Angry.. another "nursing in church" vent...

[tibeca]

I would NEVER allow my husband to attend any function that is supposed to be for "families" if I wasn't allowed to attend. If the pastor doesn't take your side, find a new church!

[Mommyto2B2G]

Oh my gosh. I hope your pastor agrees. If he doesn't I'd point out that he is allowing these people to twist a natural and beautiful thing into something ugly, spiteful and harmful to your child. God made breasts to feed and grow our children. Women should not feel ashamed for using them the way they were intended to be used. I don't think how they are acting or treating you is very Christian or appropriate for church and I'd tell them.

The bottom line is babies need to eat when they need to eat just like babies will go in their diapers when they have to go. You can't change that. You also can not punish a child for this which in this case is what they are asking you to do to your child. Just my 2 cents.

[jennyy]

Ummm.... I am pretty sure Jesus breastfed!

If your pastor gives you a tough time politely point out this obvious truth, get up and leave. There are plenty of places to worship. Or you can continue where you are and ignore everyone's drama - they will get over it and you need not apologize.

At the end of the day, nursing is a beautiful thing, you're so lucky to be blessed with a child and that's what really matters.

Nurse away mama - keep going!

[songbird516]

LOL. "i'm very crafty." hahahaha

OP, it's tricky. Christians are supposed to respect the consciences of others, so I think that if it were me I would bite the bullet and nurse somewhere else if it was really bothering lots of people, but that is only because I go to the Kingdom Hall as part of my worship of Jehovah God, not necessarily to associate with others and feel loved, etc. There are separate nursing rooms with sound in the Hall, though, so it's not something that I've had to worry about. Also, I feel strongly that my religion represents the true God, so I wouldn't go to another congregation (where there will always be people who annoy me in some way) just over a nursing issue. Sometimes I have to put the feelings of others over my own, as long as I'm not violating Bible principles in doing so.
I used to nurse in a sling in the back of the Hall, but could tell that some people were uncomfortable, so I retreated to the nursing room because I'd rather maintain peace with those people. Now when we are out and about together (with friends from the congregation) and there is no designated area, I nurse wherever, with a sling or layered clothing, and I don't worry about who is around. I will never use a cover, it's just not my style. I've never been approached in those situations. It helps that we are constantly being reminded to keep peace and not let our personal preferences pull us apart, so that keeps most people, even if they are bothered, from making an issue of my BIP.

Originally Posted by tygr2410 Jesus was breast fed....just say'n perhaps you need to bring a nursing cover, to put over the uncomfortable guy.....or this one....(j/k...mostly)

[mommieofpees]

Hugs hun, I would continue feeding my baby, because that is what is going on. If someone doesnt like it, guess what they can avert their focus. They dont have to look your way. I nurse wherever and whenever my baby is hungry. always have always will. Being at church they should understand you are doing just what God intended woman to do.

[mibarra]

You're also way nicer than me. I would have told the person who called me that we were all adults, and if the original person couldn't have an adult conversation with me about an issue they were having, I didn't really care to hear things second or third hand from someone else like we were all still in high school. Sheesh.

[Mom2jandb]

This is ridiculous!

[Palooka]

Originally Posted by mibarra You're also way nicer than me. I would have told the person who called me that we were all adults, and if the original person couldn't have an adult conversation with me about an issue they were having, I didn't really care to hear things second or third hand from someone else like we were all still in high school. Sheesh.

Yeah I agree. I would probably get all mama-bear about it and march to the source and call her out. Obviously they aren't that mature since they are offended by a hungry baby, but they could at least look away and grumble quietly like adults.

That woman obviously doesn't know what it means to "fly off the handle" and if provoked I would happily show it to her.

[iwiamandaiwi]

If you are happy with this church in every other way then why would you leave just because a few people are immature. I would point out to the pastor that you are just nourishing your child as God intended women to do when he created them and you are also protected by the law and it would be illegal for him to force you to stop. Many people are unaware that bfing is a protected right. I am sorry that you are having to deal with these people but please do not meekly back down and think you have to find a new church or miss it altogether just because some people are immature. That is THEIR issue and THEY need to get over it. Allowing them to force you out will only serve to strengthen their point of view that breasts are sexual and not meant for bfing. UGh, I hate meeting people like this. I mean especially in CHURCH! Why do they think God gave women breasts????

[delicatefade]

Originally Posted by songbird516 LOL. "i'm very crafty." hahahaha OP, it's tricky. Christians are supposed to respect the consciences of others, so I think that if it were me I would bite the bullet and nurse somewhere else if it was really bothering lots of people, but that is only because I go to the Kingdom Hall as part of my worship of Jehovah God, not necessarily to associate with others and feel loved, etc. There are separate nursing rooms with sound in the Hall, though, so it's not something that I've had to worry about. Also, I feel strongly that my religion represents the true God, so I wouldn't go to another congregation (where there will always be people who annoy me in some way) just over a nursing issue. Sometimes I have to put the feelings of others over my own, as long as I'm not violating Bible principles in doing so. I used to nurse in a sling in the back of the Hall, but could tell that some people were uncomfortable, so I retreated to the nursing room because I'd rather maintain peace with those people. Now when we are out and about together (with friends from the congregation) and there is no designated area, I nurse wherever, with a sling or layered clothing, and I don't worry about who is around. I will never use a cover, it's just not my style. I've never been approached in those situations. It helps that we are constantly being reminded to keep peace and not let our personal preferences pull us apart, so that keeps most people, even if they are bothered, from making an issue of my BIP.

I have to agree with this. We are called to not make the weaker brother stumble. Obviously, this man is a weaker brother. Being a Christian is not about getting your own way, or shoving your point of view in someone's face. It's about grace and forgiveness, and sometimes, that means you might not be treated fairly. Jesus may have been breastfed, but I bet you anything it wasn't like the statues and paintings that are around these days. Women were second class dirt back then. I'm sure they had to hide away to nurse their babies. Also, as a man, Jesus was mistreated far more than any of us will ever be. And he did it for us.

In our church, we have an area just outside the sanctuary that has a bunch of comfy couches. There is a speaker there, so we can still hear the sermon. Not everyone uses this area, but it is there. And it isn't all secluded either. Anyone coming out of the sanctuary can walk right past it. But it provides a place to be comfortable while nursing. The toddlers often play there too, while the moms sit and listen.