"Personal responsibility" would dictate that all parents should do the responsible thing and breastfeed... it's scientifically proven to be the BEST thing to give our children, yet society dictates that we have to be as inconvenienced as possible? That's BS. "Personal (and social) Responsibility" would dictate that anyone who is NOT a breastfeeding mom provide as much support possible to those who are as a way of doing their part to improve the health and longevity of the species.

I'll breastfeed in front of ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME I want to because it's the RIGHT thing to do.

If you're uncomfortable with that, please, get your food in a to-go box, or go eat it in the bathroom, or in your car. I certainly won't be paying attention to YOU because I know how to mind my own business.

Take him out to the car and feed him in privacy.
Even better, how about feeding him before you go out to eat?

Common sense stuff here.

Marie, you should be able to feed your baby in whatever manner you deem appropriate. If it's in front of my children and they ask, I will tell them that a woman's breast provides food for a baby called breastmilk and that not all babies eat from a bottle. It's really that simple. It's a breast and people need to get over it. However, I do not go to the movies with small children unless a) it's a movie specifically designed for small children and it's packed with tons of little kids or b) it's a movie specifically designated for children with certain disabilities so that the crowd is expectant of certain possible behaviors. We pay good money to hire a babysitter so we can have an evening out and do not expect to be interrupted by screaming, out of control children.

Marie, you'll have to ignore Tim's "common sense" suggestion. Why do bottle fed babies not have to be taken to the car? Why can't the baby eat with the family? Why are people so upset that babies don't eat when we demand they do? (sarcasm intended in that last comment). I never breastfed any of my children for personal reasons, but there is nothing wrong with breastfeeding except for prudish and uneducated people concerning the topic.

Ignore me if you want, but it's what my wife and I did. All the time. Again, common sense stuff for anyone with any consideration for others trying to enjoy a meal.

It's called having respect for others. If you want it back, you need to give it to others. The world doesn't revolve around you, or me.

If it is done discretely it should not be an issue. I don't know if doing it in the middle of a college class is a great idea though.

I have to agree with Tim on this one.

PHParent, if its just a breast as you say, then why are women not allowed to go topless at the beach? After all, they are just food sources :P

Marie and Perry Hall Parent, am I allowed to stare when you hang your utter out in a bar? If I have a couple of Boh’s in me I will probably not be able to control myself.

Sorry, I meant udder. stupid autocorrect.

I am a human, not a cow. Its a breast, not an udder. But, stare away Tony. There will be nothing to see, other than a hungry baby. If you get your rocks off over that, well then you're a pig. PS.I don't nurse in bars because I don't go to bars, let along take my child to a bar.

Oh man, do I hear some judging in your tone Marie?

You are a mammal and from what I have seen in public, most good looking women put a towel over them, it’s the huge ones that just let those udders hang.

You're telling me that if you saw me breastfeeding you may not be able to control yourself... yes, I am making a judgement based off of that comment. And now you're talking about good looking women and huge women... I will continue to judge you off of those comments as well.

Tony, I realize your *attempt* at sarcasm and humor, but um, number one, if you are going to try and call something a name, could you TRY to spell it correctly? It's UDDER not UTTER, but what you did utter about the udder was pretty uneducated. Most women who breastfeed has special clothing items to provide a discreet experience and 99.999% of women cover up completely and tastefully. It sounds like perhaps you should put the beer down and pick up "Spelling and Grammar for Dummies"

Marie, I was talking about you judging people who go to bars. You seemed like you thought you were above them when you said you do not go to bars.

Perry Hall Parent, before you tell people to learn to spell look at my next comment posted only one minute after my initial comment. “Sorry, I meant udder. Stupid autocorrect.”

Now I know you are upset over your cow breasts, but relax, it’s only the human body. I just wish we could have the women on the cover of those magazines feeding their kids all over Perry Hall. All the Perry Hall teenagers, myself included, spank-banks would be overflowing. Wow, that would be a utopia.

Wow. You're disgusting. YOU are the reason why breastfeeding is viewed the way it is. Like I have already said, most women show less skin when nursing their baby than women who wear a low cut top.

And I am not judging anyone who goes to a bar. You said if I hang my "udder" out in bar.... I do not go to bars. That's all.

Yep Marie, I do.

Did it occur to you that perhaps, if your child is feeding every two hours, that maybe you shouldn't take him out to dinner? Or perhaps maybe you bring a back up bottle just in case?

I mean...we did. Just sayin'. Your chest isn't going to explode if you're 30-60 minutes late on a breastfeeding.

"Consideration for others trying to enjoy a meal." 1- If you're enjoying that meal so much, then you are not worried about what anyone at any other table is doing and 2- Much respect your showing to that baby by saying they shouldn't be eating. What a hypocrite you are. What do you think mothers did before formula? My God you people are so ignorant. A WOMAN'S BREASTS ARE MEANT TO FEED HER CHILDREN. Period. I don't feel the need to continue having to defend my right to feed my child wherever, whenever. Just like a mother who feeds her child a bottle.

Marie: If the baby's hungry, and you don't have the foresight to pack a bottle (which is your fault), you go somewhere in privacy to feed your child.

Again, you are passing the buck on personal responsibility. There's no sugar coating this. Rant all you want about your myopic right to breast feed whereever you want.
Most people don't agree, and folks like me, far from being hypocrites, actually do plan ahead for these things.

Marie and PH Parent, Sorry I have to agree with Tim on this one, and I am a MOM who did breastfeed her kids. If I went out, I always tried to feed before leaving, I would excuse myself and go feed in private when out, many, many times I took myself and baby to the car for privacy. Yes, it is a mom's right to be able to feed her baby when needed out in public. But, have some self-respect to get your self up and be a little more private about it. I don't understand why some women are so up in arms about the NEED to do it everywhere. I never had any problem finding a fitting room, private space, or nothing better than my own car. I do agree that if you feel you should be able to just do it anywhere, then you are feeling like the world revolves around you and your rights.

Exactly, a boob is a boob.... which is meant for a baby to nurse. There is no rule telling me that I can not feed my child when he is hungry. Yes I would still feel comfortable in those situations... if children were taught appropriately, there would be nothing weird about it. Like I said to Tony, when I nurse my son, I am not just popping it out, exposing my nipple for the world to see. You'd see nothing more than what you see when a woman wear a low-cut shirt... probably less actually. Don't like it, don't look. Plain and simple. It's natural, it's normal and there is nothing wrong with feeding a baby when he/she is hungry.

Marie, I'm sorry, but this strikes me as a classic example of someone who's self absorbed and entitled to do what she wants, when she wants, regardless of who might be bothered.
You think only of yourself, the baby is not even a factor here as there are alway EASY to implement alternatives in a restaurant scenario.

Now sure, we could come up with some scenarios when actual feeding in public is the ONLY practical solution. I'm not suggesting at all that these scenarios don't exist. Example: on a long flight as Steve mentioned below. Nothing wrong with that at all. Where else is it going to happen? There are no practical options if you are 2 hours in on a 4 hour direct flight.

Now see, you have the consideration to manage your babies when they are out. You, my friend, are in the slight majority of people who do.

Although I'd question any parent's judgment in taking their kids (now babies, toddlers) to scary movies they have no business seeing.
If you can't get a sitter, don't go.

I'm not saying I would definitely take them until they were old enough to understand what they were even watching. More then likely, I would wait. Just saying if I were to take them for any given reason I wouldn't be one of those parents who just sit there and let them cry. I get agitated enough by certain people talking nonstop in the theatre and kicking my seat! Let alone trying to add to any annoyance in there. As for scary movies, no worries there. I barely go to those enough as it is. Needless to say, I like to sleep good at night. haha

Definitely agree that, in the movie setting, out of control babies/toddlers are a small minority of issues once faces.

It's why we seldom go anymore. Paying for aggravation is not very high on my list of things to do.

Taylor, yes I have heard of it. Engorgement is a non-factor, again, if you feed your child before you go out to dinner. Common sense stuff, again. Secondly, if you're filling up within an hour, here's a smarter idea - don't go out to eat in public. No one wants to see it.

I was home with my wife, actively participating in managing our outings when our baby was an infant each and every day. I'm more familiar with this stuff then you realize.
I actually can't imagine someone as brilliant as you couldn't wrap your head around the concept that there are actually some husbands out there who take a VERY active role in raising their babies. So much so, I actually took FMLA leave myself - AFTER my wife did her time, in order to best raise our son as an infant. I fought my employer over it, and fortunately I had friends in high places that made certain my job was waiting for me when I came back.

The reality of the matter is, Taylor, you have no idea how much I actually know.
I do apologize for you if your husband just wasn't up to my standards in helping raise your infants though.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but a 10 month old is still very much an infant, not a toddler and breastmilk or formula is still a major source of nutrition... and that's fact.

just for the record... when Tim mentioned I have taken my son to school with me, he has never "sat in" on one of my classes. He's just not ready. He would be disruptive and that is not fair to my students. When I've taken him to school, one of my colleagues (or as responsible student) generously volunteered to keep him company in my office while I taught my class.
I don't think I've ever seen a professor bring an infant to class. It would be one thing if the baby were asleep in a carrier the whole time, but what the bfing prof did was totally over the top.

Marie, a 10 month old is not an infant. Yes, breastmilk is a big portion of their diet, but they can also drink water and eat food at a table and be just as happy. It sounds like you are arguing just to have the right to do it whenever/wherever. That starts sounding a little odd at that point....ie. not about "food" for baby, but more about you.

A 10 month old is not an infant? What is a 10 month old then? Define infant for me, please! You are seriously misinformed. Yes, my son does eat food, does drink water, but he still nurses regularly. It has nothing to do with me. You people are crazy... there are WAY more important issues in society today. You all are so concerned with my right to nourish my son. Sounds to me like the odd thing is morons like you people just wanting to hate on SOMETHING, anything. My God, find something more important to attack!

Ok, Marie, sorry an infant is up to 12 months defined by AAP. BUT, there is a huge difference in the nursing needs of a newborn versus a 10 month old. I know that, because I did bf all 3 of my kids up to 1 year. I NEVER had a problem finding a private place (even my car). Yes, we all know you have the right to nourish your son, but it sounds like you are the one so upset if others suggest you find a private place. I didn't need others to suggest that to me, I was respectful of myself enough to get up and move elsewhere. I didn't think everything revolved around my right to do it whenever/wherever.....ie. that didn't matter to me, I had self respect. You are the one who needs something else more important to attack. I don't hate you or your right to bf wherever. I'm just saying, it's not all about you and your rights....yes, find something else more important to worry about.

And that is YOUR personal preference. I choose not to drop whatever I am doing while I am out to go to my car or find a dressing room just because others might be uncomfortable if they take the time to be nosy and realize what I am doing. If I am in my car and my baby needs to eat, sure I will feed him there. If I am trying on clothes and my baby is hungry, sure I will feed him there. If I am walking the mall with 10 month old and 6 year old in tow and there is a bench nearby, I am certainly not walking to my car just so I can feed him. It has nothing to do with me, my rights or self-respect. It's the way that babies are supposed to eat and I still am not sure why it's such a big deal for mom's to feed their kids. I'm not flashing the mall or the restaurant when I nurse, in fact I guarantee if you saw me out, you would'nt even notice. When my son was a newborn, even a couple months old... I did actually find a private place to nurse as it was much harder at that time to get comfortable. You know right? You've done it. My son being 10 months, he's latched and we're comfortable in a matter of seconds. If you are such an experience breastfeeding mother, I would think you would understand that each nursing relationship is not the same. My son does in fact, often eat as much as a newborn. Ever heard of a growth spurt? Why do you expect me to hide? Or go out of my way to feed my baby?

Yep, sorry I mis-remembered that detail (thanks for that, Roger Clemens!). Honestly it's been over a year since E has even been on campus at all (save for Monday when we just stopped by for lunch).

He's real popular with Tracey's department and students though. They keep wanting him to visit more, but he doesn't get terribly sick as much these days.

That's awful. People's selfishness overrides common sense. We see it every day, sadly.

Some people will take their kids to an inappropriate movie (or even watch at home) with their small child, ONLY because they want to see it and can't afford/find a babysitter. That's pure selfishness. Part of a bigger problem in society is small kids being exposed to way too much than they should.