I don't know if I am being oversensitive, which is quite possible since I have had some negatives experiences and have read/heard about negative experiences regarding breastfeeding in public.

We visited a new church today. I really like this church a lot. My baby got fussy, so I took him to the "cry room," which I notice a lot of newer church buildings seem to have. My intent was to nurse him to sleep. He was fussy and tired. Since there were some toys on the floor with which Jadon seemed eager to play, I set him down and decided I would let him play with the toys. We were the only ones in the room -- a small room that held about 6 chairs and had some floor space. The room has a glass wall so you can still see the service and an intercom so you can hear. I noticed a sign in the room that said: This room is for parents with fussy babies. Please DO NOT nurse in this room. We have a special room for nursing set up near the nursery which has the service on closed circuit TV. I can't remember the exact wording of it all, but that was the general idea - with the "do not" emphasized in italics.

The wording bothered me. I think if it had said something like this room is not intended as a nursing mothers room -- and we have a room elsewhere for nursing -- I would have been more comfortable with that. I really dislike how forbidden it makes nursing seem and sound.

I don't really understand why they have this sign. Perhaps the room is too small and they want to restict the use of the room so that it is not overcrowded. Or perhaps they feel nursing and comforting a crying baby are two different things that conflict -- maybe the nursing babies will interfere with the fussing babies. Finally, I wonder if it has to do with the idea that perhaps fathers will be in the room too and it might make them feel uncomfortable. ???

It is nice they have an area specifically for nursing, but it also makes me feel like they don't welcome nursing elsewhere. It was certainly obvious they didn't want anyone nursing in the "cry" room. Then I wonder if your baby is crying and might be comforted by nursing - are you supposed to use the cry room or the nursing area.

Like I said, I really like this church but am wondering if this is a sign of things to come.

Also, do others nurse in church? How do you feel about nursing in church. Would you be offended if someone nursed in church? It all feels so strange to me that God created us and yet somehow I feel like some people think it is something that *must* be done in private.

As for my feelings, I do prefer to nurse in a comfortable, private setting. I relax better. My baby is not so distracted. However, I hate to feel like I can't nurse somewhere. I feel as if nursing is de-valued and/or if they needs of others (adults? men?) are somehow put higher than the needs of a hungry baby or a mama that just wants to feed her baby without being assigned to a special area as if I need to be quarantined.

I would like to know how others feel -- maybe explaining a different viewpoint will help me see things that I can't see because of deep emotions that I have due to negative experiences. Or maybe others would feel the same way and I should gently try to address the situation to help future mamas.

I think it's awful. In fact even if there is a "nursing room" I nurse IN church. It's way more disruptive to haul all my kids out to another room. (dh often is NOT sitting with us as he'll be in the back the the media guys).

I always nursed in the nursery because we have big leather recliners and it's a good opportunity to gab with other moms. :p That cry room sounds really cool though, too bad they ruined it with the no nursing sign. You wouldn't happen to be in Camarillo would you? We went to a church there for awhile (in '97-'98) that had the exact same set-up and the exact same sign. Eery. But yeah I'd be ticked. It would tell me a lot about the attitudes toward natural mothering. The church we went to like that was heavily infested with Ezzo followers.

i'd have to squirt em in the eye :eek:

Wow that's messed up! I would be beyond pissed and nurse in there anyway and tell anyone who said anything to F off, but that is just me. I guess the F off part wouldn't be too appropriate in a church, but man, how offensive it is that you can't nurse in there. The room is specifically for babies/kids who need to chill out, right? What if you had more than one kid? You would need to stay in there and supervise the older one anyway.

wow, I would be annoyed! I do nurse in church...it's soooo much easier! I nurse in the sling while walking around at church, too. I would be pretty annoyed if I HAD to go to the nursery to nurse (where some moms choose to nurse at the church). I think you should call the church and find out why...it will tell you a little bit more if you find out their exact reason (though I really can't think of a good one!)

With Erik, I did take him down to the nursery to nurse him, but now that I have Erik to take care of, that becomes much harder, especially on the Sundays that DH is preaching, or in some other way involved in the service, and not sitting with us.

Originally posted by heythereheather
wow, I would be annoyed! I do nurse in church...it's soooo much easier! I nurse in the sling while walking around at church, too. I would be pretty annoyed if I HAD to go to the nursery to nurse (where some moms choose to nurse at the church). I think you should call the church and find out why...it will tell you a little bit more if you find out their exact reason (though I really can't think of a good one!)

With Erik, I did take him down to the nursery to nurse him, but now that I have Erik to take care of, that becomes much harder, especially on the Sundays that DH is preaching, or in some other way involved in the service, and not sitting with us.

I think the OP is saying that this sign is IN the nursery. You have to go to yet another saparate room to nurse. Isn't a cry room basically the same thing as a nursery?

Originally posted by kimi
I think the OP is saying that this sign is IN the nursery. You have to go to yet another saparate room to nurse. Isn't a cry room basically the same thing as a nursery?

Well, it sounds to me like the cry room was a place to take the kids and the parent stays with them. A nursery, in my experience, is where you normally take the kids and drop them off (and at least at my church, you can no longer hear the service).

But, I was just saying that the sign was stupid...and then relating my story. I think she has every right to be annoyed. Not really sure why you're questioning me? Did it sound like I agreed with the church?

I know what you are talking about. The Cry Room is a little room off to the side of the main area where you can see out through a glass wall.

HERE is what a pastor told me 13 years ago the one time I went to Midnight Mass with my first husband.

They don't want you to nurse in the Cry Room because just as you can see out people can see in as well (unless this was a newer kind where it's tinted or one way...I don't know) and the very idea of you nursing somewhere that everyone can see is offensive. :rolleyes: They are afraid that you will tempt the men with your exposed breasts and cause impure thoughts during the service.

In other words- they don't want your boobs upsetting the people or distracting the priest. LMAO

NOW before anyone gets upset at me for saying that. It's what the Pastor told me and it WAS 13 years ago so maybe things have changed now and there is a different reason. If the glass was tinted or one way then I honestly don't know what their deal is unless the non-nursing mothers complained at some point because they found nursing moms offensive.

To me, saying they had a room in the back by the nursery is the same as telling you to nurse your baby in the bathroom in a department store. I would have been offended and said as much. LOL Of course, I don't have to worry about this at all since I'm not Christian and don't attend churches. ;)

I say duct tape over the sign next time you visit. ;) We won't tell on you. :D Either that or take Kas so she can squirt them in the eye! LMAOOOOOOOOOO That killed me!

Yeah that's true, a nursery sounds more like where you drop the kids off. Either way, the place is supposed to be a place for the care of children. No, I wasn't thinking you agreed with the church, I thought you were saying "I would be mad if I had to take them into the nursery to nurse" and I was thinking this sign is in the nursery, she can't even nurse in there! She has to go to a third room. LOL!

Well at our old church we had a cry room , seperate from the regular nursery. It was a place where families with babies could sit without having to put the baby in the nursery. Most of the time the whole family sat in there, dad included. Maybe they were trying to be helpful and point out that there was another room suitable for nursing. I'd call and ask the pastor if it was me. If you don't tell him, how could he know that someone was offended by the sign???

Cry room is right by church w/ window.

Then there is apparently a nursing room by the nursery w/ TV monitor.

Parent has to be w/ baby or child in cry room. Mother w/ baby in the nursing area. Nursery workers in the nursery area.

In order to get to the nursing area/nursery, you have to go to a security check point that is not to different from airport security. No -- it isn't really THAT bad, but they are pretty strict. I told DH I would be in the cry room and then if I did need to go to the nursing room, he wouldn't of known where I was, so I didn't want to go to the nursing room to nurse.

Also, same church hosts MOPS and both this MOPS and another nearby MOPS have a pretty strict policy that says if your baby is over 6 months, you can't keep baby with you at MOPS. Baby must go in the nursery. I don't like that either, but it is seperate group from the church. I just don't get it. God created us -- designed our bodies with the ability to nurse -- but it seems I run into problems with *some* churches/religious groups views on where nursing should be done.

~Rondi~

The Cry Room is different from the nursery. It's in the main area (I'm sorry I don't know what it's called....where you sit for service with the pews and stuff) where everyone else is but off to the side is all. You can still watch the pastor through the glass and they have a speaker pipe in what he says so that you can hear him as you are seeing his mouth move but the congregation can't hear you is all. Like I said, the one time I was in a church was 13 years ago and I was told it was a new thing back then. I figured all church's had them nowadays. Shows what I know eh?

I have nursed in church!
I love to see nursing mamas in church!

I would wonder about a church with restrictive policies like that. Often it is a hint of legalism.

Maybe you could talk to the Pastor or other Elder who could explain the policy. Maybe they are actually taking "baby" steps toward more open nursing. It wasn't that long ago that most churches practically condemned nursing at all!!

Just my $.02!:)

I've nursed in church before, too. I even made a special nursing dress for Jacob's baptism in case he needed to nurse during the service - and we were right up front that day. :D As it turned out, I didn't need to nurse him that day or most others because the service time coincided with his normal morning naptime.

I remember at least once nursing during coffee hour after the service while talking to the rector! His wife had a baby a couple of months after Jacob so he had no problems with it at all. I was discrete, as I'm a pretty private person, but nursing clothes make it so easy to nurse anywhere that I was perfectly comfortable nursing at church.

Don't know what to say about that sign?!? We don't have a cry room at our small Episcopal church. Maybe they've had some complaints from people? It seems like that's a sign with a story behind it. I'd ask somebody, especially since you really like the church.

Lisa

Originally posted by kimi
Yeah that's true, a nursery sounds more like where you drop the kids off. Either way, the place is supposed to be a place for the care of children. No, I wasn't thinking you agreed with the church, I thought you were saying "I would be mad if I had to take them into the nursery to nurse" and I was thinking this sign is in the nursery, she can't even nurse in there! She has to go to a third room. LOL!

got it, thank you! Didn't want anyone to think I thought that awful sign was justified, LOL!

Either way, wherever the cry room is located, I personally still think it is lame that you couldn't nurse in a cry room, I mean it sounds like the whole point of the room is to remove an upset child from the main area of the service so they can chill out and in my experience nursing is the best way to accomplish that most times.

At the WIC office where I live there was a sign that said "Breastfeeding? Please go to our nursing room located down the hall next to the restrooms" This nursing room was pretty far down the hall from the WIC office (the WIC office is just one office in a large community health building). If you were in there you couldn't hear them if they called your name, when the people called names and didn't get an answer they didn't walk down to the room to check if you were in there they just would call the next person. I was so upset by their sign. I always just nursed right there in the WIC waiting room and one day I complained about the sign. They said you don't have to use the nursing room but they offered it as an option. I asked them if they could please reword the sign because it doesn't sound like they are offering it as an option but rather telling women that you are supposed to nurse in the nursing room. Last time I went in there the sign hadn't been changed yet.

I find THAT quite offensive. As a matter of fact, I recently noticed a sign in our WIC office that states something like: "We support breastfeeding, you are free to breastfeed anywhere in this office". I thought, "who needs their permission??" I had 6 children and got WIC ate different times over the last 14 yrs and never did it occur to me ask if may breastfeed while at an appointment.

About the church: it sounds like a Baptist church I used to go to for many years. This is a large church w/ many young families and many many babies born the years I was going there. VERY few moms nursed past the newborn stage(about 3 months) and NONE into toddler stage. It was never stated, but I got the feeling that people didn't think that was natural. Quite a few moms (very involved devoted members usually) would even bring bottles on Sunday(either w/ formula or breastmilk) to avoid the whole nursing in church thing. Even w/ babies as young as a week. Isn't that sad? Not knocking bottle feeding here, just sad that these women didn't feel comfortable doing the very thing God intended.
Oh, it did occur to me that the sign was probably intended to protect men, as dads would likely bring children to a "cry room" but not be welcome in the "nursing room". You know, protect them from RBE(random breast exposure). If it were me, I would just be sensitve to that fact, but would think nothing of nursing in there if I was alone or with other women.

Robin

About the WIC office, it sort of reminds me of when Braden was a few weeks old, dh's friend was visiting with his newly pg. wife and we went to the mall and the wife & I went into Motherhood Maternity, and I sat right down in one of their (not very comfortable) chairs and started feeding Braden, the salesgirl came over and said "oh, good, you saw the sign, we're a nursing friendly store" and there was a sign that said "Breastfeeding Friendly" or breastfeeding okay or something like that. I just thought it was odd, like they were approving it so ohhh, now it was okay! Like it wasn't before...like it isn't okay everywhere. I think it's strange that that sign is hanging in the cry room at a church! Wrong, IMO.

There is a sign in our WIC office that says, "We Welcome breastfeeding anywhere in our office" and a bunch of pictures of moms nursing.
At our church we have a mother's room that most moms use for nursing, I used it because of the social interaction and the comfy couch and rocking chairs LOL. I wouldn't have a problem nursing in the chapel. In fact I remember when I was very small that my mom would nurse my siblings during the service. She had a nice big afghan to cover herself and it was the most natural thing. This was being discussed on an LDS Group list that I am on and someone said that you should feel comfortable nursing a baby anywhere you would feel comfortable giving a bottle to a baby. And that if Christ were there He would probably be smiling gently as you nursed your child. So if you aren't uncomfortable with the thought of nursing in front of Christ, you shouldn't be uncomfortable nursing in his church.
I would have been uncomfortable seeing that sign also. I agree with the person who said you should talk to the Pastor. it might just be a really old sign that nobody thought to take down.

That would bother me too.

I nurse in church during the service. I wasn't sure at first if I should/could until I saw the pastors wife nursing her toddler in the second row during the service. My Pastor has also quoted Dr. Sears during a sermon :thumbsup:. It's a Presbyterian church.

Is it too nosy of me to ask the denomination of this church? :confused:

Originally posted by pinkmommy

As for my feelings, I do prefer to nurse in a comfortable, private setting. I relax better. My baby is not so distracted. However, I hate to feel like I can't nurse somewhere. I feel as if nursing is de-valued and/or if they needs of others (adults? men?) are somehow put higher than the needs of a hungry baby or a mama that just wants to feed her baby without being assigned to a special area as if I need to be quarantined.
[/B]

I feel the same way exactly.

lemme just say that these churches are SO lucky i do not attend. i'm pretty sure everyone in my fellowship is going to get sick & tired of seeing my boobs.

ftr-there's a lot of xtian pro bf stuff online if you wanna print some off & give them to whoever the man is in your church. might remind them how natural an act bf is, and that it's nothing to be ashamed about or hide.

I nurse in church. Even in the front row. No matter who we're sitting next to. And I've done so freely up to when my kids turned 2. After 2, I still nurse occasionally at church social functions, meetings, etc, but I try to distract them in church.

I'd ignore the sign and nurse in there anyway. Or head straight back into service (not the back row, either) to nurse. I'm stubborn and like to make a silent point about things, although I guess I'm not quite the rebel squirtin' Kas is! :p

I nurse in church. I don't leave my meetings to do it and my 'baby' is over 2. :p

So don't nurse in *that* room. Join the Choir and nurse up front.

Kimberlee

I nursed in church just this morning, and all over the church area this past week while the boys were at VBS. All I got was a nice comment about how much she liked to eat. :D

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, btw

I've nursed during the service at church. If I were in the "cry room" and saw that sign, I'd have either nursed anyway, or else joined the service again with my baby and nursed there. I would not go to yet another room.

As for the WIC office and the sign that bfing is welcome, could it be to make non-nursing mothers aware that nursing is welcome in the waiting area? Like maybe some people were getting not-so-nice comments from non-nursing moms, or maybe the staff was being complained to? That is the only reason I can think of to put that out there like that. Same with Motherhood Maternity...I've seen their sign, but have never nursed in the store. (When I was actually a MM customer, I didnt' have a baby to nurse, LOL) I have however, sat on a bench right next to a sign that said "Nursing Area ---->". I dont know, I don't feel right being herded into a special nursing area. (Though one night at DisneyWorld, I was oh so thankful for the nursing area...the wind was cold, it was about 45 degrees, and silly northerners that we are, we thought it would be hot and were wearing long sleeved T shirts and jeans, LOL. We all warmed up in the Nursing Area while I fed Rebecca.)

Michelle

I nurse in church. I don't leave my meetings to do it and my 'baby' is over 2

I would keep nursing in church over 2, but there's no way I could do it modestly. :) DS is 2 1/2 now, and likes to "see" them before he nurses. He also is learning to count, and before he nurses he lifts my shirt up and counts them. "1, 2...1, 2..." a few times and pats them for emphasis as he counts. I do still nurse him ocassionally in public but only if I know he's really hungry or really tired and will just get down to business without having to "play" first. :D

We have a cry room in our church. We were recently annoyed by a new sign that said, "Nursing Mothers Only". We used to take our crying children in there, and now we can't. My husband tried, and he was asked to leave. There is no other place to go now. When we asked what we are supposed to do now, we were told to take the kids to the nursery and drop them off. We said we couldn't do that, so we usually miss the service now. I can't always handle everyone by myself in the cry room. I should also add, that I am nursing my 2 year old. She is the size of a typical 4 year old, and I used to nurse her right in church, but now I am not comfortable doing that now. It seems like I am the only one out of 2,000 people at my church who is nursing someone over the age of 2 months. I wish more mamas in my church would nurse longer.

If there was a sign that said "No eating or drinking in this room" I could accept that. But to say "No nursing..." that is WRONG!

What I would do. Get a print of a beautiful famous picture of the Madonna and Child nursing. Print out in large type, "Jesus was breastfed" Then take it and tape it over the sign in that room. Sit down and nurse away :)

It seems like I am the only one out of 2,000 people at my church who is nursing someone over the age of 2 months. I wish more mamas in my church would nurse longer.

That's the exact reason I do nurse in church as long as possible. I never saw a single person breastfeeding before I had kids (and even now 5 years later only once or twice outside my support group). So not only do I nurse in public because it's best for my kids and I have the right, but because I like to make a statement that it's OK. Yes, my biggest accomplishment in life is becoming a living boobie billboard. :p

Oh, and the nursing mothers only sucks. I think. It's great that shy moms are encouraged to nurse by having a private place, but so unfair to others. Couldn't they put up a partition or something if it's that big a deal?

I would be offended.

I have always nursed in church or in the cry room. I attend a Lutheran church.I have never had any problem.

Sue

That sign would irritate me so much being worded the way it is. I know I can say for myself I would definatly bring the wording to someone's attention even if it were my first time at the church LOL I'm just militant about that ;)

But the only other reason I can think of, and I'm sorry if someone mentioned this already I didn't get the chance to read through them all, but is the glass 2way? If it were 1 way I really couldn't think of a good reason, but if it were 2 way then I could see why they might for privacy sake? I dunno, but I would ask someone if I could.

Originally posted by downunder
So don't nurse in *that* room. Join the Choir and nurse up front.

Kimberlee

ROFL!!!!!

I nurse in the service. Our pastor's wife always tells me how much she loved nursing her 4 girls (now teenagers and college age) and how she wishes more mothers would nurse. :)

At our church we have a cry room and that is the only space besides outside for fussy little ones. When Lil' Cody needed to nurse week before last, I was back there with one other parent, a father. I don't care though I just conceal myself enough so that no one is uncomfortable and let my babe nurse. I have sat beside a man before in there and nursed my dd. I figure if they are uncomfortable they can leave. I am presonally glad that there is only one place to go and I would be very offended if there was a sign like that in our cry room. Personal feelings totally though.:)
Katie

Originally posted by pinkmommy
[B}

Also, same church hosts MOPS and both this MOPS and another nearby MOPS have a pretty strict policy that says if your baby is over 6 months, you can't keep baby with you at MOPS. Baby must go in the nursery. I don't like that either, but it is seperate group from the church. I just don't get it. God created us -- designed our bodies with the ability to nurse -- but it seems I run into problems with *some* churches/religious groups views on where nursing should be done.

~Rondi~ [/B]

This is why I won't join MOPS. :mad:

I would have been offended by the sign and probably wouldn't go to that church.

On another note, I went to Suzanne's church picnic with her and her pastor not only talked to me while I was nursing but leaned down and shook my hand. I was completely impressed. He seemed totally comfortable!

We had a bad experience with our church in Germany and it has made me very leary. I wouldn't go somewhere that stigmatizes nursing or banishes you to seperate room to nurse no matter how nice that room is.

the only thing I can think of (and excuse me if it has already been said)

is maybe they feel that the crying children would disturb the nursing babies?? (since they do tend to go right to sleep) or disturb the peaceful setting surrounding the nursing mother? I know I wouldn't want to sit in a room of screaming kids to nurse my child.

we have 3 set up rooms for "babies" set up in our church. A nursing room - where mamas can nurse their babies in peace and privacy with rockers, cribs and pribate places if I mather feels umcomfortable NIP, a sleeping room set up for babies - nursing or not to go to sleep with crib and what not, and rockers, and another roon for any baby under around 3yrs to go to if they need to play. This room is not private - because of the huge window that takes up most of the door, but is more for playing with a fussing babe.

Our church has a cool set up to accomodate all walks of motherhood, whether they be nursing or not.

I don't know why they have the sign up but I would definitely ask. It is very possible that the pastor doesn't know that it is offensive or that they may have a good reason for it.

As for nursing in church, all of our boys have been nursed in church. As a matter of fact they have been nursed in several different churches. I have only had one negative incident and it was with a church member. My dh and other pastors that I know have been supportive.

Originally posted by Kori

I wasn't sure at first if I should/could until I saw the pastors wife nursing her toddler in the second row during the service.

I hope that I so inspire someone at our church, as I'm a pastor's wife too :D (but we sit at the back for easy 2 year old exits!)

I nurse in the crying room.. I would nurse in the regular section of the Church as well.. though I would probably go sit in the back row. We have a crying room exactly how you described (sans the sign!) I was in there last week with all three (dh was in CA) and there was another mama in there nursing as well! She gave me this big ol smile.. it was fun! *lol*

I don't know why I even bother going to Mass though with the 3 of them.. I sit in the crying room and I can't hear anything anyway.. they need to turn the freaking speakers up in there!!! Oh and the reason we sit in the crying room? I don't want to bother other parishioners with a very whiney little girl and a squirmy high pitched squeeling little boy! James is very good in Church now.. patiently waiting for Faith to sit still! Like that will ever happen! :joker:

I didn't read all of the responses, but here is my opinion. That is wrong!! There is nothing wrong with nursing where ever you and your child are allowed to be. If there are little kids around, great, let them see the way God intended for babies to be fed. If there are men around, great, let them see that breasts are not just for their own amusement.

I for one, would have nothing to say to them other than a few well thought of choice words. I find it hideous that a place of worship would post such a discrimantory sign. It really gets my goat and I would tell them and then leave. For good.

But I don't nurse in the santuary though, I was always taught not to eat or drink in there, and have since assumed it meant kids too! :D

Amy

DO NOT NURSE.....

I take it to say that nursing is not allowed. That is wrong. It's one thing to provide a separate room for ladies that aren't comfortable nursing in view of others, but to come out and state that nursing isn't allowing "here"....well, that is wrong. I would talk to the paster.

I think everyone should feel comfortable nursing where ever they are. After all, no one wonders if they should pull out a bottle during a meeting.

I nurse in the chapel during the meetings. There is a nursing room and if I need quiet to put them to sleep or something I'll go in there, but not too often.

We are LDS and several of us do the same thing. If I were to try to leave I'd have to take 2 of my kids with me who won't sit still. that would be major noise! DH is always on the stand so he doesn't sit with us. Its less disruptive to nurse sitting with everyone. Never got a comment.

I'd let someone know your thought, or just nurse in the service. Just act like its normal... wait it is normal.

We have a cry room similar to the one in your Church and we also have a nursery. The cry room usually has families with crying kiddos and sometimes its only the fathers who come and sit there with their kid/s. I would think the sign was put up cos of women who were nursing without being discreet - I know some cannot nurse unless their boob is exposed - I personally feel that nursing in public should be done discreetly - my personal opinion - I just don't think others need to feel uncomfortable cos I'm nursing .... .

I always nursed my DD in the pews itself and there was a time where I had to nurse her when in the cry room. I lift my shirt up to nurse so there is no flesh on display.... You could always find out the reason for the notice.....I bet it would be the bare boobs on display :D


Monica

I personally feel that nursing in public should be done discreetly - my personal opinion - I just don't think others need to feel uncomfortable cos I'm nursing .... .
I go back and forth on how I think about this.

I don't like to deliberately make people feel uncomfortable. The reality is that people allow themselves to feel uncomfortable. We can't really *make* anyone feel anything. People feel uncomfortable because our society has twisted the purpose of breasts so that they are primarily a sexual function. Many people agree that NIP should either be done discreetly or not at all. I think many people are wrong. Also, some of those many have no problems with women in scanty bathing suits in public (or wet t-shirt contests for that matter) but NIP is seen as wrong by them. :rolleyes:

Also, my baby is 7 months old and as much as I try to be discreet, it is impossible with him. He pulls the blanket off or lifts my shirt up. I remember trying to cover up nursing first when we lived in Florida and it was summertime. Then I thought WHY should I try to keep him under a blanket? It's hot! I do try to give my shirt down when I NIP but it is a struggle. Also, there are some people who will gasp if they see any part of a breast when it is used for nursing. I feel like saying "Awwww...come on, you can look harder. Give a real stare now. Don't hold back." I have nursed fulling covered (a newborn under a nursing canopy) and my baby has made nursing noises and even THAT has led to those glares.

Personally, I am not to the point where I feel comfortable letting it all hang out in public. Some is my own modesty and some (more) is concern that I am causing others to feel uncomfortable -- though I keep telling myself that they are allowing themselves to feel that way. I wish I could be more in your face about it.

I do think I will talk to the pastor or someone and try to find out the reasoning and explain that the sign is poorly worded in my opinion.

Thanks so much for the input!!!

Rondi

:mad: Well, if you are christian, I would point out that Mary breastfed and I'm sure nursed wherever needed (and certainly she nursed Jesus longer than 6 months). Our church is very nursing friendly (as in, most people nurse in the pew), and I would find another that fit our family lifestyle better if needed.

Talk to your pastor~

Originally posted by pinkmommy
I go back and forth on how I think about this.

I don't like to deliberately make people feel uncomfortable. The reality is that people allow themselves to feel uncomfortable. We can't really *make* anyone feel anything. People feel uncomfortable because our society has twisted the purpose of breasts so that they are primarily a sexual function. Many people agree that NIP should either be done discreetly or not at all. I think many people are wrong. Also, some of those many have no problems with women in scanty bathing suits in public (or wet t-shirt contests for that matter) but NIP is seen as wrong by them. :rolleyes:

Also, my baby is 7 months old and as much as I try to be discreet, it is impossible with him. He pulls the blanket off or lifts my shirt up. I remember trying to cover up nursing first when we lived in Florida and it was summertime. Then I thought WHY should I try to keep him under a blanket? It's hot! I do try to give my shirt down when I NIP but it is a struggle. Also, there are some people who will gasp if they see any part of a breast when it is used for nursing. I feel like saying "Awwww...come on, you can look harder. Give a real stare now. Don't hold back." I have nursed fulling covered (a newborn under a nursing canopy) and my baby has made nursing noises and even THAT has led to those glares.

Personally, I am not to the point where I feel comfortable letting it all hang out in public. Some is my own modesty and some (more) is concern that I am causing others to feel uncomfortable -- though I keep telling myself that they are allowing themselves to feel that way. I wish I could be more in your face about it.



I agree with you. When we lived in Florida, I would nurse descreetly but unless the boys were really sleepy I didn't try to cover them up when they got to a certain age. First off it was hot for both of us. Then usually they would grap the blanket and wave it like a white flag. If someone was unaware that I was nursing before that they would definitely get there attention. LOL

I nurse now and what I do if keep my shirt down to their face. If they are sleepy once they drift off I will sometimes cover J up because once he is finished he will pop off without notice.

There are people out there that will not be comfortable no matter what and you know what I can't help them and I won't accomodate them. I know that some people aren't comfortable just "knowing" you are nursing in the same room with them. I just say oh well. I am discreet and modest and so I don't worry about it. My dh is very modest and if he can handle my nursing in public then I think I do a pretty good job of being discreet.

I would let the church know in an assertive but not nasty manner that I did not like that sign and why. I'd also bring up Mary nursing Jesus. If they didn't take that horrid sign down I'd find another church to attend.
MPO