I've gotta say I don't find public or semi-public breastfeeding very pleasant. I'm not exactly offended by userpics featuring it, being hard to squick in general, but I don't enjoy the public spectacle itself; boobs are kind of personal, and I don't particularly want to see the tits of my friends even if there is a baby around to make it "OK" to have them out.
It's an interesting attitude when I examine it actually: "unpleasantly personal things being exhibited in public" summarises it nicely, but it's much more about the sheer intimacy of the act, the fact that it's exposing the intimacy of the relationship between mother and baby, than the actual exposed boob itself. There's something in it which is similar to watching a couple having a really dirty-laundry-heavy argument, or engaging in heavy petting; it should be something private and "special" (for want of a more accurate word), not touted around in public as if it's unimportant and/or as if I'm supposed to be part of that world. I think what I mean is that to me breastfeeding belongs very firmly inside the boundaries of the relationship, and it feels weird to be non-consensually made part of that.
no subject
It's an interesting attitude when I examine it actually: "unpleasantly personal things being exhibited in public" summarises it nicely, but it's much more about the sheer intimacy of the act, the fact that it's exposing the intimacy of the relationship between mother and baby, than the actual exposed boob itself. There's something in it which is similar to watching a couple having a really dirty-laundry-heavy argument, or engaging in heavy petting; it should be something private and "special" (for want of a more accurate word), not touted around in public as if it's unimportant and/or as if I'm supposed to be part of that world. I think what I mean is that to me breastfeeding belongs very firmly inside the boundaries of the relationship, and it feels weird to be non-consensually made part of that.