Comments on: Breastfeed In Our Lovely Closet! The Use of the Symbol

By: You Want Me to Feed My Baby Where?!

You Want Me to Feed My Baby Where?! — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:50:35 +0000

[...] Here are a couple of common points I like to make about breastfeeding in public: [...]

By: Nursing Mother Called “Immoral” At Vancouver Museum : Eco Child’s Play

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:15:28 +0000

[...] woman began to breastfeed in the Science World museum when a volunteer directed her to the nursing room. Because Kristen George was with her 23-month-old and her 8-week-old nursling, she stayed put, [...]

By: The Breastmilk Benefits “Myth” : Eco Child’s Play

The Breastmilk Benefits “Myth” : Eco Child’s Play — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:31:42 +0000

[...] consider myself a lactivist. I mean, if there is truly a place in the world for a woman who thinks that babies should be fed [...]

By: mkemom

mkemom — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:22:28 +0000

I agree with Noble Savage. I’ll breastfeed wherever I choose to, sign or no sign… but I’ve known a few moms who are excruciatingly shy about breastfeeding, or whose babies won’t settle down to nurse well if there are too many distractions, who are happy with any reasonably quiet and private facility they can find. I think our society still needs some moms who refuse to be told go into a closet to nurse, but it’s important to recognize that it’s ok to be modest about breastfeeding too, and the sign is a friendly step in the right direction towards accommodating those shyer moms.

By: Noble Savage

Noble Savage — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:09:15 +0000

I’m not sure what I think, really. My gut reaction is that it does run the risk of being the place where women are ’sent’ to nurse and that we shouldn’t need rooms like this, but I also understand that many women just aren’t comfortable nursing in public and if there are spaces set aside for them I’m all for it. I never thought I’d use one of those rooms but once I had my second child I changed my tune a little. My 3-year-old often would not stay with me while I was sitting down feeding my son and there has been more than one occasion where I had to chase after her with him still attached, or else abruptly detach him and frantically try to pull my shirt down while running after her. Not a fun scenario to be in. So I think nursing rooms do serve a purpose, for both moms who feel they need a bit more privacy and those who need the contained space for older children.

Overall, I think the symbol is a good thing and that the more people who see it and, even on the smallest subconscious level, think of breastfeeding as normal and something that women are going to be doing in public, the better.

By: TheFeministBreeder

TheFeministBreeder — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:29:03 +0000

As some commentors on my post put it – this symbol should say “you can breastfeed here, or ANYWHERE.” But the sign on the airport bathroom-looking-place just screamed shame to me. If you’re gonna give moms a room to nurse in, you better make it someplace other than a makeshift bathroom, and you better make sure it accommodates more than one mother at a time (because do they seriously expect that only ONE mother will need to breastfeed her child at a time in an entire international airport?)

That symbol is supposed to represent the words “Breastfeeding Friendly.” That door didn’t look breastfeeding friendly to me.

By: Cate Nelson

Cate Nelson — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:50:05 +0000

Olivia,
You’re right. I don’t think that’s the symbol’s purpose. But many women don’t live in communities where BFing in public is supported or accepted. And while some of them may find privacy a blessing, I simply don’t want to be “sent” somewhere.
(With your twins and 3 older girls, maybe it’s better for you and the children to have a place to settle in to BF for a while? Good for the sanity.)

I don’t have a problem BFing wherever, whenever, though my youngest is now 14 months and is just fine with waiting (and in public, he’s often much too distracted to remember the breasts!).

A private, comfortable room is a luxury. But I don’t want women to feel that they *must* bow out of a much-needed social gathering (i.e. at a restaurant with family or friends) to tuck themselves away for other people’s social comfort.

As we all know, we’ll receive the “looks” either way. “Must she do that here?!” shouldn’t become, “Why doesn’t she go to that room to do that?!”
We don’t need to be put on a pedestal as BFers, but it should be culturally acceptable and encouraged, no matter where baby needs it.

By: Olivia

Olivia — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:34:00 +0000

I do not feel the international breastfeeding symbol is by any means meant to be used as a tool to segregate women who nurse.

I do believe, however, that this symbol and its use in public establishments is a sign that there is a growing supportive community for women who DO choose to breastfeed their babes.

Let’s face it, not all women who nurse are particularly excited about lifting up their shirts in public to nurse their young! I don’t believe the issue is the criticism they may receive but for the simple reasons of personal discretion. Some women may WELCOME the “family room” so they may have a little quiet and privacy to nurse.

I certainly have no problems with nursing in public and will gladly sit in a restaurant, a dance recital, a bench in the park or where ever my little ones fancy to eat. However, if I do happen to cross paths with an establishment where the international breastfeeding symbol is proudly displayed, I consider it a luxury and will slip away into that private room to nurse my girls there.

By: flowers

flowers — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:33:59 +0000

Interesting. You know I’ve never been anything but supportive of the symbol, but I think I agree now that you’ve put it this way. It’s almost sending a message to first time mom’s you must breastfeed here.

As a 5 year veteran I just like the sign and nurse anywhere.