Military moms criticized for nursing while in uniform

Supernova wrote:http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/30/11955844-military-mom-proud-of-breast-feeding-in-uniform-despite-criticism?lite


Seriously, it's disrespectful to your uniform to wear it while you nurse your babies? Why? These women are relying on the oldest, most natural way to feed their babies, in or out of uniform how is that an issue?

captainbryce wrote:Sorry, but I'm going to have to chime in here given my unique perspective. I honestly feel that women should not be breast feeding while in uniform because that does not present a professional appearance. A military uniform is supposed to be worn in a specific way (outlined by uniform guidelines) and always present a professional appearance. Breast feeding in uniform requires you to A) wear the uniform incorrectly, and B) perform an activity that does not reflect pride in your service or respect for the uniform. Why a woman would be breast feeding in uniform at all is beyond me. That is the type of activity that one does off duty and at home. Not while walking around the base in uniform. Your uniform is supposed to be worn while on-duty or in transit (to/from work). It's not something you wear off duty in the performance of household activities or personal business. That's what civilian clothes are for! If she absolutely needs to breast feed her infant, then she should change clothes into something more appropriate first.

Supernova wrote:

Spoken like somebody who never had to nurse a baby.

captainbryce wrote:You're right, I've never had to nurse a baby, but I don't see how that is relevant. I've known DOZENS of female service-members who have babies while on duty and never found it necessary to breast feed in uniform. If they could all get by without doing that, then that activity is obviously not a necessity! Again, breast feeding is something that is done either at home, or (if it must be done out in public) in civilian clothes. That's not really that difficult of a task. Under what circumstances a mother would absolutely need to breast feed before changing out of her uniform, I can't possibly imagine! Can you?

wants2laugh wrote:You are missing the point. When in uniform you are on duty as a US military soldier--- ON DUTY, as in ON THE CLOCK. Would a woman working at walmart have her child in the store with her so she could breast feed her kid? What corporation allows children on the work room floor? and on the workroom floor to breast feed???

THIS is the issue. The uniform itself represents duty to the country--- if u are breast feeding, burping, or otherwise getting thrown up on, then you are STEALING time from the govt/military by performing NON work duties on WORK time.

Or should Walmart, JCPenney, FORD, Bank of AMerica, etc pay their employees to breast feed???

Bluesmama wrote:

Boy, not at my job! City Hall provides a 'nursing room' for that purpose, but it HAS to be done during breaks.

wants2laugh wrote:

do they have a nursery at city hall? how are they babies there?

wants2laugh wrote:OMG... I agree with bryce here! write the date down!! LOL

captainbryce wrote:Sorry, but I'm going to have to chime in here given my unique perspective. I honestly feel that women should not be breast feeding while in uniform because that does not present a professional appearance. A military uniform is supposed to be worn in a specific way (outlined by uniform guidelines) and always present a professional appearance. Breast feeding in uniform requires you to A) wear the uniform incorrectly, and B) perform an activity that does not reflect pride in your service or respect for the uniform. Why a woman would be breast feeding in uniform at all is beyond me. That is the type of activity that one does off duty and at home. Not while walking around the base in uniform. Your uniform is supposed to be worn while on-duty or in transit (to/from work). It's not something you wear off duty in the performance of household activities or personal business. That's what civilian clothes are for! If she absolutely needs to breast feed her infant, then she should change clothes into something more appropriate first.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:While I don't agree with breastfeeding in public by anyone, regardless of what clothes/uniform they're wearing because as "natural" as it is, it's not socially acceptable in my book, I also think that there have been plenty of other instances throughout history where the military uniform has been "disrespected", for various reasons/actions by people in uniform.

Breastfeeding seems like a far less heinous crime than such things as fragging your own commanding officer during Vietnam, or that soldier of late, who went on a rampage and killed a bunch of people over in Afghanistan or whereever he was, or the military sort of looking the other way with the recent sex scandal regarding the government officials/CIA, etc., etc., etc.--many more examples, I'm sure. . . .

Nystyle709 wrote:No one said it was disrespectful.....its not PROFESSIONAL.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:


Disrespectful and professional sort of go hand in hand, when referring to "The Uniform" or any job where you have to portray a certain persona, uphold a certain standard, etc. It's disrespecting the profession.

Nystyle709 wrote:

Not quite. Its not "disrespectful" to talk on a cell phone, but people in uniform aren't allowed to do it because it doesn't look professional. It's not " disrespectful" to gamble but uniformed people aren't allowed to do it because it not professional. its not disrespectful to perform any perfectly legal task.....but it is unprofessional to do so for some. Would you want your doctor eating a big sloppy chilli dog while talking to you during a visit? Same concept.