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26
Apr
MotherofJWE

Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

by MotherofJWEComment Published at 01:4001:4010 comments10 comments66 Visits66 VisitsReport

I was in a church-run workshop today when a woman kindly informed me that when I was playing down on the floor with my baby, particualrly if I lent over, the men on the other side of the room might feel uncomfortable to look in my direction for they would be able to see down my top.  I thanked her at the time, and then went to adjust the straps on my breastfeeding tank top, only to realise it was as tight as it was going to go.  Puzzled I didn't know what it was she expected me to do or not do.  I then wondered, what would I do if my son needed a feed.  My breasts would be even more exposed then, would the men feel uncomfortable with this too?!  I mean, I usually casually use a wrap to give myself SOME privacy, mainly so people don't see much of my nipple.  And a 5 month old can pull on and off all the time making it hard to be discreet.  Now I am confused as to whether it will be considered inappropriate to breastfeed in any church meetings.  This woman later rang me to "apologise", but then when I asked her about the breastfeeding issue she then said she wouldn't have a problem with it if it was in a woman's meeting, but men find breasts a turn-on (then again they used to ahve to cover chair legs for this same reason).  I am confused as to what the politically correct thing AND the morally correct thing is to do in this situation.  Do I need to spend $60 per top on clothes suitable for breastfeeding so that it you can't see my bust when I lean over? 

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jesusgirl
July 12th | jesusgirl
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

My daughter-in-law would go to the rest room when she was out and needed to breast feed or pump out a bottle and feed the little one a bottle when in public.  My mother-in-law did the same thing when she was raising her family.  Ask if a confortable chair could be put in the rest room for this purpose.  About the top falling open when you lean over... men will gawk and then talk about what they saw.  I am heavey topped and if I have on a loose top or dress I put one hand up to hold my top down while I am leaned over.  It works!!!  Hope this has been helpful to you.



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kseers
April 27th | kseers
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

hi!  I just left a note in the breastfeeding group, but thought I'd add one here.  I just feel that this is sooo not helpful for you - how is this encouraging you and helping you know God more.  Anyway, I think the others have all offered great advice and I agree that I think its more about her issues than yours.  By all means, I would be finding out if there is somewhere appropriate and quiet - if not, use your wrap and do what comes naturally!



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KathrynR1402
April 27th | KathrynR1402
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

My attitude has always been "I'll do my best to be discrete and then it's up to you to avert your eyes if you're still uncomfortable". Babies need feeding and its hard enough to get to meetings, let alone sit through a sermon, when your babies are young, so feeding while you're there is essential IMO!

I've fed through sermons and in the middle of church. I did end up leaving and stting in the Hall quite a bit with DD2 but that was only coz there was such a crowd of new mums feeding out there at the time, and I couldnt stay awake for the whole sermon, so I thought, may as well get some fellowship and a comfy sofa! The nearest I've come to being "sprung" was when DD1 was feeding and I was sat on a sofa opposite 3 teenage boys while praying at housegroup some years ago, when baby suddenly pulled my top right up high! Fortunately I remain convinced all three had their eyes shut at the time!

Just for your own peace of mind, you might want to wear your best "covering" clothes for meetings where there are lots of people (to cover all the angles), but I bet most people (especially men) are oblivious to what you're doing there. One of my friends was feeding after the service in our church a decade ago when one of the elders came up for a chat and commented on how baby was having a nice cuddle. He was actually one who was a bit sniffy about b/f in church and yet had no idea what baby was actually doing down there! So much for objecting to the idea!

We're all responsible for our own thought lives, and taking thoughts captive. We're also responsible for being considerate towards our "younger" and "weaker" brothers  & sisters (think about the meat offered to Greek idols). Somehow it is necessary to balance these two things when it comes to breast-feeding, but IMO God invented b/f and breasts, so we shouldnt be ashamed of either. Modesty is good, but babies get hungry and starving them isnt good practice!



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      dramamom
May 2nd | dramamom
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

I definitely agree with you!  I think it's so important to be discreet.  I even cover up in a group of women, in fact others do as well.

I think that if we can help someone feel less uncomfortable, it's our responsibility to do so.  We should be thinking of others, not ourselves, at all times.  Isn't that the point of being a servant to those around us?  There are times when just looking away isn't enough.  The unfortunate truth is that breasts are now seen as a sexual thing, not only as a means of feeding infants, even though we may only think of them that way right now.  Men still get turned on or attracted to the sight of a woman's breast and other women can feel uncomfortable as well, regardless of how or why they can see it.  If we can keep another person from "stumbling" we should do whatever it takes.

Yes, breastfeeding is a natural thing and shouldn't make others uncomfortable, but we live in a fallen world and the effects of sin are far reaching.

I know I will probably get some flack about my opinion.  People are very passionate about their right to breastfeed in public.  Sometimes I think we just need to think about the affect of our behaviour on other people, not just our rights to that behaviour.



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           MotherofJWE
May 2nd | MotherofJWE
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

Thankyou Drama Mom, best bit of Christian advice yet. The world tells mothers today that they have a right to bear their breasts to feed, but in a Christian light, we need to respect other people's needs first.



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                dramamom
May 3rd | dramamom
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

You're very welcome.  I sometimes get so frustrated by how self-centred nursing moms can be and I have to admit I even struggled with it today.  (Making everyone leave a family function on time, when my mom probably wanted to stay a little longer, so I could get home to nurse even though he had bottles of expressed milk.)  No one's perfect, right?  Thank goodness for grace.

Krista



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lightbee
5.00 (Excellent) | April 27th | lightbee
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

As far as I'm concerned, you need to feed your child and that's all that matters.

For personal reasons I admit that I feel uncomfortable being around a woman that is breastfeeding.  But that is my problem, not hers, and I'm certainly not going to put that onto someone else.

I think the same situation applies here.  God gave you the ability, and even the responsibility, to feed your child.  If someone has an issue with God's design for feeding babies, then they should take it up with him!  Not you...



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nell18-3
5.00 (Excellent) | April 26th | nell18-3
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

I'm pretty amazed at this women's response to be honest !!!

I have been in a church with a mother nursing and no one was the least uncomfortable, its a natural thing for any mother to be doing. Its hardly something a mother would do to try and tease the men there !!!! I found if men were uncomfortable they just wouldn't look !!!!

Sounds to me this is more about the womens insecurities.

Most times in a public place you can generally get away with breastfeeding without drawing attention to is anyway

xxx

 



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      Libby24
5.00 (Excellent) | April 26th | Libby24
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

i have to totally agree Helen. i dont know of any man that would have a problem with a woman breastfeeding



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ph419always
5.00 (Excellent) | April 26th | ph419always
Re: Breastfeeding and told to cover up in a church function

I am never certain about these things, but I remember when my first bub was born I asked my pastor and his wife what they felt was best and they fully agreed with me that Breastfeeding is important and nothing to be ashamed of, but so that I would not be made umcomfortable but the minority of people who stare or give disapproving looks they suggested I use their parenting room to feed. Is there a room provided where you can go to feed your son? The church I go to atm (different church to the one I just mentioned) has a baby's room, which I like to go to to feed my baby and I feel more comfortable. I don't mind feeding my cherub in public, but if a more private area is available I will go there.



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