Friend Posted a Picture of Herself Breastfeeding Her Son on Facebook...

Updated on February 17, 2012
N.G. asks from Arlington, TX
41 answers

... and it doesn't bother me. It's a photo of her breastfeeding her newborn, and you can see everything. Kid's gotta eat, right? I'm just curious... is that considered acceptable? Controversial? I didn't breastfeed my kids so I'm not sure how the general public feels about just whipping it out and feeding your kid. I don't mind it when women do it in public because again, it doesn't bother me, but if I were the one breastfeeding I am positive I would prefer to be a bit more modest about it because my breasts are private. So... what are your thoughts on this?

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K.L.

answers from Sacramento on

My friend is breastfeeding her newborn and 22m old at the same time in her fb profile pic. I like it :)

5 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

It's only controversial because people overthink things like this. Breastfeeding IS modest. More breast shows when you wear a bathing suit than when you feed a baby.

2 moms found this helpful

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

...And this officially concludes the drama-less day on Mamapedia!

13 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Breasts Are For Babies.

Ain't No Thang.

:)

11 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

You would probably see more of her breast if she were wearing a bikini. No one would even take a second look if she were on the beach or poolside in a swim suit.

I was once asked by a restaurant manager to go breastfeed in the bathroom. I told him no bathrooms are dirty and smell bad. He said the customers were complaining; I told him my child was eating her dinner. When I see one of the customers or him eating their dinners in the bathroom my child would also eat in the bathroom.

I did have myself covered.

9 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

so what?
khairete
S.

7 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

N.:

What did you see of her breast? Most likely no more than you would have seen if she had been wearing a bathing suit...Lord knows some bathing suits you wonder why they even bother to wear them!!

It doesn't matter to me. It's a natural thing. God gave 'em to us for a reason.

7 moms found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think it was a widespread 'nurse in' at Facebook. Good for her. Don't see the problem.

7 moms found this helpful

★.O.

answers from Tampa on

I breastfeed in public, take and post pics of my children breastfeeding and find it sweet/loving/wonderful when I see other Moms doing the same.

When in a sexual nature, breasts are private - which with all the cleavage, low cut and tight shirts where breasts are almost popping out which starts around age 14 - it's not that private for a sexual natured activities either. With breastfeeding tho - you are doing what the breast was made for, not attempting to gain any sexual attention and gives ppl the option to look away very easily.

***I was part of the FB nurse in... and they've since lightened to almost removed their ban on breastfeeding pics. The stipulation is that a breast isn't exposed without a baby attached to it, which is fine because most pics I've seen of breastfeeding women, the baby is engaged in eating.****

5 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

It's probably part of the new movement helping to make seeing it less rare. Women are shamed into not doing it, formula is overused. It's considered unusual because women have been forced into bathrooms and to their cars because of dirty looks or open scrutiny.

Personally I'm about to give birth and nurse my third child for roughly 2 years. I wouldn't mind that being less "weird" for everyone.

5 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I find nothing more precious and beautiful than a breastfeeding baby! I would not be offended in any way.
I'm on my third child that I am nursing. All of them well into toddlerhood.
People's attitudes need to change toward a nursing baby and mother. There is nothing wrong with the picture, there is something wrong with people.

5 moms found this helpful
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V.M.

answers from Cleveland on

I love bf and I would have cherished a tasteful picture of my little one and I. But i don't think it needs to be on FB.

Two years ago we had a Super bowl party alot of older people 60's-70's and ironically enough mostly church friends. One girl was there with her 2 yo. he was running around with a piece of pizza ( not so pleased about that on my carpeting) well he got thirsty and asked mom for some Num Num so all the people on the couch were treated to a view of her since she was inbetween the TV and the couch. I would have found a quiet place out of the line of fire if it had been me, but ,, nope.

5 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

I don't care, personally.

However, she shouldn't be surprised to find it pulled. It is against their policy of nude body parts. (Even though what she is doing is natural, if her breast is exposed...they will likely pull it.) Personally, I can't understand the need/want to post that online, but to each their own!!

4 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

Well that is what they are for !

3 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I photographed my niece nursing her baby girl and it is the most beautiful photo, but it is private. I don't use the image nor have I seen it posted on the public network.

3 moms found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

It wouldn't bother me if I saw her doing it in person, but I am wondering why she posted a photo on 'facebook'. I don't know if they ever got it resolved, but some time ago facebook was banning photos of breastfeeding. You could post all the skanktastic photos you wanted though.

BTW: I happily nursed all four of my children, but I never just whipped my breasts in front of everyone. I usually went into another room--NOT the bathroom--ew!-- or I used a lightweight cover.

3 moms found this helpful
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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

Woman are doing this all over the place. I believe it started with Target due to an employee asking a woman not to nurse her baby in the store but use a dressing room to nurse. So now there seems to be a 'nurse in' planned at several different places e.g. starbucks, to prove a point.

I think it's silly to feel the need to *prove a point*. I nursed all 4 of my kids in public but didn't feel the need to expose myself.

That picture will be on the internet forever for some sicko pervert or young teen boy to have *fun* with, yuck.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.Z.

answers from Omaha on

Personally, I find it tacky. I breastfed two of four and would not do it publicly or around anyone other than my mom, sisters, husband and my own children. I never found myself in a position that I had to do it in front of anyone else. I do not get offended when I see a mother and baby and there is a blanket covering everything, but I think it is simply unnecessary to do so openly. What could you possibly hope to gain by posting pics of this?

If I saw someone taking pics of me feeding my baby publicly, that person wouldn't own that camera much longer. Next thing you know, people will be showing the birthing process, legs spread wide eagle and baby's head crowning...when it is birth in nature, why not? My question is, where will it stop?

3 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

i would roll my eyes and NOT click the picture.

just like if someone had a picture of herself in a teeny bikini. roll my eyes...and NOT click the picture.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

No big deal.
I have absolutely no problem with breastfeeding photos on facebook or anyplace else.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Denver on

I'm with V.M., totally understand that some moms would like a pic to have for later on, to remember and maybe cherish. Once you post it, you've ventured into statement territory, you are no longer doing it for just you.

I was always WAY more modest, I went into another room when possible, and at the very least used a cover up (like, practically a bedsheet! :-) I don't really care if women are less modest in public, their choice, but I have to admit it makes me uncomfortable to be around. And if my daughter or hubby are there, we are all super uncomfortable. But never enough to make a stink. If we are really uncomfortable, then we are the ones who usually step out of the room.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Not appropriate for facebook. With all the crazies in the world, it will
probably show up somewhere. Not something I would want to be out there.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Breastfeeding is natural. I do think that some sort of modesty should be in order(for me personally) but you absolutely shouldn't be expected to feed in a bathroom or have to be fully covered etc. I don't find it offensive at all, but I know and have friends that do. So when I breastfeed, for their comfort---I have myself covered where they don't see anything but the baby doesn't have to be hidden under a blanket either.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from New York on

I think it's more than fine. Your friend is setting a fantastic example. The only thing I would add, though, is that you don't have to choose between modesty and breastfeeding. I used a special nursing shawl for months, until I finally figured out that a baggy t-shirt or sweater covered me 100%.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I never breastfed in public because I was a 36J cup. Yep, you read right- that's a "J" cup. And I am a size 4. Could you imagine me trying to be subtle in whipping one of those things out at the park? Yeah right. It took both my hands just to get one of those things out at home, much less trying to be discreet in a public place. And I absolutely had to have some kind of pillow to support the baby. I would just go to the car where I myself felt more covered and comfortable. Trust me- if had of pulled my breast, it would have been a peep show for sure- probably not so appropriate for young kids. lol
I'm not exactly sure how I feel about taking pictures of yourself breastfeeding and posting online. On one hand, I think it's a little pretentious. The specialness of BF is between the mother and child. Not a host of FB comments or likes on a BF photo. Who really wants to see photographs of some other woman nursing their baby- esp for people like myself who has been there and done that two times over? I don't get it.
On the other hand, I don't really care enough in general to really put too much thought into it. If women want to post themselves all over FB doing that, it's their decision. I don't really think that FB is a very appropriate place for such photos for the same reason I don't post bath time pics of my kids. Looks like they would have sites to post such photos- maybe they do. To each his own, I guess.

2 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I would rather not see a photo of it is all. This is part of why I do not have facebook, I do not have to see the things people deem appropriate willy nilly. If it were my friend I would not mind if we were home, but in public I would offer a cover up - that is what I did when I nursed my son.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I say if the picture is in good taste who cares if she's feeding or snuggling the baby? I said in another post that women just need to go about their business so this whole nursing in public appropriately thing gets less and less attention.

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I'm with you. It doesn't bother me to see it, so long as the mom isn't flaunting it (not many do that, most are pretty modest and down to business, but there are the rare birds out there)....
I did breastfeed mine, but not for as long as some (the longest was for 6 months) and I WAS modest. I felt very awkward and uncomfortable nursing in front of non-family, and even in front of male family members not my husband. In fact, it was so "awkward" for me that I didn't nurse in front of anyone but my husband, toddler and female family members and VERY close female friends.
I probably wouldn't post a picture like that online, though. Too many folks might not appreciate it in the context in which it was taken.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I don't care if someone else posts it. I wouldn't post any pictures of myself of my family on FB that I wouldn't want the world to see...kind of up the the individual if they care that the world sees them breastfeeding.

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's fine because it is her personal choice, I also breastfeed and it is a wonderfully beautiful act and experiance, she may feel that way and want to share it. I'm personally the opposite and choose not to share it but thats just my choice. I just never felt comfortable pulling them out in front of anyone other then my girls or husband. Except one day in a waiting room my 7 month old had different ideas and while feeding her she yanked the cover off and everyone got flashed, SURPRISE!!!!! Who knew breasts were made for babies and not filling out a bikini tops, lingerie or spectator sports.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I see no problem with it.

1 mom found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

What irritates me more than something like this are the "kiss photos" people take of themselves. I'm sorry but looking at my friends, family, sending kisses to their phone makes them look like a dumbass!

Would I have posted it myself...no, did I breastfeed in public yes. Do I care if someone else does not really. Like a said above, other types of pictures irritate me. BFing would not irritate me.

1 mom found this helpful

R.H.

answers from Houston on

If you are not bothered by it, why post? It must have bothered you in some way.

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S.L.

answers from Savannah on

i have no problem with breastfeeding, as i bf'ed both of my boys. however there are too many sickos in the world that would take that photo to use for a gross purpose. no i never took a photo of me doing it and if i had, i wouldn't want it posted so publicly. future/current employers check you out on facebook. i would be conscious of who might see it.

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K.R.

answers from San Francisco on

It seems that these days most people don't have a problem with the breastfeeding itself. It's well known that it's best for baby and it's natural and a beautiful thing and all that. I don't even think a lot of people have problems with the breast feeding in public.
I think the problem comes in when people don't cover up at all while in public and just 'whip it out' without regard for anyone else. It's just not part of the American culture to expect to see that while out in public. Not because breasts are sexualized, but it's just part of being modest. I breastfeed by babies, but I always cover up because those are "p****** p****." That's what we teach our kids anyway. It always makes me uncomfortable when people do it in front of me. Especially when men are around. I know it makes them uncomfortable too. So, if she has any male friends on Facebook, I think it wasn't the best choice for her to post that picture.

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

I think it is sweet. Our neighbors are photographers, and did a photo shoot. At the time, my daughter needed to nurse and it is such a precious picture.

But when people post Mardi Gras pictures, people are all - whoo-hoo - like!

Don't you love being female?

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L.R.

answers from Portland on

For myself, I always tried to be fairly modest when breastfeeding. But I'm modest in general, anyway. Don't show cleavage, for instance, ever. However, there comes a point when on a hot day, baby doesn't want to have a blanket over its head and I just do the best I can. Nothing obvious, but if someone sees something, oh well, I'm not going to sweat it, unless they comment (which no one ever has).

I think it would be nice if other women at least tried to cover things up. But then again, I think it would be nice if women didn't wear such revealing clothes and all that. But am I going around being offended by the woman whose shirt shows half her breast? No. And I figure that no guy is going to be turned on by seeing a baby sucking on a breast--and if he is, well, that's his problem! If the woman doesn't mind showing off the photo, fine. As long as she doesn't expect me to show a similar photo, it's all good.

Of course, no one is offended by pictures of African women who all dress topless. If one went into that culture, one would just have to learn to look the other way or leave. It's really a cultural thing. And breastfeeding is not a sexual activity, nor does it even appear sexy. Most guys will just look the other way, and it seems usually only women are offended by it, and then usually women who bottlefed.

Just my 2-cents' worth.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I think it's fine but fb usually ends up pulling those photos. They aren't really down with it.

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

I have a pic of me b-feeding Aubrey, but you couldn't see anything. You could tell that she was nursing, but no boob was showing. Don't think I would post it on facebook though... To each his own though.

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I think it's completely acceptable, it's her newborn baby and her facebook page. There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding, people that get uncomfortable with it is because they see it as sexual IT'S NOT; if that's the case they're the ones that need to check their heads.

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

I think that Facebook may have gotten in trouble early on for yanking some breastfeeding pictures....

I'm glad people post breastfeeding pictures - I think it makes it more acceptable.

I looked like a big fat cow when I had a breastfeeding newborn, and the only pictures I would have posted with me in them had me dressed in all black, with my child or my husband positioned in front of me to hide most of my body. I dont think I could have worked a breastfeeding picture and met the other criteria...

ETA - Just read the posts, thank you, Manda F!

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