Breastfeeding In Public: A Simple Solution To A Controversial Problem

Have you heard most recent breastfeeding controversy which occurred between a young mother in Missouri and a manager at a local Denny’s?

Tiffany Morgan was nursing her baby in a Denny’s restaurant when she was approached by the manager and told to cover up. When she said she didn’t have a cover, she became embarrassed and quickly left. 

According to Tiffany, she made a point to inform the hostess that she planned to breastfeed so she could be seated in a less conspicuous area of the restaurant. She also showed the manager a card which outlined Missouri’s breastfeeding statue. It stated that a mother is allowed to breastfeed with as much discretion as possible in any public or private location. But despite her efforts, she says she was still made to feel embarrassed about feeding her baby.

(I'm not picking on Tiffany but come on! She knew she was going to breastfeed but didn't bring a cover?)

In a similar incident, a woman in at a Colorado water park who was breastfeeding her son while sitting at the edge of the baby pool was asked to continue in the restroom because other parents complained that "their children were seeing more than they needed to see."

Obviously, both women's ideas of discreet were different from the manager’s and the other pool patrons. But the question is: Who decides what is discreet enough? The mother or a restaurant manager or strangers/spectators.

Personally, I don't understand all the latest uproar over breastfeeding and why people on both sides are feeling offended. It's a BOOB, people! We’ve all seen them. Just stroll past any  Victoria's Secret store and you’ll see plenty in the window advertisements.

Speaking of Victoria's Secret, I also can’t fathom how their larger than life advertisements of models in barely there lingerie are less offensive than a breastfeeding mom.

Is our society saying it’s alright to let your boobs hang out as long as you are a hot, sexy young woman but a breastfeeding mother – showing the same amount of skin – is indecent?

Geesh...I hate double standards.

When it comes to breastfeeding, a woman just can't win. 

Most moms know that they shouldn't breastfeed while driving. They also know they shouldn't breastfeed while a passenger while in a moving vehicle. That makes me think that the majority of breastfeeding moms are also intelligent enough not to purposely expose themselves in public.

When incidents such as these occur, it's especially irritating. It’s like the message being sent is “Everyone has a right to eat or hang out here here except for any breastfeeding babies.”

What does that mean to a mother? Is she supposed to let her baby scream in hunger (because that’s NOT annoying) so she doesn’t discomfit a random stranger? Or is she not supposed to venture out of the house until her child is weaned?

It's ridiculous to think that a woman should feel guilty or wrong for feeding her child. As any mother knows, being a parent is tough stuff – especially in this culture. Are these the "family values" we want to teach?

Shame on any public place that reprimands a woman for feeding her hungry infant.  Shame on anyone who is offended by a baby eating.

The truth is, women will always breastfeed and some people will always think it's yucky. That means businesses and "spectators" need to show more tolerance and understanding towards breastfeeding moms. And breastfeeding moms need to stay covered and remain aware of the people around them.

There, problem solved. Can we stop bickering about this now. (I don't know about you, but I'm a little tired of hearing about all these breastfeeding wars.)

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding in public? Did you nurse your baby? Were you ever asked to leave or cover up? If you’d like to share, leave a comment below, friend me on Facebook or find me on Twitter.