What's the etiquette with breastfeeding?

I walked to my sisters house this morning, when I arrived she wasn't there but her friend was sat in the front room breastfeeding her baby. I didn't know where to look.

Are you supposed to act like nothing is happening? Do you look them in the eye or the tit? Help please as I will no doubt see this woman again soon.

I would probably grin whilst asking if she'd prefer me to wait in another room whilst she does it, just to clear the air, knowing that she probably won't be audacious enough to expect me to leave the room, anyway.

The idea of the grin is to appear to be cool about the situation, as opposed to looking mortified which would show her that you're very uncomfortable.

You could say nice tits.

Quent wrote:I walked to my sisters house this morning, when I arrived she wasn't there but her friend was sat in the front room breastfeeding her baby.

Why was your sister letting someone else breastfeed her baby?

if a bint is going to get her knockers out in public then its only polite to have a good luck

Hey - baby has to eat.

Just don't get naked and start playing with thi sen.

pretend to not stare

A few weeks ago i was getting out of my car, and the car next to me was facing the other way, which meant both drivers were next to each other. As I got out I couldn't help but see her breastfeeding the baby. We both looked at each other, smiled, and carried on. She no doubt thought it was as natural as I did. The only odd thing was that we were the only two in that part of the car park, and she must have wondered why I parked next to her, when I coul have parked anywhere else.

Could have been worse, she could have had her tits in your sisters mouth.

The mind boggles !

It's the most natural thing in the world but because we are not used to seeing it in public in the UK most men do a double take. Personally, I always look away out of politeness because although I find a nice pair of lung hammers very appealing I always acknowledge that nature made them for nutritional purposes.

Absolutely right RT. People who complain about public breastfeeding are sad repressed types who should try getting a life.

I'm not so sure about that. Yes, its quite natural, but any time, anywhere, etc, isn't always right. Other peoples sensibilities should be observed, no matter how 'natural' it is. After all, having a pee is natural, but do we just stop wherever we are and piddle everywhere, (I won't mention other 'natural' functions) ? My daughter is about to make me a grandad for the first time, but one thing I don't want to see is the baby being fed, even though I know it wouldn't worry her. Different generations maybe.

I think the mothers maternal instincts override any thoughts of etiquette and when the baby starts crying because it is hungry the urge to feed it takes priority over vanity.

In Africa it is very common, especially in remote village where Cow & Gate and SMA are rarer than rocking horse shit.

I am with gloswhite on this one.

If you are dying for a number two, it's not acceptable to squat over a drain in the street and curl one off. You can't say that just because it's naturally people shouldn't be offended by it.

No baby is going to starve to death in the time it takes the mother to find a private place to feed it, surely?

I think there is a difference between pissing and shitting in public and breastfeeding in public.

Most women who breastfeed in public are quite discreet about it and I am sure that there is no intention to offend people. My wife breastfed our two boys and in practice you can see very little. Most of the time all you can see is the back of the baby's head. You might if you are quick (or unlucky if easily offended or embarrassed) see a brief glimpse of nipple when she gets her breast out or the baby stops feeding, but is that really so bad?

Unfortunately, it is for some.

If we constantly pander to the easily offended there would be much less freedom and more restrictions on what we can see, read and do.

I don't have a problem with it, i don't see why anyone would, unless it was done in a particularly vulgar way.