Breastfeeding and Breast Comfort (NOT JUST FOR THE WOMEN)

Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
So there has been a thread on breastfeeding in public, and one on women going braless and they got me thinking. I remember at some point reading about the link between having breastfed as a child and having a higher comfort level around breasts. So I want to see what kind of statistics we get around here. Feel free to share your opinion.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I am a male
Kindred , Vaccinium , 34 , rdytogo , ToyTimeTim , Jimbo Jones , That Guy , Gunsmoke , married with children , tim1724 , charip , dv8 , newfoundlust , Lummox , Devz , angel142stx , ravipal , pfoof , Halfthere , LostBoy988 , lanky , XeroXion , TheHardOne , Passionate Pastor , Moein , Stinkytofu10 , radioboy , BlooJay
28
I am a female
Emma (Girl With Fire) , Misfit Momma , kawigrl , Jobthingy , Gallowraven , Coralbell , Annemarie , DeliciousSurprise , LikeSunshineDust , ZenaidaMacroura , Michelle Menace , Sammi , Libra , Lucidity , sbon , C4ss , Diabolical Kitty , potstickers , Lady Marmelade , Pleasure Piratess , BadassFatass , A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople) , Persephone's Addiction , darthkitt3n , onehotmomma , sarahbear , ichwillwaffels , firekitten , phunkyphreak , aBeastlyLittleThing , REDRUM , sexyintexas , Joie de Cherresse , indiglo , *Ashley* , sexyk515 , PassionQT , chidoll , *HisMrs* , onehotmama , Retro , Wyo Daisy , brittany8612 , padmeamidala , Bunnycups , Noira Celestia , SiNn , MaryExy , boobookittyfuk , Waterfall , Jesse , playtimeohsofun , Ansley , cherie2188 , P'Gell , TameTemptress , kelaaa33wish , ss143 , Ms. Spice , Vanessa Weiss , NuclearTeapot , Ava5 , Shaelote , CherryDyke , Freya , PiratePrincess , sausagelover , LM , ellejay , domsub1993 , Missmarc , NavyDoll87 , PeachieClean , bayosgirl , K101 , SkylarrStarr , Nazaress , Snozzberries , Wide Awake Daydream , pinkpottergirl , sweetpea12 , Sohotdinosaur , BBW Talks Toys , Beck , xOhxSoxScandalousx , VelvetDragon , Sam I Am , wetone123 , SexyRayne , Gracie , Allison.Wilder , funforall7 , lilgrump , Short Cake , epiphanyjayne
95
who was breastfed
Emma (Girl With Fire) , Misfit Momma , Vaccinium , Jobthingy , 34 , rdytogo , Coralbell , LikeSunshineDust , ZenaidaMacroura , ToyTimeTim , Lucidity , sbon , C4ss , Jimbo Jones , That Guy , potstickers , married with children , Pleasure Piratess , Persephone's Addiction , ichwillwaffels , firekitten , tim1724 , charip , dv8 , REDRUM , indiglo , chidoll , Retro , Wyo Daisy , brittany8612 , Lummox , angel142stx , Bunnycups , SiNn , MaryExy , Waterfall , cherie2188 , P'Gell , pfoof , kelaaa33wish , Halfthere , Ms. Spice , lanky , Ava5 , XeroXion , Shaelote , PiratePrincess , TheHardOne , sausagelover , LM , ellejay , Missmarc , SkylarrStarr , Snozzberries , Wide Awake Daydream , pinkpottergirl , sweetpea12 , xOhxSoxScandalousx , Stinkytofu10 , funforall7 , lilgrump , epiphanyjayne , radioboy , BlooJay
64
who was not breastfed
Kindred , kawigrl , Gallowraven , Annemarie , DeliciousSurprise , Michelle Menace , Sammi , Diabolical Kitty , BadassFatass , A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople) , darthkitt3n , onehotmomma , sarahbear , phunkyphreak , aBeastlyLittleThing , sexyintexas , Joie de Cherresse , *Ashley* , PassionQT , *HisMrs* , onehotmama , newfoundlust , Devz , padmeamidala , ravipal , Noira Celestia , boobookittyfuk , Jesse , playtimeohsofun , Ansley , TameTemptress , ss143 , Vanessa Weiss , NuclearTeapot , CherryDyke , Freya , Passionate Pastor , domsub1993 , NavyDoll87 , PeachieClean , bayosgirl , K101 , Nazaress , Sohotdinosaur , BBW Talks Toys , Beck , VelvetDragon , Sam I Am , wetone123 , SexyRayne , Gracie , Allison.Wilder , Short Cake
53
for under 6 months
Misfit Momma , Jobthingy , rdytogo , C4ss , Diabolical Kitty , ichwillwaffels , firekitten , tim1724 , chidoll , Retro , brittany8612 , SiNn , P'Gell , LM , Snozzberries , Wide Awake Daydream , Stinkytofu10
17
for under a year
Vaccinium , Coralbell , LikeSunshineDust , Libra , sbon , That Guy , Persephone's Addiction , charip , dv8 , REDRUM , Wyo Daisy , Lummox , angel142stx , Bunnycups , Waterfall , cherie2188 , Ms. Spice , lanky , XeroXion , Shaelote , PiratePrincess , TheHardOne , pinkpottergirl , xOhxSoxScandalousx , epiphanyjayne , BlooJay
26
for under 2 years
34 , ZenaidaMacroura , Jimbo Jones , potstickers , married with children , Pleasure Piratess , indiglo , kelaaa33wish , Ava5 , SkylarrStarr , sweetpea12 , funforall7
12
for over 2 years
Emma (Girl With Fire) , Misfit Momma
2
I am totally comfortable with breasts (whatever shape, whatever size, in a bra, out of a bra, at home or in public)
Emma (Girl With Fire) , Kindred , Misfit Momma , Vaccinium , Jobthingy , 34 , Gallowraven , Coralbell , DeliciousSurprise , LikeSunshineDust , ZenaidaMacroura , ToyTimeTim , Michelle Menace , Sammi , Libra , Lucidity , C4ss , That Guy , Diabolical Kitty , potstickers , married with children , Pleasure Piratess , BadassFatass , Persephone's Addiction , onehotmomma , firekitten , phunkyphreak , tim1724 , aBeastlyLittleThing , dv8 , REDRUM , sexyintexas , Joie de Cherresse , indiglo , *Ashley* , PassionQT , chidoll , onehotmama , Retro , Wyo Daisy , newfoundlust , brittany8612 , Lummox , padmeamidala , Bunnycups , Errant Venture , ravipal , Noira Celestia , SiNn , boobookittyfuk , Waterfall , Jesse , Ansley , P'Gell , pfoof , TameTemptress , ss143 , Halfthere , Ms. Spice , LostBoy988 , Vanessa Weiss , lanky , NuclearTeapot , Ava5 , XeroXion , Shaelote , CherryDyke , Freya , PiratePrincess , TheHardOne , LM , ellejay , Missmarc , NavyDoll87 , PeachieClean , bayosgirl , Snozzberries , pinkpottergirl , Sohotdinosaur , BBW Talks Toys , Beck , xOhxSoxScandalousx , VelvetDragon , Stinkytofu10 , Sam I Am , wetone123 , SexyRayne , Gracie , Allison.Wilder , funforall7 , lilgrump , Short Cake , epiphanyjayne , radioboy
94
I am totally comfortable with breasts as long as they are covered in public
rdytogo , Annemarie , sbon , A Closet Slut (aka nipplepeople) , darthkitt3n , ichwillwaffels , charip , *Ashley* , *HisMrs* , MaryExy , playtimeohsofun , cherie2188 , kelaaa33wish , Passionate Pastor , domsub1993 , Moein , Nazaress , Wide Awake Daydream , sweetpea12 , xOhxSoxScandalousx , BlooJay
21
I am comfortable with some, but not others
Retro
1
I am not comfortable with anybodies breasts but my own/partners
K101
1
Of course you could always choose OTHER.....
Jimbo Jones , Gunsmoke , potstickers , sarahbear , Joie de Cherresse , MaryExy , SkylarrStarr , mmmmm , Allison.Wilder
9
Total votes: 423 (125 voters)
Poll is closed
01/27/2011
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Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
I'm pretty sure that my Mom told me she only breastfed me for a few days. I think my comfort is more because I have breastfed my own 4, and still am with my 2 year old.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
I think I was born during that time when women didn't breastfeed and formula was thought to be superior. However, I'm totally comfortable with breasts, but I don't think that has anything to do with my not having been breastfed. I enjoy the human form in all of its forms and each is beautiful to me. Nudity is not something that embarrasses me. Do I walk around naked in public? No, but I would not have a problem if someone else wanted to.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
I don't think there is anything wrong with breasts or showin em off. Whatever shape or size a person is it is just another part of the body and people should not be ashamed of their breasts anymore than they should be ashamed of their face.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I think I was born during that time when women didn't breastfeed and formula was thought to be superior. However, I'm totally comfortable with breasts, but I don't think that has anything to do with my not having been breastfed. I enjoy ... more
That is exactly how I feel but I was breastfed for almost 3 years.
01/27/2011
Contributor: kawigrl kawigrl
wasn't breast feed- i'm not entirely comfortable when people feed in public
01/27/2011
Contributor: Gallowraven Gallowraven
my mother tried to breast feed me, but her milk never came in, so I was a "failure to thrive" baby. I think being comfortable with breasts has more to do with how you were raised, than whether you got fed from a boob or a bottle.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Gallowraven
my mother tried to breast feed me, but her milk never came in, so I was a "failure to thrive" baby. I think being comfortable with breasts has more to do with how you were raised, than whether you got fed from a boob or a bottle.
I think it has MORE to do with that, but I do think that it makes an impact.
Babies bond, and I mean they BOND with their mothers breasts. My daughter was telling my boobs she loved them on a regular basis before she ever said it to me. Small children associate breasts with warmth, comfort, safety and happiness. I find it incredibly difficult to believe that none of that stays with us subconsciously.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Annemarie Annemarie
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
So there has been a thread on breastfeeding in public, and one on women going braless and they got me thinking. I remember at some point reading about the link between having breastfed as a child and having a higher comfort level around breasts. So I ... more
My mom could not produce enough milk to satisfy me, so I was not exclusively breastfed. I'm fine with breasts, really, but I feel awkward seeing breasts out in the open in public (i.e. a topless beach or something).
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Annemarie
My mom could not produce enough milk to satisfy me, so I was not exclusively breastfed. I'm fine with breasts, really, but I feel awkward seeing breasts out in the open in public (i.e. a topless beach or something).
If you feel awkward about it, why would you be at a topless beach?
01/27/2011
Contributor: Annemarie Annemarie
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
If you feel awkward about it, why would you be at a topless beach?
I never said I was at a topless beach at any point in my life. I was just giving an example of when breasts would be okay to have out in the open and it still be legal.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Annemarie
I never said I was at a topless beach at any point in my life. I was just giving an example of when breasts would be okay to have out in the open and it still be legal.
Oh ok, my bad. Sorry.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Gatita Gatita
Quote:
Originally posted by Misfit Momma
I'm pretty sure that my Mom told me she only breastfed me for a few days. I think my comfort is more because I have breastfed my own 4, and still am with my 2 year old.
Very similar story for me. 4 breastfed kids & I was breastfed for a very short timeframe. My little guy is however 3+ & while no longer nursing, he has an obsession with my breasts. They are his comfort items & he spends a good part of the day hugging me, smelling me & trying to put his hand in my shirt to feel them. I've become a human security blanket.

So based on the above I view breasts as no more sexual than my elbow.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Michelle Menace Michelle Menace
I wasn't breastfed and I'm comfortable with someone breastfeeding in public. The baby needs to eat! lol Some places have "breastfeeding corners" which i think is a great idea for those who aren't comfortable doing it in front of just anyone. They should probably have more of those "corners"
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Michelle Menace
I wasn't breastfed and I'm comfortable with someone breastfeeding in public. The baby needs to eat! lol Some places have "breastfeeding corners" which i think is a great idea for those who aren't comfortable doing it in front of ... more
They really should. Most women don't exactly like the idea of giving everybody a show while they are feeding their kid.
01/27/2011
Contributor: sbon sbon
I was breast fed and I am comfortable with women breast feeding in public. I also don't care if women go braless. I don't really want to see everyone walking around topless, though haha
01/28/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
I was not breastfed BUT I did see my mother topless on countless occasions when she was getting ready or after a shower and for a while I showered with her because I hated baths as a small child. I wanted to be a "big girl" like her.

I am comfortable with people being topless if the event is appropriate - swinger party, backyard bbq with a few close friends, nude beach and those kinds of things.

And P'Gell and I talked about this in the other thread but I was doing a million things at once and couldn't formulate my response correctly. What makes me uncomfortable and trust me these women are few and far between, is when a woman who is breastfeeding in public is all LOOK AT ME I'm SO AWESOME BECAUSE I'M DOING WHAT NATURE INTENDED. I just want to tell them to get over themselves and not every mother can or should breastfeed and it's between her and her doctor to decide which is the best way for her to nourish her child. As I said, they are few and far between.

One girl in particular comes to mind, she would take pictures of her nursing and post them on her blog. Yes, it's a sweet moment for mother and baby but do I want to see it when I least expect it, no. No I do not. And I think it was immature of her as a parent to share something so private with fifteen to thirty people she literally didn't know.
01/28/2011
Contributor: Jimbo Jones Jimbo Jones
I was breastfed as a baby, and my partner breastfed all of our children until past the age of two. I am not uncomfortable around breasts, but I don't think women should be exposing themselves just to expose themselves. I think breastfeeding in public is fine and some discretion should be exercised, but the baby doesn't need to be covered up. There will be small nipple slips and what not, but I think as long as the mother is being somewhat conscientious about it, it isn't a problem. I don't like guys walking around shirtless either, but that's just me.
01/28/2011
Contributor: That Guy That Guy
I'm a guy, that ought to pretty much tell you how I feel about breasts in public. I don't care if people go braless, but it's not always the most flattering look for them. Breastfeeding doesn't bother me, but I wish there was a better sense of the etiquette for people who just happen to be around.
01/28/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by PussyGalore
I was not breastfed BUT I did see my mother topless on countless occasions when she was getting ready or after a shower and for a while I showered with her because I hated baths as a small child. I wanted to be a "big girl" like her. ... more
I feel the same way, and to be honest when I was younger (14) the thing that turned me off the most about breastfeeding was that my sister had that attitude. She also went to a lactation party or two and did shots of breast milk which is in my opinion... disgusting.

My mother has a billion photographs of us (my siblings and I) nursing, not to mention the ones of our births. Nothing can scar a child quite so easily as a photograph of their mother on all fours, from behind as she is pushing out a baby. Doesn't really matter who the baby is, trust me. My mother and sister both harassed me to no end to let them photograph me nursing. I refused and deleted photos off of my sisters phone when she ignored me. Yes it is a very intimate moment between mother and child but no I do not feel the need to relive it via photograph 10 or 20 years down the road. I would much rather have a photo of me snuggling up with my newborn without my breasts exposed.

I agree there is no need to expose yourself just for the sake of doing so. But if I were somewhere that being topless is fine I wouldn't even flinch at it. @ That Guy, I agree that being braless is not always flattering, but who said that we have to put looking good for strangers above our own comfort? Which is exactly what a lot of people expect. It's cool you don't mind it though, flattering or not. That's the way it should be.
01/28/2011
Contributor: married with children married with children
I dont have a problem with breastfeeding in public. My wife did it with our 2 little ones. But we also took a blanket with us in the diaper bag. She would cover up when she was feeding them. I wish every mother would do that when out in public. Yes breastfeeding is natural. So is using the restroom. But you do not see people doing that out in the open. Some things need not be shared with the entire world.
02/07/2011
Contributor: Persephone's Addiction Persephone's Addiction
I think what makes more of a difference is being in an environment where breastfeeding is normal - my experience being breastfed isn't one that I remember, so I don't think it affected me. However, growing up I saw my mom breastfeeding my little brother, my sisters nursing their babies, my sisters-in-law breastfeeding their babies - it was normal. I would imagine that if you never saw someone breastfeeding, it would be a little weird to see someone doing it in Applebees. If you saw it all the time, it would just be part of the background.
The issue of breasts in public though, I think, is just a matter of social conditioning. Our culture isn't one that is cool with displays of breasts in public places.
02/09/2011
Contributor: onehotmomma onehotmomma
I was not breastfed, however when I was 7 my sister had her first baby (at 17) so she breastfed all the time around me. I've been around it my whole life, and boobs never phase me. lol.
02/10/2011
Contributor: sarahbear sarahbear
I wasn't breastfed, but I did pump for and nurse my own children for various lengths of time (none longer than 6 months due to milk supply issues). I am fine with women nursing in public, even if it's not discreet. I give new mothers privacy and turn my head if I notice them attempting to get a latch, however it's rare that it's noticeable. Most women that I've seen nursing in public just looked like they were holding a sleepy baby. I only knew they were nursing because I've done it before so I recognized it.

I am less comfortable with breasts being exposed just due to the cut of the clothing someone is wearing. It bothers me to see women wearing thin clothing without a bra or to look like they're going to burst out of the top of their shirt at any moment. Then again, I don't like seeing teenage girls wearing shorts that look like panties, or men wearing pants where their butt/underwear/beer belly show. I think there's an appropriate way to dress and behave in most public settings.
02/10/2011
Contributor: firekitten firekitten
Quote:
Originally posted by Misfit Momma
I'm pretty sure that my Mom told me she only breastfed me for a few days. I think my comfort is more because I have breastfed my own 4, and still am with my 2 year old.
I agree with this. My Mom only breastfed me for six weeks and readily admits to only doing it because she's a vain person and wanted to lose the pregnancy weight. I breastfed my daughter for about four months and planned to go to six months. I've never had problems with seeing people I know topless. But since breastfeeding (and in public) I'm less concerned with seeing strangers. Though I do think sometimes it's just tacky.
02/16/2011
Contributor: phunkyphreak phunkyphreak
Breasts don't bother me I have them. I don't think some women should go with out a bra (me included) due to size but to each their own. Breastfeeding is natural and it has never bothered me.
03/03/2011
Contributor: charip charip
I was breast-fed until I bit my mom. No more after that. Still, I get very awkward around females, usually because of their breasts. I think it's because I'm worried I'll be caught staring or something (I try to avoid that). I think it's more of a social mindset for me, and not due to the amount of breast-feeding I received.
03/13/2011
Contributor: aBeastlyLittleThing aBeastlyLittleThing
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
So there has been a thread on breastfeeding in public, and one on women going braless and they got me thinking. I remember at some point reading about the link between having breastfed as a child and having a higher comfort level around breasts. So I ... more
i love it when i see women's breasts in public. not because of my crazy lesbian-ness, but because i just see them as body parts. no different than a man's, except they provide nourishment!
03/15/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
So there has been a thread on breastfeeding in public, and one on women going braless and they got me thinking. I remember at some point reading about the link between having breastfed as a child and having a higher comfort level around breasts. So I ... more
Im a female who was not breastfed, I breastfed my children and I am totally comfortable around anyones boobs!
03/24/2011
Contributor: Joie de Cherresse Joie de Cherresse
I wasn't breastfed, but I breastfed my children. I think it's a beautiful thing to breastfeed your children.
03/24/2011