Why do most people see breast feeding as 'nasty'?

Question

I don't understand why something as innocence as Breast feeding in public or in general can be see as nasty or indecent.  I've talked to some of my friends .And they were saying things such as 'morally I wouldn't do it it in public " or why don't you just buy formula?  I'm just like the reason you have breast is to feed you babies. It just blows my mind how people would rather see boobs falling out a women's Bikini then a women who happens to be breast feeding in a restuarant. And then people will use the excuse "well I don't want look at a women breast while eating" Then don't f***ing look, I'm pretty sure she's not jumping up and down and flaying her boobs around screaming look at me. America has  sexualized the female body so much people can't even look at a nude body without tying it  to sex. Plus stoping a woman from breast feeding in public is against the law except in two states. Breasting feeding is healthier for your baby and it also builds a bond between the mother and baby. I don't know, something's just blow my mind and I can't wrap my brain around this. [url="

Bla4Ublah · Accepted Answer

(Apologies in advance for poor grammar and weird sentence construction's)

Its not illegal in Finland to breast feed in public, but a lot of people rather go in to a bathroom than feed their child while in full view of people. One woman even told me that she remembers NOTHING of her sisters wedding, because she was constantly going to the bathroom to feed her baby. And she was proud that she did it while sitting trough the wedding in the bathroom feeding her child, and not out in publick.

I my self have been brought up in an environment where my mother fully supports breast feeding. She hasn't "brainwashed us" by giving us lectures, but she's a midwife and pretty much brought up her children to feel at ease with their bodies. I fully believe that in different situations breasts have different "meaning's". I think breasts are sexy when they are meant to be seductive and almost in a day to day life (sexy breasts) but I always laugh my arse off while standing in front of a mirror and bouncing (hilarious breasts) and when you bring a baby to the picture, the whole feel of breasts change (functional breasts). They are not something sexy, they are nothing to laugh about, they are there for the baby. They scese to be there for men or women, and are there only for the babys benefit and hunger. Youn know, always carry on babybottles!

My cousins wife is actually breast feeds her new baby right now, and she never goes and hides herself from the relatives when she breast feeds. She doesn't hide in public if the baby starts to cry because of hunger. And I give her her privacy by not looking in her way. There are so many directions I can look at while she is breast feeding, so why can't anyone else look away? Just turn your head a bit to the left or right, look at the floor, the sealing, out in to the distanse. In my head I usually go "Oh breast. Ok." I often even talk to her, but don't look in her way that often. And its not nessesarily the whole "breasts" part, but its the moment between a mother and her baby.

(and I don't think its mainly "men" who think that women should not whip their breasts out, there are a LOT of women who think that too. Maybe more men think it is sexual, while a lot of women think its attention seeking, nasty and dirty. Witch one would you rather want it to be viewed as? as something unnecessarily sexy, or down right filthy and something to be ashamed?)

(But then again, I also think it is BS when a lot of women claim that men over sexualize female breasts. To most of us women, breasts are a norm, because we can see them in the mirror everyday. I often see them in the mirror everyday. And I think they are sexy. I sexualise female breasts often times, and I don't consider myself as a lesbian. A lot of my friends sexualize breasts! Breasts are a sexy thing. A sexy thing with actual purpose, unlike round firm buttocks. So now that I have started to move out of the area of the question, I shall stop)

Casper286 · Accepted Answer

There are many reasons behind this.

1) Men just don't want to face that breasts aren't for them or even sex related at all, they're for feeding babies. The thought that a mother gives milk to her baby/babies through the breasts is repulsive to some men and even some women.

2) Women are overly sexualized. When women should skin it's considered scandalous yet guys can run around without shirts on and it's not sexualized nearly as much as it would if it was a woman without a shirt on. Double standard!

3) Honestly, I find it immature to think it's nasty for a woman to breastfeed her child in public. I get it if she's not covering herself up by doing so than it would be unacceptable but if she's covered up I don't see a problem with it. If adults think it's nasty than they just need to get off their high horse and grow up.

lace1228 · Accepted Answer

In Canada it is illegal for someone to ask a breastfeeding mother to leave or cover up. Breastfeeding here is a human right.  I don't know what is wrong with people who feel like nursing in public or in general to be gross. Once you become pregnant and give birth you body is going to make milk for your baby regardless if your planing to breastfed or not.  Breastfeeding is best for baby and mother. So people can say what they want but benefits will always be more greater then the stares and words of igorance.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm in northern Europe and here it isn't a problem, as long as it's done respectfully and as much privately as possible.

I still kinda see it as nasty, because I don't want to see a breast when I'm not expecting it - as I have a bad experience with it; and I'm being serious. The "then don't look!" doesn't even apply here!

Outside the cafeteria in my college are a lot of tables, but all in a row. On on table I saw a woman with one of her breast out and I was taken back, I slowed down my pace and thought to myself "From what asylum did she escape from?" and as I was nearing her I looked around at her table, and didn't see anyone and not even a baby (and I sure as heck was expecting to see a baby somewhere).

If I recall correctly she was just sitting and looking around, with her tit out like it was the most natural thing in the world (which it most definitely isn't, and I'm saying this as a ultra straight dude).

I went into the cafeteria, got my coffee, walked back (only one way in and one way out ...sadly), check up on this crazy girl again, this time around she at least was wearing a maternity bra, and this time around I saw a baby (where the heck it was before I'll never know).

I'm still surprised that no photos have surfaced (I'll bet many guys near her must have filled up the storage in their phones).

But I'll stress to my girlfriend to be as discreet about breastfeeding as possible. Because I sure as heck understand those that find it to be indecent.

Meedo · Accepted Answer

i don't understand it either.. even if I see breasts as sexual.. it is not my business if a lady exposes them for whatever reason.. being breastfeeding of just for the sake of it.  Bodily fluids are all over the place.. would you donate blood in public ?  would you sneeze in public?  what if someone spit?  I can't see how breast milk is disgusting.

Wowie101 · Answer

Ok so short answer... Breast are sexually... you can't deny that... if u think they aren't just turn on the tv or open a magazine... if you still think they aren’t watch big busted babes... so that out of the way why are people offended by brest feeding? .. it has to do with why we cover our naughty bits in the first place. We do it out of respect for people so they can feel comfortable... ok and we’ve been brought up our entire lives to respect that... and boys and girls play this game called I want you to look at my breasts but I don’t want you to think I want you to look at my breasts. So ask yourself would you be offended if you were standing there and some guy walked up next to you whipped out his penis and started peeing. Now he’s just doing a natural thing. Yes you would... The same level of uncomfet comes with that. Now in a mature situation This isn’t an issue. Most people will except the fact that you have to feed your child and let it go even though it makes them uncomfortable. But here’s the problem we don’t live in a mature society. So there will be people who won't like it. Mostly immature people who think that the world revolves just for them. Children “ Karrens” etc... don’t don’t fret... The world will eventually evolve... to accept this... just think about what would’ve happened if you did this 70 years ago...

RedSmartie · Answer

I don't get it at all. Thank goodness it's illegal here in the US to ask a breastfeeding mother to leave.

From a personal standpoint I could see how it would be discomforting to see or to do in public, but if women want to it's their right and it's really nervy of anyone to tell her not to. I'm so glad that the customers in the video were widely supportive of the breastfeeding mothers, I was afraid that people were going to get really mouthy but they were actually pretty chill about it. The only uncomfortable people were uncomfortable with the manager's behavior.

On a side note, I think the guy at the end of the video (when the mom was drinking a beer) was totally right. It may not have been his place to tell her that she can't drink while breastfeeding (to be fair, common sense should have told her that) but who the F does that sort of thing?

UberTroll · Answer

I personally find it a little uncomfortable and prefer women to do it in private. It's not that I think it's disgusting or wrong, I just don't wanna see a woman whip her breast out and have her baby sucking on it right in front of me. Peeing and pooping are also basic biological rights but people are expected to do that in private as well.

thtdiablo · Answer

That must be a US thing. Here in Europe and before in Israel I saw many mothers doing it in public and I can't really remember anyone being bothered by it. I really can't answer your question therefore as it is really no problem here :/

CasaNorba · Answer

i don't think its nasty, but I think is a little awkward. probably because I only see this happen once every five hundred years. but I do accept and respect the fact that a mother has to do what she has to do

Baconhair · Answer

I don't see it as a problem/nasty, so I can't testify to why people do.

When I went to Europe it was pretty commonplace, so I got used to it at a young age. No idea why someone would consider something so natural nasty.

Anonymous · Answer

No idea, it's perfectly natural and there's nothing gross or sexual about it. Some people are just stupid I guess.

Hamburgers · Answer

Whipping your nipples out for everyone to see is classless.

We don't want to see that. I don't know why this is even a discussion.

Take it to an area of privacy.

That not possible? Use your brain for proper logistics next time.

Anonymous · Answer

Because men over sexualize EVERYTHING that has to do with a woman's body, even when she's just trying to feed her baby. They don't realize breasts aren't for their pleasure, they're literally just there to feed a baby.

Anonymous · Answer

It's mainly men and its because they always see breasts as something sexual which is funny because breasts aren't even for their pleasure. They are to feed a baby.

somethingwitty · Answer

Because people sexualize the human body so much.

Why do most people see breast feeding as 'nasty'?

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