Penn and Teller did a good episode of "Bullshit" on breast hysteria.

http://www.sho.com/site/ptbs/prevepisodes.do?episodeid=s5/breast

"Penn & Teller look at women's breasts and society's response to them. In New York City, we meet a young mother who inadvertently tested corporate tolerance for breast-feeding in public. Further south, in Daytona Beach, Florida, we meet a woman who challenged the rights to flash her breasts in public. We also meet a breast cancer survivor who is not a supporter of those ubiquitous Pink Ribbons. And, down in the valley of porn, we find a topless porn star/mother of two who philosophizes on the benefits of the La Leche League."

If you like breast, you'll love this episode.

[malaise]

24. She should have left with all the persons

in the dinner party and they should have refused to pay the bill as well. Why did she go out side and return? Punish these fascists who deny mothers their rights.

[Occulus]

60. That is the best response EVER to this bullshit

Make sure you finish the meal, though, and be very clear about why you're walking out without paying.

Also make sure it's done in front of other customers, and is loud enough to be heard by them. Add in something like "..and if I were a customer in your restaurant and heard of you treating another customer like this, I'd be encouraged to leave without paying for my meal as well, just to drive the point home."

These assholes deserve to be punished for this behavior, and all too often, they're the sort of person to whom nothing matters more than losing money.

This shit needs to STOP.

[Le Taz Hot]

73. That is NOT a good response.

It will come out of the waitperson's meager below-minimum-wage paycheck (they take out for meals whether you eat or not). My mother was a waitress and I can't tell you what a hardship it was on us when she had to pay for the dine-and-dash assholes.

[Toucano]

121. It wouldn't be "dine-and-dash". Management asked a client to leave.

You tell me to leave, you negate my obligation to pay.

If it happened to me, you better believe the whole dining party would have left without paying for anything.

I'm shocked that the other people STAYED.

[LostinVA]

148. I don't believe that's legal anymore

[kiteinthewind]

25. Thanks for posting this! Rep. Maloney needs to get her legislation passed. This is total insanity +

it is not good for our children. Breastfeeding is proven to decrease infant mortality. Breastfed children are healthier and smarter and there are benefits for the mom, as well. Most people are just so uninformed about breastfeeding, and some of them are the radical religious right. Do they think we have breasts for men's enjoyment???? :wtf:

I live in Missouri, and, if you don't remember, John 'must drape the breast of the statue' Ashcroft, hails from here, so you can imagine what it is like!

:kick:

[IronScorpio5]

26. You just know the owner was some sexually frustrated RW asshole..

they are just evil bastards.

[LeftyMom]

27. And in a state with a titty bar on every corner, no less.

Thank you Florida, for once again making California look sane by comparison. :D

[threadkillaz]

30. Is it really too much to ask to go the restroom or the lobby?

People are eating.

[bling bling]

33. I think it is.

She's just feeding her baby. I have lunch every week with a mom who breastfeeds a baby and I'm glad she's comfortable enough to breastfeed wherever we are. I don't want to sit there eating by myself while she sits in a bathroom. She feeds the baby and we enjoy our conversation all the while. I don't even notice that she's breastfeeding anymore than I would if she was feeding her baby with a bottle.

It's not a big deal. I think more people just need to get used to it and they will because women are fighting back now against this dumb taboo and everyone will eventually be fine with it, which is the way it should be.

[threadkillaz]

189. Its called "Laziness" when you cant get up and go to the lobby.

Lazy!

[threadkillaz]

192. Great response!

:applause:

[prolesunited]

34. Umm...

so is the baby. If you are offended, why don't you take your food and go sit on the toilet with it?

[myrna minx]

109. Great response.

:applause:

[threadkillaz]

195. The interesting thing about this (having a 3 month) is that I am not offended personally, but

..some folks are, and since you never know, you go the little extra distance, to the lobby (or the restroom).

My parents taught me to be respectful of others.

Being disrespectful to other restaurant patrons just because youre lazy is not an excuse.

[threadkillaz]

196. Great response!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Forkboy]

260. You might as well applaud yourself...no one else will.

:crazy:

[ScreamingMeemie]

211. Respectful would be letting a woman do what nature has intended

and not flipping out over it.

[gollygee]

233. Lazy?

Jesus.

A mother does not have to remove herself from society to feed her baby. It has nothing to do with laziness.

I sure as HELL would never feed anyone anything in a toilet area. If I were in the lobby, I would nurse a baby in the lobby, but I wouldn't let my food go cold to leave my table and go to the lobby to nurse my baby. That's ridiculous.

[VelmaD]

35. would you eat your dinner...

in a public toilet?

Just sayin'

[tyedyeto]

38. Great response!!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[threadkillaz]

212. Nonsensical response!

:silly:

[kiteinthewind]

40. Precisely.

:toast:

[zappa_parappa]

157. No, I wouldn't bring a baby to Houstons either

while I have no problem with breast feeding in public, houstons isn't exactly a baby friendly environment.

[Name removed]

198. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[threadkillaz]

199. Great response!

:applause:

[scorpiogirl]

36. Oh Jesus! Yes, it is!

Why don't you just pay attention to yourself and not worry about what someone is doing that has nothing to do with you. New moms already have a hard enough time without people getting into their business!

[threadkillaz]

207. New moms shouldnt be so lazy.

and disrespectful.

[Forkboy]

261. Posters on DU shouldn't be so dumb.

I hope we're not being graded on a curve here.

[piedmont]

37. Was waiting for a puritan with breast issues to find this thread.

And here you are!

[Doremus]

39. WTF does that mean? "People are eating"?????

You're not actually suggesting that breast feeding is something repulsive, are you?

Breast-feeding = other verbotin acts at the table such as passing gas, burping, etc.??

You got one hell of a hangup there, friend.

[threadkillaz]

202. I do not have a hangup. It does not bother me.

But how do you know it does not bother others??

YOU DON'T.

So, show some respect.

That is my point.

[threadkillaz]

203. Great response!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[piedmont]

216. I have to admit I've never seen this kind of trolling before. Complimenting your OWN posts?

Lame, dude.

[Oddball]

289. Lameny Snickett

Bravo Piedmont!!!!!!

It WAS lame. It wallows in lameness. It scored a perfect 10 on the Lame Meter.

It sounded like this, LAME-a-dam-a-ding-dong!

Lame X Lame = Lame squared.

I'm finished now.

Except to say, IT WAS LAME!!!!

Now I really am done.

[Book Lover]

41. Yes they are. Including the baby. (nm)

[lonestarnot]

42. OMG :puke:

Glad you weren't my Mom or Dad.

[threadkillaz]

208. Likewise.

.

[kitty1]

43. as politically incorrect as this sounds, I have to agree with you

If the Mom isn't covered up well, then that could be distracting for people trying to eat. I mean if they're at a table out of view from most of the patrons, then it shouldn't be a big deal.
I also think that if there is a private area close by available for that, then that should be the first choice.

[immoderate]

44. I've never seen a woman nursing conspicuously.

While I've noticed women nursing publicly on several ocassions I've never seen one do it in such a way as to attract attention. Usually, I have to look carefully to see them. I imagine I've missed more than I've seen.

How well covered up do you have to be if you're sitting in the corner of a booth, nursing with a shirt on? :shrug:

--IMM

[VelmaD]

46. and why should a woman have to hide it at all?

If people don't want to see it...they shouldn't look. The brain has 100 percent control over where the eyeballs go.

[Warren DeMontague]

57. They shouldn't. For many moms it's hard enough to get the baby to latch

in a comfortable environment, much less having to worry about uptight folks who can't mind their own business, scoot around trying to find an "appropriate" place (with a screaming, hungry baby) or covering up with a blanket.

Some folks just don't get it. I'm glad I live in California where the law is clear on this.

[immoderate]

62. I find that women's breasts have a way of...

staring at my eyes. They can't help it.

I agree with you, though. I was just pointing out that on my observations of nursing women they were not "in your face," as it were.:smoke:

--IMM

[Occulus]

64. You'd think having a baby latched onto one would kinda ameliorate the sex appeal.

But I'm gay- what do *I* know?

:shrug:

[mainegreen]

69. It does, unless it's your partner and child.

Then it just makes her sexier.

[Maine-ah]

190. woohooo

:applause:

[immoderate]

89. Ameliorate? Perhaps a little.

But they're still breasts!

--IMM

[youthere]

94. My husband thinks they follow him around the room.LOL.

[immoderate]

197. Yep. It's like magic!

--IMM

[LostinVA]

152. Exactly!

[RC Quake]

130. I witnessed something pretty hysterical.

I was a waitress for many years and I think it was my first week on the job when a woman was breastfeeding her baby at my station. Granted, she didn't bother to cover anything and both breasts were out there for the world to see. A couple at the next table had twin sons about 6 years old. They were pointing and laughing when they both jumped up on their seats and screamed out, "Look at her boobies". The entire restaurant gasped. Literally.

The couple of the boys went directly to management and wanted her kicked out. That's when I found out that she was a serial breast feeder looking for some quick money. She was on the neighborhood watch list among the local restaurants and everyone knew to let her do whatever she wanted. She successfully sued one restaurant and was looking for more.

I found it hilarious because half of the patrons got up and walked out. Most of them without paying their bill because management wouldn't do anything about it. Of course, I lost out on those tips too, but it was worth it to see the fear and disgust on all of those repubs faces.

[youthere]

139. "Serial Breastfeeder"

that has to be the funniest thing I've ever read!
I wish I would have thought of that when my breasts were functional!

[frogcycle]

50. "could be distracting for people trying to eat"

what, they'll jam a fork in their eye because they are busy leering?


and since when is "distracting" someone a crime?

[Occulus]

63. One person eating is distracting to another person eating?

I just... I don't get it. I mean, the kid's eating for fuck's sake... why should that be hidden away somewhere?

I don't see you advocating for 'Kidz Only' sections of restaurants, so unless that's what you mean, I don't see how anything you posted has a point anywhere.

Would you mind explaining why one person eating is 'distracting' to another person?

I see this:

RESTAURANT: come here to eat food

BABY: breasts = food

YOU: breasts > food

That's really pretty wildly fucked up. Seriously.

[Der Blaue Engel]

66. Personally, I find all breasts distracting

I think women should eat in separate rooms so I don't have to stare and make an ass out of myself. (I'll just have to ignore my own breasts long enough to eat.)

[Dora]

116. "Distracting"

Distracting is blowing a horn or ringing a bell or waving a flag.

Nursing makes no sound and is visually unobtrusive. If you're staring at a mother and child nursing, that's YOUR eyes at work. Nobody is making you look.

Avert your gaze.

[Midlodemocrat]

154. Politically incorrect? Nah, just absurdly inane.

:eyes:

[Warren DeMontague]

54. Yeah, it is. And yes, they are.

The baby is eating too. Fucking DEAL with it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

56. Excuse me, but it is too much to ask....

After all, the baby is eating too.......

:wtf:

[Occulus]

61. Would YOU take your food to the shitter to eat?

By the way, the kid's eating too.

<seth_green_voice>Ass......</seth_green_voice>

[mainegreen]

68. Yes. And it's also illegal in most places to ask her to stop.

Soon I expect federal law will make that request illegal in any public place or business. As it should be.

[mondo joe]

70. I assume this ppost is sarcastic. NT

[in_cog_ni_to]

80. So was the BABY! My g-d. This country is so fucking backward, it's PATHETIC! That's what breasts

are for! Women don't have breasts just to give MEN something to look at! They are to feed the babies they give birth to! Sheesh.:grr:

[mconvente]

97. actually, breasts are hypothesized to be secondary sex characteristics as well

The primary function of the mammary glands (breasts) indeed is to provide nutrition to newborns, however, evolutionary biologists also believe that breasts (especially in humans) act as secondary sex characteristics which make males want to mate with women. Most men won't argue with that - that breasts are sexually appealing.

As regards to the breast feeding in public, whatever. Doesn't really bother me too much. It probably would distract me for a few seconds and then I'd just go back to eating my meal.

[uppityperson]

142. Sounds along the line of "I am attracted, therefor they are there to attract me"

Cultural, societal attractions. Armpit hair is considered very attractive, very sexy some places, repulsive in others. Breasts are considered sexually attractive in some cultures, just shrug in another.

[breakaleg]

83. Would you sit on a toilet and eat your food? If not, then it is unreasonable.

[youthere]

98. Maybe that's the answer...anyone who is offended or distracted..

can take their plate to the restroom to finish their meal.

[JerseygirlCT]

91. So what?

"people are eating"

Yes, including the baby. Why in the world should that interfere with your dining pleasure?

I really don't understand this.

And yes, it IS too much to ask. Do you regularly eat in the bathroom?

[youthere]

93. Yep..people like that baby.

[Dora]

112. Yes, it is.

If I am breastfeeding my child in the privacy of my dining booth or at my table, it is no business of anybody else's, including yours.

Keep your eyes on your plate, never mind what's happening at mine.

[Sequoia]

128. Yes it is too much to ask. The baby is having his meal also.

[LostinVA]

150. Yes, especially since the child is eating as well

Why in the world does th discreet sight of suckling baby make you so ill you can't eat?

And, I have no children except for furry, fanged ones.

[Midlodemocrat]

153. You HAVE to be joking.

That kind of response belongs in the lounge.

[Rockholm]

160. Well.......the baby WAS eating.

Infants can't really get their little mouths around adult food.

[mtnester]

168. So you would rather she took her child into a TOILET to feed?

to make you more comforatable? The baby is EATING...she was not changing a diaper.

[SemperEadem]

178. is it really too much to expect you keep your eyes to yourself?

why are your eyes even over at their table to begin with? Nothing at that table concerns you. Yeah, people are eating and the last I heard, infants are people, too and they need to eat in order to survive. Oogling/staring at the breast of a mother feeding her infant is not necessary in order for YOU to survive.

[KitchenWitch]

187. And so is the baby!

[Ilsa]

256. The people who are offended can go eat in the bathroom. nt

[Forkboy]

259. Her baby was eating too.

Fuck the people who are offended.

[Oddball]

293. Yes, it's too much to ask

New parents, mothers especially, are very tired a lot of the time. They don't get enough sleep, and they probably don't get to go to restaurants very often. When they do, they shouldn't be hassled by the prick management at the restaurant where they are spending their money.

Is it too much to ask you to move your ass to another table if you don;t want to be near a breastfeeding mother?

Putz

[Scout1071]

298. Do you like eating in a restroom? Standing up?

I'm not saying that the woman should have her full breast exposed or anything, but dear Gawd.....women generally cover-up appropriately when in public and breast-feeding. Can she sit there at the dinner table with her family or friends and to the most natural thing in the world?

[originalpckelly]

45. It's just a fucking boob. If you've known of anyone to die because of the sight of a boob...

you are a boob.

[Oddball]

290. Anyone ever died because they saw a boob?

It would probably kill Karl Rove.

[ncteechur]

47. I believe Houston's will be settling out of court for an undisclosed

amount of money. They were WRONG-unequivocally WRONG!
She should sue the shit out of the restaurant and the manager.

[ncteechur]

48. In Florida? SHe is lucky someone didn't whip out their pistol and shoot her dead

for making them feel threatened!

[ncteechur]

49. Was it Katherine Harris?? I wouldn't be surprised.

[Warren DeMontague]

55. I don't know from Florida, but in California, the right to nurse your baby is PROTECTED BY LAW.

If people can't deal with it, they should stay the fuck out of our state. We have enough pinheads here as it is.

[alfredo]

58. Could it be considered "outside food and drink"?

The restaurant should be ashamed of themselves for doing that.

[Occulus]

65. They would have to ban lactating women if they wanted to be consistent in that

but none of this is about anything related to fairness or consistency, not when someone acts like this...

:grr: I wanna punch that manager. What a... dickweed.

[alfredo]

67. There's not many nice guys in the food industry.

I wouldn't eat there.

[Marie26]

71. So messed up

That's what breasts are for.

[aljones]

72. I as a woman, would hate to see some other woman breastfeeding..

in a restaurant i was eating at. If was dining out and a breast-feeding woman just happened to be in my line of sight I would probably get physically ill. I feel like I have the right not to be subjected to gross things while dining out. Why would this woman have waited till she got in the restaurant to feed her baby....why didn't she do it at home or in the car to begin with. I personally would think a woman would want as much privacy as possible when feeding here child like that.

[mainegreen]

74. It's not always easy to predict when a baby will get hungry.

Sometimes they won't eat, and sometimes they demand feeding right now, regardless of where they are.
Would you rather have the baby go hungry and scream?

[aljones]

76. I am not saying that...I just don't understand why a woman

wouldn't want a little more privacy to feed her child. I complete support a woman's right to breast-feed in public. I can just understand why people might not want to be faced with it when eating. Maybe the solution would be have an area set up in the restroom, or other private area, for breast-feeding. Like maybe a comfortable sitting area where a mother would be free to breast-feed her child in relative privacy.

[mainegreen]

79. Interesting.

I think most women would like a private area to breastfeed. I know my wife who is currently breastfeeding prefers it when there is a private area to do that. However the restroom is the wrong place. Breastfeeding in a farty, smelly restroom is cruel, and I really can't imagine the government requiring breastfeeding stations like they require handicap access. In the end it comes down to economics balanced against a child's needs.

I do feel that on a families part that certain restaurants are more appropriate than others. We would never bring our baby to an expensive, white linen restaurant simply out of courtesy to other diners. The baby could cry, we have about 20 pounds of baby stuff in tow everywhere we go, etc etc. But at the local Mexican restaurant? No problem. Of course, I know that often gets people riled up as well (the children at fancy restaurants thing). But being an ex-waiter for a white linen restaurant and having had my family own a fancy French restaurant, my views about dining are more conservative. But then, in that case the restaurant really should have dress policies to indicate this. Anywhere where jeans are acceptable babies are too.

[aljones]

82. I agree completely with you!!

And you are right, the government will never require such a thing. Unfortunately there is no simply answer to this problem, Woman absolutely have the right to breast-feed....but our culture has somehow grown past the stage where public breast-feeding is acceptable to all people. Maybe we should ban baby formula or require a prescription for it. Maybe that would push society back toward acceptance.

[piedmont]

176. When breast-feeding is seen by some as "sick" or "gross," that's not growth

It's insanity.

[Scout1071]

299. That's a good measure for kid friendly restaurants.

If the majority of patrons are in jeans......kids. If the dress code and decor are otherwise, I think it's rude to bring small children.

I'm sure I'll get flamed, but there it is.

[moc]

107. "Faced with it"? Faced with what, exactly?

Not to be rude, but how old are you? Do you have any children yet? Have you ever SEEN a woman bf'ing before?

Except for the briefest moment when a baby latches on, the most you are "faced with" is the image of a baby snuggled against his mother with the fabric of her shirt bunched over his head. You can see the back of the baby's head and that's about it.

What is so offensive about that?

I truly truly do not understand.

[aljones]

127. Maybe you have not seen the disturbing images posted below.

that is what I am referring to....
I am 25...I have no children, because I have chosen to have no children....And yes I have seen a woman breast-feeding before....

in the manner in which you describe the breast-feeding i would find no offense to it...Unfortunately, all instances are not this conservative.

[moc]

137. I have nursed two babies, and everyone in my family has bf'd

their infants. I have NEVER seen someone bf'ing in public with exposed breast.

99.99999% of public breastfeeding IS just as conservative as what I described.

[aljones]

151. then 99.9% of the time, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable...

Because I probably wouldn't even realize what was happening...

[lumpy]

166. Happy to hear you have chosen not to have kids.

nt

[piedmont]

177. What images are you talking about? The Chavez one? nt

[skygazer]

75. "Gross things?"

So should we ban overweight people at restaurants? After all, some people find them gross. Or perhaps people with disabilities - that could be distracting and gross. Hell, some of the food on the menu I might find gross - we should subject the menu to strict scrutiny and get rid of anything that might offend.

If your sensibilities are so delicate that you can't handle the sight of a woman feeding her child - which you don't have to look at, by the way - you shouldn't be going out to restaurants.

Honestly, I don't know what you people think breastfeeding women look like. I breastfed my son and I did it in public and you know what? I'm willing to bet no one ever even knew I was doing it. We don't just whip off our shirt, yell "HEY, LOOK AT ME! I'M BREASTFEEDING!" and proceed to walk around shoving our boobs in your faces.

There is probably less breast showing when a woman is breastfeeding than there is on your average beach.

[aljones]

78. I never said you "whip off our shirt, yell "HEY, LOOK AT ME!"

I am just simply stating that I believe breast-feeding should be done in private in a RESTAURANT.

[Occulus]

84. If you were to actually try to enforce that,

I would hope the woman would see it as age discrimination and sue the piss out of your restaurant.

You have no right to expect any of what you're claiming to expect, owner, operator, or not.

[aljones]

87. Who is an Owner, Operator?

Not me!!

[Occulus]

173. I also said, "or not", which bloody well does include you

Welcome to my ignore list. I've had it with general obtuseness, just for the sake of being obtuse.

You're wrong, you know you're wrong, and you still won't admit it. Goodbye.

[aljones]

191. I am not wrong!!!!

So there is nothing to admit to!!! Obtuse my ass

[youthere]

104. Why in private? Do bottle feeding mothers feed their children in PRIVATE?

It is nothing to be ashamed of or hidden away just because it make YOU uncomfortable. That is YOUR problem..not the nursing mothers problem and certainly not the infants.

[Der Blaue Engel]

81. I feel compelled to repost this from above

and then some of these:









and just for good measure:



Oh, no! Not Jesus, too! Da Vinci, how could you????

[aljones]

85. I'm sorry!! I understand that it is a natural occurrence in all....

but it is still gross...

And just to set the record straight...if I was sitting within view of someone how was a messy eater and had spaghetti sauce all over his face...I would probably ask to switch tables. So even adults eating can be gross.. So I am not anti-baby or anything...

I am Anti-gross stuff..

[JerseygirlCT]

96. Why in the world would you find it gross?

It's probably one of the most beautiful sights in the world, actually.

What is gross about a mother feeding her child?

[myrna minx]

115. Nourishing an infant is gross?

:crazy:

[youthere]

126. You would move for a messy adult but not an nursing infant?

I don't get your logic there.

[Catherine Vincent]

185. You're weird. n/t

[Dora]

222. It is not gross. YOU THINK IT IS GROSS.

There is a difference. Keep your eyes to yourself if it sickens you so.

[ornotna]

244. It doesn't matter if you think it's gross

In Florida it's the law. She had every right to breastfeed her child in public.

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 383.015
1993 Fl. ALS 4; 1993 Fla. Laws ch. 4; 1993 Fla. HB 231

The breast feeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A mother may breast feed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the mother's breast is covered during or incidental to the breast feeding.




All four of my children were breastfed. It's normal. It's natural. And it most certainly is not gross.

[Chovexani]

275. And this is why, despite choosing not to have children

I refuse to call myself childfree. People might mistake me for the whiny, immature brats who call themselves childfree.

If your brain can seriously equate a nursing baby with a messy adult, thank goddess you're not breeding. There's enough stupidity and self-hate floating around the human gene pool.

[kiteinthewind]

297. OMG! Please, do not have children. Please.

:wtf:

[AspenRose]

110. What beautiful pictures. And yes, Jesus was breast fed!!!

http://tinyurl.com/yr3f3r

That thought must make a lot of overly-religious, prudish people's heads explode.

[yasmina27]

220. Those are magnificent pictures!

Rest of you - phooey! - get a life!

[tammywammy]

229. What great pictures.

:)

I like the mom in the tub. I imagine she's has a long hard day and there she is relaxing and the baby latches on. :)

[Name removed]

77. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TahitiNut]

86. Yikes. I, on the other hand, get a feeling of peace and nurturing - it's a "mammal thing."

It seems ENTIRELY appropriate and peaceful to notice a mother nursing her infant ... thousands of times more civilized and sane than the hostilities many seem to show in public. Cell phones? No. Nursing infants? Yes.

[JerseygirlCT]

92. Please tell me this is an attempt at humor? nt

[youthere]

101. Then you should excuse yourself and go eat in the bathroom.

[aljones]

111. Why would I eat a meal..I Am Paying For...in the bathroom...

[youthere]

119. If you find other patrons so offensive...

breastfeeding and children with messy mouths, you need to go elsewhere, or pay for a PRIVATE room for yourself.

[riderinthestorm]

131. Why should the mother and the baby, who are eating a meal they paid for, go sit in the bathroom

for part of their meal?

[ruiner4u]

227. uhh excuse me....but...

The meal the mother is paying for is not immediately metabolized for mammary use..

Tell the freeloading kid to suck it up <heh> an get a job!


Sorry, couldn't resist...

:sarcasm:

[Forkboy]

262. I'm surprised you go out at all if you're so easily offended.

I would think just a routine run to the store must expose you to so much offensive stuff your head must spin.

[gollygee]

307. Now you're starting to catch on anyway

When I had a baby, and when I was at a restaurant and she got hungry, I didn't want to leave my food while it got cold either.

[JerseygirlCT]

114. There's the answer! Plate stuff up for people who are too

wigged out to watch a baby eat, and let THEM eat in the bathroom!

I love it!

[Dora]

118. Those "gross" things are your issues.

There is nothing "gross" about breastfeeding.

The best way to deal with it is to avert your gaze.

[slutticus]

122. I'm having trouble understanding how this is "gross"

Seriously. Please help me understand because I just don't get it.

It's a little baby eating the way nature intended.

I'm quite disturbed by the segment of our society that would get "physically ill" from something like this. It's truly is alarming.

[youthere]

132. Let them "be ill". Maybe if they see it often enough..

they will become less sensitive about it and finally shut the hell up.

[CBGLuthier]

134. gross things?

Gross Things?

Just exactly what kind of woman are you?

[Sequoia]

136. I, as a woman, would not care.

What the hell is wrong with people. Damn, what if all the milk in bottles was contaminated, and most cow milk has that crap in it. I bf'd my baby for over a year and would sometimes give her a soy bottle because mother nature was not kind to me in the topside department. Now my daughter is tall, beautiful, and healthy. Thank you God.

[kcass1954]

167. Breastfeeding is one of the LEAST gross things you'll ever do for your child. n/t

[Maine-ah]

174. here ya go hun. This is me feeding BB Maine-ah.

gross? wtf do you think they were made for?

[MissB]

180. What an absolutely beautiful picture.

Your baby looks so content.

I know that some moms can't breastfeed for various reasons, but I've encouraged my friends to try it out. There has only been one friend (my closest, of course :rofl: ) that decided against breastfeeding.

[Catherine Vincent]

186. That's a beautiful picture of a DUer and a future DUer!

:thumbsup:

[Maine-ah]

194. thanks, both of you.

it was a lot of work for us. We're pros at it now though. Almost every time I am posting or reading here, BB is at my breast.:hi:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

228. Awwwww... that brings back beautiful memories of my nursing my sons. My oldest is

20 and 20 years ago I nursed everywhere. In restaurants, in malls, on trains, buses, in parks. If they were hungry, that was it. I never, ever, had one person complain.

[MissB]

179. Gross?

Um, feeding your baby is perfectly natural. I'm assuming here (and do feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) that you've never birthed a baby before? If so, you probably don't realize how frequently they feed. Babies tend to fall asleep during car rides, so it isn't at all strange for a baby to want to nurse after getting inside a building.

I'm astounded at the lack of basic human functions around here.

[SemperEadem]

181. don't confuse a right with an overbearing sense of entitlement

no you don't have a right for anyone else to police your eyes to keep you from oogling something that's none of your business. Stay home if you can't police your own vision.

[Coexist]

210. as a mom who nursed three kids - I would say that a baby get hungry

when a baby gets hungry. Sorry it would make you ill, but my baby is more important than some strangers odd queasiness at the sight of my child eating.

[GenDem]

218. I'm right there with ya, FLDem5

I breast fed all three of mine, exclusively. None of them would take a bottle, so was I suppose to stay inside for 15 months until weaning? I think not.
I breastfed all of them (discreetly, mind you) wherever we happened to be, because like you said a baby gets hungry. 99% of the time the people that happened to be in my presence never even knew. I drooped a receiving blanket over the breast for a little extra discretion.

[SarahB]

217. It's obvious from the lounge you think this is a joke.

Would you think it's right to kick a gay couple out of a restaurant because that offends narrow-minded, uneducated individuals? I doubt it. There are still plenty of people in the world uncomfortable with that. I'm not one of them, but where do you get off making other people accommodate your comfort level because of your admitted ignorance of a subject? Grow up and read a book on human physiology, deal with your own body issues, or whatever. Please. :eyes:

[Clark2008]

243. Do you have children?

The reason I ask is because you've obviously never noticed that, just like little kids and adults, alike, babies get hungry when they smell food, too.

That's Pavlovian, but natural. The baby probably smelled the food on the table and got hungry. Normal, natural and very common.

My little boy used to cry for food the minute we sat down to dinner because the smell of our food made him hungry. I expect that will be true of the girl I'll be giving birth to in a few weeks, as well.

[phylny]

252. Nursing a baby is a gross thing?

You must live a very sheltered life that you would get physically ill if you saw a mother nursing a baby "like that."

[mike_c]

303. "...gross things...?"

Huh? Mammals have been feeding their offspring for tens of millions of years. When did it become "gross?"

[taterguy]

88. If I have to step outside to smoke, breastfeeders should do the same

Both activities are convenient for the practitioners but noxious to those around them.

Simple coutesy dictates that you not annoy your fellow man.

[matcom]

99. oh man

:popcorn:

[riderinthestorm]

106. Sheesh, wanna bet your thread now goes over 300 posts?

Please pass the salt.

:popcorn:

[youthere]

108. Can I have some of that?

So rarely does one get to witness a crucifixion up close.

[Midlodemocrat]

155. Move over and give me some of that.

[scorpiogirl]

100. Hardly comparable!

Are you saying you are some "eating" breast milk when someone breastfeeds near you? Hardly the same as "eating" someone else's cigarette smoke. Sheesh!

[JerseygirlCT]

102. Ridiculous

Feeding the child is a nurturing activity that does no harm whatsoever to anyone else.

Smoking contributes noxious and dangerous fumes to the air that everyone must breathe.

Your smoking is dangerous to everyone involved: you and everyone in the restaurant. Breastfeeding harms no one.

If the sight of a woman feeding her baby so offends, perhaps you should just stay home.

[scorpiogirl]

103. Yes, it seems some people should just stay home

if they're that sensitive!

[RC Quake]

214. That's what I do.

I don't go out anymore because I can't handle women breastfeeding. It's simple. I used to get all warm and fuzzy when I would see that...until I found out I could never have children. If I see a woman breastfeeding, I literally break down into tears because I will never experience the ONLY thing in life I ever wanted...to have a child.

There are valid reasons for why some people just can't be around it. And yes, I do choose to stay home. I haven't gone to a restaurant in over 3 years. It makes me physically ill to see it. Enough said.

[scorpiogirl]

219. I'm so sorry for your situation. I never had reproductive issues

so I don't know what it's like. I was referring, however, to those who claim it is "gross" and are offended by it. It sounds like what you experience is more psychological.

[piedmont]

246. I'm sorry RC Quake. nt

[AspenRose]

113. It isn't like the baby can choose when they get hungry, either

Wow, we CAN judge a society based on how they treat the young and the elderly, can't we? An adult habit (and a harmful one at that) being compared to a baby's natural function (hunger/eating). How sad. *shaking head*

[taterguy]

120. Do I choose when I get a craving for a cigarette?

Your knowledge of nicotine addiction is a bit limited.

[AspenRose]

133. Admittedly, yes. I don't smoke.

At some point in your life, though, you CHOSE to begin smoking. What happens after that, the cravings, are a consequence of your choices.

When a baby gets hungry is not a choice. It's a natural function.

[SemperEadem]

184. you chose to begin smoking. Hunger is an involuntary occurance

in the human being. Not even hardly the same nor will it ever be.

[Warren DeMontague]

209. So what you're saying is, then, that smoking has made you into

a giant baby.

[Forkboy]

264. As Clinton says,"When you find yourself in a hole quit digging."

[mondo joe]

272. When breastfeeding squirts milk into the bodies of everyone nearby you'll have a case.

But you don't.

[taterguy]

125. Cigarettes nurture me

They provide me with a contented peaceful feeling. Those around me enjoy my company a lot more when I'm not jonesing for a smoke.

There are fumes but there are fumes associated with a lot of human activities that we don't ban.

If merely walking outside is too much of an inconvenience for you then you should probably be getting more exercise in the first place.

[kwassa]

147. yes, they'll nuture you right into an early grave.

Maybe they nurture the cemetary business.

You, not so much.

[taterguy]

158. Who are you to say what nurtures me?

I think I can make my own judgments about that thank you very much.

[kwassa]

172. You're very welcome, of course!

You are nurtured by cigarettes. Tee hee.

Nurture away! Just don't do it in my space, thank you very much.

[JerseygirlCT]

164. You know, you really are being ridiculous

Call them nurturing if you like, but please keep that deadly nurturing from others who don't have your twisted sense of "nurturing".

I'm sorry you're addicted to them, but cigarettes are killers, period.

[taterguy]

170. Different strokes for different folks and we live in a free country

Where exactly can you go and not be exposed to toxins produced by others?

Tell me, I'd like to know.

Is there some auto-free paradise that I'm unaware of?

Do I call auto users twisted? Uh no, I respect their right to make choices that I dont make and get on with my life.

[kwassa]

188. What do your toxins had to do with breast feeding?

Nothing.

[WindRavenX]

123. lol

just...:rofl:

Classic. Comparing smoking to breastfeeding :rofl:

Close the thread. It ain't getting better than this!!

[matcom]

124. ....

:spray:

[slutticus]

138. ...

I see your :rofl:

And raise you :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:



It DOES NOT get better than that!

WOW.

[piedmont]

140. Smoking=poisoning people around you. Breastfeeding=providing nourishment to a baby

Yeah, they're real similar.

[aljones]

162. breastfeeding = me being physically ill!!!

atleast second hand smoke doesn't make me :puke:

[piedmont]

163. Then you have issues to deal with.

Seeing someone eat shouldn't make a healthy person physically ill.

[Solon]

175. There is something seriously wrong with you...

I mean, by definition, being a straight guy, you would think it would be distracting to me, but it isn't, to be frank, you need therapy of some sort. This coming from someone who HAD to be bottle fed, because of the medication my Mom has to take.

[Forkboy]

265. Wow.....this thread just gets better.

I can't believe I waited so long to confront this blatant dumbassedness.

[piedmont]

269. Oh, the breastfeeding threads are always the most entertaining.

For whatever reason, people who have squeamishness, psychological, and/or and ignorance issues involving breasts or breast-feeding feel very much inclined to share them with the DU community. The guaranteed result is hilarity.

[bullwinkle428]

141. Dude, you posted a picture of your bare ass in the Lounge not too long ago -

please tell me your post is supposed to be joking! :rofl:

[taterguy]

200. Who said it was my ass?

Do I seem like the person that would risk frost bite and other serious medical problems just for a cheap laugh?

I think not.

[Forkboy]

266. Yes

[uppityperson]

144. Is there such a thing as "secondhand milk"? milk=smoke? wow.

Breastmilk feeds babies. What does smoke feed?

[piedmont]

169. Ooh! Ooh! I know!

"Breastmilk feeds babies. What does smoke feed? "

[SemperEadem]

182. how utterly stupid

simple courtesy dictates that you keep your stupidity to yourself and not annoy the adults.

Breastmilk doesn't infiltrate the air and get ingested into the stomachs of anyone but the baby at the breast. IF you don't want to be bothered, stay home. You won't be missed.

[taterguy]

224. Some people think it's stupid to stifle dissent

I guess you're not smart enough to know about a document called the First Amendment.

I happen to believe in dialog and discussion. It's how society evolves.

[piedmont]

230. No one here is taking anyone's First Amendment right from them.

You don't have the right to not be ridiculed for your opinions.

[Name removed]

193. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ScreamingMeemie]

213. It's comments like these that make me want to have another baby...

almost. I'm not nuts, but come on. That is a completely ridiculous comparison.

[gollygee]

234. Oh yeah - breastfeeding and smoking

it makes perfect sense to link those two things. Same thing exactly.


:sarcasm:

[Forkboy]

263. I've got to hand it to ya....

[RB TexLa]

117. The type of feeding doesn't matter to me, I don't care for small children being around eating in any

manner.

Just like no smoking sections the certianly could have no child sections.

[Midlodemocrat]

156. Me neither. I don't eat with them.

:rofl:

[GirlinContempt]

232. Are you a doctor?

[michaelwb]

129. Big picture here

It's a restaurant, you're not supposed to bring your own food in.

She should have left her breasts outside!

;-)

[youthere]

135. LOL!

YES! Clearly the mother should have opted for the screw-on nipples. LOL!

[mainegreen]

143. Screw on nipples!

So, would a mother have interchangeble nipples? One for every occasion?
Black for funerals, white for weddings, pink for a spring day at the beach?





This thread deserves a Duzy!

[youthere]

146. I think you're on to something!

Maybe some light-up ones for when she goes clubbing or I'd like to see holiday themed ones. For April Fool's Day perhaps they would be in the shape of little penis' or something.

[uppityperson]

145. did the baby have shoes and shirt on?

[Dora]

223. Some restaurants allow you to bring your own bevs.

:shrug:

[Der Blaue Engel]

231. Wonder what the "corking fee" would be for breastfeeding?

:rofl:

[Rockholm]

161. Too bad the restaurant wasn't Hooters.

[TahitiNut]

206. Why would you want to confuse an infant?

:evilgrin:

[Rockholm]

225. Any boob in a storm.

[Oddball]

294. Any Boob

One if by Land,
Two if by Sea.
And I at the opposite
Table will be.
Willingly cordial,
I cooperate.
Happy to allow you,
To titillate.

[piedmont]

204. What if a CHILD saw it? Won't anyone think of the cildren?

In case you didn't catch it, that was :sarcasm:

[underpants]

205. JASPER!!!

:bounce:

[SarahB]

215. I gave my opinion.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x772366

I gave it it's own thread. I can't believe we still have to put up with this crap. I can't believe the behavior of some people who call themselves progressives either. :eyes:

[gollygee]

235. These threads always make me angry

It drives me crazy. How can anyone, but particularly a progressive person, think that women ought to be feeding their babies in a TOILET because it bothers them to see a baby nursing? STUPID.

[cgrindley]

236. Keep infants at home

I didn't RTFA so I don't know what sort of restaurant they were at, but if I'm going out to anywhere half decently nice, I don't want to go out to a restaurant and see infants even if they're peaceful, christ-like, sweet and silent. If I'm going out to eat, I want to be in a childfree environment. I have a 16 year old, twin 13 year olds and have one on the way. There's never a good reason to take an infant out to a restaurant and wreck everyone else's meals.

The breastfeeding part is meaningless. Women should breastfeed their infants wherever they want. But really... if you're going out to a fancy restaurant, do NOT bring your stupid children. I don't want to see them eat or sit or fall asleep in your lap or hear their little voices.

[gollygee]

239. Oh god two flame issues in one thread

Breastfeeding in public

AND

Children in restaurants.

Oh wait, smoking made it in this one too. That's three.

[cgrindley]

241. Hey, I'm not against breastfeeding infants in public

but if they're old enough to ask for it, undo your bra, lift up your shirt, yeah, I'm against that.

[gollygee]

242. My daughter never figured out how to undo my bra

My husband still has trouble sometimes.

But she found her own little ways to ask for it from a surprisingly young age.

[piedmont]

245. A question...

"but if they're old enough to ask for it, undo your bra, lift up your shirt, yeah, I'm against that."

why?

[cgrindley]

247. An answer

cause it's freaking gross.

[piedmont]

248. Why is it "freaking gross" to nurse a child past your cut-off? nt

[cgrindley]

250. Cause it just is, that's why

and it smacks of coddling and indulgence. I also read it as a statement of parental self-importance and rudeness. It's so unnecessary from so many perspectives that it can only be either an attempt to challenge and provoke or clear evidence of utter brainlessness. Sometimes you just feel like someone should say: "hey, jackass, put that thing away. no one needs to see that. buy your damn kid a coke. what is he, nine?"

[piedmont]

240. I'm glad you don't make the rules, 'cause I LOVE seeing babies at restaurants. nt

[Forkboy]

267. I am shocked...SHOCKED I tell you,to see you saying this.

You've been such a shining beacon of progressive thought here on DU!

[cgrindley]

277. How is not wanting children in grown up restaurants

a progressive plank in anyone's progressive platform? That's just idiotic. Socialized healthcare? That's progressive. Free higher education? That's progressive. Support for gay marriage? That's progressive. Taking children to restaurants? That's annoying.

[Forkboy]

296. I'd say the adults are closer to acting like babies than the babies are.

[bling bling]

268. You don't want to "see kids sit or fall asleep or hear their little voices...."

Sucks to be you that you live in a world where stupid children are allowed to eat at "half decently nice" places.

On the other hand, you're lucky to live in a country where "me, me, me, me, me, me" is actually an acceptable attitude.

[cgrindley]

276. If I am dropping over 100 bucks on dinner

I don't want to see a drooling hysterical brat or its idiot parents. When I had young children, I tried my hardest to minimize their impact on the lives of others. It's the polite thing to do. Children are irritating in adult contexts. Take the horrid monsters to Chuck E. Cheese or the Olive Garden or McDonalds, but keep them away from the adult world.

[mondo joe]

274. Then go eat in bars, where children are not permitted.

Provided they're not intruding on MY meal I don't care who is at the other tables.

[cgrindley]

279. Really?

My wife and I have walked out of restaurants because of the terrible behavior of irritating people sitting at nearby tables. Why should some diners be allowed to ruin the experience of others? This is such a self-centered and impolite country as it is. People should just shut their stupid traps in restaurants, speak in low tones, put away their assholish cellphones, and keep their awful children at home.

[mondo joe]

280. I said PROVIDED THEY ARE NOT INTRUDING ON MY MEAL. If they are loud they (obviously)

are intrusive so I do mind.

There are well behaved kids and adults, and poorly behaved kids and adults.

[cgrindley]

306. True true true

Well behaved kids are a joy to see in public. It's good to tell their parents, too. A little compliment here and there is really rewarding for parents to hear.

[Clark2008]

237. I'd tell management to kiss my ass and pay for my dinner.

If my baby can't eat, then I don't want their slop.

[Madspirit]

238. People who disapprove are ....

I find it totally disgusting that anyone could disapprove of feeding a baby in public. I live in Austin. It's legal here for women to go topless...google it...and we have a legal nude beach. I guess I just don't find anything dirty about the human body. I find it heartwarming when women feed their babies. It's touching and natural and one of the good things in life.

Anyone who has a problem with it needs some help...stat.
Lee

[cgrindley]

249. the human body isn't necessarily dirty or disgusting

but certain bodies are. No one needs to see me naked, and I'm not even in that bad of shape. I'm 40 and of average build, a little on the short side at 5'7". My teeth are okay. I have really nice hair. I get regular manicures and pedicures. But naked in public? No one needs to see that.

Just because people CAN do something doesn't mean that they SHOULD.

I agree. A woman breastfeeding an infant is a sweet and inoffensive sight.

[Writer]

251. Excuse me, excuuuuuse me - can I ask a question?

Why not pump the breast milk into bottles and bring those when you're out? Just curious...

[phylny]

253. Many babies will not accept anything artificial.

Our oldest would not use a bottle, no matter what kind of nipple I put on it.

Plus, it's so much easier to nurse :)

[SarahB]

254. Plus, when it's from the source...

1. no spoilage
2. perfect temp
3. better for orthodonic development
4. more attractive packaging

[Texasgal]

255. Why?

Why should anyone HAVE to do that to pacify some uppity people?

I once had a cousin ( I no longer associate him with my family ) That was disgusted by two males holding hands outside a local resturant...Yeah, this argument could be used by freakish people who cannot stand to see a mother nourishing her child.

Think about it.

[mondo joe]

273. Why make life more inconvenient???????

No reason to pump and have to carry it around when you can get by without.

[gollygee]

282. I can only speak for myself personally

I tried to do that but my baby wouldn't accept a bottle under any circumstances. Trust me, my nursing her was less obnoxious and disturbing than her screaming at the top of her little lungs because I was trying to get her to accept a bottle.

[fortyfeetunder]

310. One side effect of carrying breast milk in bottles.

One day I did carry a bottle of mommy's finest since we were out and about for the day, and it was carried in Mr 40'under's backpack. The constant jostling of the backpack through the day -- in an insulated cold pack -- resulted in my milk separating to a "mommy-milk butter" which clogged the nipple, and the remainder of the liquid-- ended up nursing the kid anyway.....

[Writer]

257. Excuse me, excuuuuuse me - can I make a comment?

Since this is such a HOT political topic ("hot" as in ssssssssss) I thought I'd chip in as to why I'm so surprised that this is the standard "progressive" position on public breastfeeding.

I always thought of breastfeeding as a branch of the anti-abortion movement. The opinion that says that a woman must strip herself of her physical independence, of her ability to make choices, and do what God has deemed to her to do - produce and mother children. She is not to decide when to conceive, is not to decide whether to keep the baby, and should consider staying at home to care for the child if possible. Because, according to anti-abortionists, that's the woman's role. A woman's body is a vessel of life - one not to be tampered - and should also provide nourishment for the baby through breastfeeding.

A simple google search for "breastfeeding Christianity" produces results like this:
http://www.birthandbreastfeeding.com/mamma%27s_manna.htm

Or this:
http://geocities.com/Heartland/8148/ezzo.html

So I've been taken aback by many of the thoughts here regarding breastfeeding. Putting aside the ordering of mothers from public places (which is itself a civil rights issue), the rather vociferous nature ("breastfeeding is best for the baby...") implying, essentially, that you're less of a mother if you don't (isn't there something fundy about that idea?) seems to follow more the fundamentalist ideology than the progressive philosophy. I had to go back and recall mothers in my own world to figure out if they breast fed. Now, admittedly, my mother is psycho and not a good source for this (;))so I asked my husband, who told me that his mother did not breastfeed him because he didn't take to her nipple. (And I heard this happens a lot.) From what I can see, my husband and his two younger siblings are healthy, his mom is in her mid-60's and is healthy (no breast cancer). He didn't develop trust issues because he wasn't breast fed. Everything seems copasetic in this particular non-breastfeeding system.

So, when I have a baby I'll probably breastfeed immediately after birth, but likely put my breast milk in a bottle so that I can have my independence while the baby receives his or her nourishment. I don't feel like wearing special garments out in public. I want to do it my way, and I resent breastfeeding through peer pressure. Given the amount of H.A.T.E. I have read upthread (which has been deleted, THANK GOODNESS), I'm sure someone will find a way to badmouth me. If that's the case, and I can't have my choice because I'm not doing "what's right for the baby" then who really is the progressive here?

Toodles,

Writer.

[bling bling]

270. Smile and nod.

Yeah, it's annoying when people get all in-your-face and pushy about breastfeeding. I didn't breastfeed but I didn't get much pressure. However, I know other women who did and it was really hard on them. Screw that. Seriously. If that happens to you, just smile and nod. And it's not just with breastfeeding. You'll find all kinds of people who are experts about children (when it comes to YOURS!!).

When that happens, don't argue. Don't defend yourself. It's seriously not worth it. Just smile and nod. And then go right on and continue doing whatever you want to do.

[krabigirl]

271. Wow! I totally agree with you.

As someone who wanted to breastfeed, but with a daughter who was unable to latch, and had to pump, and then formula-feed after my milk supply went away at 2 months, it's been difficult. I've had to deal with so much judgment. I hate that I have to explain "why" I am not nursing. It's no one's business.

Although I agree that breast milk is the ideal, formula is second best...and sometimes saves a mother's sanity. I sometimes feel that the overzealous moms who have made comments about my bottles have many of the same traits as fundy Christians. I know that not ALL bf moms are like this, but many lactivists are, and it frightens me to be honest.

[SarahB]

284. "I always thought of breastfeeding as a branch of the anti-abortion movement."

That has not been my experience at all. Sure, fundies breastfed. So do liberal vegans. So do educated Europeans. So do sub-Saharan dwellers. So do rich. So do poor. Probably Hitler was even breastfed!

You can choose to breastfed (or not). Or part of the time. I worked at least part-time when I was breastfeeding my kids and so I had to pump or occasionally use formula. It was an extra job though. Babies are hard work and if you don't have to do an extra job when it isn't necessary (and sleep deprived), it sure makes life easier. Sometimes you have to though. Sometimes nursing mom even wants a little break. I know I did.

To say 'breastfeeding is best' isn't an attack on anyone and people need to own their feelings about that. It's no different than saying "smoking isn't as good for your health". It's just a medical fact, not a personal attack. To say "you're a bad parent for not breastfeeding" is a personal attack because people still have a right to make choices, plus you can't know other person's personal or medical issues (nor are their reasons anyone else's business). No one said this that I'm aware of. Should we not say particular medical facts because it might make some people feel defensive? A medical fact should not be confused with a personal attack. They are separate things.

Ultimately, do what you need to do for yourself and your family. Just be careful to not judge other people for their choices yourself when they are ultimately not doing anything wrong themselves.

[fortyfeetunder]

285. Here is a book recommendation....

http://www.amazon.com/Our-Babies-Ourselves-Biology-Culture/dp/0385483627

Our Babies, Ourselves by Meredith Small

It's a study of ethnopediatrics. Outside the puritanical, sexually repressed/perverted US, concepts like breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc. are not debatable, they are part of those cultures.

I think you went way off left field on the breastfeeding advocates being a branch of the anti-abortion movement. And this book can help you understand the issue.

[Writer]

288. Thank you for the book title. I have a recommendation for you, too.

It's called "Mediated" by Thomas de Zengotita. A portion of it explores the "cult of the child," where every other part of culture must bend over and pay deference to the child in society... and that the things we believe we're doing "for the good of the child" are a result of mediated concepts we hear and read about, not from our own gut instinct. It's quite enlightening.

And again, thank you for the book reference.

[fortyfeetunder]

304. OK, I ordered it from the library

Though the library's title is called:

Mediated : how the media shapes your world and the way you live in it

SO this is a book about media manipulation from an anthropologist -- so I am curious how does this book have to do with ethnocentric/ethnopediatric context to it?

I think Our Babies Ourselves, might be an "apples to oranges" context to Mediated because it talks about child rearing from a global perspective. Outside the Western culture, child raising is a different construct....

But I will definitely read the book and report back on the Lounge....

[SPKrazy]

301. wow

:thumbsup:

[kiteinthewind]

295. The point here is that women who CHOOSE to BF should be allowed to do so whenever the infant is

hungry. If it makes YOU uncomfortable then YOU should leave. This argument that BF makes women less free is just BS. If you choose NOT to BF, fine. If you choose to BF, fine. Either way it is still your choice, however the FACT is that breastfeeding reduces infant mortality and there is overwhelming, scientific proof that, for a huge variety of health issues, BF makes kids healthier. Period. We know that smoking or breathing second hand smoke during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus and can result in preterm birth, the #1 cause of death in infants the first month of life, and smoking 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day during pregnancy increases the infants chances of dying of SIDS by 70%. We know that alcohol consumption, even small amounts, during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the leading cause of Mental Retardation. Why should women NOT be encouraged to breastfeed if they want to increase the chances of a healthier child. Informed choice. No one said women should stay home and not have a life in order to breastfeed. Lots of women work full time and breastfeed their child. And you don't have to wear 'special garments', you can go breastfeed in private, etc. if that makes you more comfortable. You can choose not to breastfeed, but don't punish or impede women who choose to BF by saying it is okay to throw them out of restaurants or off planes. It's not. This is just a bullshit argument.:argh:

[SPKrazy]

300. So now the American Society Of Pediatrics

is part of the anti abortion movement since they recommend breastfeeding ???

:rofl:

[Retired AF Dem]

283. This is the country that so many have helped to create

we can offend no one.

[npincus]

286. No offense, but I don't find this particularly appetizing...

as I wouldn't want to watch her change her kid's diaper while I'm eating out... I am a woman and breastfed my kid until I dried up, literally. She could have excused herself and done it in the Ladies Room, or in her car.

Here's a question for her: why didn't she carry a bottle of breastmilk? I used to pump and keep a bunch handy in the frig.

[Oddball]

287. Apples and Oranges

Comparing changing a diaper to breastfeeding is missing the point. She wasn't changing a diaper. She was feeding her baby. She shouldn't have to "excuse herself" to the ladies room for that.

If you don't find watching her feed her baby "appetizing", then don't watch. Most women I have seen breastfeeding in public have a little blanket or something like that and have only one breast accessible at a given moment and it is minimally visible if at all.

It isn't as if she were dancing around topless singing, "My Milkshake keeps the boys in the yard..."

[achtung_circus]

305. .

:spray:

Welcome to DU

[fortyfeetunder]

302. Once again the question others have asked

Why should she excuse herself by going to the restroom to feed her baby? Would you eat your meals in the restroom? Breastfeeding is a eating function, not a toilet function.

[mondo joe]

308. I don't think it's appropriate to take your issues out on other people.

There's no reason to pump ahead of time - she had her own natural feeding mechanism.

[piedmont]

309. Honestly, WHY would you think it's ok to feed a baby in a public toilet? nt