Question:
I am curious whether the church has any position on breast feeding in public. I have always thought that as long as the woman turned away from the public and covered herself it was fine, but I have seen times when she makes absolutely no attempt to be discrete. I recognize it is natural, but so is going to the bathroom!
Secondarily, recently, I noticed a woman in church who breast feeds during the service. She sits off by herself as a rule and she is discrete about it, but can't a baby wait 30 minutes? And, if not, can't she go to the nursery?
What I think women don't understand is that, natural or not, it creates a temptation. I don't think it is fair to subject men to temptations any more than necessary - especially in church!
Please give your opinion.
Al
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Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+
Dear Al:
As far as I know the Church has not made any comment about public breast feeding. The Church and the Saints have, however, given teaching on the subject of modesty and on prudence.
St. Paul teaches us that while something might be technically okay to do, that it does not mean that it is the prudent or beneficial thing to do (1 Cor 6:12; 10:23).
You can read what St. John Chrysostom said about modesty in a previous answer: Click here
You also make a good point about the "it is natural" argument. I am reminded of response to that argument reportedly given by Mother Teresa. When someone was talking to her about the sex and violence on TV as being merely a reflection of "real life", she is reported to have replied, "Diarrhea is real life to. That doesn't mean I want to see it on TV".
Women need to understand that publicly exposing their breasts, even for breast-feeding a baby, can be an occasion for temptation to lustful thoughts. It does not matter whether this should be the case or not. What matters is that it can and does cause a problem.
I might add that this applies to low cut dresses and other fashion styles that are specifically designed to titilate the imaginations of men. (see the words of st. John Chrysostom at the link above).
Since the issues can be so easily resolved by placing a blanket over themselves and the baby as to be discreet, there is no excuse for any controversy over this.
As for a mother breast-feeding during the Mass, while I would agree that the baby could probably wait 30 minutes (and maybe need to be taught to wait), I do not think there is a problem as long as it is discreetly done.
While the mother needs to understand and respect these issues that may effect others and thus should be discreet, the rest of us also need to respect the mothers when they are discreet and be discreet ourselves with any feelings of being uncomfortable sitting in proximity to a women breast-feeding her child even when she is discreet about it.
God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary
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