To the similac-loving douche-bags at Park Lane mall on tuesday the 24th who complained about me breastfeeding my baby boy.. what do you think we have breasts for? When he’s f-ing hungry, I’ll f-ing feed him. And to the dickhead security guard who asked me to leave.. it’s not f-ing nudity and it’s not offensive. It’s the most god-damned natural thing on this f-ing planet. Assholes. Don’t worry, you’ll never have to see these tits again.
This article appears in Jul 10-16, 2008.
Please contact me at timb@thecoast.ca. I’d love to talk to you further about this.
Don’t let those assholes win, STHB. You are beautiful, smart and strong and should be proud of yourself for nursing in public. Your kid is lucky to have such a great mom. If I had been there I would have fought tooth and nail, on your behalf for your (and by extension everyone else’s) right to nurse. Most people think it is a natural and awe inspiring thing to see and are supportive. I hope from here on in, that only kind and helpful things are said to you and your baby when you’re together. I’d be more than happy to call up Park Lane, and bitch at them for you. Just say the word.
I like titty’s. Titty’s have never harmed anyone. Let the titty’s be.
Don’t worry. Dumb Canadians NEED bylaws to tell them how to feel, act, behave, etc. Pay attention and you’ll see Ontario is setting the precedent not only by allowing women to go topless if they want to but they’re actually creating bylaw to ensure women can breastfeed wherever they happen to be when baby’s hungry and NO there are NO preconceptions about discretion. Look out HRM, soon enough government will pass another fucking bylaw and all of you, pro-tittie or not, can get over it.
I think miles nailed it right on the head- breastfeeding is beutiful, natural, and a woman’s right. it’s not the mother’s problem if someone else is uncomfortable. BUT no matter how enlightened or supportive of breast feeding someone is, I think it is hard, in the current society in which we are all raised and live, not to be uncomfortably-shifty eyed, unsure of where to look. as in, if you’re so comfy and proud breast feeding your baby not trying to be a little discreat, does that mean I, or anyone else, including men, can stare openly at your breasts? the decorum thing is more a consideration to avoid bigger problems, not stifle a child’s nutrition.
KAY, small clarification.Ontario isnt going to make any new bylaws or anything of the sort. Back in the 80’s or 90’s when the woman made that statement in downtown Kitchener, a judge threw out the case on the grounds that it discriminated in the sense that she could not go topless on a hot day, but men could.However, the fact the judge said this, doesnt mean new law was written. In fact the debate was held many years ago and what was determined is that each case could go before judges on thier own merit. Police can still charge some lady with being topless in public, (not breastfeeding) and the charge of causing a disturbance would be administered. This was the case at Wasaga beach about 7 years ago when some hot chicks thought they would challenge the law. They lost.Common misconception that the law was changed when in fact it wasnt.
that being said, im with pretty much everyone in here. i have no issues with a breastfeeding mom
Vive Libre Titties!!!!!!!!!!!!
E pluribus titty…
Uh thats Latin for:The more titties the better…(not a literal translation but pretty close)
Quoting Jennie: “So what do you suggest, Lilac? These commercials should show eight-year-old girls attempting to breast feed a doll? Surely that’s not what you meant, because that’s one of the most insane things I’ve ever heard…”How I responded; “I did not suggest that someone should nurse in a commercial, only that what you see in a commercial is ALWAYS bottlefeeding. It’s never seen in televisions shows and very rarely in movies. We see bottles and that’s pretty much it. We’re raised to be ashamed of our breasts from a young age and to be told to cover them to the point that many of us never breastfeed our children because of fear of public scrutiny. Thanks for adding to that fear, Jennie.”I said in my next comment exactly what I had meant, however you ignored that for some reason and just went off on some inane self serving agenda without including new information or any relevant, logical or accurate facts (nevermind empathy). People like me had to FIGHT for your right to nurse in public at a later point, whether or not you choose to, if or when the time comes for you to have little ones of your own. You can thank us, support us or kindly suck my big fat titties and get out of my way. If you do not currently nurse a child or have children then I’m really tired of your ignorant bitching about what you believe to be the rights of mothers and children, or the proper place for them on this site. I’ve read how you feel about children on numerous ocassions, as responses to numerous bitches or comments regarding little ones and their moms and dads. Well, babies are children, too.Get off my tit you friggin troll. : )
Oh, and E pluribus titty : )That’s, like, really great…
All kidding aside, I honestly can’t believe that in 2008 that breastfeeding in public is still a debatable issue…Is there any real valid point at all for the con side of the argument??WTF are these prudes afraid of?? OP: I hope you contact Tim if you haven’t already… And Lilac I Lika your style on the coast…
Uh, Lilac? Perhaps you missed the part where I said I support breastfeeding 100%. So, I don’t feel the need to “suck your big fat titties”, as you so eloquently put.All I did was question a statement you made which I find truly bizzare. There’s no need to read into that that I think mothers should hide in a corner to feed their children.And while you’re at it, stop trying to portray me as some child-hating monster. No, I don’t have kids myself, but I spend A LOT of time with children. About half my friends have kids, and I have neices and nephews I adore. When the time is right, I plan on having a family myself.So enough with your ramblings. It’s unfounded.
Good for you. Breast-milk is the perfect food for your boy, and you should be able to feed him anywhere. It outrages me that someone would complain. Doesn’t NS have a policy about this?
I hope you do contact the Coast and make this story public. I also hope you contact the mall management, and the security company if possible.You could also make a Human Rights complaint if you don’t get anywhere with them: http://gov.ns.ca/humanrights/complaints/default.htmBreastfeeding is supposed to be protected as a Human Right. See this government story:http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20000112001Good luck!
I agree that breast feeding is important for both baby and mother, and there should be nothing wrong with doing it in public. That said however, I have seen several moms nursing in public and have noticed various levels of discretion used. Most moms seem to go to a more quiet location to feed or they are covered so as to expose little to no skin. At the other end of the spectrum I have seen mothers expose their entire breast in order to feed in the middle of a very busy area, like a food court in a mall. Breasts in our society are both sexual and nutritional (for lack of a better word) and I think the sexual element is more prevalent than the nursing element. Therefore, if you are exposing your breasts in public, even if it is to feed your child, it is not unreasonable to expect people to be offended by that or consider it public nudity. Maybe that is wrong, but that is reality. Since it is easy to be discreet when breatfeeding, I think that is the more appropriate way to nurse in public.
But Miles, breasts are so highly sexualized because they are treated as a taboob. Maintaining the taboob because of old Victorian prudery just keeps the practice of breast feeding from becoming “normalized”, therefore reinforcing the taboob, and so on and so on…
I’d call the security guard a boob but, as we can obviously see, a boob is useful. Park Lame should be slapped hard on the knuckles over this one.
I wouldn’t say breasts are taboo Jammie….open a magazine, or watch a music video….breasts are front and center and are totally in right now. I think we are living the opposite of Victorian prudishness. I think it is just polite to be discreet about breast feeding when in public.
The laws state that women and infants are allowed to nurse anywhere at anytime. It’s sad that women feel that they have to do it in corners or bathrooms away from everyone else, or as I commonly see, with a blanket covering the breast and therefore the entire baby’s head. We shouldn’t place laws on women’s bodies just because some of us are made to feel uncomfortable by so-called public nudity. IT”S A BABY AND MOTHER NURSING FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! A lot more mothers would choose to nurse if they weren’t made to feel as if it is an embarassment or a crime. When you see commercials on T.V., for dolls, you see bottles, not nursing practising. We’re socialised from a young age to believe it’s an odd or unnatural thing to do. Like formula in a bottle or staying at home for two to three years or only nursing in dark, discreet places is normal. What does this say about our society that no one stood up for this woman and her child in a downtown mall? Halifax has some serious issues when it comes to giving families equal rights and considerations here. Learn some tolerance for moms and kids people!
If some rent-a -cop made any comment to me about breast feeding in public I would slap him with my nurse-free boob…..that should shut him up or maybe even knock him out!
Breasts are highly sexualised and “in” right now, but not in a way that empowers women or gives them the freedom to choose what it is that they want to do with their own boobage : )Women in magazines and videos might be showing large amounts of cleavage (most of it fake, well, I think Aquilara or whatever her name is might be real as her milk just came in recently, but besides that : ), but down here on Earth, it’s not socially acceptable in many ways, with our Post-Victorian taboos. When women had more rights, they also had more exposed cleavage :DI’m all for women showing either a little or a lot of décolletage, anytime, anywhere.People behave strangely when they’re around breasts. I’m fairly well-endowed and I know, that it actually restricts the sort of clothing choices I can make due to how others may perceive me. Even on the hottest day of the year, I cannot wear a white tank top without inviting angry stares and comments. Other women I know who are well-endowed have had similar problems. Don’t be so silly, people. Sheesh!BREASTS ARE BEAUTIFUL and so are nursing moms and babies! It should be socially acceptable for us to be able to use them for what they were made for.
You have a point Miles. Breasts are “overexposed” in the commercial media, but even in that context they are treated in a “moral” context; the ads and videos are seen as a sign of decay. I’d argue that breasts are so commercialized specifically because their hyper-sexualization and “shock value” stem from the idea that they are something that should be shameful and hidden away. Almost anything that is supposed to be immoral / anti-social can become fetishized to this extent. Back in the 40s when men were supposed to smoke and women weren’t, posters of “bad girls” smoking were a hot ticket. Now that smoking is being made socially unacceptable everywhere, there is a whole fetish subculture around smoking. And it can’t be argued that cigarettes are any kind of secondary sexual characteristic of the human body, so their fetish value must come from their perceived “naughtiness”.
I was at the same mall recently with my baby boy. I spent considerable time and effort finding the “family room” (slightly larger than usual toilet stall) to nurse my baby. It was locked and vacant. For some reason, they keep it locked at all times. Therefore, you are expected to go to Treats and ask for the key. The trouble is, it was a Sunday and Treats was closed. I was instructed by staff to go to the security office to get the key, which meant another trip downstairs and more wandering around until I found the security office. The guard had to accompany me back up to the “family room” (toilet) to unlock the door for me. All told, it took about 20-30 minutes to access the only private area provided for Moms to nurse their babies. In the meantime, there were all sorts of empty comfy lounge chairs in the food court area that I shouda coulda used…but I decided to “respect” the delicate sensibilities of the other clientele. So I locked myself in the “family room” (toilet) and nursed him there.Sounds like it’s a good thing that I didn’t give up and just nurse him in public, or the tittie gestapo would’ve asked me to leave too.
“When you see commercials on T.V., for dolls, you see bottles, not nursing practising. We’re socialised from a young age to believe it’s an odd or unnatural thing to do.”So what do you suggest, Lilac? These commercials should show eight-year-old girls attempting to breast feed a doll? Surely that’s not what you meant, because that’s one of the most insane things I’ve ever heard…
*rollseyes*. Jennie. If you are the same Jennie who has shot me down each and every time I have written something in support of mothers, babies or families on The Coast website, who has Miles as some sort of mysogynist bully puppet, then I really wouldn’t care how insane you may or may not believe that I am. I did not suggest that someone should nurse in a commercial, only that what you see in a commercial is ALWAYS bottlefeeding. It’s never seen in televisions shows and very rarely in movies. We see bottles and that’s pretty much it. We’re raised to be ashamed of our breasts from a young age and to be told to cover them to the point that many of us never breastfeed our children because of fear of public scrutiny. Thanks for adding to that fear, Jennie.Jennie, no matter what your opinion of nursing is, or as I recall (if you are the same Jennie who has argued with me before) about whether or not children should be allowed into high end restaurants, government buildings, or as I argued with someone else, weddings. I will make sure to fight for your right as a woman, and fellow equal human being on this earth to have the same potential access to all places and services as anyone else, no matter whether or not you have children.If you are not the same Jennie and just some random person, then I suggest you spend some time nursing before you form an opinion and voice it upon a public forum about something you are so obviously ignorant about.
Oh lilac…what would we do without your need to plunge every debate into some sort of misoygeny-rights-of-women-call-to-feminist-arms tirade???I’m pro breast feeding. I was breastfed, I’ll probably breast fed my kids if god forbid I ever have any (at this point I can’t even keep plants alive so it WON’T be anytime soon). And I agree it’s wrong for a security guard to tell a woman she CAN’T do it in public.BUT I think, once again, this isn’t a matter of a I-have-a-right-fuck-you-all-for-repressing-me. It’s a matter of common curtesy. I think a lot of women choose to cover themselves up a bit, either usign the baby itself as a sort of sheild, or a blankie, or as my mom did with my brother, a sling (those things rock- she could carry him anywhere and feed antime, anywhere, and no one really noticed!), not because they are ashamed but because they ahve a sense of modesty. I dont’ want to parade around with my boobs hanging out,e ven though I realize I have a right to do so. It’s not shame, I like my boobs and could care less if a low cut top raises some eyebrows. but my personal sense of modesty says there are some things that should be private, which is also why I wear underwear under skirts. So no, a woman should be allowed and it should be socially acceptable to breast feed anywhere- my heart goes out to the woman who has to wander around looking for a dark corner when there are plush benches where she could convienently take care of business. However, a modicum of modest, for the overall comfort of everyone using that public space, including the mother, isn’t out of line. I’m guessing most women don’t want old men oogling their boobs when they breast feed anymore than some peopel want nipples on parade when they go to the mall. So breast feed away, but be tastefull and respectful of everyone else while you do it- in return, those people iwll be tastefull and respectful of you. see? common curtesy goes along way, and not a bra burning in sight Lilac!
I am most decidedly not a feminist but I am utterly, completely, and totally with Lilac on this one. It’s about nutrition and healthy babies, not modesty or morals.
I never said anything about morals. I just said that it takes time to make a change. and there are all sorts of people, breast feeding moms included, who still have a certain amount of embarrasment or modesty involved with baring tits in public. so my point was just that I AGREE iwht lilac, they should breastfeed when and where they please, but I see nothing wrong with maybe choosing a less hectic area, or shifting the baby/blanket/shirt whatever to cover most of the breasts. it’s not about breasfeeding, it’s about nudity and alas our society isn’t at the point where that’s as accebtable, even if it is in the name of nutrition
I never said anything about morals. I just said that it takes time to make a change. and there are all sorts of people, breast feeding moms included, who still have a certain amount of embarrasment or modesty involved with baring tits in public. so my point was just that I AGREE iwht lilac, they should breastfeed when and where they please, but I see nothing wrong with maybe choosing a less hectic area, or shifting the baby/blanket/shirt whatever to cover most of the breasts. it’s not about breasfeeding, it’s about nudity and alas our society isn’t at the point where that’s as accebtable, even if it is in the name of nutrition
I don’t think any of us (breast feeding mothers) whip out our boobs in a public place without trying to be somewhat discreet about it, however, it can be extremely difficult to keep completely covered during the whole process. Until you’ve done it, and realize how hard it can be, then you should maybe just stop starring and you wouldn’t see anything that may or may not offend you.
Sorry Hedgy – didn’t mean to put words in your mouth / fingers. I just mean that all this shame / embarassment / nudity stuff does amount to being a moral argument, when I don’t think those kinds of “morals” have any place in a breast feeding debate.But I agree it will take time. It is just sort of shocking how much time it is already taking!
Hedgyhog, I agree completely with what you have said here in your recent posts, and hope that my comments are considered the words of a mysogenistic puppet by all, because that is certainly not how they were intended. My idea of women being “discreet” is exactly as you describe, not the scenario Tasha had to go through to hide away in a private bathroom.
Here’s my question. Has anyone ever been out in public and seen a woman just throw open her top and plop a big ole engorged breast on the breeze for all to see in it’s full glory? I’ve never seen this. People are arguing about a momentary glimpse of side-boob with shirts, bras, sweaters, and baby blankets all around it, and a bay attached to it, at most. I guess that’s why I just don’t get this whole debate.
Sorry to beat it to death. My final word:http://media.justjared.com/headlines/2008/02/christina-aguilera-ellen.jpg
I have seen what you describe Jammie, twice. The best example was when a woman with a tanktop just hauled out a breast, in the middle of a busy food court and nursed her baby without bothering to conceal anything.I personally think this is OK in principle, but I can see why it might be offensive/rude to some. I admit it made me feel a little uncomfortable too, although I at least recognize that this is MY problem, not the mom’s. The issue for me was, I felt I had to avoid looking at the mom because it felt like an invasion of her privacy to see her breast. Based on this experience, I appreciate it when women make an effort to use their baby or some fabric to shield their breast. I think it avoids making others feel awkward. They don’t have to give a shit about how other people feel, but I think it is nice when they do. At the same time, mom’s and everyone else should fight to enforce their right to nurse in public.
You really saw that? Wow. Was this in a scary backwoods kind of town where people have no sense of privacy or decorum anyway? Like, you know, Saint John or something?
I think hauling out a tittie in public is gross. No matter what. If a woman’s being disceet and attempting to cover up, that’s fine, but if you’re just whipping it out willy nilly, you’re trying to attact attention, good or bad. I also hate seeing men walking around topless.
Nope. Food Court in Scotia Square…back when it was a busy place and more recently in the public gardens.
Wow. We were all born naked. We invented clothes. This lady is the only one doing what she is SUPPOSE to be doing, not what she’s told she’s suppose to be doing.Grow up, look at the human body in its beauty, and move on.
I hate it when men haul out their little dickies in public….you know, like downtown, side of the road, outdoor concerts, etc. to take a leak! Even when they are trying to be discreet….like we don’t know what your doing with your back to us…. both hands in front of you…..brick wall slowly turning a darker shade…..
LOL @ dickies
Lilac I am indeed the same Jennie.Just so you know, I support breastfeeding 100%. I think it’s the healthiest option for both mom and baby. I plan to breastfeed my children when that time comes. I’m sure I’ll need to breastfeed in public from time to time, although I certainly will practice discression. There will be no “whipping out” of the boob on my part.I’m not sure where you got that I’m not pro breastfeeding from my earlier post, since I said nothing of that nature. I found your comment about breastfeeding in commercials for dolls – aimed at young girls who don’t even have breast buds, let alone produce milk – very, very bizzare. I think you’ve taken your feminist ramblings a little too far with that one…
Jennie your 100% is minus whatever “as long as …” or “but…” or “shouldn’t…” that you add to it. Which I’m guessing would make it less than 100%. Feeding an infant naturally is about the baby and it’s need for nutrition and nurturing, not about your sense of modesty, or what is or isn’t socially appropriate. That whole “appropriate” thing is a slippery slope, that many women find out about in sad and embarassing ways; one that makes women wonder whether or not they’ll get kicked out of places or face public humilation just because someone, somewhere (like a security guard at Park Lame) decides that too much has been bared. It’s nursing, no matter how discreet you are, towels are going to fall, and older babies are going to turn their heads to look around, exposing nipples and anything else. What if someone is nursing twins? Um, it happens and it’s going to involve bared breasts unless someone is holding a sheet over everyone involved.When you have kids, we should hang out, and we’ll laugh about you ever having said the things that you did in this bitch and in previous ones regarding your views concerning children’s proper places in social settings.Seriously, less “…buts…” and more boobs. : DI’m kinda surprised at the amount of women posters on this bitch who are coming in at less than completely pro-public nursing. Hey Tasha, if you want me to bitch at the people in Park Lane on your behalf, I’d be pretty pleased to do so. :DOh, and thanks Floyd : -)
Why does this thread reek of Ginger?
You jokers.Listen, there are alot of things that people do in public that make me feel “uncomforatable”, but I don’t see allocated spaces for fat people to eat chesseburgers in, you know why? cause thats life guys. When I see someone breast feeding does a tear come to my eye as I appreciate the beauty of life and its wonderful creations? No, maybe there should, but life ain’t all pretty girls and boys. You know what I take comfort in? and this is a little tip for y’all…you have the freedom to point those little peepers of yours in any direction you fancy. So why not pratice your right to do that, and let others practice there right to feed the kids…because if there is one thing you “modesty” boasters could do for society is keep your twisted opinions to your little ole’ selves, and let the rest of us move into a more comfortable future. Your on a sinking ship, so quit kicking and sink already. You people have suprized society again and again with your senseless notions, ask yourself, modesty boasters, where would you have been when nice women didn’t want to vote, or it was “not modest” for a woman to speak at all, or when the slaves wanted to work for free….yeah that all made sence right? Well maybe it didn’t make sence, but all you moral people seemed to be looking around with smiles and nods, ehh? See the problem with those people, most likley you ancestors, modesty boasters, is that they just weren’t thinking. Smarter people, the ones who have always upheld the responsability of moving society forward are the ones who are asking, RIGHT NOW, on what planet should a woman feeding a child, and yes, with her breast (the dirty nipple part to) should be offensive…and I challenge you people to give me one scientific reason why this should be…No “duh well thats the way it is”, beacause I can apply that to every backward miserable time period we’ve had so far. The only thing that has ever changed anything has been a small group of people, ignoring all the stupid ideas, and making things better. So why dont all you people do future’s history a favor and keep you silly little ideas to yourselves. Because ask yourselves, what right do you think you all have to judge whats “modest’, it’s always changing, and different for all, when you start hanging your rules over anyone eles head, your fucked, and most likley wroung.
blah blah blah… cheeseburgers… blah blah blah… senceless… blah blah blah… dirty nipple… blah blah blah… likley wroung.Did I miss anything?
Yeah you did doll, the part when you had anything relevent to say.
Joe you fucking troll…!!!Why don’t you take your haughty ramblings and write a book, which no one will buy or read, because no one gives a sweet fuck about anything you have to say…
Um, the cheeseburger reference may be a little bit crass, but I totally agree with you, Joe. If everyone always acted like proper nice girls then nothing would ever change. Two great quotes that your rant reminded me of:”Never doubt that a small group of thoughful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead and”Well-behaved women rarely make history.” Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
It’s amazing how everyone seems to be missing that the only two people AGAINST public breastfeeding on this thread are the complainer and the security guard in the OP.
“…why dont all you people do future’s history a favor ….”Future’s history??? … that’s Gold … pure Gold!
Homie, Do your homework.. heheHere is a CBC article proving dumb Canadians need to be told how to behave when baby is hungry. In this one, Nova Scotia employers are told:http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/06/01/ns_breast000601.htmlWhat prompted my comments about Ontario, however, was a CBC newscast either last night or the night before outlining how disappointed councilors are that they actually have to address breastfeeding in public as a problem. They’ve got a campaign going placing ‘breastfeeding women welcome’ stickers (It’s an emblem) on storefronts. Sorry, I can’t seem to find this article on the web but if you watch CBC World News online you can catch the story.
People are funny. Especially people who are hard core opinionated about ANYTHING. Joe, your post was fucking dull and ridiculous. Maybe when you start your 2nd year of university you’ll chill out a bit.And not wanting to see a full on titty in the mall doesn’t make me anti-feminist. I don’t want to see someone dropping their pants and take a crap, either, though the beauty of it might bring a tear to the eye of some.
Why can’t retailers simply recognize that there is a need to provide a comfortable, inviting space for parents to feed and change their babies? By which I mean a room that isn’t a glorified toilet stall!!!As a breast feeding Mama, I WILL NOT feed my child in a toilet. Period.Retailers need to realize that the need exists, and if they don’t want people breast feeding in public, then give us a f**king place where we can go. Given a choice, most of us would prefer a little privacy, but we often aren’t given that option.
UMmmm kay, your link sorta supports my post. Breastfeeding exemptions are the only thing to be written into law.Ontario will not later legislation about toplessness. i stand by my post….and also, before you post links like you are citing something new… that article was from the year 2000
I think that a lot of people on here are pro-breast feeding in theory. However, they seem to have a lot of strings attached to what, when, how and where it is acceptable. I’m for the removal of any grey areas here as it’s those areas that get women kicked out of places. Like I’ve written before, when modesty or decency is left in the eye of the beholder to decide, then nursing in public becomes a stressful and potentially embarassing thing. Anyone at anytime could decide to say that a woman and infant are indecent just because a nipple briefly showed or too much of the breast was obvious at any given time. Can you imagine how hard it would be to have to tend to a fussing, gleeful or curious kid like this while dealing with constantly changing rules and attitudes? It’s actually impossible and to force a significant portion of our society to have to hide out of fear for something as ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY as nursing a baby is just bizarre and cruel. We should be encouraging more families to breastfeed in Canada, not actively discouraging it with “ifs, ands or buts”. So what if an entire breast is obvious during nursing? It’s common for twins to be fed at the same time. How would this be done without bared breasts in any sane way? Just accept that breastfeeding involves breasts and maybe sometimes one or two of them fully exposed. It’s okay. The world won’t explode just because of boobies and babies.
Here, here Lilac- you rock! A two-titty salute for you.
*rolls eyes at lilacs latest feminist tirade*. Yes. we get it. clearly because the point most people on here was makign that while they support breastfeeding, just like basically every other function one must do in public, a certain amount of common sense and respect for everyone else in the area would make the whole rant a moot point. YES woman should breast feed in public. YES I, and I think most people here, would fully support rooms or areas or even just say a cluster of benches in a nice peacefull spot of the mall, maybe next to the fountain or something pretty like that, for women to breastfeed so no one has to hide in a toilet stall. BUT i also think, as has been said over and over on this board, that the general public AND nursing mothers all feel there should be a modicum of decorum when someone is breastfeeding in a public space. it’s not just peopel walking by, it’s nursing mothers who might not feel as comfy baring all as you lilac. So great, you are totally comfortable whipping them out in front of the entire world- good for you. glad you’re so secure, and it’s impressive you care so little about the teenage boys in the food court who WILL be checking out your knockers. but a lot of epopel aren’t that..um….’advanced’ shallw e say? and just becuase a nursing mother prefers to at least attempt to cover up or use a blanket or whatever doesn’t mean society is oppressing them- I think this whole board, where virtually everyone is pro breast feeding and applled the op was asked to leave, speaks to that.
There are certain body parts I don’t like looking at, eg butts, genitals, tits, gross manboobs. I don’t think anyone should be ejected for breastfeeding, no matter how much delight they take in shocking people with their oh so defiant display of saggy tittage and cd-shaped nips. I just think it’s icky to look at. I also think your I Am Woman posts are more than a little been-there, done-that.
I’m with you Qwerty. The bra is burnt. stop waving around the gas can, please.
Well qwert, I guess you don’t wanna get together and watch some porn?
Yeah qwerty, I’ve got to admit, I am a bit surprised at your Victorian morality when it comes to sins of the flesh…
I think the point that Lilac made is valid in that there is a definite gray area in what is deemed socially acceptable. Large-scale retail establishments are required by law to, for example, provide wheel-chair accessible washrooms. Most of us see the reason in this and support it. That’s not to say that we want to view physically challenged people using these toilets!By the same token, malls should provide areas that women may use to FREELY nurture their children. The laws of our society support a woman’s right to nurse in public, yet when it comes to the actual practice of exercising that right, there is at best confusion, and at worst eye-rolling, hostile prudishness and mothers being asked to leave!All of this could be avoided if we were provided with PROPER facilities where we could peacefully and privately care for our children.Oh, and by the way, my nursing boobies are firm with small GORGEOUS nipples…. not saggy CD sized nips Qwerty! Love your tits girls. @@
Oh, and I forgot to say: If forced to choose between being judged by the titty gestapo prudes and a hungry baby, my boy is going to win.
I am totally in support of breastfeeding, Lilac. There are no ifs, ands, buts, howevers – none. A woman should feed her child when the baby is hungry. Breastfeeding does not make me uncomfortable.All I did was say I thought it was ridiculous to suggest that commercials for dolls, aimed at very young girls, should show breastfeeding, which is exactly what you said.I’ll say it again – I support breastfeeding wholeheartedly. No conditions.By the way, I find it incredibly insulting that you say I will laugh about some of the things I have said here about children after I have them. I’m still going to support breastfeeding in public, and I’m still not going to take my fussy baby to Da Maurizio at 9:00 on a Saturday night when couples are trying to have a quiet date.
Yup, not a big fan of public displays of nudity. I don’t give a sweet jesus fuck if someone wants to nurse their kid in public, but don’t expect me to get excited at the sight of it. Or your buttcrack. Or your hairy manboobs. Or your camel toe. It’s not my thing.I do love being naked though. It’s my favorite.
yeah I think that’s what this comes down to- we all seem to support breastfeeding. yay boobs and whatnot.BUT I don’t think everyone here is as gung ho about the magic of it all as lilac would like us to be…that’s the problem. the fact that Jennie said maybe breast feeding dollies are a little off, or that I said that for myself, and I’m guessing other nursing mothers, I’d rather not have strange men oogling me whilst I do it, and qwerty says he’d rather not have a full on titty-love fest everytime juniors hungry, DOESN’T mean we are anti-breast feeding or that women shouldn’t be allowed to do it in public. it’s just once again that common sense thing adn common curtesy bashing up again some I am woman hear me roar rhetoric….
Fem-tits good…Very very good… Hairy man-boobs bad…Very very bad…
What about hairy fem tits?No reason for asking…
qwerty, is your lady love a little furry ;)?
Qwerty’s a chick Hedgy, and a helluva one at that….I know, some names just sound masculine…like hedgehog.
damn well you showed me didn’t you miles ;)my mistake qwerty. see, there I go, ruining a perfectly lame joke..ahah
Any Canadian who has been a child (you, me, all of us, black, white, hetro, gay… sad to admit but even Floyd!) should know better than to be offended by a nursing mother. They should know better than to apply any sexual connotation to the exposed breast in the context of mother and child. I’m sure the security guard’s mother would be mighty ashamed of him if she heard. Fuck, people can be stupid!A blanket over the shoulder does a good job to conceal but it does a better job of keeping baby focused on the meal despite ringing cell phones, people walking by, strange lights, the stranger with the shiny dollar store badge who’s about to get his head torn off by mum, etc.My earlier point, though, is we don’t need a bylaw for every little thing. Breastfeeding in public is a good example. Don’t walk away new Moms! Stand your ground and feed your baby! Look him in the eye when you do it! We need to actually speak our minds to establish and maintain social norms. This is YOUR Canada! If I were the OP I would’ve challenged the guard (long enough to finish feeding my child). I’d then go finish my shopping with a very content and quiet and likely sleeping baby.
Any Canadian who has been a child (you, me, all of us, black, white, hetro, gay… sad to admit but even Floyd!) should know better than to be offended by a nursing mother. They should know better than to apply any sexual connotation to the exposed breast in the context of mother and child. I’m sure the security guard’s mother would be mighty ashamed of him if she heard. Fuck, people can be stupid!A blanket over the shoulder does a good job to conceal but it does a better job of keeping baby focused on the meal despite ringing cell phones, people walking by, strange lights, the stranger with the shiny dollar store badge who’s about to get his head torn off by mum, etc.My earlier point, though, is we don’t need a bylaw for every little thing. Breastfeeding in public is a good example. Don’t walk away new Moms! Stand your ground and feed your baby! Look him in the eye when you do it! We need to actually speak our minds to establish and maintain social norms. This is YOUR Canada! If I were the OP I would’ve challenged the guard (long enough to finish feeding my child). I’d then go finish my shopping with a very content and quiet and likely sleeping baby.
Gotta agree with Kay on the breastfeeding, and on the bylaw-for-every-season “morality” we have here in Halifax.
Actually, kay unlike your other examples I never actually was a “child”… My species is hatched as a full adult…But thanks so much for thinking of me in your little tantrum…
If you take the time read the comments on this thread, which exceeds the number of opinions in the original bitch, it seems that the maority of people are not “offended” by breast feeding, rather, they are trying to discuss the finer points of how and where it should be done. I don’t see why discussing the issue is so offensive to some who seem to be all about promoting nursing without any ands, ifs or buts. I would think discussion of a subject they see as so important would be exactly what they would want. If you want mom’s to be comfortable nursing anytime, anywhere, then you should be listening to the concerns people are putting foward and trying to reason with them to bring them to your side of the debate instead of writing the people who don’t agree with you off as mysogenistic, or puritanical or too modest. Discussion and compromise can go a long way to changing a society, or as Likac quoted: “a small group of thoughful, committed people.” The key word here being thoughtful…and intolerant/extremist attitudes are rarely thoughtful.
Any Canadian who has been a child (you, me, all of us, black, white, hetro, gay… sad to admit but even Floyd!) should know better than to be offended by a nursing mother. They should know better than to apply any sexual connotation to the exposed breast in the context of mother and child. I’m sure the security guard’s mother would be mighty ashamed of him if she heard. Fuck, people can be stupid!A blanket over the shoulder does a good job to conceal but it does a better job of keeping baby focused on the meal despite ringing cell phones, people walking by, strange lights, the stranger with the shiny dollar store badge who’s about to get his head torn off by mum, etc.My earlier point, though, is we don’t need a bylaw for every little thing. Breastfeeding in public is a good example. Don’t walk away new Moms! Stand your ground and feed your baby! Look him in the eye when you do it! We need to actually speak our minds to establish and maintain social norms. This is YOUR Canada! If I were the OP I would’ve challenged the guard (long enough to finish feeding my child). I’d then go finish my shopping with a very content and quiet and likely sleeping baby.
Is there an echo in here?
Sorry Miles, I’ve done my share of bitching about this site. I just assumed when some time (a long time.. I walked away) after I hit the submit button ‘foo server not found’ meant my post didn’t go through. I hit the back button and hit submit again and voila, two posts. The geniuses behind this site can’t correctly put a list in descending chronological order (Recent Comments, after midnight) and have ignored ALL feedback and requests. What’s a girl to do?
*Sighs* Jennie that is NOT what I said. I actually reposted exactly what I had said in another post so that it would be easier for you to read it and perhaps understand it. If you quote me exactly then you will have it right. How about you try that sometime? If you ask me nicely then maybe I can speak more slowly and use tiny words so that you can make sense of it all. Other than that you are just trying to flame me about the RIGHTS OF BABIES for some seriously silly reason. I’m not sure why you often post comments saying that you have more rights than babies and mothers, but as I usually spend a great deal of my time staying away in real life from people like you. I think I’m just going to ignore your ignorant and uneducated flaming from here on in. Being overly dramatic about that whole children allowed at dinner thing is a bit much too. I seem to recall you believing it was wrong for children to be in government buildings as well, for some unfathomable reason. I’m all for people wishing to be um, er, modest, or shy or whatever, however I also want to make sure that women aren’t kicked out of places because they drop a towel or have twins or need to feed in a VERY public place. Quoting Jennie; ” I certainly will practice discression. There will be no “whipping out” of the boob on my part. “Sometimes when you’re a nursing mother you just have to whip them out. I’m sure if you asked your nursing friends they would tell you they have had to do so. Jennie I wouldn’t be riding you so hard if you weren’t completely misinterpreting my posts and if you hadn’t argued with me in earlier bitchs regarding children being allowed in restaurants other than McDonalds and government buildings, where you also wildly misinterpreted what I was saying without asking for any form of polite clarification. I’m sure that you go out to restaurants with your nursing friends or those with young families that aren’t fastfood at least once in awhile. You deserve to do so, as do they and when you have kids someday I hope that no one ever kicks you out of someplace or makes you feel like you are dirty or rude for exposing a nipple or having a teething baby with you, someplace other than your house.Good luck, Jennie : )Oh and Thanks Tasha : D
Kay: There should be a bylaw to outlaw bylaws. Lilac: Your posts suck.
1. Here’s your direct quote, Lilac:”When you see commercials on T.V., for dolls, you see bottles, not nursing practising.”2. I never said families with children should stick to McDonalds. I used it as one of MANY examples of family-friendly establishments. In fact I listed a number of family-run restaurants that serve home cooked meals as opposed to processed garbage, because obviously no one should be eating fast food on a reglar basis. I also never said children should be banned from government buildings. I used the sitting of the legislature as an example of a situation where it would be disruptive to have babies crying/toddlers running around while people are trying to accomplish serious and important work. So next time YOU go to “quote” ME, do me a favour, and get it right yourself.I do go out for meals with my friends and their small children. Just last weekend I enjoyed a wonderful evening with my brother and his two kids at Montana’s. It was great. There was a children’s menu, they gave the kids crayons to colour with, and no one, neither the staff nor the patrons, minded that we were loud and messy. But when I go to Bish Saturday night with my husband, I want to enjoy our meal in (relative) peace.When I am a nursing mother, I will indeed practice discretion. Not because I don’t think my breasts are beautiful, nor because I don’t think nursing is a wonderful thing. But because my beautiful breasts are a part of my body that I consider private. It’s great that you are comfortable having people see your breasts. I mean that. But wanting to be discreet and have a little privacy when that time comes will not make me less of a woman, nor less of a mother.In real life I am not at all a person you would feel the need to avoid. I love and care for my family and friends. I’m kind to animals. I care about the environment. I do volunteer work. Etc, etc, etc. I have a lot of redeeming qualities. The fact that I do think there are a few (stress the word FEW, as I have said before) situations where it’s better to leave the kids at home so the adults can enjoy their meal/entertainment/whatever in peace does not make me a terrible person.So good luck to you, Lilac. You just keep shoving your uber-feminist views and ideals down everyone’s throat. People LOVE that!
Oh, and since you feel the need to use the word “RIGHTS” every 25 seconds or so, I’d also like to point out that I have never once said that children/mothers/families shouldn’t be ALLOWED anywhere. Obviously freedom of mobility allows anyone to go anywhere they choose, and that’s important. What I’m talking about is using common sense, good judgement, courtesy, and discretion.But I’m sure you’ll feel the need to respond somehow to this using the word “RIGHTS” in all caps…
Standing ovation to Jennie. Seriously. Very well put, and I usually don’t even read the long ones.
Good post Jennie. Not sure how you enjoyed Montana’s though. *BARF*
I agree…Jennie should get some sort of LTWWB trophy for that one. now sshhh cause alisons back and I fear she and lilac may join together in some sort of feminist power ranger to crush us all with their nursing nipples and anti-mysogney ray….
lilac is a fucking hippie retard. get real.
Lilac is Ginger or very closely related………She told me so the other day, while breastfeeding her child at McDonalds on the condiment counter…..
Thing is, I can totally see that happening. She’d be wearing one of those flimsy cotton tank top and baggy short sets from Kmart, in baby blue, with her long black hair in a scrunchee, with black flat shoes and a black and red rose tattooed on her saggy, blue-veined exposed breast, and the heavy smell of tobacco around her. She’d be talking all the while about how those fancy schmancy city counsellors living on their mansions on the hill (with their HUGE $41,000 salaries) are plotting to keep the poor people down by introducing new user fees in health care, and how when her rich uncle from Boston finally gives her the $130,000 he owes her, she’ll sure show THEM.(NOTE for the literal-minded: 1) I know city councillors have nothing to do with health care; she wouldn’t let this sort of fact get in the way of her argument. 2) I have no idea what city councillors earn. I made a number up to reflect a level that is comfortable but by no means “elite” pocket-lining, no matter what the anti-government conspiracy theorists would have us all believe.)
I heard it was her who squirted breast milk all over the counter at Starbucks…
BAAAAAAAAAHHHHNice work again, with the thread-weaving.I really wanna find Imaginationland now. Argh.
Stupid politicians and their five figure salaries… *grumble grumble*… THEY TOOK OUR JOBS!
Damned goobacks and aging liberal hippie douches!
That’s what homes are for! Your privates to hang!
Just curious… were they women that complained about you breast feeding or men? I suspect they were women. Some how other women are really anal about breast feeding in public. Some (not all). 🙂