"kilikini" > wrote in message
...
> Dave Smith wrote:
>> James Silverton wrote:
>>
>>> It was not a common practice when we had small kids and I admit
>>> I was a little surprised when my sister breast-fed my young
>>> niece on a visit to my house. On the other hand, done without
>>> fuss and excessive display, I can't see why people should object
>>> and I've certainly seen it done just like that in the last 10
>>> years or so by people like the wife of my daughter's wealthy
>>> boss. I really can't understand the fuss some people make; have
>>> they never been to a French (or other North European) beach?
>>
>>
>> It is just part of our weird social hang-ups. We have been
>> socialized to thing of breasts as sexual things. They have to be
>> covered up so people don't see them, but at the same time women where
>> undergarments to prop them up and make them more noticeable, use
>> support gimmicks to increase cleavage. They want the right to be
>> able to expose them and go topless in public, but men can't look at
>> them too long, and don't dare touch one that is exposed because what
>> would be a simple assault at most if it were an arm that was touched
>> because sexual assault when it is a breast that is touched.
>>
>>
>> It is all a matter of social attitudes, and a lot of people hold the
>> prudish attitude that the natural act of a mother nursing a baby is
>> something dirty that should not be in the public eye.
>>
>> AFAIAC, breast feeding in a family restaurant should be perfectly
>> acceptable, but when it comes to "fine dining", the big sin is taking
>> a baby into a place like that where they will be likely to disrupt
>> other diners.
>
> I 100% agree with you, Dave. I think that's my most...........what's the
> word I'm looking for ......objectional (?) thing about openly
> breastfeeding. Breasts *are* considered sexual items, which, of course,
> they're not - they perform a valid function. And I also agree with you on
> your second point. If you want to go to a *fine* dining establishment, I
> don't think children should be allowed. Get a sitter and a breast pump
> for
> gosh sakes! What patron wants to pay well over $100 for a meal to hear a
> crying child? Don't most people go to a fabulous restaurant to get away
> from it all? It's like a mini-vacation to go out and have an elaborate
> meal
> with a special person.
>
> I don't know, flame me if you wish, but that's just how I feel. If you
> have
> your child with you in a Golden Corral, please, breast feed away, but not
> demonstratively. Cover yourself with a blanket and get it done. In a
> fine
> dining restaurant, please leave the baby at home.
>
> Do I sound bitchy? (Ack!)
>
> kili


My kid never cried in a restaurant, and we took him to all kinds. My best
theory is that it's sometimes obvious that a baby's got a regular mood &
sleep schedule, but some people are too dense to notice. So, they take their
kids to places where they're guaranteed to be overstimulated, and voila -
crying baby. We also talked to him constantly, as opposed to what some
people do - stick the kid in a high chair and ignore him/her. Babies may not
know what we're saying, but they know when they're being ignored.