Question: Is it immodest to nurse in public?

[NewTradCatholicGal]

Sorry Vox, I didn't know where to put this so move it if you like.

 

I was wondering what are the rules for nursing mothers? I am a bathroom nurser. I am too shy to nurse in public. But the other Sunday at church, a young mother was there with her infant (her fifth child) and we were gathered in the basement later just standing around talking and first thing I noticed she was sitting in the corner nursing talking to another woman. You wouldn't know she was nursing except for the sounds coming from the baby.

 

Are we allowed to do that? There were men there and the priest could have walked in at any time. She did it very discreetly. She had the blanket pinned to her shoulder, but you know how a baby is, any wrong move or struggle and she could have been exposed. Or do men even find nursing women provocative? Or is it too motherly of an action?

 

I would love to be able to sit down and discreetly nurse anywhere, but I'm afraid of what others will say and i find I'm clumsy.

 

Any thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

[Sophia]

We do this at our parish too.

 

There is nothing wrong with a mother nursing in public, especially with all of the nursing clothes available now which makes modesty a non-issue.  On the other hand, there are people who for various reasons are scandalized by the very idea that something is "going on" or for whom the sight or idea of nursing mothers is totally foreign- I think it is charitable to remove yourself from the room if this is the case.  I always keep the circumstances and the people in mind before I sit down to nurse.

 

If you aren't comfortable doing it, then you should probably go somewhere else, since your milk may not let down if you are anxious.  Also, some babies just don't like their heads covered while nursing, and that may keep you from nursing openly.  If you want to get over your shyness, go sit down next to that other nursing mother next time to try to get the hang of it.  Nursing is nothing to be ashamed of!  I wouldn't do it if I were sitting right next to a priest, no, but mothers need not sit in a dingy bathroom, either.

[quoprimum]

I nurse anywhere and anytime I need to. I don't use blankets to cover  my baby or those expensive nursing clothes,or expensive nursing bra. I  always wear a skirt and modest top. I wear a light Lycra bra that costs  10 bucks. When I have to nurse I sit, pull up shirt and bra on one  side, and nurse. After 4 babies I have gotten good enough at it that  most people never even know what I am doing. I think the whole blanket,  nursing clothes stuff brings more attention to you than just regular  clothes.My first baby I did all that and he kept ripping the blanket  off ! And me trying to "unhook" and then hook back up those impossible  nursing bras! Ooh forget it! I sit in the front pew at Mass right in  front of Father Tague. I have never had anyone say anything to me,  although it is the law in NM that a nursing mother can nurse in public  anywhere the mother is lawfully allowed to be. All you need is  practice. Start out with small steps, nursing in more discreet public  places and soon, you will be a pro and not so self conscious. I feel  bad that you feel you have to nurse your babe in the bathroom. When  that is suggested to me I say, you go eat your dinner in the  bathroom!. No, I do not think it immodest as long as you are aware and  not exposing your breast. I realize that not everyone is comfortable  nursing in public, and that's OK! Good luck and happy nursing!!!
 
 
  In Christ
  Monique
 

[lumengentleman]

Personally, there is nothing "sexual" about this.  You're feeding a baby!  I actually get squeamish about it, just because I find it something terribly ... I don't know ... functional.  I was at a pancake breakfast once sitting across from a woman who just lifted her top and started nursing - most indiscreet.  I wanted to throw up, not stare.

 

It's not that I find nursing disgusting, either ... it's hard to explain.  But its definitely not a stumbling block - maybe for other guys, but not for most, I would think.

[Marty]

If you unsure whether its prudent or not, just throw a blanky over the bub, my wife does this and it works fine. I agree with Quoprimum, I wouldn't eat my dinner in the dunny either...

I love it when blokes have opinions about this sort of thing.

[miss_fluffy]

I think most men have inner struggles with the sight of breasts  regardless.  No place is safe from the occasional eyefull of  cleavage revealed when a woman with a low neckline bends over.   And low necklines are way more provacative than a baby nursing.  I  would say that even if there is someone around who would be scandalized  by it, they probably have to struggle alot more when they see  billboards around town, or glance at the magazine racks.
 
  I have seen women nursing in church before, but they seem to prefer to  sit in the back rows.  It sure is less distracting than a hungry  baby screaming.  I've never had a child so I don't know for sure  how I would approach the issue.  I've heard people in my family  complain about women nursing in public and it bothers me.  I  always thought it  wouldn't be such a big deal, and would want to  be free to nurse anywhere if I did have a child.
 
 

[Marty]

I think most men have inner struggles with the sight of breasts regardless. 

Breasts are wonderful.

They are the only way I can tell a man from a woman sometimes.

[NewTradCatholicGal]

Thanks Vox. It's OK, you can say "Duh" to me. I'm a big girl.

 

Anyway.

 

Thanks for all your great responses. I did want to try to nurse in church (in the back row of course) but I had to feel around first to see how others would feel about this. It takes about twenty to thirty minutes to nurse a baby well and that is half of Mass. And my guys ALWAYS get hungry soon after Mass starts. So I would have to leave and go nurse in the car (we don't have a Mom's room or anything like that) but I couldn't see why if I was at the back of the church (no reason anyone would be looking back) and I could do it discreetly, I wouldn't have to miss Mass every time.

 

Thanks again!

[CatholicLady]

The women in our parish nurse when the need arises....I was once in a meeting (held in a home), and our pastor was present.....One of the young moms went ahead and nursed her baby....No one was scandalized.....Father didn't mind, either.  Besides....He was widowed, and is a grandfather....So....

Nursing a baby is a natural, non-sexual activity.....You just have to follow your own instincts...If you are uncomfortable nusing in public, don't...If it doesn't bother you, go ahead.....

Sandy

[Magdalene]

The only modest way I see you can breast-feed a baby is shown on this website: www.hideababe.com.