Breastfeeding In The Church

Esteeming others first

Spinach,
I believe this is an issue of considering others first. If public breastfeeding makes those with whom you fellowship uncomfortable, then for their sakes breastfeeding should be done discreetly in the mother's nursing rooms. I breastfed all three of my children, myself, but while in church I availed myself of the pastor's office (aka nursing room). The sermon was piped in so nobody lost out on anything which was preached.

It's a cultural thing here.

Beth

 

SAMPLE BREAST-FEEDING POLICY

• No more than one babe to a breast.
• As Baptists we hold to a women-only BF policy.
• Mothers must notify ushers if they bring a suckling into the service.
• BF during services will only be permitted in the back two pews.
• Noises occurring during BF should be limited to periods of singing.
• Blankets or coverings must be over both babe and breast at all times, no exceptions! (ushers will be watching for violations).

Rob

 

I breast-fed my two in the sanctuary, and that was approx 30 years ago. Noone ever said a word, and they were glad to have me in there because
I was the only pianist.

 

As a man I don't really see the issue here.

I hate to admit it, but as a man I have the same issues with lust as the next guy, but for the life of me can't see breastfeeding in that light.

My wife breastfed all six of ours, wherever and whenever she needed to, including church. As far as I know no one ever noticed, or if they did kept it to themselves.

Again - don't forget I do battle lusts like every man, but as a preacher I would not be in the slightest distracted by a nursing mother.

 

Breastfeeding in church, out in the open is inappropriate. That should be done at home, prior to the church service starting. Why would someone wait until they come to church to do that?

 

Generally, breastfed babies eat more often than bottle fed babies.

With hungry little babies you have a choice. Feed them or listen to them cry. It's more appropriate to feed them instead of letting them scream through the service.

 

For a guy this topic sure hits my hot button.

It really gets my goat when a nursing mum is treated like a pariah. They are expected to go off in some corner and perform their 'shameful, disgusting' act. I even know personally of situation where a mum was told to go nurse a baby in the toilet (restroom).

My flesh want to tell those who say something like that to go eat their lunch in the toilet.

Argh.

We once had a small group Bible study when all four mums were in the nursing stage - as far as I know not one of the guys got any fleshly thrills out of seeing a nursing mother.

Was gonna say something blunt - but reconsidered.

 

I think it's no problem if it can be done discreetly. I always had to breastfeed in the nursery, though, because my babies wouldn't eat with a blanket over their face.

 

Breast feeding should be done in private. Quite frankly I do not understand the need to do it in the open and to be offended to sugest otherwise. So what if you have to go elsewhere? Why is that something to be offend about? This is a matter of appropriateness and modesty. My wife would never have done this in public. And neither does she understand the need to do so.

 

from I Samuel 1
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned