One of those 'Europe' fodorites --- e-gads !!! you folks on the USA board certainly trump us when it comes to tearing into each other on a topic that's tangentially related to travel. <BR> <BR> . . . get me back to the "which arrondissement of Paris should I stay in" talk . . .

Nothing worse than a bunch of mothers going to war over bottle vs. breast or wahm vs. sahm! Put your claws away ladies! Who cares if you breast feed your kid or not. If you want to get worked up about something, turn your tv set on to the earthquake in India! Explain to all those people who have had their homes destroyed and loved ones killed why you think breast is best!

I must say I'm struck by the level of anger being evoked during a discussion about something as benevolent and gentle as a mother nursing her baby. Why do you suppose that is?

Well, Sigmund, isn't it usually the folks who don't have something that are the loudest about denying it to everybody else? Maybe their moms stuck that plastic nipple in their little mouths and stuck them in front of a TV. Just cases of arrested development, and possibly nipple envy (not to be too scientific). I bet every one of them drives a SUV with dark windows. C

Yes, breastfeeding is better for the child. And I breastfed both of my children. BUT, sitting down in the middle of the mall to pop a tit out to nurse a 2 year old child IS NOT APPROPRIATE. It's one thing to be discreet about it. It's another to force it upon the rest of the world. <BR> <BR>And I have photographed a friend's baby nursing. From the angle that mom sees the baby. It was a GREAT picture! She was THRILLED to have it. But I'll bet it's not hanging on the wall in her home.

Lots of women, like myself, were breastfeed and have also breastfeed our children but think that it isn't a good idea to display, as I have seen in public. I think Sigmund would say those women are seeking attention for themselves. How about that actress on Johnny Carson years ago who nursed on the Late Show! It set La Leche back fifty years. Some women are very good at the womanly art and they don't get militant about it. And I have seen it "whipped out" in a classroom and also in a shopping mall. Sorry, but I don't want to live in a culture like Guadeloupe and I like the nudity laws as they stand, thank you. <BR> <BR>

I promise this is fini for me. Look at recent postings ... pop a tit ... whip it out ... display it in public. And so forth. My god, it's an it. This thread feels like a boys locker room. Thankfully it isn't olfactory (whoops ... for you XFL'ers, that's sense of smell). Ciao (ok ... chow)

I am with Anna. People in America have no problem looking at breasts on billboards, tv. magazines, etc. Most publications show more of the womans breast than you would see when a woman breast feeds. It is a natural thing, just like drinking anything in public. Is it more 'natural' to give a baby milk that is produced with chemicals? Would you think it was ok to give a newborn soda pop? Of course not! God designed the womans breast for 2 functions. Mans pleasure and babys nourishment. What a wonderful God we have. I was a very happy mom knowing that my milk was the sole nourishment for all 3 of my children. They are teenagers now, and I miss that time I had to with them when they were babies. I am not the only mom who feels this way either. I have spoken to other moms who have long been over the breast feeding, and that is one of the things they really miss. I am all for breatfeeding , discreetly. I would not take food or dring into a public restroom, I want to get in & out of there. WHy would I want to subject myself to sitting there for possibly 20 mins waiting for my child to finish lunch? Would you eat in a public bathroom?

This thread really has outlived its usefulness and become another, stupid, non-related tangent. Too the original poster, why didn't you ask this question to your friends or co-workers instead of bringing it up here?? What are you some kind of goofy, neurotic seeking attention. And, to the rest of you...back to something more relevant to travel please.

You're missing the point altogether. <BR> <BR>It's one thing to sit in a quiet corner of a restaurant and discreetly nurse an infant. Most department stores now offer a baby changing and nursing area with comfortable chairs to use while nursing. When you stop in the middle of Crate and Barrel to do so, that's popping a tit out. When you sit down in the middle of the atrium at the mall, that's popping a tit out. When your child is big enough to climb up in your lap and undress you to nurse, that's popping a tit out. <BR> <BR>I nursed my children. But did so discreetly. Yes, you'll have some people that are offended anyway. But I will bet that the majority of the public are not offended by nursing, but would prefer that the nursing mom be a little more discreet about her activities.

Lydia - good points. The anti-folks no doubt are the type to eat in the bathroom. And Amen, learn grammar.

To everyone who suggests the woman should go to the ladies' room to nurse: NO, NO, NO! Nursing takes 20-30 minutes. If one person ties up a stall for that long in a busy restroom (like an airport), the line can get huge. Don't punish everyone else by hogging a stall. Just nurse discreetly where you are. Thanks.

Okay, so now I have another question. Why do you suppose so many people equate breastfeeding with bathroom functions? Actually babies do both. Nobody seems to mind if they eliminate in public (as long as they're diapered, of course) but somehow feeding has to be done in a public toilet? Interesting...

Joseph-Blow it out your ass you jerk!

I think women should have to walk around with any clothes on all the time. Except the fat ugly ones. That will solve all of the problems. I say bring out the boobs and feed away!!!!!

Now, now, Amen/Amen2, lets keep it faith-based. I was only suggesting you might need a touch-up in the word and punctuation department. Beside, I'm not built that way - I'm simply aghast at your imagery. And XXX, speaking of boobs. You two are peas in the pod.

It's not that they associate nursing with bathroom functions. It's that there is a door with some degree of privacy. <BR> <BR>Personally, a bathroom is the place I would nurse or express milk. When I had to go back to work, I weaned my daughters to 2 feedings per day. She took formula in a bottle the rest of the time.

I am 41 yrs old, married, no kids. Have lived in one of the most travelled to and populated places in the world for my whole life - NYC. If I have seen 2 women breast feeding in public during this time, it would be a lot. I think that I would be embarrassed, and look away, not because of the 'exposure' (I have my own, thank you), but because I would feel like I was seeing something incredibly intimate & personal between a mother & her child, and that I would be an intruder. What a wonderful bonding experience. I wouldn't want to be distracted by staring strangers, or have the mood spoiled with disapproving glances. Let's give the Mom's a break here. But Mom's, remember when the shoe was on the other foot please. Not saying you should be in a dirty bathroom stall, but if you are going someplace and you know in advance that a bathroom is your only option, you could try to be prepared.

The following was posted on a BB I frequent and I thought a cut and paste to bring it here might lighten the mood a bit. <BR> <BR>How would the world be different if men had breasts? <BR> <BR>If men had breasts would they ever leave the house? <BR>Would mammograms be free and underwire bras illegal? <BR>The following are 20 ways Women.com members thought the world would be <BR>different if men were the ones with bodacious ta-tas: <BR> <BR>***************************** <BR>"Hooters would change its name to Just Another Burger Place." <BR> <BR>"Gravity would be illegal." <BR> <BR>"They would understand why it is so hard for women to decide what to wear." <BR> <BR>"Bodacious ta-tas wouldn't be called ta-tas, they'd be called hairy man <BR>breasts." <BR> <BR>"Sagging breasts would be universally thought of as a sign of wisdom and <BR>success." <BR> <BR>"They would understand our confusion about why men are so obsessed with <BR>them." <BR> <BR>"Breast implants and uplifts would be covered by insurance companies." <BR> <BR>"Breastfeeding would be a sacrament." <BR> <BR>"We would still be waiting for the invention of the wheel. The discovery of fire is questionable." <BR> <BR>"Women would have great fun playing with them." <BR> <BR>"The handshake would be replaced by the breast feel." <BR> <BR>There wouldn't be a need for bras -- men's hands would provide enough <BR>support." <BR> <BR>"Babies would be breastfed publicly! And men would brag to each other about how long they nursed their children." <BR> <BR>"Men might actually make eye contact with women." <BR> <BR>"There would be at least one National Breast Appreciation Day." <BR> <BR>"Men would be all day in the gym trying to make them stay firm." <BR> <BR>"Wet T-shirt contests would be major events just like the Super Bowl. And the prizes would be things like bass boats, sports cars and four-wheel-drive trucks." <BR> <BR>"Cup Z would be every man's dream." <BR> <BR>"Considering it's very rare to see a man's ***** in movies, breasts would no doubt become as taboo." <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

to the top