Pregnancy etiquette...

[sirrahved]

I will not apologize for being offended by this term, but I WILL apologize for being sarcastic in my response. Not the best way to deal with frustrations.

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

[shais_mom]

I've one better for you Donna. A couple years ago I was walking out of a shoe store and met a woman holding a toddler's hand and an infant in one of those slings across her body, breast feeding the infant, while walking into the store....
I realize that breast feeding is one of the most natural things in the world but I also think some discretion should be used. There was none in that case. When my sister breast fed my nephews it was a huge production, she had to prop him up with pillows- she had pillows all around him and herself and covered up with a blanket. That is what I was used to - so to see someone walking into a store doing was a bit of a surprise!
I also don't think that its appropriate to do it at restaurant tables in front of other diners. One of my co-workers went to a wedding reception shortly after she had her baby and she went to the bathroom and met a woman from their table - breast feeding in this tiny bathroom which was fine but spent the whole time my co-worker was in there complaining b/c the bathroom was so small and she really wanted to feed the baby where there was more room like at the dinner table. This was apparently a very elegant black tie - no kids allowed reception.

[sirrahved]

I've one better for you Donna. A couple years ago I was walking out of a shoe store and met a woman holding a toddler's hand and an infant in one of those slings across her body, breast feeding the infant, while walking into the store....
I realize that breast feeding is one of the most natural things in the world but I also think some discretion should be used. There was none in that case. When my sister breast fed my nephews it was a huge production, she had to prop him up with pillows- she had pillows all around him and herself and covered up with a blanket. That is what I was used to - so to see someone walking into a store doing was a bit of a surprise!
I also don't think that its appropriate to do it at restaurant tables in front of other diners. One of my co-workers went to a wedding reception shortly after she had her baby and she went to the bathroom and met a woman from their table - breast feeding in this tiny bathroom which was fine but spent the whole time my co-worker was in there complaining b/c the bathroom was so small and she really wanted to feed the baby where there was more room like at the dinner table. This was apparently a very elegant black tie - no kids allowed reception.

For me, this is also a skin issue. If I don't see parts that are usually covered up, then feed your baby wherever you please. I was out with a woman just last week that fed her baby at the table, and I never saw so much as a flash of anything.

Having a breast exposed in public would be a completely different thing.

[shais_mom]

For me, this is also a skin issue. If I don't see parts that are usually covered up, then feed your baby wherever you please. I was out with a woman just last week that fed her baby at the table, and I never saw so much as a flash of anything.

Having a breast exposed in public would be a completely different thing.

the way she had the shirt and the baby positioned the only thing you COULDN'T see was her ni@@le.

[sirrahved]

That's too much! There are ways to position slings so no one would even know you are BFing.

[Miss Z]

Haha, you should come over her if something like a bare pregnant belly makes you uncomfortable.

I work on the beach and see men, women, and children of all ages and sizes in thongs everyday. A 90 year old man in a red thong, GROSS, a pregnant woman's belly? Pah, bring it on.

Ick, I know exactly what you mean, seen WAY too much of that whilst holidaying on Mediterranean shores.

It always seems to be the over 50, overweight people that seem to think they're glorious enough to throw off their bikini top and strut around in a teeny polka dot thong.

For once, the modest ones are the young pretty girls!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Ok, I admit to being a prude myself and sometimes seeing "too much" of other people can make me feel uncomfortable. But, you know, I think we all could all lighten up a bit. It's just a body part. We all have body parts. One of the reasons that women are afraid to breast feed (which is ultimately better for the baby) is because of how society views it. And, it's just a breast (or stomach) really, what is the big deal?

[mruffruff]

This old lady doesn't want to see anything she wouldn't show of her own. She doesn't wear a thong, low riders or belly-showing shirts. She has a little respect for other people's sensitivities.

My belly is natural too. Wanna see?

[moosmom]

Mruffruff,

ROFLMAO!!!! I got one of those too!!! Wanna see?

I also have a badonkadonk butt and cottage cheese thighs, but ya don't see ME showing them to the world.

[kitten645]

The notion that "it's the most natural thing" irks me in that...so is farting and belching. Doesn't mean I need tp be exposed to it. I understand it's a joyful time in THEIR lives. Doesn't mean it should be shoved down my throat. I think that a pregnant woman that dresses appropriatley is hardly 'ashamed" of her belly. Just considerate of others. I'm finding more and more that people in general are oblivious to others. "It's all about me". This extends to everything mentioned here. Even notice that the people who tend to like to show skin are usually the ones you'd LEAST like to see??

[JenBKR]

Personally, I have been very disappointed in maternity clothes since getting pregnant. They are tight and are made to show off the 'bump.' I don't really understand why pregnant women would want to dress like that. I have some maternity clothes, but for the most part I have been wearing regular tee shirts with maternity jeans or sweats. I just want to be comfortable (not to mention I feel like a huge elephant ). If someone wants to flaunt it all like that that's their choice, but certainly not mine. Then again, I was never one to wear short skirts and tiny little shirts, even when I was thin and would have actually looked good in them. It's just not me.

I also have no problem with breastfeeding done in public. It's much healthier for the baby. However, I do believe it can be done modestly.

[Cataholic]

One of the reasons that women are afraid to breast feed (which is ultimately better for the baby) is because of how society views it. And, it's just a breast (or stomach) really, what is the big deal?

So true. You poop and pee in a bathroom- you do NOT eat in a bathroom. Why would a woman breastfeed her child in a bathroom? That is so hugely gross.

I have BF at a table, in a church, at a place of employment, in a mall, a park, etc. Thankfully I am not one of those people bothered by the public opinion that the use of my breasts for their purpose is 'wrong'. As a former extended bf'er, I *never* saw any blatant displays of bf'ing. Never. I do think people tend to look for such blatant displays, and play them up.

BF my child should be simple and easy, it shouldn't be a production, it shouldn't involve lots of cover-ups and pillows, etc...

[shais_mom]

I *never* saw any blatant displays of bf'ing. Never. I do think people tend to look for such blatant displays, and play them up.

I wasn't looking for blatant displays, I was walking out of store.

BF my child should be simple and easy, it shouldn't be a production, it shouldn't involve lots of cover-ups and pillows, etc...

I realize that, but this is what my sister did with her first baby, to each their own, everyone's different, YOU oughta know that!!!

[lizbud]

The notion that "it's the most natural thing" irks me in that...so is farting and belching. Doesn't mean I need tp be exposed to it. I understand it's a joyful time in THEIR lives. Doesn't mean it should be shoved down my throat. I think that a pregnant woman that dresses appropriatley is hardly 'ashamed" of her belly. Just considerate of others. I'm finding more and more that people in general are oblivious to others. "It's all about me". This extends to everything mentioned here. Even notice that the people who tend to like to show skin are usually the ones you'd LEAST like to see??

Great post. I really like the way you expressed your opinion.

[Dorothy39]

Waaaay back in the 60's, while at a grocery store with my older sister( I was 12 years old at the time), I asked her. "How do you feel about being pregnant in pubic?) I mean, I knew that Lucille Ball had made a public appearance on televison(what a doll)~

She told me that it didn't bother her in the least, let me mention here that she was a prim and proper lady too , neat and tidy.

Anyways, When "I" was pregnant, I never felt like a standout in the crowd,I was very proper while out in the public~~~~ but for "kicks' ~~~~I did have one of my kids take a picture of myself in a bikinii when I was in full term


But, to actually show this picture to everyone? No way!!!