Sheliah, I have breastfed all my children and still do with my little one. Babies are notorious for their impatience. I breastfed my girls until they reached the approximate age of 2. If I was out at a restaurant and my baby was hungry, I would breastfeed them with a cover wrap. Truthfully, I think breastfeeding women are much more conscientious about breastfeeding than the on-lookers. I had a not-so-gentleman come up to my table and ask me why I didn't feed that child in the bathroom! That is fighting words to a breastfeeding Mommy. I just kindly asked him to take his dinner and go and eat in the bathroom stall. I breastfed my children very discreetly in public. How that man even knew that I was breastfeeding my Daughter to begin with, I don't know. I've seen women out in public who expose more of their breasts for a longer period of time than a Mommy trying to nurse her baby.The female breast is made for nurturing. Not to be mistaken for a sexual organ that our culture makes it out to be. Yet, people tolerate the breast much more as a sexual organ than a way to feed babies. That seems very backwards to me. In some countries, if a woman does not attempt to breastfeed a crying infant in public, she will be arrested because it is assumed that the baby may be stolen or kidnapped. But American women have been arrested FOR breastfeeding in public. However, I do agree that a 3-yr-old nursing child is not nursing particularly for nutritional purposes. It is more-so, a bonding activity between Mother and Child. I would also like to say a big thank-you to Salma Hayek who nursed the starving baby in Africa. The show briefly mentioned that on today's segment. Her Left Breast has done more for humanity than most people, me included. 

If baby is hungry in public then baby should be fed however mom chooses to feed baby.  It's silly to me to try and make it a secret, there are so so many positives about breastfeeding, and it can be difficult at times, why make it harder?  I tried to use a cover sometimes, but my boys just kicked it off.  Besides, I find that covers just bring more attention to the fact that a woman is breastfeeding.  There's nothing very discreet about a big curtain around your neck.

It's ridiculous that a nursing mother should have to be worried about what onlookers think.  Either realize that it's how babies are meant to eat or leave.

Do you expect others to dress, talk, act only in ways that make you feel comfortable?  

Personally, I get uncomfortable when people are in public with infants feeding them by propping a bottle up and ignoring them.  But we all get to choose what is best for our child and our situation.

As for the 3yo, I don't find it odd to see a 3yo nursing.  I don't know what the work situation is so I can't speak to that, there are certainly situations where that would be more or less appropriate regardless of the child's age.

As long as mother and child are in a place where it is appropriate to feed a child, then no one should be worried about how they are being fed.

I believe you should be able to breastfed in public but throw a cover over you for goodness sakes.It's a natural thing but I don't want to see a womens breast hanging out.Most Mothers do,but their are some women just don't care who see them.IMO....I know I will get some fedback on my opinion,but I am entitled to my opinion.

I think a child before they are 2yrs of age should be drinking from a cup.

Yvonne

I loved breastfeeding all four of my children.  There is never anytime it is wrong.  A nursing baby is better than a cranky ignored baby.  There are things that need to be done at a certain time (store hours) and a hungry baby happens unexpectedly sometimes.  I have nursed every where I went.  Until my third child.  I was completely surprised when I was made aware that a man thought it was very sexually stimulating to observe this in action.  For my own safety I just became careful of my surroundings while I nursed. Not everyone finds this offensive but finding it sexually stimulating isn't OK to me.  I know that he was the one in the wrong but being careful of yourself is important too.

I agree with a few of the others... I am still breastfeeding my daughter who will be 7 months in a few weeks. It is a shame that society has made this natural amazing act of motherhood seem like a crime. I agree that your breast should be fully covered but I definately know the uncomfortable feeling that people are shamefully watching me in their ignorant disgust. At times I will just take my breastpump in a stall and pump my baby a bottle to avoid the stares, these days many stores and malls have added family bathrooms to make moms more comfortable , but of course those are not everywhere. To all the other breastfeeding mothers I salute you for taking full responsibility for your babies nutritional health, what we are doing for them is amazing and the scientific studies prove it!

I agree with a few of the others... I am still breastfeeding my daughter who will be 7 months in a few weeks. It is a shame that society has made this natural amazing act of motherhood seem like a crime. I agree that your breast should be fully covered but I definately know the uncomfortable feeling that people are shamefully watching me in their ignorant disgust. At times I will just take my breastpump in a stall and pump my baby a bottle to avoid the stares, these days many stores and malls have added family bathrooms to make moms more comfortable , but of course those are not everywhere. To all the other breastfeeding mothers I salute you for taking full responsibility for your babies nutritional health, what we are doing for them is amazing and the scientific studies prove it!

My children were drinking from a cup before they were a year old, but that doesn't mean breastmilk or breastfeeding loses it's wonderful qualities.  

I also don't see how not using a cover is equated with a breast hanging out.  Most bfing women are still more covered up than half the women walking around.  For me, a cover only covered up baby.  My shirt and my child covered my breast.

I think it is perfect what kjones has said you should use a breast cover up. I do beleive it is important to breast feed.

Smile

Sheilah

What about babies who are bothered by a cover?

I prefer that people mind their own business.

Ladies, I breastfed both of my boys.  It was a pleasant experience for me because I could relax once they were latched on.  However, my older son didn't like being covered, so it was not a pretty site and i did not feed him too publicly.  When my second son was 13 months old, he refused to take a bottle so i was still breast feeding him. His pediatrician, who I swear by, told me it wasn't worth it to him because he was getting so little out of the breast.  I brought him home and put him in the crib and he fell asleep and that was the end of that.  I don't believe there is any nutritional value for a three year old in breastfeeding.  However, i don't judge other people on how they raise their kids.  I am happy when i see a well adjusted child with a loving parent.  It is not my place to approve or not.  No one asked my opinion.  So, i will not give one.  sheilah, don't feel beaten up over this, it is just one of those sensitive subjects that everyone has a feeling about and God bless the Drs., they have given us an open forum to do it in.  bobbie

There is always excellent nutritional value in breastmilk.  And it is very comforting for toddlers.  It's also great when they are sick, I was less worried about dehydration when my toddler was at least getting some easy to digest breastmilk.  My older son also has a lot of texture issues with food and ate very little solids for his first 2 years, but I didn't worry too much because he was getting breatmilk.

It's sad to hear that peds are still misinformed about breastfeeding, but I don't think they get much standard training.  Those that are knowledgable have had to get further education on the subject.

damsell...I reread your post and maybe I misunderstood, perhaps your child's nursing habits were such that he was getting very little out of it.  I took it as your ped referring to 1 year olds in general.  I apologize if that was the case.  Oh, and I have a kicka$$ ped! lol  But I don't actually know how extensive her bfing knowledge is, i've only really used her for medical issues.

I never really understood the whole too old to bf when they can walk and/or talk.  Pumping when you have an older infant or toddler is just a joke for most women.  The pump just can't compare to a child for getting milk, and it's near impossible to get anything if the pump hasn't been a regular habit.  Not to mention that pumping is a total PITA!  It also ignores the benefits of actual nursing...the action is comforting.

I just don't get why people care so much.  I mean, there are things I wouldn't want to do with my own child, but I can't imagine looking at others and thinking it's atrocious that they bottle prop or use disposable diapers.  It's one thing if breastfeeding beyond infancy just isn't your (general you) thing, but to be so put off about someone else doing...who cares? 

I breastfed my son until he was almost 3 at which time he self-weaned from the breast.  I orginially had no intentions of breastfeeding so long, but when my son was breastfeeding I was constantly researching topics and found its better for him and me to self wean.  Any serious research would lead anyone to see that the longer a child breastfeeds the better for mom and baby.  Now at age 2 and even age 1 a baby is not nursing all day every day.  When my son was 18 months old he began nursing 2-3 times a day only and then at bedtime.

I also enforced what is called nursing manners.  My son never pulled on my shirt, never screamed for the breasts, etc.  I covered up until my son would not allow me to.  At that time I would wear tank tops under all my shirts and just lift my top shirt up to breastfeed - I was still covered everywhere and my baby could see me.  I had one woman actually have the nerve to attempt to pull my son off my breast to cover me up because she was so bothered.  Thankfully others came to my aid and put the woman back in her place.

If your pedi is telling you a child get NO nutrition from breastfeeding...all your claims of how grand the pedi is goes out the window.  Obviously your doctor did not pay attention in school and that would scare me.  All breastmilk is worth it.  It is estimated that for every 6 months you breastfeed you give 18 more months of immunity for your little one.  There is no point at which breastmilk switches from a total package in terms of nutritional needs to nothing.  Breastmilk always has benefits, whether you choose to use them are not is up to you.  Hopefully you do some research and give breastfeeding a try.

Sorry it wouldn't let me send this part so here..

Biologically children, when allowed to, will breastfeed until they no longer need the milk and the emotional connection.  Does this mean all moms should use child-lead weaning?  No, but I would hope women consider breastfeeding until at least age 2 as suggested by the WHO.  Set small goals for yourself and build on them.  For example, goal 1 could be breastfeeding until 6 months.  When you get to 6 months, set a goal for 12 months.  When you get to 12 months set a goal for 18 months, etc.  You can set small goal times like 2 months, 3 months, etc.

You moms should be lucky you can breastfeed your babies bcause I could not produce enough milk for mine.  I had to formula feed them.  I am not ashamed to say that because I believe they are given the best nutrition otherwise.  My older son was weaned from the bottle after 1 year because he wanted to be a "big boy" and took to the sippy cup immediately.  I am still bottlefeeding my baby.  There has been this whole nonsensical divide betwen women on whether or not to breastfeed, thanks to LaLeche and other advocates. Those organizations make you feel as if you are less than a woman or a neglectful mom if you formula feed.  Mothers try yo do the best we can to provide the best for our babies.  Having said that, I thought Salma Hayek was extremely reckless in breastfeeding the baby.  It was a beautifull gesture; however, what if she had hepatitus or HIV?  Or some other communicable diease she wasn't aware of?  She put the baby in danger.  Also, breastfeeding in public should be done discreetly.  Put a cover over yourself and the baby or go to a place like Babies R Us or Toys R Us that have family rooms. 

I am really curious why so many swear breastfeeding has to be done so "discreetly"?  If its a breast itself that is bothering people I am sad.  Women should be proud of their bodies and not feel ashamed of them.  If you feel better covering up to breastfeed- by all means do it, but don't look down on people who are comfortable with feeding their children without covers and without sitting in bathroom stalls.  Family rooms are great, but they are not for everyone.  For me they give a feel of a glorified bathroom and I don't wish to nurse my child in a bathroom the same I wouldn't feed myself in a bathroom.

Kjones made a great point and I say it all the time - breastfeeding women expose a LOT less than most other women who have clothes on!  Breastfeeding should never be a taboo thing!  Its thinking like some in this thread that discourage women from even attempting to breastfeed their babies.

Selma Hayek nursed the baby because he was HEALTHY and his mother had a rare case of her body actually not being capable of producing milk (happens in less than1% of women).  If it wasn't for her the baby may have died!  Wet nurses are common and a great thing, especially in countries where formula is not around and there is a high rate of mother death during delivery because lack of medical care and medical knowledge.  Discouraging such practice is ignorant.

dear Luv and all other bloggers, You are all right.  This is a very personal decision that has positive ramifications for mother and child.  The benefits are great for mom and child.  If I hadn't been able to breast feed, I wouldn't have been less of a woman for it.  When I found out I had to have a cesearean with my first child, I cried.`When he was born 9lbs 13 oz, and the cord was around his neck twice, I cried for another reason.  He had swallowed meconium, so I wasn't allowed to have him right away.  He was breast fed until he bit down with both top and bottom and he made me bleed.  Ouch!!  My son wore cloth diapers until he soaked through two.  I made fresh veggies and fruit for him.  My son has a form of autism, he has allergies and he has asthma.  I can't imagine what he would be like if he hadn't breastfed.  I love my boys as much as anyone can love a child and I don't believe I am in aposition to speak for all moms.  So, I am taking a neutral corner and I apologize if I offended anyone.  Bobbie

Ksandru, when I first read your post, I thought you was saying that the baby could have a dangerous disease.

Then I reread.- You was implying the possibility that Salma could've had a disease that she could pass to the infant. That's pretty incredible that you would call a nursing Mother reckless and claim that she was putting her own Daughter in danger from nursing her. That's quite a stretch on soo many levels. The only disease that a woman could have that should prohibit breastfeeding is HIV/AIDS. It would be an extremely bizarre situation that Salma would've had such a disease at that time. Her Daughter was one yr old when she nursed that baby. Most women get tested for diseases, including HIV/AIDS, during pregnancy. I seriously doubt that she contracted such a disease in that short amount of time.....

Personally, I'd let Salma nurse my very own children all day long before I'd give my child toxic-melamine tainted baby formula. I consider formula reckless. Just ask the Mothers who's babies died from formula and the 295,000 babies that became extremely ill. They put the same ingredients in dog food that they put into baby formula. Remember all the animals that died from tainted pet food? That's right! That's the same shit they put into formula! I'm not claiming that Mother's are wrong for feeding their children formula! There is ORGANIC, MELAMINE FREE BABY FORMULA MADE IN THE USA that can be bought online. Too many products are being out-sourced in this era! If I can't trust that China can make pet food that wouldn't kill my pets, then I'm not about to feed my child from a BPA containing plastic bottle that is full of toxic formula from China either.--Ksandru, I'm sure you're a very nice person and didn't have ill intent from your comment. You said that some breastfeeding women have a way of making formula-feeding Mothers feel inferior. But, you just insulted breastfeeding Mothers by stating that our baby feeding habits could give them a life-long horrible disease. I guess either side could take cheap shots. What I said was harsh, and honestly, I don't feel the same harshness I did when I first started typing. I'm not deleting it though, because that is how truly I was offended when I first read your post. At the end of the day, we're all MOTHERS. Not breast feeding or formula feeding Mothers. We're just wonderful Mothers!

Subject others to breastfeeding?  That's a good one, LOL.  I can't imagine a world where others never subjected me to their choices.  it's pretty easy to avoid watching someone breastfeed.  Again, everyone can have their opinions, but don't make it sound like bfing in public is some sleazy thing that women are getting away with.

I think its a shame that "old school" people can be so closed minded and self absorbed that they care what I am feeding my baby.  I expose less of my breasts when breastfeeding than many other women.  I was sexually abused as a child and I am VERY conservative with my body, but I will not hide in a room away from the world to  breastfeed.  Breastfeeding should be normal and accepted by all.  I don't ask people who are bottle feeding to go to bathroom stall because I feel their feeding methods are not to my personal liking and I should not be asked to do the same.

I used my breastfeeding experience to share knowledge to others.  I had one pregnant woman come up to me in the mall before asking why I did "that" in public.  I used it as a time to share information and knowledge with her.  I invited her to come to the park with me one day (I had a friend's girl I babysat) to talk about it more.  She decided she too would like to give breastfeeding a chance.  I told her to set small goals for herself, which she did, and she breastfed her daughter until she was 3 years old.  I applauded her open mindedness and will.

The problem with breastfeeding in public is just that... there is absolutely no bonafide reason for it to even be a problem!

In someone else's brilliant words:

"I should be praised in pubic for breastfeeding my child, i should’nt me made to cover up and hide it.

I think The Doctors should learn the Indiscreet Breastfeeding Manifesto:

- I will nurse my child anytime, anywhere, no matter who is present or what I am wearing.

- I will bare my breast with pride and confidence.

- I will not apologize for nourishing and nurturing my child.

- I will not smother my child with a napkin or blanket.

- I will smile at everyone around me and ignore rude stares.

- I will know that I am giving my child the perfect infant food from the most efficient, ecological, and economical delivery system.

- I will know that I am giving my child the healthy start that is his or her birthright.

- I will set an example for women and girls, educate the public, dispel breastfeeding myths, desexualize the breast, and make the world a better place, all through the simple act of feeding my child.

I live by this. I’ll continue to breastfeed in public WIHTOUT being discreet. There should be NO shame when breastfeeding. Mothers shouldn’t be made to feel they need to cover up while doing what is right."

-crookedhearts (a forum user on this site)  /forums/171-Feedback/topics/4391-Breastfeeding-in-public

I'll be having this printed on blankets for nursing mothers to hand out to anyone who gives them a hard time about NIP (nursing in public), with the words, "I'm sorry you feel that way, feel free to cover yourself up."

Yes, I am from the "old school" and proud of it!  It is just as much my right to be offended by someone breastfeeding publicly without being discreet than someone who has no problem letting it all hang out! There are some things I would like to have the opportunity to explain to my young children myself.  I have talked to women who started out breastfeeding entirely, but their babies were still hungry and not gaining weight, so they had to switch to formula or give their babies both.  As far as the so-called "benefits" my niece was formula fed  when she was a baby, and today, she is a young woman in the National Honors Society and attending college as a Pre-Med student.  Bottom line - don't criticize me for my choice and my beliefs

One of the most well-written pieces I have found online regarding this issue can be found at http://forums.mercurynews.com/topic/protests-mount-over-facebook-ban-on-breast-feeding-photos-bigger-turnout-online-than-in-palo-a

Scroll down to the post by Ina May Gaskin.

I <3 Ina May

Most women do breastfeed discreetly, and usually without a cover calling to attention that they are bfing.  Being without a curtain doesn't mean it's all hanging out.

The benefits are there.  But it's individual, you can't just take one kid and compare them to another.  It's relative to that child based on studies of very very large groups.  BF babies do, of course, get sick.  And FF babies aren't sickly.  An individual child will likely have more illness than if they were BF.  There's nothing "so-called" about it.  That's like saying there are "so-called" benefits to suncreen b/c I don't use it and I don't have skin cancer.  it's not all or nothing.

No one should be made to feel bad for needing to formula feed, or for choosing to.  Not everyone has the facts, though, and sharing those are not meant as an insult.  I recently had 2 friends who said they had to give formula b/c they weren't producing enough milk, I asked how they knew and they said it was b/c they were pumping less--which means nothing about your supply.  

Some people go overboard about pushing bfing, just as with anything else.  Organizations like LLL are not out to make anyone feel bad, they are there for support and help.  For years, women were told that breastmilk was inferior, it took a lot of work to correct the misinformation and basically reteach women how to breastfeed.  It can be quite difficult.  There's also the assumption, I'd guess, that if you are approaching these groups then you are dedicated to bfing rather than looking for a "why don't you just try formula?"