Menu
Parenting
Viral Post Highlights That Public Breastfeeding Has Been Normal Since Time Immemorial
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: Feb. 8, 2021
Originally Published: July 30, 2018
Women have been breastfeeding in public for centuries, yet only recently has it sparked controversy. If you’re one of those who takes issue with mothers nursing in public, brace yourself—this post is packed with images of women confidently feeding their babies without a care in the world. Because honestly, it’s not a big deal; it never used to be.
Today, we see nursing moms facing judgment and harassment for merely exposing a bit of skin while they feed their children. Some folks react with disgust, calling for mothers to cover up or retreat to private spaces. It’s absurd. Thankfully, a viral Facebook post is shedding light on the fact that public breastfeeding is far from a recent phenomenon.
A user named Sarah Martin shared a collection of vintage photos alongside eye-opening historical context. According to information from Breastfeeding USA, nursing in public was once a completely accepted norm in colonial America. Women were expected to juggle household duties, which included feeding their babies, and doing so in public settings like markets was not controversial. Back then, breastfeeding was the sole method of feeding infants, whether by the mother or a wet-nurse. The Puritans, for instance, believed that breasts were designed for nourishing children and actively encouraged women to nurse their own babies.
Imagine that— even the Puritans were onboard! How far we’ve fallen since then. The images shared by Martin span decades, showcasing mothers feeding their children openly, without concern for bystanders. This was simply a part of life, not a political statement or a parenting choice.
If we dig deep into history, we find countless artistic representations of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding Baby Jesus. If it was good enough for the Holy Mother, it should certainly be acceptable for all mothers today. After all, even geniuses like da Vinci seemed to think so.
Fast forward to the present, and it’s baffling to see society celebrating provocative lingerie ads while shaming mothers nursing on a park bench. This was once a natural act—when a baby was hungry, a mother fed them, period.
In her post, Martin also reminds us that federal law protects a woman’s right to breastfeed in public. Unfortunately, some people still prioritize their comfort over this legal right, and certain states, like Utah, cling to outdated notions about covering up.
Martin’s post serves as a powerful reminder that the shame and stigma surrounding public breastfeeding is a relatively modern issue. Breasts are meant for nourishment, and using them as nature intended should not be met with disdain or discomfort. Instead, it should be met with acceptance or indifference, just as it was for generations before us.
For more on home insemination and tips for pregnancy, check out our informative guide on using an insemination kit. And if you’re looking for expert advice, this resource offers valuable insights into donor insemination.
In summary, public breastfeeding is a natural and historical practice that has been unjustly criticized in modern times. Images of mothers nursing throughout history remind us that this act should be celebrated, not shamed.