From the Peaceful Parenting blog:
A Detroit mom, Afrykayn Moon, was rudely asked to leave a Michigan bus when she discretely nursed her newborn baby in a sling. According to Moon, this is how it started:
Give your two cents in the comments. How do you feel about nursing in public? Ladies, have you ever been told to “Take that outside” or been prevented from breastfeeding in public?
Ronniecofield says
I nursed both of my children, ages now 23 and 18, before it was popular. Only one time was a comment made at a resturant, when someone said why can’t you do that in the bathroom. My response, “Since you are offended you go take your meal in the bathroom and we will continue here at the table. The only way you knew what I was doing you had to be staring really hard.” As mothers we have to defend the right for our children to be heathy. People need to realize that this is the way our children were meant to be fed, all natural, no additives.
Ronniecofield says
I nursed both of my children, ages now 23 and 18, before it was popular. Only one time was a comment made at a resturant, when someone said why can’t you do that in the bathroom. My response, “Since you are offended you go take your meal in the bathroom and we will continue here at the table. The only way you knew what I was doing you had to be staring really hard.” As mothers we have to defend the right for our children to be heathy. People need to realize that this is the way our children were meant to be fed, all natural, no additives.
Ithinkiamalilnono says
I just really feel although the child needs to be fed one should still be discreet because it’s too many ppl n the world who don’t have the right mind set! There is a time and place for everything but next thing you know if we accept uncovered breastfeeding, there will be perverts trying to justify pulling out their penis to pee as if society has to accept because peeing too is natural and something we all have to do!
Nicole Brown says
She was being discreet….I too breastfed and my breast could not be seen unless someone was really staring into my breastfeeding sling. When a baby is hungry THEY HAVE TO EAT! You can’t make 2 weeks old wait an hour to nurse… PPl who didn’t breastfeed may not understand why this is so terrible
Nicole Brown says
She was being discreet….I too breastfed and my breast could not be seen unless someone was really staring into my breastfeeding sling. When a baby is hungry THEY HAVE TO EAT! You can’t make 2 weeks old wait an hour to nurse… PPl who didn’t breastfeed may not understand why this is so terrible
Dawn says
That makes no sense. In what world is taking your penis out to pee the same as feeding your child?
Scoobydooamanda says
babies have to eat morning noon and night no matter where u are i say brest feeding in public is ok
Scoobydooamanda says
babies have to eat morning noon and night no matter where u are i say brest feeding in public is ok
Mlewis411 says
Logde a complaint against that bus company! You have every right to nurse your baby!
Mlewis411 says
Logde a complaint against that bus company! You have every right to nurse your baby!
Nursing mama says
I think this is horrible. You’re a great mother and very courageous to stand up to those ignorant people.
Nursing mama says
I think this is horrible. You’re a great mother and very courageous to stand up to those ignorant people.
Motherwhocoveredup! says
First of all as a parent of 3 children ….All boys I find it repulsive that women pull their breast out in public in front of my children for any reason. There was once a time where women took pride in not showing their bodies to everyone and cover their breast with a blanket while nursing. I am 100% for breast feeding and being able feed children where ever it is necessary however COVER UP. How would you take it if a women pulled their breast out in front of you, regardless of the reason!
Moon says
Good job on breast feeding but Shut-up and just cover-up. We do not want to see your boobs
Moon says
Good job on breast feeding but Shut-up and just cover-up. We do not want to see your boobs
Jenise Bradshaw says
Contrary to what you believe; breastfeeding mothers do not show their boobs.
Dawn says
It is sad that you think she was just holding her boob out for everyone to see. She said in the video it was not the point of how much was or was not showing, it was the fact that she was harassed & shamed for feeding her baby. Do you drive a bus? Seems like you might.
Amykhan786 says
this lady is my hero! that’s about all i can say.
Amykhan786 says
this lady is my hero! that’s about all i can say.
Tiffie Sand says
I am currently breastfeeding my baby as well. I have been out in public and have had to breastfeed her. Whether at the doctor’s office or in a resturant…if she is hungry- I have to feed her. However, I feed her discreetly. If someone is offended; so be it. The care, nurishment, and health of my baby is more important than anyone or anything else.
Tiffie Sand says
I am currently breastfeeding my baby as well. I have been out in public and have had to breastfeed her. Whether at the doctor’s office or in a resturant…if she is hungry- I have to feed her. However, I feed her discreetly. If someone is offended; so be it. The care, nurishment, and health of my baby is more important than anyone or anything else.
Amy says
I plan on breastfeeding my fiance’s and my child, but I have seen too many times women that have nursed their children in public. I am totally against women nursing in public. If I’m at a restaurant, I do NOT want to see a women “wiping it out” at the table to feed her child. I mean come on, find a bathroom! Who want to be at a store and be walking down an aisle and see a woman nursing! Sure there are those modestly nursing wraps, but you have to be a few cards short of a full deck to not know what’s going on. I was brought up to be modest in things that I did. Nursing in public is NOT being modest in any way shape or form! Personally, for a woman to be willing to nurse in public, with or without a nursing wrap, is disrespectful for the people around her!
Tara Pringle Jefferson says
I can understand if you don’t want to “see” a woman breastfeeding, but why does she have to do it in the bathroom? The bathroom is gross.
If you’re going to be breastfeeding yourself, you need to feed the kid when they’re hungry. And babies eat all the time at that age so eventually you’re going to need to leave the house with the little one. Pumping and bringing the breastmilk is an option, but your breasts will fill up with milk again while you’re out so you’ll need to empty them again somehow. Why not just feed the baby?
Many breastfeeding advocates support nursing in public because it helps normalize the activity. If everyone is “shamed” into running to the bathroom to feed their child, or if they have to cover up everything so you can’t even tell what’s going on, how can you actively promote breastfeeding?
Just as an FYI, I nursed both my kids and fed them in public a handful of times. I brought a wrap but they usually kicked it off. Unless you were standing above me or sitting right next to me, you usually couldn’t see much. Breastfeeding moms are usually pretty good about covering up once they’re done.
Tara Pringle Jefferson says
I can understand if you don’t want to “see” a woman breastfeeding, but why does she have to do it in the bathroom? The bathroom is gross.
If you’re going to be breastfeeding yourself, you need to feed the kid when they’re hungry. And babies eat all the time at that age so eventually you’re going to need to leave the house with the little one. Pumping and bringing the breastmilk is an option, but your breasts will fill up with milk again while you’re out so you’ll need to empty them again somehow. Why not just feed the baby?
Many breastfeeding advocates support nursing in public because it helps normalize the activity. If everyone is “shamed” into running to the bathroom to feed their child, or if they have to cover up everything so you can’t even tell what’s going on, how can you actively promote breastfeeding?
Just as an FYI, I nursed both my kids and fed them in public a handful of times. I brought a wrap but they usually kicked it off. Unless you were standing above me or sitting right next to me, you usually couldn’t see much. Breastfeeding moms are usually pretty good about covering up once they’re done.
AngD says
I agree with you about modesty, but in some of the restrooms there is no place for us breastfeeding mothers to sit and be comfortable and a lot of the restrooms are unclean and nasty (when your time comes you will fully understand). I can’t understand how one can be offended by what is natrual. Would you go into a public restroom and eat your meals? Why take your child to the same disgust that you would refuse?
Dawn says
I always wore layers, so my top shirt was pulled up for acess but my bottom shirt was still on, I used the top shirt to cover everything but my babies head. I just looked like he was sleeping & I was rocking/holding him. It’s completely disrespectful for you to want to shame women for feeding their children. Perhaps you’ll understand when you’re out & about with your new baby & he’s crying because he’s hungry.
Amy says
I plan on breastfeeding my fiance’s and my child, but I have seen too many times women that have nursed their children in public. I am totally against women nursing in public. If I’m at a restaurant, I do NOT want to see a women “wiping it out” at the table to feed her child. I mean come on, find a bathroom! Who want to be at a store and be walking down an aisle and see a woman nursing! Sure there are those modestly nursing wraps, but you have to be a few cards short of a full deck to not know what’s going on. I was brought up to be modest in things that I did. Nursing in public is NOT being modest in any way shape or form! Personally, for a woman to be willing to nurse in public, with or without a nursing wrap, is disrespectful for the people around her!
Pknight41 says
It’s such a shame that we’ve come to the place where a loving act performed for the benefit of a child could divide us so much. There’s a deeper issue here, people. We’ve lost our humanity. The spirit of Motherhood is lost on this generation. This young lady has it. Many women her age (and older than her) do not.
We’ve all seen young mother’s who are so irritated by their children, who model impatience with crude and rude behavior towards their children, and just in general, don’t want to be bothered with their little ones. This young lady is the opposite of that. She’s an example to all of us. Her actions were courageous. She personifies what it means to be a good mother.
What’s the matter with the rest of us? The spirit of Motherhood is lost on this generation.
MommieDearest says
I’ve nursed in public before. I would always find a quiet spot or corner and do what I needed to do and I always had a little blanket to cover up while my baby was eating. Sometimes, however, you can’t find a quiet spot, so you have to improvise. I’ve nursed while on the airplane. I wasn’t about to go into that cramped, nasty germ-infested bathroom, so I just got comfy in my seat and covered up with my little blanket. The stranger next to me on the plane either had no idea what I was doing or didn’t care.
Obviously I believe nursing in public is fine and in most cases necessary. I also feel that one should be discreet when doing it. If I am at a restraunt or on the bus or on the plane with my 6 year old I may not feel like having to answer the inevitable questions that will come if a woman just whips out her breast and fully exposes it. And, I just may not feel like seeing it myself.
Breast feeding is the best and healthiest option for feeding babies. I encourage every woman who can and wants to to breast feed. But there’s no need to make a big production out of it. Use discretion. (sp?)
As for this particular instance, the bus driver was way out of line and drew more attention to the nursing mother than if she would have just kept her mouth shut and drove the bus. I’m willing to bet that none of the other passengers were bothered by the mother or cared that she was nursing. I think the bus driver was on some type of power trip. It wasn’t about nursing in public. She was a drama queen and just wanted to be in control. This was obvious when she called the police after the mother had stopped nursing. I hope she reports that driver and that the driver is reprimanded.
Rubygriffin36 says
I’m with feeding your baby when he/she is hunger,but their other ways of feeding your baby for instance jumping your breast,putting in a bottle,if you’re going in the public and breastfeeding in private…then again the bus driver did over react to a small situation and blow it up to a big misunderstand…
Nadia says
that bus driver should be pulled off duty to find out what is her real issue. cause that sounded like pure discriminitation
His Jewel says
The comments here about modesty and discretion are simply hilarious and show the ignorance that we still hold onto. One day we will find a healthy view of the human body.
We see all types of image of breasts all day but nobody is offended. I’m offended by some of these ignorant comments. First of all, its this woman’s legal right to breastfeed in public without covering up. And who are you to tell a mothet how to feed her baby? Let me make some decisions for your family!
And for those that want to send her to the bathroom how about we send you to the bathroom with your nightly dinner. Did you know fetal matter is airborne? For those that feel she should cover up let’s throw a blanket over your head when you eat…I’m sure some of you don’t have the best table manners! Since we’re so concerned about what your kids see let me come into your home in make sure they’re not hearing cursing, sex, lying, judgment of others and a slew of other morally wrong things.
Get a life people! You’re just as wrong and ignorant as the bus driver.
SMBell08 says
I didnt realize how much ignorance there was regarding public breastfeeding until I became a nursing mom. When my son was younger, I nursed him in public. I was discreet about it and only those who stared could figure out what was going on. Youll see more boob hanging out of a low-cut shirt than youll see from most women nursing in public. Ive never seen a woman escorted off a bus for being scantily clad, but Ive heard numerous stories of women being asked to leave restaurants and the like for breastfeeding. I believe that until we educate ourselves on the importance of nursing, the benefits to mother and child, and until we stop looking at this nurturing act as a sexual act, well continue to run into people like this bus driver who know very little and take all the wrong actions.
Netherland says
THIS WAS WRONG ON SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS. FIRST – NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP YOU FROM FEEDING YOUR BABY! However, we do no have the luxury of baring our breasts, or going topless, as our beautiful, lock-swinging sisters of the Massai tribe, or other tribes of the Motherland,
without being charged with indecent exposure. Exposing your breast to
feed your child, doesn’t make it acceptable/decent for you, while making it
unacceptable/indecent for me, as I try to cool off on a hot day. It’s natural to feed your baby, and it’s
natural for me to be hot. Having a menstrual cycle IS NATURAL, but I would not expect to see a woman changing her sanitary products on the bus! Part of the problem is the level of entitlement; people believe they are entitled to do with their bodies, what they want, and everyone else just needs to just deal with it — especially, if “it’s natural.” No one has any regard for the way it may make someone else feel, no matter how natural it is. There is no medical evidence that states a light covering will cause either mother or child distress. But out of respect
for others, who do not want to be a part of your display, (including me, a mother of 5 breastfed babies), I don’t want or
need to see your breast. Second, it’s not what you say, but how
you say it. I know at least your side of the conversation was
confrontational, as you stated, “It’s not going to happen.” “You tell dispatch
to come put me off this bus because I’m not getting off.” “I can’t
believe this chick is trying to put me off this bus.” I doubt the bus
driver’s name was “chick”. That was confrontational, rude and
challenging language, and certainly not the best example to present in
front of your young child walking in front of you. You stated this was
rude and disrespectful, but you were a part of the back and forth
rudeness, and it doesn’t matter who started it. You also
inconvenienced those trying to reach their destinations by means of public
transportation, as you attempted to take a stand, when all you had to
do was cover yourself, knowing the driver was holding the bus, until
you would do so, WHICH WAS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK! No one is saying you cannot feed your baby, but do so modestly. Your child is fed, you are being mindful of others and everyone is happy. My question is, what is the harm in covering up — a light piece of muslin or cheese cloth? Isn’t life tough enough
having to drag around a stroller, two car seats, a toddler and an
infant? Why would one insist on banging their head and fighting their way
through life over something as simple as a piece of cloth?
AngD says
How is it that breastfeeding a baby gets such negative responses, but nothing is said about the females walking the street with their nasty booties hanging out and cleavage that shows everything but the nipple? I figure that most of the people complaining have not a word to say about strip clubs, Hooters, and movies with nudity (which their children are probably watching). How about focusing on putting those things to shame and promoting the care and nurturing act of motherhood. My guess would be that the bus driver was upset that there was nothing to see…