Stunning Photos Of Moms Breastfeeding Outside Show Nursing In Public Is OK
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Photographer Ivette Ivens wants to make public breastfeeding the norm. The Lithuanian-born Chicago resident takes highly stylized portrait photography shots of mothers breastfeeding in public to remind everyone that it’s “a totally normal thing.” 25-year-old Ivens is a mother of two and breastfed her older son until he was three.
“I nursed them both anywhere I wanted. From church to parties, from farmers market to high-end designer stores. I believe that mothers should nurse their little ones whenever they want to,” states Ivens. She is also a proponent for extended breastfeeding. “Little kids know when it’s time for weaning off. Mothers do too. Strangers don’t know, so they shouldn’t care.”
Ivens recently held an exhibition in Chicago titled “I breastfeed my toddler”; later this year, she is releasing her photo-book, Breastfeeding Goddess. Ivens also specializes in taking beautiful pictures of families.
More info: ivetteivens.com | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon
Ivette Ivens’ book “Breastfeeding Goddess” is available for purchase here.
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Whilst very stylised and beautiful, these photographs do not show breastfeeding as it is in the real world. If I had to be fully naked just to breastfeed it would put me off as I do not wish to be naked in public!! Also there is a slightly pornographic air about these photos and those perverts in the world who focus their eyes on children will have a field day with them. In fact I have seen more innocent photos of children removed from Facebook for less exposure!! Just because we want to breast feed does not mean we have the right to make everyone around us uncomfortable while we do so - A little modestly and discretion goes a long way. respect others as well ourselves
There is nothing pornographic about these pictures. Have a word with yourself woman!
Apparently, Bog Dan has difficulty separating art from reality. Anyone who looks at these photos and thinks they are meant to imply that women should get all gussied up and gallivant mostly naked while nursing their babies has obviously paid little attention to the history of art.
P.S. Where the hell do you see the public in that public breastfeeding.? 1 single shot on an almost empty street, 5 shots indoors and the rest in special setups.
Looked at photos critically several times and there is a leaning to playboyesque style photo shoot. These are far from the real world of breast feeding. These photos are more about sexuality than mother feeding a baby.
When I started reading the first sentence it was near exactly how I was going to express my impression. Then I got to the pornographic suggestion and I have to strongly disagree. There's definitely nothing pornographic and the images are indeed beautifully done. But also definitely not how it's realistically done except for one or two. That being said, perhaps if society was a bit less hush hush and ill at ease and and oh so secretive, but more accepting that this is a natural occurrence we wouldn't foster so many people who develop these perversions.
I agree normal pictures. Just i think woman dont need to be so much naked to brestfeed her baby :) Also i found in my area (im from Balkan) can consuming alcohol during pregnancy harm your baby http://poducavanje.com/index.php?action=addthistopic;view=107
Somebody mentions Playboyish, and yes these are 'slick,' promotonal types of shots, whch is fine in itself, but by the same token have some erotism (not pornographic; that'ssomething else and these ain't it). Obviously, not everyone is comfortable with associating breast feeding children with erotics, and I include myself. Love play among adults is another thing entirely, of course.
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You must be dumb as bricks if you can't realize that it took hours for these photo shoots. Nowhere in the real world you'll find women looking like that when breastfeeding. This is just propaganda made for the gullible little birdbrains like yourself, WOMAN.
The fact that other people are made uncomfortable seeing a breast is a product of a sick, messed-up culture. Breasts evolved on mammals for the SPECIFIC purpose of producing milk to feed to babies. That's it. There's nothing weird or gross about them.
Real women don't breast feed like this. That's the problem most have with it. This is a freaking photoshoot, retouched and photoshopped. This isn't showing something beautiful, it's showing a stylized version of a mother feeding her child.... FOR A PHOTOSHOOT. I have no problem with women breastfeeding in public. But they and their children aren't naked in the middle of a mall or sitting in a field baked or in their lace panties. Sorry, but these pics don't come across as celebratory or empowering, they come across as unrealistic and fetishy.
THANK YOU! We are the only Maximilian species that is shamed for being visible while nursing. The concept of "indecency" is subjective to each culture. Many cultures do not sexualize breasts at all while others believe even a woman's face being visible is immoral. *cough*Sharia Law*cough* It's nothing more than indoctrination. Period.
Mammalian* Man, this autocorrect. >.<
You're right that breasts were made for feeding babies. Penis' were made for producing babies.........so does that mean men have the right to walk about with their penis hanging out? You see it on animals. Being discreet is the reason why we cover up.
Lori, you've got serious problems. You're comparing a sex organ to a organ who's sole purpose is feeding babies. I don't know what to say, other than you should seek help.
The arrogance behind the idea that these women don't have respect for themselves because they're not doing things the way you would...wow.
UPVOTE!!!
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I'm not understanding why your comment has been down-voted. I agree with you 100%. Respect is subjective. In order to have taken these photos, these women probably have more self-respect and self-love than most people. I respect anyone who decides to do what they choose in confidence regardless of what others think about them. Why live life if you're going to let others dictate what you choose to do and how to make yourself happy? Only 1 person deserves respect, and it is yourself. As long as you're happy with the choices you make, fuck everyone else.
Are you kidding me? You think I feed my baby with my breast to make you and others uncomfortable? More to the point, do you think I care if you are? My choice to breastfeed has nothing to do with you or anyone else. If my baby is hungry out in public would I not be a bad mother for letting him go hungry? Or perhaps I should go find the closest, cleanest bathroom and maybe squat on a toilet seat so my baby can smell urine while he eats? Because that would make me a better mom? No. Person? Yes? The day I put other's needs/wants before my own children's is the day child services should just take my children.
The day you sit in public in your boyshort panties with your large breasts hanging out with a look of deep satisfaction on your face is the day the police drag you away in handcuffs and put your child in protective custody. I fully expected to see women in very public places, breastfeeding. I was expecting to see sideways glances from pedestrians or fellow travelers on public transportation. I expected to see the PUBLIC somehow a part of these images... not flowing fields, flowering trees, or snowy rocks. I thought this was a social presentation type of photoshoot. Not a glamour shoot.
You sure have a deviant mind. Are you sure you are not talking about yourself? You do need to see a shrink.
"there is a slightly pornographic air about these photos..." No, Amanda, that's just your own filthy mind at work. There's nothing pornographic about the photos.
You completely and absolutely missed the boat. It's art, not a depiction of what real women look like when breast feeding. Talk of fetish and pornographic here reflects the sad nature of our uptight and fear-mongering western culture.
I fully agree. One thing that amuses me greatly is that many women seem to feel that breastfeeding in public is some sort of new idea. Nonsense.. Women have done this for decades. Perhaps one reason why some people weren't aware of it is BECAUSE women were more discrete about it.
I try to understand what you wrote but I really can't ! "there is a slightly pornographic air" = WHAT ???? These photos show us a natural thing that women can do, naked or not. If you are uncomfortable with that why did you saw theses photos ? It's time to stop to be shocked when we see a mother breast-feed her baby : so natural...
I try to understand what you wrote but I really can't ! "there is a slightly pornographic air" = WHAT ??? These photos show us a natural thing that women can do, naked or not. If you are uncomfortable with that, why did you see that ? It's just a beautiful thing and it's time to stop to be shocked when we see a mother breast-feed her baby... so natural...
Pornographic??? Good grief! Something wrong with you!
I see absolutely no "pornographic air" about these photos at all. It may be that you are not accustomed to seeing photos like this and that is where the discomfort lies. There are tribes currently that are naked all the time and you will hear no accounts of rape, because they are accustomed to seeing each other naked. The more people are exposed to this, the less discomfort you will witness in society. It's just a matter of time.
If you sensed a 'slightly pornographic air' about these photos, then I'm sorry to say that you're the one with the problem. Mother's shouldn't be told to be ashamed of feeding their children (naked or not, though no one was completely naked by the way), just because it's making someone else uncomfortable! And I wouldn't say something like weeing is even anywhere close to a mother looking after her hungry child. Especially since women are pressured into breast feeding because it's best for their baby's development then they're shamed for having to do so in public, is absolutely ridiculous! What does 'modesty' have to do with one of the most natural things in the world, if people don't like what they see, simply don't look and mind your own business. If 'men' are turned out by the sight, then they're the freaks not the mothers.
Mother's also don't prance around fields naked feeding their kids and if they do, no one is around. Nor do they stand there in their lace panties feeding their babies on the streets. This isn't real breast feeding. This is glamorized, stylized, retouched and photoshopped. That's why I call these cheap and fetishy.
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I think public urination is a far cry from feeding babies. A loose correlation at best.
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I could go pee in front of, and you would be obviously bothered, but hey...look away its after all the most natural thing for everyone XD LOL
I think they are so beautiful, these photos which are absolutely not sexual, just so pretty.
YES!
Couldn't have said it better myself. This is definitely borderline of kind of pornographic. Just women who want attention in the wrong way. They're missing the point of the whole breastfeeding thing it seems.
And they are breastfeeding, with all due respect. I remember nursing and this reminds me of those special times(:
I simply can't see how anyone can come to this conclusion, its simply nursing in beautiful settings
amazing word ... RESPECT (y)
what an awful comment from the self appointed pedo police. I don't see any lack of self respect in any of these photos. You're making a lot of accusations here Amanda and you've turned something nice into something dirty. No wonder guys are terrified to go anywhere near children these days.
?
Spot on Amanda.
Not
Anyone who finds these pornographic is a pedophile. Congratulations on coming out, please proceed to your nearest police department and turn yourself in.
If you can't see a baby and not think about pornography, you might have a bit of a problem.
"I'm uncomfortable seeing that so you should stop doing it" is one of the most whiny, entitled concepts ever. Don't like someone beat feeding? DON'T LOOK.
At no point in my comment did I say don't breast feed nor that these women do not respect themselves. However you said i shouldn't look if I am uncomfortable with it - I am not uncomfortable with it and encourage women to breast feed but I do think they should not also be allowed to shove it in other peoples faces just because they want to do it. After all I man will be arrested if they WANT to pee and do so in public!! Just show respect for the beautiful time of nurturing your child without demanding the rest of the world be part of it!!!
or dont do it in public in front of everyon, find a more discrete place to do it, no?
Shove it in other people's faces?? Seriously? Are you seriously comparing feeding a hungry infant to DEFECATING???? Amanda, something is deeply wrong with you if you're comparing mother's milk to shit. Did you feed your own shit to your children? If so, I hope the CPS took them away and you're commenting from jail.
A man wanting to pee in public and a woman HAVING to breast feed her screaming baby are two extremely different things. A man can wait to pee or go to the bathroom a screaming baby literally cannot wait to be fed. Your logic is baffling.
@Joana Sofia, when a baby needs to eat, they need to eat NOW. Unless a mother and child are going to stay locked up in the house, they will need to nurse in public places. I am a nursing mother, and when visiting my family, my brother (who had never been around nursing before) said, "Wow, I used to think, what's the big deal; just go nurse somewhere private, but now I get it. You nurse SO MUCH. You are ALWAYS nursing! And she cries like CRAZY until she's eating, so you don't have time to do anything except get her nursing as soon as possible." YES. All it took was one day with a nursing mom to get it. If more people were around more nursing moms, more people would get it. Acceptance goes up exponentially just by some brave nursing mamas refusing to stay locked in their houses.
I will feed the beat if it kills me.
Shutup
This is exactly what I think, Amanda. These pics have something quite perverse and pornographic. Even at home I was not at all fully naked whilst feeding my children. This is a strange exposure of feminine nudity, nothing else.
That blows my mind that you never once nursed your baby while naked. Like, you must have really had to go out of your way. I nurse my baby in the bathtub, in bed, etc. And skin-to-skin contact is so important for them at the beginning. What were you afraid of?
Also, they're not even naked. Your issues are your issues. Live with them or try to deal with them, but do not come spew your hateful judgment ("perverse"!?) on other people who are doing the most basic, beautiful, innocent thing I can think of -- feeding their children.
The whole point of people taking pictures like this of causes that are important to them is to show that the cause is natural and beautiful. Of course they are stylized pictures, nobody wants to see a mother of 3 in a messy house with messy hair doing it, but this is what attracts positive attention. Also... Have you seen porn lately? It's not pin up girls in magazines any more and it surely doesn't look nearly as artistic as this. And if you get the porn vibe from this then maybe you have something in common with the perverts who get it too. Human naked (or almost naked bodies) don't have to be erotic as they're not in these pictures if they're presented correctly which in this case they definitely were. Have a nice day and keep negativity OUT.
I find it disheartening that most of the people protesting are women. So many ladies who are uncomfortable in their own skin. That is precisely why this artist is trying to remind us that it is beautiful. We, as women, are beautiful. We should not be ashamed.
Except not one of them is natural. They're all made up, retouched and photoshopped....and who sits on the snow in a gown breast feeding a baby without bundling that baby up. This is far from natural beauty. What mothers sits in her window naked, breast feeding her child?
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They're not porn shots, they're glamour shots.
As the intention was to provoke and stir a controversy i call it a success and the photos as art are beautiful. Which is why i consider this project a fail in the attempt to promote breast feeding in public as normal moral and un-sexual. For breastfeeding to become more widely accepted people need to get used to seeing it as a natural feeding process and this will take time, it will take women to prove that the purpose is to feed and nurture not to provoke and offend. So i fail to see how these photos will serve this purpose as they are somewhat erotic. I don't think the mothers are under-dressed for the kids benefit. If you strive for breastfeeding in public why the nature setting and the only pic set in the city features a mother dressed inappropriately for the weather (see the people behind her), then why the need for a sheer sexy dress? I don't think breastfeeding should be done in hiding or under a blanket but it shouldn't be done as a display with sexual innuendos.
There are other photos, like http://www.buzzfeed.com/southerndisposition/25-historical-images-that-normalize-breastfeeding-jlw6#.ocDG3Y4vg , that show everyday-breastfeeding. As a nursing mom, I love those, and I also see reasons for these photos to picture dolled up ladies -- the beauty of these photos communicates the way we FEEL during the best nursing sessions, a feeling people who have never experienced it wouldn't otherwise understand -- the beautiful love of actually giving of your own body to nourish someone who relies on you. In this way, it's just like beautiful pregnancy photos. Another thing it has in common with beautiful pregnancy shots is that it's important for some women who probably feel overwhelmed, exhausted, maybe not at their ideal size/shape, most days hair undone, smelly, etc, etc. to connect to the beautiful person they are, to the fact that their newfound motherhood makes them even more beautiful. I wish I had shots like this of me and my baby.
Darcy, that was amazing. Thank you.
Agreed - these photo's are beautiful art. But do nothing to "normalize" the average woman feeding.
Out of the many comments I've read here, you have absolutely hit the nail on the head! Beautifully said, Corina! Thank you!!
agreed
The artist needs to decide between making a statement and making a gallery. These photos are in no way demonstrating what is OK in public.
Stunning Photos Of Moms Breastfeeding Outside Show Nursing In Public Is OK?? No. It doesn't show that its ok. These photos are stunning indeed.beautiful,but these moms are not breastfeeding in public. These are portraits for keepsakes,not what public breastfeeding looks like.and I bet these moms agree too.
No, it's not ok. Unless you've found a way to freeze time and implement photofilters. Seriously.
I think these are absolutely beautiful. Granted, one wouldn't remove their pants in a Wal-Mart while breastfeeding but I don't think the artist intended to imply that you should. The goal was to show others who are not breastfeeding how beautiful it is to the mother who is doing it. As a breastfeeding mother, I can testify that those moments are the most beautiful that I have ever experienced. I think sometimes people read too much into art rather than simply appreciating its beauty. Breastfeeding is the way nature (and God, if you believe in him) meant for us to feed and nurture our babies. The fact that breasts has become sexualized to the point where it is considered "indecent" has nothing to do with morality and everything to do with a widespread, cultural sickness. I commend artists such as this one for attempting to restore the public perspective to what it ought to be naturally.
Seems like I can't reply to other comments here, so I just have to do it like this: "Private time" can mean more than one thing, Geth. It means something private. Which could also be a private conversation. Noone said anything about sex. I think people should cover up when they're breastfeeding in public, and I don't understand why that's a problem. Neither do I understand why you have to make such a big deal about it, why some women has to be so bitchy about it, or why you feel the need to attack everyone who doesn't feel the same way as you do. Wearing clothes in public are normal nowadays. Of course people feel weird about it when someone then just gets undressed whenever whereever. Look at all the women actually covering up when they breastfeed. Their babies still gets food. And they're not offending anyone. Everyone's happy.
Sounds great in theory, Linda, except my baby has never taken a bottle....ever. She refuses bottles and pacifiers and has consistently for 7 months now. Also, most women who breastfeed in public put only their nipple out. They're not just flapping in the breeze. However, it's still considered indecent. Why?
Yes, everyone should do things how YOU feel is right and not how THEY feel is right. Why do they have to make such a big deal about it? Why do YOU have to make such a big deal about it, if they do breastfeed in public? You may think it is abnormal to breastfeed in public, but others do not. We think you're weird for feeling weird about seeing someone breastfeeding in public. I fixed the end of your comment: "Everyone... (that has the same opinion as you, is) ...happy"
You know, there are nursing bras, that allows you to put only your nipple out instead of the whole breast. You don't necessarily need a blanket to cover up a bit. But when it comes to blankets: it's not like you have to tuck it around your childs head and strangle him with it. It is fully possible to cover youself and still making openings so the baby can get fresh air. And unless you're sitting in direct burning sunlight, I don't think a thin blanket would make it that much hotter. Also, if you're going out and you know that your baby will get hungry, it's possible to bring a bottle. Either with formula or your own milk. I'm ready for everyone to freak out and start calling me names now, but seriously, a bottle won't kill them.
http://www.scarymommy.com/whats-so-hard-about-covering-up-to-breastfeed-in-public/
Not all babies will accept a cover while they eat. If they refuse it shouldn't mean the mother can't feed in public, as the law doesn't require them to use a cover. While I respect your opinion, I would politely ask you to consider that a woman who isn't us using a cover while breastfeeding isn't trying to be an exhibitionist or to make anyone uncomfortable. If someone is bothered by breastfeeding in public that is their problem, not hers.
Coming purely from the standpoint of function, it would make more sense to use a blanket when it's cold and to remove it when it's hot.
How do you feel when your face is under a blanket? What if you had to have a blanket over your face in the heat of summer? Would you want to eat that way? What I don't understand is why we've been indoctrinated to think it's more socially acceptable to deprive a baby of fresh air than it is to allow anyone to view it feeding.
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Yes, breastfeeding is natural, and of course that's what you're ment to do with your breasts. Still doesn't mean you have to do it in public. Still doesn't mean you have to shove it up everyone elses face. Think about it. If you ever exposed your breast WITHOUT having a baby hanging on it, you would get told to leave or cover up. Some would even call the police. But just because there''s a baby in the picture, suddenly it's okey? You can still see everything. You're still out in public. And WHY does some mothers feel this need to show off their boobs? By all means, breastfeed in public. But cover up! Noone needs to be a part of you and your childs private time.
I think your opinion just accentuates my point about the sexualizing of breaststroke being a social sickness. We don't bat an eye at any other mammal nursing their young notater where they do it. This idea that breast a are indecent and not simply baby food is the product of generations of indoctrination. It isn't real. It isn't natural. It's a sickness and we need to cure it.
What is so wrong with breast that we feel we must treat them sexually. It's flesh and a nipple. Men have them. No big deal.
Essentially, what you're saying is, it's perfectly natural to have a child but, for the love of God, don't let anyone see you FEED them. I just can't wrap my brain around that sort of erroneous thinking.
Our liberty ends where the liberty of others begins. The same goes to privacy. We can't do everything the way we want in society because we have to respect customs and feelings of others. So the answer is to breastfeed in a natural and non-fussable way. Different cultures have different habits...so be discreet. Breastfeeding shouldn't be this media circus that has been happening lately.
"Private time?" That's gross. You're not having sex with you baby, you're feeding them. Milk. What is wrong with you?
breasts* not breastroke. Replied from my phone and the autocorrect hates me. :P
As long as breasts are still so sexualized by men, it would make me very uncomfortable for me to have a baby slurping away while a man was sitting nearby observing.
Sadly, not just by men. Women also shame other women for not "covering" up in public when breastfeeding. It's a societal issue... Only time and exposure will change that.
I don't think time or exposure with change ANYTHING. People will ALWAYS have their opinions on the issue. Some people see these pictures as a treasure trove for sickos to copy the photos and use them for perverted/obscene reasons. Like it or not THAT does happen. Personally, I NEVER breastfeed in public BECAUSE of weirdos with their cameras. I pumped and took bottles. If you want to breastfeed in public, go for it, but don't forget that there WILL be those who WILL snap pictures of you and use them against you knowledge/wishes.
@NKG, cultural norms do actually change. A basic understanding of history shows that. And looking outside the box of your own culture would show that, even without the benefit of time, plenty of cultures right now do not look at feeding babies as indecent at all. I wish everyone could travel; it does wonders to see people living entirely different ways, to realize that what you took to be normal and inevitable is just one of the infinite ways people can live. (Despite all that, feeding babies is actually one of the rare constants, and bottles are a very new invention.)
Well tell those men to mind their own business. Tell me, when you're in a restaurant, do you stare at people while they're eating? No, because that's considered rude. Same thing.
Excellent photography. These have lovely relaxed atmosphere and capture the innocence of the subjects and the bond between mother a child. The comments about children and
Men think God gave us breasts for their pleasure, wrong. These photos show the real reason God gave us breasts, so humanity can survive. Grow up you male idiots.
The only reason, evolutionarily, that people find breasts sexually attractive is that their existence is a marker that a woman is sexually mature (an adult) and would therefore be able to get pregnant and then to feed her young. People have said in the comments that they are both sexual AND for feeding babies. But, no, they are just for feeding babies, and so people see them and their subconscious thinks, "I should impregnant that woman. She could nourish the baby." (Also, many people feel pleasure through their nipples. This is also in the service of getting our babies fed; if we are going to continue to nurse day in and day out, it better feel alright.)
Agreed!
I have no problem with women breastfeeding in public as long as they're modest about (cover up as much as possible) but these pictures don't represent how people breastfeed in public and I hope it never gets that way either. As for the artistic value, these are wonderful, for the realistic everyday life value.......not so good.
Reasons why covering up is not so easy: http://www.motherhoodandmore.com/2013/08/whats-so-hard-about-covering-up-to-html.html
Stop shaming women for feeding their hungry babies. My babies hated having covers on their heads, and would scream and try to rip them off when I tried. Every nursing session ended up being stressful and terrible for both of us. So I ditched the covers. Deal with it. Mind your own business, and there won't be a problem.
not sure how these pictures can further her intention of making public breastfeeding the norm.
Lying down in the sand, naked with a naked baby?. Breastfeeding a chid in the snow with little clothes on ? Although these photos are beatiful they are so distant from reality that I don't think they can promote anything at all.
I love the photos. I dislike running into women doing breast feeding in public. Makes me feel wrong place - wrong time.
Babies need to be fed on demand. When they are young, this means the majority of the day is spent nursing. Unless a mother locks herself in her home, people are going to see nursing. Public nursing is essential for women to get out and have a life (new moms are already beyond exhausted, and at the beginning, you can't even get groceries without nursing while you're out; they need it so often, and they need it RIGHT NOW.) And all the cultural shame about it is what makes women make the sad choice not to nurse. Nursing in public normalizes it, which will get more women to feel comfortable doing it, which will normalize it further.
All natural. Was brought up with this my whole life and think it's just great. It's all part of real motherhood. Glad to see that it's not into the closet.
it's hilarious how we are constantly surrounded by half naked women everywhere we go and nobody ever complains but when a perfectly respectable mother does something as beautiful and as natural as breastfeeding even the slightest sight of a sideboob becomes indecent. that is very coherent of you, easily-offended-by-nature-guy-who-completely-lost-sight-of-the-whole-point-of-developing-brest-in-the-first-place. "how outrageous of you, to hang a lingerie add with no shame! don't you have any respect?!" said no one ever
beautiful and how it suppose to be
Those pictures are beautiful.. but if you're going to use them for public breast feeding campaign I don't think it's going to work..
Almost all of these photos were erotic,real breastfeeding has nothing to do with.For me,public breastfeeding is not ok,cause i know lots of people of all ages that if they see it,they will ''keep looking'' and this is far more nasty than the need of mother to find a quite spot to do her work.If we were living naked in the jungle women would breastfeed in the public view too,but we arent.
These pictures are truly beautiful. As im sure some people have more to say about this than i do, i believe that these pictures show a sense of confidence and a gorgeous picture about maternity.
I saw a lady breast feeding her baby at the market a few days ago... it didn't look like this, I can tell you that much...
Let me add a bit of a twist to this. Agreed the images are incredibly beautiful. Agreed most aren't meant to depict how women actually breast feed in public. I happen to advocate that it be acceptable for mothers to be allowed to breastfeed when and where it becomes necessary for a hungry child. Now for the twist, I don't think I myself could do it. I'm from a different era and yes, I would just feel too exposed. The closest I believe I would come would be to feed the child with a light blanket or scarf to shield myself and the baby. I actually think the baby would be more comfortable and less distracted. I get the feeling from the looks on most of the babies faces they seem to not appreciation the attention .
Yeah, my partners breasts do not look like that after three kids, sorry to say!
Am I the only person who can see a correlation between the sexualization of breastfeeding women and Sharia Law? We find it so unfortunate when some women are forced to cover their faces in public yet we mindlessly embrace this notion of indecency when it comes to breasts. There are many cultures in which nursing women don't cover them at all and nobody finds it strange. It's indoctrination, pure and simple. When a part of a woman's body is sexualized to the point where she is urged to be ashamed of it, it is oppressive and unwarranted. PEOPLE decide what to be offended by. If the sight of a breastfeeding mother gives you impure thoughts I would highly recommend confronting your own demons rather than expecting a baby to suffer for your mental indecency.
This is NOT the public breastfeeding people object to. Blame our culture, blame the men. Hell, blame civilization. Women's breasts have been sexualized since forever. Just cover up a little, that's all. Amanda Macfarlane is correct. These photos have nothing to do with real world breast feeding.
"Women's breasts have been sexualized since forever." - No, they have not. Women's entire bodies have been sexualized by men. Should women all wear burkas?
In Panama I see breast feeding in public and honestly, no one cares or pays any attention to it. It is natural and it is necessary. Folks need to get over the stupid stuff. I agree with Amanda below about doing it naked for photos. What God created is beautiful enough and it is not necessary to turn it into portn
Perhaps the headline misstated the purpose of these photos. I don't think this presentation is meant to glorify breastfeeding in public so much as it highlights the breathtaking beauty of breastfeeding. Sustaining the life of another human (i.e. breastfeeding) can be as gorgeous and majestic as it is amazing.
Is this Boredpanda or RedTube Sex Galleries or something???
Fuck you.
Isn't nature wonderful. I think there is nothing more beautiful than breastfeeding.
Also, breastfeeding doesn't make u a hero. I'm kinda sick of your holier than though attitudes.
But being a present mother does. Have some respect.
There's absolutely nothing "porno" about these images. Gathered no one is going to remove their whole top just to breastfeed. But people get squeamish when mothers breastfeed with a blanket covering the area. I honestly don't see how someone could see it as pornographic. It's a baby suckling his/her mother's breast, the baby is feeding. Yes, the breasts can be seen as sexual because of course a man might suckle his lovers breast during sex. But dear God it's a freaking baby feeding, nothing that should get anyone's jollies off. Oh and these images are lovely!
Beautiful pictures!
The Most Natural thing feeding a child in the most Natural Way.
it's hilarious how we are constantly surrounded by half naked women everywhere and nobody ever complains but if if you have to do something as beautiful and as natural as breastfeeding the slightest sight of breast becomes indicent. very very coherent. "how outrageus of you to hang a lingerie add in public!!" said no one ever.
FUCKING AWESOME!!!
I have no problem with women breastfeeding in public, but these pics are kinda the equivalent of "getting down and dirty" with chicken and mashed potatoes. You say you want people to not make a big deal about breastfeeding, but then these pics go overboard. The only time there are staged photos of people eating would be for advertising, so are these moms endorsing their "brand" of breast milk?
I can not understand the discussion? Already 25 years ago, when my children were born, in France or in Germany, even Bavaria, there was nothing shocking when my wife was breastfeeding in public ... you can do it a liitle bit more discretely or sometimes a little bit more provoking, but in any case it´s normal ... so what?
I think breastfeeding is the best practice of giving food to a human being because the feeder and the feeded are both enjoying the practice.
Is it weird that I have a stiffy right now? That second from the top, WOW? Move over little man and quite bogarting! The dreadlock girl is super hot to but it's like...oooooo look at me, I'm an individual and quirky with my knappy dreads and over styled swoop curl thing at the front.
When the child starts riding a bicycle, it's time to stop breastfeeding. Period.
When the child starts riding a bicycle it's time to stop breastfeeding.
These photographs exude all the radiance and confidence possible in women, their bodies, and the breastfeeding relationship. Its a celebration in art of something society takes for granted that women do daily. Its statement? Breastfeeding is essentially an art, and a beautiful, womanly one at that. Also, when breastfeeding an older baby, the relationship is so well-established that it feels natural and normal to nurse anywhere, anyhow. There is much less fuss in nursing an older baby than nursing a newborn, and these photos reveal the sense of freedom and ease that is possible after working toward that long-term relationship.
These are absolutely lovely, tasteful photographs. When nursing an older infant it can really feel as beautiful as these pictures show it... on the inside. It doesn't feel so much like that when you're figuring out how to nurse a newborn baby, but these pictures show that once you've gotten into your groove, you can feel confident and radiant and womanly while you nurse and nurture your baby. These just exude confidence and joy and make something women do, something society takes for granted, a celebrated art.
I love the way some the kids look at the cameraman..." MOM there's some guy over there watching us..."
Beautiful photos
Really stunning, amazing and wonderful pictures!!!!
Also, babies do not all accept bottles. Bottles can also create problems for babies with their ability to latch on to the breast.
Also, seriously? most of these photos look like what any woman in her own home would be doing. My youngest ate so frequently I honestly found it hard to stay -or even GET- dressed! I'm surprised I never accidentally answered the door with my shirt open. Also as another poster mentioned, skin to skin is vital for babies.. can't believe some of you say that you've never been in any state of undress while nursing. lol... that would be nearly impossible. my kids ate all day and all night.
My youngest ate every 40 minutes - for 20-40 minutes each time, and of course this changed up frequently as well, depending on how he felt, was teething, sick, anxious, tired, busy, etc, and as he got older and experimented with foods/tastes/textures, and then ate more and more solid food, and finally moved on to the 5 minute "snacking" on milk randomly, etc. It is IMPOSSIBLE to plan around when they are going to eat, or think you will EVER have a set schedule down, because as soon as you get used to it, it will change, as they are growing and changing every day. If I went to another room everytime a baby needed to eat, I would NEVER get anything done! It's hard enough to get anything done as it is, having children.
These are quite normal photos.. very relaxed, yet in a portrait like setting. I am fairly positive the photos were taken from another article, and the title "in public" was added by boredpanda's author. These are definitely not photos in a public setting. There are a *handful* of photos here that are not (probably) a typical mother breastfeeding, like the one in the sand, or the mother standing in the field. However, just because YOU haven't experienced it doesn't mean it's not typical, of other communities. Such as tribes. There are also other communities I've experienced where this would be normal and not even given a second look. Also, I doubt MOST of you commenting anything negative here have EVER breastfed, or breastfed for any length of time. Most children do not feel comfortable being covered, and neither would I. Also, babies eat FREQUENTLY. Their digestive system is not developed yet, so breastmilk is very easily digested, and therefore they need to eat OFTEN.
And Dan Bog...why the hell you have to get ignorant and start name calling, etc. Only shows me you don't have the intellect to have a spicy debate.
Dan Bog...where everyone got the idea that these beautiful photos were suppose to be in "public" is in the very title of the photo essay. There is nothing pornographic about these photos, however they are not realistic. If the title would have been "Beautiful moms breastfeeding beautiful babies"...I could of accepted that. What we think we look like breastfeeding...what we really look like breastfeeding...that is where these pics belong.
1 Corinthians 8:9: "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Some interpreters believe that this is a generic statement that a Christian must not engage in any behavior that might cause another believer to falter. They might argue that nudism may tempt some persons to have unclean thoughts. 1 Corinthians 12:23: "and those (parts) of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely (parts) have more abundant comeliness; whereas our comely (parts) have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that (part) which lacked." (ASV). Paul is apparently saying that parts of the human body which are not presentable are to be treated with special modesty, while the rest of our body needs no such special treatment. He is apparently referring to social practices in his culture, which prohibited nudity in social situations.
So natural, I bet she was breast fed as well.
These photos are ridiculous. There is nothing glamorous about breastfeeding, and that is why it should be normal to see a woman doing it. It can be messy and hot, and even ugly, but so are many things in life that are worth doing. As long as we have to frame it like a commercial for a fabric softner shoot, we still haven't gotten the right message out. It's what boobs were made for. Get over it, and if it bothers you, move along, nothing to see here but a mother feeding her baby with what God gave her.
Smell of thunder Ticke of wet leaves under your child feet. Let yourself fall in the grass and wait for the first rain, become the silence of love hollow in breast, drop of milk. Be the mother of snow between the animals who squint you from afar, unleash the wind in my heart just before this storm. You roof rock crouch of warm soil... Take my eyes! raise them high! BURN THEM WITH LIGHTNING! And then wash them as you know. and don't give them back to me ...nevermore.
As an Art Project these are very beautiful pictures. However, one would be hard pressed to find women breast feeding their children in similar scenarios - they are just 'too romantic'.
I never breastfeed my children.However I think these are beautiful pictures
If the purpose of these photographs is to show breastfeeding as natural and normal (which it is) these photos only show that women can only be accepted if they are provocative and sexy. This should be titled Playboy's Guide to Breastfeeding.
most of these children are too old to still be breastfeeding
Incorrect: http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/#normality Your ignorant comment contributes to a culture where women do not feel comfortable breastfeeding as long as they otherwise would. None of the children in these photos even come close to a "controversial" age.
Yuck
"Breastfeeding in public is the most natural thing in the world. It is hygienic and, in the eyes of some, quite beautiful". So is urinating in public. Pass me the bucket, Mavis. And my good teeth.
I think why people staring on these moms is because watching baby breastfeeding is weirdly amazing
Breastfeeding is (obviously) a natural thing. It's neither beautiful nor disgusting. It's just a fact of life and before the 20th century we would have died out completely if breastfeeding didn't occur. So there's nothing wrong with the idea of breastfeeding in general. But... Breasts are also a sexual organ. If you disagree then you are doing it wrong. Sorry. And baring sexual organs in public can be offensive to some/most people. If guys pulled their penises out of their pants and urinated into a sewage drain (a completely reasonable place for urine to go) in public, well, there would be very few people who would think that was OK. That's because penises, besides their function as a diuretic organ, are also a sex organs. It's that fact that makes them, um, unsightly in public. The same goes for woman's breasts. I want to be clear. I am clear on the fact that breastfeeding is completely natural and I'm all for it. But let's not pretend that this other factor isn't there.
LOVE these photos. BrEaST is best...and in the USA we need to see more moms breastfeeding. we do not have many roll models in our country, breast feeding is not a priority, many pediatricians don't know much about breastfeeding. They accept all kinds of stuff from formula manufacturers.. that sends a message to moms, that formula is ok for their baby's. Humans are the only species that thinks it is ok to give another species milk. Formula is based on cows milk. i say... human milk for human babies, cow's milk for calves! www.nursingbabies.com
I believe this is called "Soft Porn".
IMPORTANTE: This lady Ivette Ivens blocked me from her facebook page just because I didn't agree with her point of view and informed her politely. Told her she was sexualizing too much her photos of breastfeeding, they should be more natural.There are people in this world that criticise those who don't tolerate breastfeeding in public but then ban those who do but see it in a more pure and natural way. Ivette shame on you, YOU DON'T DESERVE THE ATTENTION YOU'RE GETTING AND MAYBE YOU'RE JUST FOCUSED ON THE MONEY THIS MAY BRING YOU. Bet you're not CHARLIE because you don't tolerate freedom of speech. Speech that was respectful.
Welcome to the world of Liberal Hypocrisy. You're Welcum.
Anyone who finds these pornographic is a pedophile. Congratulations on coming out, please proceed to your nearest police department and turn yourself in.
Yeah, my partners breasts do not look like that after three kids, oh how I wish, especially the lady with dreads!
Why are you criticizing your partner's body on the Internet? The point of all this is that nursing is a beautiful thing. Your partner was an amazing life-giving woman too. ...That said, I agree that the woman with the dreads is insanely gorgeous.
Awesome !!
lindas as fotos :)
I do want to point out one other thing though, and it is VERY disturbing about these photos: Some of these children are far too old to be breast fed. The primary benefit of breastfeeding occurs in the first few months when specific macrobiotics and passed from mother to child. If your child is over a year old then you might want to start cutting some apron strings.
What is disturbing to me is that your ignorant comment could actually lead to someone not breastfeeding as long as they otherwise would. None of the children in these photos even come close to a "controversial" age. http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/#normality
because there is nothing else like a big bloated veiny breast with a slobbering child attached to it to put one off there meal in a restaurant... it's like the joy a child brings when they are throwing a massive temper tantrum in the middle of a super market because the parent refused to buy them a turtle ninja toy
This is repulsive... I don't want to see either in pictures or in real life a small child consuming the body fluids of a grown person... disgusting!
Nice photos but so far from reality... the photograph overdid it with a naked woman lying in the sand with a naked baby ...just how confortable can it be? Breast feedind in the snow with inadequate clothing? Silly, besides I agree with Mrs Macfarlane on the whole issue of breastfeeding
Heurk!!! I wanna to throw up.... :(
My problem is that the "infants" are too old to breastfeed. Yes I am female and yes I breastfed. I stopped before my children were out of diapers.
None of the children pictured even come close to a "controversial" age for breastfeeding. Just because you didn't choose to nurse that long, you don't need to spread misinformation and try to shame the mothers for making the awesome choice to keep nursing. http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/#normality
Most of these photos aren't exactly taken in public places. Also, it makes me uncomfortable to see the women nursing those big toddlers - it honestly makes me wonder if the mom has some sort of odd "need" or gets some benefit (if you know what I mean) from doing that. The youngsters certainly don't need it! I nursed all four of my children, but never felt any need to do it in public. Besides, it's much easier to relax (and thus for the milk to flow) when in a more private setting, anyway! I just respectfully disagree with those who do like the idea of making this the "norm."
None of the children pictured even come close to a "controversial" age for breastfeeding. Just because you didn't choose to nurse that long, you don't need to spread misinformation and try to shame the mothers for making the awesome choice to keep nursing. http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/#normality
These photos are absolutely stunning, really beautiful. However, I still take issue with militant style moms "I WILL BREASTFEED WHERE I WANT GET USED TO IT!" In reality, breasts are very much sexualized, you can't get away from that. Breastfeed in public, by all means, just be respectful of those around you just as you want them to respect you. And for the inevitable "It's natural" crowd. Yes, so is pooping and masturbating.
IMPORTANTE: This lady Ivette Ivens blocked me from her facebook page just because I didn't agree with her point of view and informed her politely. Told her she was sexualizing too much her photos of breastfeeding.They should look more natural. There are people in this world that criticise those who don't tolerate breastfeeding in public but then ban those who do, but see it in a more pure and natural way. Ivette shame on you, YOU DON'T DESERVE THE ATTENTION YOU'RE GETTING AND MAYBE YOU'RE JUST FOCUSED ON THE MONEY THIS MAY BRING YOU. Bet you're not CHARLIE because you don't tolerate freedom of opinion. Why did I bother giving mine....you don't tolerate those different from yours.
I would breastfeed from these women anyday
Whilst very stylised and beautiful, these photographs do not show breastfeeding as it is in the real world. If I had to be fully naked just to breastfeed it would put me off as I do not wish to be naked in public!! Also there is a slightly pornographic air about these photos and those perverts in the world who focus their eyes on children will have a field day with them. In fact I have seen more innocent photos of children removed from Facebook for less exposure!! Just because we want to breast feed does not mean we have the right to make everyone around us uncomfortable while we do so - A little modestly and discretion goes a long way. respect others as well ourselves
There is nothing pornographic about these pictures. Have a word with yourself woman!
Apparently, Bog Dan has difficulty separating art from reality. Anyone who looks at these photos and thinks they are meant to imply that women should get all gussied up and gallivant mostly naked while nursing their babies has obviously paid little attention to the history of art.
P.S. Where the hell do you see the public in that public breastfeeding.? 1 single shot on an almost empty street, 5 shots indoors and the rest in special setups.
Looked at photos critically several times and there is a leaning to playboyesque style photo shoot. These are far from the real world of breast feeding. These photos are more about sexuality than mother feeding a baby.
When I started reading the first sentence it was near exactly how I was going to express my impression. Then I got to the pornographic suggestion and I have to strongly disagree. There's definitely nothing pornographic and the images are indeed beautifully done. But also definitely not how it's realistically done except for one or two. That being said, perhaps if society was a bit less hush hush and ill at ease and and oh so secretive, but more accepting that this is a natural occurrence we wouldn't foster so many people who develop these perversions.
I agree normal pictures. Just i think woman dont need to be so much naked to brestfeed her baby :) Also i found in my area (im from Balkan) can consuming alcohol during pregnancy harm your baby http://poducavanje.com/index.php?action=addthistopic;view=107
Somebody mentions Playboyish, and yes these are 'slick,' promotonal types of shots, whch is fine in itself, but by the same token have some erotism (not pornographic; that'ssomething else and these ain't it). Obviously, not everyone is comfortable with associating breast feeding children with erotics, and I include myself. Love play among adults is another thing entirely, of course.
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You must be dumb as bricks if you can't realize that it took hours for these photo shoots. Nowhere in the real world you'll find women looking like that when breastfeeding. This is just propaganda made for the gullible little birdbrains like yourself, WOMAN.
The fact that other people are made uncomfortable seeing a breast is a product of a sick, messed-up culture. Breasts evolved on mammals for the SPECIFIC purpose of producing milk to feed to babies. That's it. There's nothing weird or gross about them.
Real women don't breast feed like this. That's the problem most have with it. This is a freaking photoshoot, retouched and photoshopped. This isn't showing something beautiful, it's showing a stylized version of a mother feeding her child.... FOR A PHOTOSHOOT. I have no problem with women breastfeeding in public. But they and their children aren't naked in the middle of a mall or sitting in a field baked or in their lace panties. Sorry, but these pics don't come across as celebratory or empowering, they come across as unrealistic and fetishy.
THANK YOU! We are the only Maximilian species that is shamed for being visible while nursing. The concept of "indecency" is subjective to each culture. Many cultures do not sexualize breasts at all while others believe even a woman's face being visible is immoral. *cough*Sharia Law*cough* It's nothing more than indoctrination. Period.
Mammalian* Man, this autocorrect. >.<
You're right that breasts were made for feeding babies. Penis' were made for producing babies.........so does that mean men have the right to walk about with their penis hanging out? You see it on animals. Being discreet is the reason why we cover up.
Lori, you've got serious problems. You're comparing a sex organ to a organ who's sole purpose is feeding babies. I don't know what to say, other than you should seek help.
The arrogance behind the idea that these women don't have respect for themselves because they're not doing things the way you would...wow.
UPVOTE!!!
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I'm not understanding why your comment has been down-voted. I agree with you 100%. Respect is subjective. In order to have taken these photos, these women probably have more self-respect and self-love than most people. I respect anyone who decides to do what they choose in confidence regardless of what others think about them. Why live life if you're going to let others dictate what you choose to do and how to make yourself happy? Only 1 person deserves respect, and it is yourself. As long as you're happy with the choices you make, fuck everyone else.
Are you kidding me? You think I feed my baby with my breast to make you and others uncomfortable? More to the point, do you think I care if you are? My choice to breastfeed has nothing to do with you or anyone else. If my baby is hungry out in public would I not be a bad mother for letting him go hungry? Or perhaps I should go find the closest, cleanest bathroom and maybe squat on a toilet seat so my baby can smell urine while he eats? Because that would make me a better mom? No. Person? Yes? The day I put other's needs/wants before my own children's is the day child services should just take my children.
The day you sit in public in your boyshort panties with your large breasts hanging out with a look of deep satisfaction on your face is the day the police drag you away in handcuffs and put your child in protective custody. I fully expected to see women in very public places, breastfeeding. I was expecting to see sideways glances from pedestrians or fellow travelers on public transportation. I expected to see the PUBLIC somehow a part of these images... not flowing fields, flowering trees, or snowy rocks. I thought this was a social presentation type of photoshoot. Not a glamour shoot.
You sure have a deviant mind. Are you sure you are not talking about yourself? You do need to see a shrink.
"there is a slightly pornographic air about these photos..." No, Amanda, that's just your own filthy mind at work. There's nothing pornographic about the photos.
You completely and absolutely missed the boat. It's art, not a depiction of what real women look like when breast feeding. Talk of fetish and pornographic here reflects the sad nature of our uptight and fear-mongering western culture.
I fully agree. One thing that amuses me greatly is that many women seem to feel that breastfeeding in public is some sort of new idea. Nonsense.. Women have done this for decades. Perhaps one reason why some people weren't aware of it is BECAUSE women were more discrete about it.
I try to understand what you wrote but I really can't ! "there is a slightly pornographic air" = WHAT ???? These photos show us a natural thing that women can do, naked or not. If you are uncomfortable with that why did you saw theses photos ? It's time to stop to be shocked when we see a mother breast-feed her baby : so natural...
I try to understand what you wrote but I really can't ! "there is a slightly pornographic air" = WHAT ??? These photos show us a natural thing that women can do, naked or not. If you are uncomfortable with that, why did you see that ? It's just a beautiful thing and it's time to stop to be shocked when we see a mother breast-feed her baby... so natural...
Pornographic??? Good grief! Something wrong with you!
I see absolutely no "pornographic air" about these photos at all. It may be that you are not accustomed to seeing photos like this and that is where the discomfort lies. There are tribes currently that are naked all the time and you will hear no accounts of rape, because they are accustomed to seeing each other naked. The more people are exposed to this, the less discomfort you will witness in society. It's just a matter of time.
If you sensed a 'slightly pornographic air' about these photos, then I'm sorry to say that you're the one with the problem. Mother's shouldn't be told to be ashamed of feeding their children (naked or not, though no one was completely naked by the way), just because it's making someone else uncomfortable! And I wouldn't say something like weeing is even anywhere close to a mother looking after her hungry child. Especially since women are pressured into breast feeding because it's best for their baby's development then they're shamed for having to do so in public, is absolutely ridiculous! What does 'modesty' have to do with one of the most natural things in the world, if people don't like what they see, simply don't look and mind your own business. If 'men' are turned out by the sight, then they're the freaks not the mothers.
Mother's also don't prance around fields naked feeding their kids and if they do, no one is around. Nor do they stand there in their lace panties feeding their babies on the streets. This isn't real breast feeding. This is glamorized, stylized, retouched and photoshopped. That's why I call these cheap and fetishy.
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I think public urination is a far cry from feeding babies. A loose correlation at best.
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I could go pee in front of, and you would be obviously bothered, but hey...look away its after all the most natural thing for everyone XD LOL
I think they are so beautiful, these photos which are absolutely not sexual, just so pretty.
YES!
Couldn't have said it better myself. This is definitely borderline of kind of pornographic. Just women who want attention in the wrong way. They're missing the point of the whole breastfeeding thing it seems.
And they are breastfeeding, with all due respect. I remember nursing and this reminds me of those special times(:
I simply can't see how anyone can come to this conclusion, its simply nursing in beautiful settings
amazing word ... RESPECT (y)
what an awful comment from the self appointed pedo police. I don't see any lack of self respect in any of these photos. You're making a lot of accusations here Amanda and you've turned something nice into something dirty. No wonder guys are terrified to go anywhere near children these days.
?
Spot on Amanda.
Not
Anyone who finds these pornographic is a pedophile. Congratulations on coming out, please proceed to your nearest police department and turn yourself in.
If you can't see a baby and not think about pornography, you might have a bit of a problem.
"I'm uncomfortable seeing that so you should stop doing it" is one of the most whiny, entitled concepts ever. Don't like someone beat feeding? DON'T LOOK.
At no point in my comment did I say don't breast feed nor that these women do not respect themselves. However you said i shouldn't look if I am uncomfortable with it - I am not uncomfortable with it and encourage women to breast feed but I do think they should not also be allowed to shove it in other peoples faces just because they want to do it. After all I man will be arrested if they WANT to pee and do so in public!! Just show respect for the beautiful time of nurturing your child without demanding the rest of the world be part of it!!!
or dont do it in public in front of everyon, find a more discrete place to do it, no?
Shove it in other people's faces?? Seriously? Are you seriously comparing feeding a hungry infant to DEFECATING???? Amanda, something is deeply wrong with you if you're comparing mother's milk to shit. Did you feed your own shit to your children? If so, I hope the CPS took them away and you're commenting from jail.
A man wanting to pee in public and a woman HAVING to breast feed her screaming baby are two extremely different things. A man can wait to pee or go to the bathroom a screaming baby literally cannot wait to be fed. Your logic is baffling.
@Joana Sofia, when a baby needs to eat, they need to eat NOW. Unless a mother and child are going to stay locked up in the house, they will need to nurse in public places. I am a nursing mother, and when visiting my family, my brother (who had never been around nursing before) said, "Wow, I used to think, what's the big deal; just go nurse somewhere private, but now I get it. You nurse SO MUCH. You are ALWAYS nursing! And she cries like CRAZY until she's eating, so you don't have time to do anything except get her nursing as soon as possible." YES. All it took was one day with a nursing mom to get it. If more people were around more nursing moms, more people would get it. Acceptance goes up exponentially just by some brave nursing mamas refusing to stay locked in their houses.
I will feed the beat if it kills me.
Shutup
This is exactly what I think, Amanda. These pics have something quite perverse and pornographic. Even at home I was not at all fully naked whilst feeding my children. This is a strange exposure of feminine nudity, nothing else.
That blows my mind that you never once nursed your baby while naked. Like, you must have really had to go out of your way. I nurse my baby in the bathtub, in bed, etc. And skin-to-skin contact is so important for them at the beginning. What were you afraid of?
Also, they're not even naked. Your issues are your issues. Live with them or try to deal with them, but do not come spew your hateful judgment ("perverse"!?) on other people who are doing the most basic, beautiful, innocent thing I can think of -- feeding their children.
The whole point of people taking pictures like this of causes that are important to them is to show that the cause is natural and beautiful. Of course they are stylized pictures, nobody wants to see a mother of 3 in a messy house with messy hair doing it, but this is what attracts positive attention. Also... Have you seen porn lately? It's not pin up girls in magazines any more and it surely doesn't look nearly as artistic as this. And if you get the porn vibe from this then maybe you have something in common with the perverts who get it too. Human naked (or almost naked bodies) don't have to be erotic as they're not in these pictures if they're presented correctly which in this case they definitely were. Have a nice day and keep negativity OUT.
I find it disheartening that most of the people protesting are women. So many ladies who are uncomfortable in their own skin. That is precisely why this artist is trying to remind us that it is beautiful. We, as women, are beautiful. We should not be ashamed.
Except not one of them is natural. They're all made up, retouched and photoshopped....and who sits on the snow in a gown breast feeding a baby without bundling that baby up. This is far from natural beauty. What mothers sits in her window naked, breast feeding her child?
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They're not porn shots, they're glamour shots.
As the intention was to provoke and stir a controversy i call it a success and the photos as art are beautiful. Which is why i consider this project a fail in the attempt to promote breast feeding in public as normal moral and un-sexual. For breastfeeding to become more widely accepted people need to get used to seeing it as a natural feeding process and this will take time, it will take women to prove that the purpose is to feed and nurture not to provoke and offend. So i fail to see how these photos will serve this purpose as they are somewhat erotic. I don't think the mothers are under-dressed for the kids benefit. If you strive for breastfeeding in public why the nature setting and the only pic set in the city features a mother dressed inappropriately for the weather (see the people behind her), then why the need for a sheer sexy dress? I don't think breastfeeding should be done in hiding or under a blanket but it shouldn't be done as a display with sexual innuendos.
There are other photos, like http://www.buzzfeed.com/southerndisposition/25-historical-images-that-normalize-breastfeeding-jlw6#.ocDG3Y4vg , that show everyday-breastfeeding. As a nursing mom, I love those, and I also see reasons for these photos to picture dolled up ladies -- the beauty of these photos communicates the way we FEEL during the best nursing sessions, a feeling people who have never experienced it wouldn't otherwise understand -- the beautiful love of actually giving of your own body to nourish someone who relies on you. In this way, it's just like beautiful pregnancy photos. Another thing it has in common with beautiful pregnancy shots is that it's important for some women who probably feel overwhelmed, exhausted, maybe not at their ideal size/shape, most days hair undone, smelly, etc, etc. to connect to the beautiful person they are, to the fact that their newfound motherhood makes them even more beautiful. I wish I had shots like this of me and my baby.
Darcy, that was amazing. Thank you.
Agreed - these photo's are beautiful art. But do nothing to "normalize" the average woman feeding.
Out of the many comments I've read here, you have absolutely hit the nail on the head! Beautifully said, Corina! Thank you!!
agreed
The artist needs to decide between making a statement and making a gallery. These photos are in no way demonstrating what is OK in public.
Stunning Photos Of Moms Breastfeeding Outside Show Nursing In Public Is OK?? No. It doesn't show that its ok. These photos are stunning indeed.beautiful,but these moms are not breastfeeding in public. These are portraits for keepsakes,not what public breastfeeding looks like.and I bet these moms agree too.
No, it's not ok. Unless you've found a way to freeze time and implement photofilters. Seriously.
I think these are absolutely beautiful. Granted, one wouldn't remove their pants in a Wal-Mart while breastfeeding but I don't think the artist intended to imply that you should. The goal was to show others who are not breastfeeding how beautiful it is to the mother who is doing it. As a breastfeeding mother, I can testify that those moments are the most beautiful that I have ever experienced. I think sometimes people read too much into art rather than simply appreciating its beauty. Breastfeeding is the way nature (and God, if you believe in him) meant for us to feed and nurture our babies. The fact that breasts has become sexualized to the point where it is considered "indecent" has nothing to do with morality and everything to do with a widespread, cultural sickness. I commend artists such as this one for attempting to restore the public perspective to what it ought to be naturally.
Seems like I can't reply to other comments here, so I just have to do it like this: "Private time" can mean more than one thing, Geth. It means something private. Which could also be a private conversation. Noone said anything about sex. I think people should cover up when they're breastfeeding in public, and I don't understand why that's a problem. Neither do I understand why you have to make such a big deal about it, why some women has to be so bitchy about it, or why you feel the need to attack everyone who doesn't feel the same way as you do. Wearing clothes in public are normal nowadays. Of course people feel weird about it when someone then just gets undressed whenever whereever. Look at all the women actually covering up when they breastfeed. Their babies still gets food. And they're not offending anyone. Everyone's happy.
Sounds great in theory, Linda, except my baby has never taken a bottle....ever. She refuses bottles and pacifiers and has consistently for 7 months now. Also, most women who breastfeed in public put only their nipple out. They're not just flapping in the breeze. However, it's still considered indecent. Why?
Yes, everyone should do things how YOU feel is right and not how THEY feel is right. Why do they have to make such a big deal about it? Why do YOU have to make such a big deal about it, if they do breastfeed in public? You may think it is abnormal to breastfeed in public, but others do not. We think you're weird for feeling weird about seeing someone breastfeeding in public. I fixed the end of your comment: "Everyone... (that has the same opinion as you, is) ...happy"
You know, there are nursing bras, that allows you to put only your nipple out instead of the whole breast. You don't necessarily need a blanket to cover up a bit. But when it comes to blankets: it's not like you have to tuck it around your childs head and strangle him with it. It is fully possible to cover youself and still making openings so the baby can get fresh air. And unless you're sitting in direct burning sunlight, I don't think a thin blanket would make it that much hotter. Also, if you're going out and you know that your baby will get hungry, it's possible to bring a bottle. Either with formula or your own milk. I'm ready for everyone to freak out and start calling me names now, but seriously, a bottle won't kill them.
http://www.scarymommy.com/whats-so-hard-about-covering-up-to-breastfeed-in-public/
Not all babies will accept a cover while they eat. If they refuse it shouldn't mean the mother can't feed in public, as the law doesn't require them to use a cover. While I respect your opinion, I would politely ask you to consider that a woman who isn't us using a cover while breastfeeding isn't trying to be an exhibitionist or to make anyone uncomfortable. If someone is bothered by breastfeeding in public that is their problem, not hers.
Coming purely from the standpoint of function, it would make more sense to use a blanket when it's cold and to remove it when it's hot.
How do you feel when your face is under a blanket? What if you had to have a blanket over your face in the heat of summer? Would you want to eat that way? What I don't understand is why we've been indoctrinated to think it's more socially acceptable to deprive a baby of fresh air than it is to allow anyone to view it feeding.
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Yes, breastfeeding is natural, and of course that's what you're ment to do with your breasts. Still doesn't mean you have to do it in public. Still doesn't mean you have to shove it up everyone elses face. Think about it. If you ever exposed your breast WITHOUT having a baby hanging on it, you would get told to leave or cover up. Some would even call the police. But just because there''s a baby in the picture, suddenly it's okey? You can still see everything. You're still out in public. And WHY does some mothers feel this need to show off their boobs? By all means, breastfeed in public. But cover up! Noone needs to be a part of you and your childs private time.
I think your opinion just accentuates my point about the sexualizing of breaststroke being a social sickness. We don't bat an eye at any other mammal nursing their young notater where they do it. This idea that breast a are indecent and not simply baby food is the product of generations of indoctrination. It isn't real. It isn't natural. It's a sickness and we need to cure it.
What is so wrong with breast that we feel we must treat them sexually. It's flesh and a nipple. Men have them. No big deal.
Essentially, what you're saying is, it's perfectly natural to have a child but, for the love of God, don't let anyone see you FEED them. I just can't wrap my brain around that sort of erroneous thinking.
Our liberty ends where the liberty of others begins. The same goes to privacy. We can't do everything the way we want in society because we have to respect customs and feelings of others. So the answer is to breastfeed in a natural and non-fussable way. Different cultures have different habits...so be discreet. Breastfeeding shouldn't be this media circus that has been happening lately.
"Private time?" That's gross. You're not having sex with you baby, you're feeding them. Milk. What is wrong with you?
breasts* not breastroke. Replied from my phone and the autocorrect hates me. :P
As long as breasts are still so sexualized by men, it would make me very uncomfortable for me to have a baby slurping away while a man was sitting nearby observing.