Breastfeeding in Church/place of worship - Page 2

[momtoS]

I figure *the higher power you believe* made breasts to feed a baby....that was the very first place a NIP. Why would there be any question?

[ustasmom]

No, I do not nurse in the main worship area. We have a nice nursing area that is secluded, with couches, changing area, water bottles for moms, and A/V feed.

I know an usher who said that some men come into church and request not to sit near certain women as their dresses are too short and it is a distraction for them. Certainly breastfeeding is going to be a distraction for them as well. It is a temptation for some men not to look. So, I do not want to be in a position to cause somebody else to sin, so I go in the nursing room and actually have nice fellowship time with other moms and babies.

[twilight girl]

Originally Posted by ustasmom

So, I do not want to be in a position to cause somebody else to sin

I'm sorry, but you've got to be kidding. I truly hope that you don't feel responsible for someone else's actions. If a person sins, say by sexualizing a nursing mother's breasts, the sin is commited by the sinner, and you bear absolutely no responsibility for it by FEEDING your child through the very system designed by your God for exactly that purpose.

I would say that the man who cannot be in the presence of a nursing mother without sexualizing the breast should remove himself from the situation, and not the other way around. It's been too long that men have put the blame for their shortcomings on women.

These breasts were made for nursing, and that's just what they'll do ... to paraphrase the song.

If I were religious and went to church I most definitely would nurse my child. It is the most sacred of all relationships.

[Magali]

I don't understand why breastfeeding in church would be inappropriate. By not doing it I would feel as though there was something shameful in breastfeeding, and I absolutely don't think there is.

[peacelovingmama]

We don't attend church but I did bf throughout my grandmother's funeral service. I know Nana would have been honored and happy that her granddaughter was receiving such good care.

Also, if I were religious, I would still bf in church. How insulting to God to insinuate that part of his creation is shameful or sinful. If I believed in God, I would think that She would want our breasts to be used as intended.

[peacelovingmama]

:

Originally Posted by twilight girl

I'm sorry, but you've got to be kidding. I truly hope that you don't feel responsible for someone else's actions. If a person sins, say by sexualizing a nursing mother's breasts, the sin is commited by the sinner, and you bear absolutely no responsibility for it by FEEDING your child through the very system designed by your God for exactly that purpose.

I would say that the man who cannot be in the presence of a nursing mother without sexualizing the breast should remove himself from the situation, and not the other way around. It's been too long that men have put the blame for their shortcomings on women.

These breasts were made for nursing, and that's just what they'll do ... to paraphrase the song.

If I were religious and went to church I most definitely would nurse my child. It is the most sacred of all relationships.

[gdsuffern]

Originally Posted by twilight girl

I'm sorry, but you've got to be kidding. I truly hope that you don't feel responsible for someone else's actions. If a person sins, say by sexualizing a nursing mother's breasts, the sin is commited by the sinner, and you bear absolutely no responsibility for it by FEEDING your child through the very system designed by your God for exactly that purpose.

I would say that the man who cannot be in the presence of a nursing mother without sexualizing the breast should remove himself from the situation, and not the other way around. It's been too long that men have put the blame for their shortcomings on women.

These breasts were made for nursing, and that's just what they'll do ... to paraphrase the song.

If I were religious and went to church I most definitely would nurse my child. It is the most sacred of all relationships.

I think it's so difficult in America to disassociate the sexuality from the breast, you know? I mean, it's hard on everyone. Not that we shouldn't have this view (that breasts are made for food and as in other cultures should be more accepted in society), but we would be denying the obvious if we didn't recognize that breasts are also sexual...with or without the heavy Western emphasis. So, while i think the original "sinning" post was a bit extreme, I can appreciate the sentiment. Part of being a Christian is not wanting to offend others in their walk, despite one's own liberty and maturity in Christ. My .02

[mommaduck]

I would be more concerned about those that have their breasts half hanging out than a nursing mother. Yet, no one would dare say a word about them.

I nurse in church...I'm feeding my baby and no man can see anything other than my baby's head.

[ruhbehka]

We nurse in mass pretty much every week... there's no other way to get my toddler to sit still for very long. No one has ever batted an eye... and I have seen a couple other nursing little ones.

I'm wondering if there are so many nursing Catholic mamas responding to this thread because most Catholic parishes don't have nurseries? It seems easier to nurse in a church where there isn't a baby-and-toddler-holding-cell in the basement.

:

[veryerin]

Originally Posted by gdsuffern

it's so difficult in America to disassociate the sexuality from the breast

That is exactly why I breastfeed in church (and everywhere else, for that matter). To help normalize the idea of the breast as something other than sexual.

[gdsuffern]

Originally Posted by veryerin

That is exactly why I breastfeed in church (and everywhere else, for that matter). To help normalize the idea of the breast as something other than sexual.

Yeah, I actually agree. I was just stating the obvious in the USA, I think. At my church, we have a mommy's room and there are couches and water and chairs...also changing table and extra disposable diapers, if needed. It's pretty nice and I actually like it (in the summer heat its so cool.)

But, as the earlier post indicated, we have actually more an issue with the young teens wearing virtually nothing in the service which I think is more of a problem than a mom wishing to both here the message and feed her child!

[MilkTrance]

Originally Posted by AikeaGuinea

I read a great article on this recently...written by a man no less.

It is from a Catholic source but I think the sentiment is universal. I have always nursed in church and I get a lot more happy reactions than rude ones. Around here, a nursing mother is a rare thing and I am often congratulated by perfect strangers for nursing my children. I like the point this article is making. I hope we can reach a point again some day where nursing does not make the average person embarrassed or grossed out.

http://www.theologyofthebody.com/03-16-07.asp

That is a WONDERFUL article, I am going to pass it along and keep it in my files!

[twilight girl]

Originally Posted by gdsuffern

Part of being a Christian is not wanting to offend others in their walk, despite one's own liberty and maturity in Christ. My .02

While that's all fine and good and I can appreciate the sentiment, I cannot conceive of nursing a baby as an offense to another in his walk. How can a mother nourishing her baby the way "God" intended be an offense to anyone? Those who take offense at a nursing mother's breast might be in serious need of a reexamination of their own piety.

[HoneymoonBaby]

Catholicism as a religion is very supportive of babies and nursing, so I will definitely nurse at Mass if baby wants me to. I dare anyone to say a word about it -- the theology backs ME up, not them.

[gdsuffern]

Originally Posted by twilight girl

While that's all fine and good and I can appreciate the sentiment, I cannot conceive of nursing a baby as an offense to another in his walk. How can a mother nourishing her baby the way "God" intended be an offense to anyone? Those who take offense at a nursing mother's breast might be in serious need of a reexamination of their own piety.

Again, in agreement with you...but, if we agree that breasts (right or wrong) are also seen sexually as well as for utilitarian purposes, the fully exposed breast in church might be a distraction. Now, I am speaking from the perspective of someone who generally uses a coverup in public, regardless of where I am. So, I assume that this entire post is referring to uncovered breastfeeding because, really, I can't see anything that could be wrong with it in service if done discreetly as anything done in church for respect. KWIM? Then again, gosh, Penelope is N-O-I-S-Y so I probably would opt for the mother's lounge anytime!!!!!!

[Meredith&Alexander]

I don't think the folks at church would know what to do if I wasn't nursing my babe in service!

At least once Alexander was nursing and almost asleep when it was time to come up to the rail for communion, and if I had taken him off he would have wailed. I just took a deep breath and went anyway. My dress covered him up to his nose, and the priest blessed his forehead without any to-do. Now that rocks!

[twilight girl]

Originally Posted by gdsuffern

So, I assume that this entire post is referring to uncovered breastfeeding

But, who does that? I don't think I've ever seen anyone whip out a whole boob to NIP. Well, at least in the US. I have seen it here in Costa Rica. However, there were also pro-nursing, breastfeeding awareness advertisements here at bus stops showing a fully exposed breast, some areola and babe latched on. It was a really beautiful picture, and caused ZERO outcry. I heard that in the US a Parents magazine cover showing a partial breast cause outrage and uproar.

What a positively screwed up society!

[Individuation]

Originally Posted by twilight girl

But, who does that? I don't think I've ever seen anyone whip out a whole boob to NIP. Well, at least in the US. I have seen it here in Costa Rica. However, there were also pro-nursing, breastfeeding awareness advertisements here at bus stops showing a fully exposed breast, some areola and babe latched on. It was a really beautiful picture, and caused ZERO outcry. I heard that in the US a Parents magazine cover showing a partial breast cause outrage and uproar.

What a positively screwed up society!

I do it.

I live in NYC, I usually nurse by pulling my shirt down rather than up, and yes I "whip out the whole boob."

In church, no less.

And, yes, I've gone up for communion that way, and the priest never batted an eye.

[melibee]

me too:

[Thalia]

I nurse in the service. I nurse in the lobby. I nurse in the wonderful nursing room with a one-way window that looks into the auditorium, audio piped in, dim lighting, boppy pillows and comfy chairs. I nurse in the small group I co-lead with my husband.

Best of all, I nurse at our church council meetings. Our council has eight members and I'm the only 'elder' who is currently lactating.