Breast Feeding during Mass?

ChristianWAB · #1 Apr 9, '06, 9:55 pm

Does the Catholic church have any rules against a woman breast-feeding her baby during the Mass? This isn't hypothetical question, mind you.

A woman sitting behind me was ACTUALLY DOING IT in the middle of the Mass!

Maybe there aren't any rules against this, but it just seemed to me that she could have gone into the ladies room or something. It was quite a distraction to those in her immediate vicinity.

WBB · #2 Apr 9, '06, 9:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristianWAB

Does the Catholic church have any rules against a woman breast-feeding her baby during the Mass? This isn't hypothetical question, mind you.

A woman sitting behind me was ACTUALLY DOING IT in the middle of the Mass!

Maybe there aren't any rules against this, but it just seemed to me that she could have gone into the ladies room or something. It was quite a distraction to those in her immediate vicinity.

She was feeding her baby, not performing a burlesque!

I think women should be able to feed their babies wherever they want. I do think that covering the baby with a blanket is prudent in our culture, but to deny a woman the right to feed her baby in public is preposterous.

YinYangMom · #3 Apr 9, '06, 10:02 pm

I honestly can't imagine Jesus would have been offended if during one of His sermons some of the women were breast feeding their children.

SMHW · #4 Apr 9, '06, 10:02 pm

Oh boy! You opened up a can of worms with this one!

Since you were aware of what was happening I can only assume that 1) the woman was not very discrete and/or 2) this baby was a noisy eater.

There are no specific Church rules on this one that I know of. Depending on where you live there may be civil laws protecting the woman.

Walking_Home · #5 Apr 9, '06, 10:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristianWAB

Does the Catholic church have any rules against a woman breast-feeding her baby during the Mass? This isn't hypothetical question, mind you.

A woman sitting behind me was ACTUALLY DOING IT in the middle of the Mass!

Maybe there aren't any rules against this, but it just seemed to me that she could have gone into the ladies room or something. It was quite a distraction to those in her immediate vicinity.

--------------------------------------------------------

As someone who does believe that nursing is the best way to feed an infant, I still hope that this lady was discrete, and used a little blanket to cover, as I've seen other ladies do.

oldfogey · #6 Apr 9, '06, 10:26 pm

There should be no problem as long as it is done discretely.

I do also think the bathroom is not a good idea. It certainly is not where I go for a meal.

Philomeena · #7 Apr 10, '06, 11:34 am

Good for her!

Breastfeeding is a difficult and not very convenient choice to make. Yet the benefits to the baby's immune system are immeasurable.
Why would it be offensive to feed your baby the way God intended when he created the female body?
A public restroom is not the place for a baby.

I don't like being in one-can't imagine bringing a newborn in there. I have never understood why people would suggest that!??!

NeelyAnn · #8 Apr 10, '06, 12:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

There should be no problem as long as it is done discretely.

I do also think the bathroom is not a good idea. It certainly is not where I go for a meal.

I agree.

Hesychios · #9 Apr 10, '06, 12:35 pm

The garb available for mothers who breast feed is very good for allowing the feeding to be done discreetly.

I have seen this done in Eastern parishes and I have always thought it to be touchingly appropriate, never yet innapropriate.

As it is, there is nothing to 'see' exactly and it is not a distraction. I think this is a non-issue.

Michael

Tired · #10 Apr 10, '06, 12:38 pm

This is not a matter of rubrics or doctrine -- it's a matter of common sense and perhaps the ability to conduct oneself in a graceful manner.

NO! It is NOT pemissable for a woman to breast-feed her child during Mass!

Focus on the Mass and Jesus Christ and feed the child afterwards!

palmas85 · #11 Apr 10, '06, 12:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBB

She was feeding her baby, not performing a burlesque!

I think women should be able to feed their babies wherever they want. I do think that covering the baby with a blanket is prudent in our culture, but to deny a woman the right to feed her baby in public is preposterous.

Well, I don't have a problem with breastfeeding in public. But I will say this, I've attended mass in various third world countries where breast feeding is much more common than here, and you don't see things like that happening.. A woman breastfeeding her child during mass to me would be the same thing as someone taking out a ham sandwich and a diet coke and munching away during the offertory.

My own personal opinion, she wanted to draw attention to herself and say in a subtle way, look at how much I care about my child. Totally unnecessary and self serving.

neweyes · #12 Apr 10, '06, 12:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmas85

W. A woman breastfeeding her child during mass to me would be the same thing as someone taking out a ham sandwich and a diet coke and munching away during the offertory.

Wrong. A baby's needs are much different than those of an older child or adult. You have never had a newborn in your home before, have you?

Quote:

My own personal opinion, she wanted to draw attention to herself and say in a subtle way, look at how much I care about my child. Totally unnecessary and self serving.

Yet you probably would have no problem with her feeding her baby with a bottle, would you?

Ham1 · #13 Apr 10, '06, 12:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tired

This is not a matter of rubrics or doctrine -- it's a matter of common sense and perhaps the ability to conduct oneself in a graceful manner.

NO! It is NOT pemissable for a woman to breast-feed her child during Mass!

Focus on the Mass and Jesus Christ and feed the child afterwards!

This is really the position you want to take on this???

Keep in mind the mother has a grave moral obligation to meet the needs of her child. It would be seriously wrong for her NOT to breastfeed her baby during Mass. It would be a rejection of her vocation as a mother.

It is never a good idea to reject the wisdom of God the Father.

Reepicheep · #14 Apr 10, '06, 12:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tired

This is not a matter of rubrics or doctrine -- it's a matter of common sense and perhaps the ability to conduct oneself in a graceful manner.

NO! It is NOT pemissable for a woman to breast-feed her child during Mass!

Focus on the Mass and Jesus Christ and feed the child afterwards!

The baby is hungry when the baby is hungry. You can't just tell the kid to wait a while.
Hungry babies cry. Loudly. That would be a lot more istraction than having the mother breastfeed her baby.
I agree with Ham1 and neweyes.

palmas85 · #15 Apr 10, '06, 12:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by neweyes

Wrong. A baby's needs are much different than those of an older child or adult. You have never had a newborn in your home before, have you?

Yet you probably would have no problem with her feeding her baby with a bottle, would you?

I sincerely doubt the child would starve during the 45 minutes that most Masses take, and my wife, a very brillant woman, found a novel and totally unique way to take care of that particular problem.

SHE ACTUALLY FED THE CHILDREN PRIOR TO GOING TO MASS

It worked out very well, and the times that the children did become restless, a pacifier worked very well

Of course that was a long time ago, and maybe kids are different now.