Barbara Walters "offended" by BIFP - Page 2

[CryPixie83]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

Most of the Western (American) world views breasts as sexual. And while it may be an immature uneducated view, I would rather take a light blanket and cover up rather than offend somebody.

Which is *exactly* why it's important to NIP, uncovered! How are we supposed to change how breasts are looked at if they remain unseen?

[delicious]

uh, this is texas and even a "light blanket" makes it too hot.

i never cover up when NIP. if someone has a problem, it is THEIR problem.

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by piscean_mama

OT: Momtwice

We got our sigs from the same song.

And they can apply to so many things, including this discussion....

[Sisyphus]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

While I may agree that breast feeding is normal and natural, and it's pitiful and silly that people would be offended by it, the world is made of all sorts of people. Some of which may (or may not) be offended by our actions. I personally would rather not shove my beliefs on other people and take a more polite approach, especially when it comes to an issue of breasts.

Most of the Western (American) world views breasts as sexual. And while it may be an immature uneducated view, I would rather take a light blanket and cover up rather than offend somebody.

Um, aren't Babs et al "shoving their beliefs" down OUR throats on NATIONAL TV?

Give me a break... and if I hear Starr Jones whine one more time about how she won't even TRY to bf because "that's not what they're for"?!?!?! I'm going to fly out to NYC myself and follow those women around town NIP whenever I can... I'll even borrow a baby to do so if mine weans before I can! LOLOL (j/k on that last part LOL)

[crunchymomma]

In the interest of being polite and minding our manners, let's consider the following: it would be polite not to stare as I am breastfeeding my daughter. It would be polite not make comments about my daughter feeding, like "OMG, that kid is WAY too old to be doing that! Gross!" and (directed at a woman's child who was sitting near me at the mall) "get away from her! She's BREASTFEEDING!" It would be polite to allow me to nurse my child in peace, rather than suggest that she, with the developing immune system, should be eating in the public washroom.

I live in Canada, where it doesn't get too hot. But even a light blanket over my daughter's head would cause her to sweat enough to soak both her clothes and mine. I know, I've tried it, and it was so awful to struggle with her to keep the blanket over her head. She kept fighting to pull it off, because all she wanted to do was look into her mama's eyes and rub her mama's face, just like she always does while nursing. I never did it again, and we are far more discreet without the "light blanket" than with.

[crunchymomma]

One more thing that really irks me about people who are against NIP or who think it should be hidden by a blanket or behind closed doors - why can't they just look away? Just as I choose to change the channel or better yet, turn off the TV when the View is on, they, too, can choose to not look. Why should I have to leave or cover up when they are the ones with the hang up?

[Parthenia]

Originally Posted by lolov

Give me a break... and if I hear Starr Jones whine one more time about how she won't even TRY to bf because "that's not what they're for"?!?!?! I'm going to fly out to NYC myself and follow those women around town NIP whenever I can... I'll even borrow a baby to do so if mine weans before I can! LOLOL (j/k on that last part LOL)

: I'd lend you my baby just for that occasion if there was some reason i couldn't do it myself! Starr Jones gets on my nerves!

[AdinaL]

I am moving this to Support and Advocacy.

[QueeTheBean]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

It would be polite to keep in mind that not everyone is open minded, and some may be offended by seeing an exposed breast. It wouldnt' have harmed the woman to use a light blanket to cover her bare exposed breast, and would have been thoughtful and considerate to those around her.

If Barbara was offended by something like breastfeeding, maybe she should start carrying a light blanket around with her so that she can cover her own face anytime she sees something she doesn't like.

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

While I may agree that breast feeding is normal and natural, and it's pitiful and silly that people would be offended by it, the world is made of all sorts of people. Some of which may (or may not) be offended by our actions.

Seriously--this is the USA--not Afghanistan. I know that there are a lot of people that are offended by interracial couples. Does that mean that when my white friend and her African husband go out together that he should throw a light blanket over his head so that they don't offend anyone?

Really, now . . . MrsMoe--don't let the rest of the world dictate to you! We have the right to breastfeed in public---and by doing so, we normalize breastfeeding again for our daughters and grandaughters.

[AmandaBL]

Have these women ever said anything good about birth or breastfeeding? I don't watch that show, but I see tons of threads about all this insipid banter - disgusting. Especially Star - if she actually said all the stuff I read on here - my fave was "Do they not make similac any more?!?!?"

[PJsmomma]

honestly--the only people I've ever heard have a cow about NIP never BF themselves.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

While I may agree that breast feeding is normal and natural, and it's pitiful and silly that people would be offended by it, the world is made of all sorts of people. Some of which may (or may not) be offended by our actions. I personally would rather not shove my beliefs on other people and take a more polite approach, especially when it comes to an issue of breasts.

Most of the Western (American) world views breasts as sexual. And while it may be an immature uneducated view, I would rather take a light blanket and cover up rather than offend somebody.

You are way off base here. A baby eating is just that- a baby eating. It's not farting, burping, barfing, pooping, peeing, or screwing, it's eating. If a baby can be bottle fed, she ought to be able to be breastfed.

Additionally, not one of my children would consent to having any blanket, light or otherwise, draped over them while they ate. I can't say I blame them.

The world is made of all sorts of people, but if some of them are ignorant, that's their problem, nor mine or my baby's.

[Rainbow]

While I may agree that breast feeding is normal and natural, and it's pitiful and silly that people would be offended by it, the world is made of all sorts of people. Some of which may (or may not) be offended by our actions. I personally would rather not shove my beliefs on other people and take a more polite approach, especially when it comes to an issue of breasts.

Most of the Western (American) world views breasts as sexual. And while it may be an immature uneducated view, I would rather take a light blanket and cover up rather than offend somebody.

By that idea there are a great many things I shouldn't do. Some would be offended by a skirt above my knees. Should I not wear one unless it is ankle length? Some would be offended by a tank top- should I stop buying them? Some might be offended at a nose ring, should the be removed when going in public so they do not offend? Where do you draw the line in bending to everyone elses ideals and modesty rules?

When I nurse in public I *AM* polite. I smile, I nod, I say please, adn thank you... and use common courtesy. I also use these same courtesies to my child, by not covering her head- which is something she adamently opposes.

[Kari_mom]

I am shocked that Barbara had to endure this in First Class!!!! How horrible!!!!



At least I am assuming it was first class, otherwise the nursing babe would have been practically IN her lap, not just next to her. :LOL

I wonder if the mom in question recognizes herself in the story, I would like to hear how Barbara handled herself. I also wish Joy and Meredith would speak up more, didn't they breastfeed?

I am waiting for Barbara to banish the topic like she did when she was tired of talking about how Meredith didn't wear panties under pantyhose.

[Bethla]

American television...wow, I'm just so proud to live in this country...we're free to express ourselves, no matter how stupid we are.

[Lady Madonna]

Originally Posted by Kari_mom

I am shocked that Barbara had to endure this in First Class!!!! How horrible!!!!

I flew cross-country on Sunday with my 22-month-old and thanks to a cheap upgrade, we were in first class. I think everyone in that section saw some part or another of one of my breasts during the 5-hour flight. Baba would have had a coronary. Too bad - her uptight biddy attitude is HER problem, not mine. And certainly not my daughter's!

I saw this episode, though I generally avoid the show. What's sad is that I was watching it with my SIL who is a new mom who is working hard to breastfeed her 11-week-old son - and doing a great job. But I could tell it made her worry about being "discreet" (man, I hate that word) enough, and that made me worry about the ongoing success of that nursing relationship.

Luckily, I've never been afraid to let my freak flag fly, especially since I became a mom, so I did my best to set an example for her by nursing my (gasp!) toddler (gasp!) whenever, wherever.

People who complain about NIP make me weep for the future of humanity.

[Tomoe]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

Most of the Western (American) world views breasts as sexual. And while it may be an immature uneducated view, I would rather take a light blanket and cover up rather than offend somebody.

Fine. So, why nobody is bothered by a dress with a large exposure of breast?
It's maybe because sexy is ok, but a breast used for his real purpose is gross?
I never cared for others discomfort. If they don't want to see, they have only to turn the head and look somewhere else.
I believe that a person who is staring at a nursing mother is just a pervert.

[Soxfan Mom]

Originally Posted by MrsMoe

It would be polite to keep in mind that not everyone is open minded, and some may be offended by seeing an exposed breast. It wouldnt' have harmed the woman to use a light blanket to cover her bare exposed breast, and would have been thoughtful and considerate to those around her.

Did anyone see the post in another thread from a new member of Arab descent? I'm paraphrasing, but she said that although women in the Middle East are covered head to toe due to religious and cultural customs, nursing mothers are held in highest esteem and people simply turn away when a babe is at the breast. There are no attempts to cover the babe's face so that people aren't "offended."

It's amazing that the society that has given the world Britney Spears' reality show and a lucrative restaurant chain named Hooters has a problem with babies feeding at their mothers' breasts in public, while a society that we women view as oppressive has the opposite attitude on NIP.

[Itlbokay]

The more that women nurse in public the less "weirded out" people will be.

That's my hope.

I look forward to the day when people aren't disgusted by such a natural act; it would help immensely if the media would stop sexualizing women.

[Itlbokay]

Originally Posted by Soxfan Mom

Did anyone see the post in another thread from a new member of Arab descent? I'm paraphrasing, but she said that although women in the Middle East are covered head to toe due to religious and cultural customs, nursing mothers are held in highest esteem and people simply turn away when a babe is at the breast. There are no attempts to cover the babe's face so that people aren't "offended."