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Readers, we’re during an informal survey for an article and want your input.
1. Do you think it’s appropriate to breastfeed during a religious service?
2. Have you ever seen a woman breastfeed in your house of worship?
3. In your house of worship is breastfeeding: a. generally unacceptable? b. acceptable wherever the woman is comfortable breastfeeding? c. something that is done in a room set aside for breastfeeding?
We included a poll below, but we really want to read your comments to the above questions! Reply below, and thanks for your help.
Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Associate Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.
It is perfectly appropriate to breastfeed during worship. I’m a Lutheran pastor, and on a Sunday soon after my son had been born, we came to church while another person was presiding and preaching. During communion, I fed my son the way I fed him all the time that first year, at my breast. I received only sweet looks of support. No upset parishioners, no tsk-tsk-ing. Just kindness. This was quite early in my call, and I think I knew we truly belonged when I nursed my son right there in the pew.
1. I think it’s fine, done modestly and quietly. When some women call too much attention to themselves, or do not cover up, then I think it’s inappropriate.
2. Yes, but not in my current church, but maybe only because we have no babies that regularly attend.
3.I am unsure what the attitudes toward breastfeeding in our church would be.
Of course it’s appropriate. We all suckle at G-d’s breasts, why shouldn’t a baby suckle at mothers breasts. Feed the flock. Worship must rise above the neurotic hang-ups of a few.
Besides, it is a beautiful thing to see.
Certainly better that allowing guns in church.
Gary
12 years ago
1. Yes.
2. Yes
3. Most often, the mother wishes some privacy (to enjoy feeding and talking to her baby without others intruding) rather than some other disapproving person making their opinion known. Our church’s “narthex” is set up like a family living room where a child can easily be fed more privately and mom can still hear the service.
It is perfectly appropriate to breastfeed during worship. I’m a Lutheran pastor, and on a Sunday soon after my son had been born, we came to church while another person was presiding and preaching. During communion, I fed my son the way I fed him all the time that first year, at my breast. I received only sweet looks of support. No upset parishioners, no tsk-tsk-ing. Just kindness. This was quite early in my call, and I think I knew we truly belonged when I nursed my son right there in the pew.
1. I think it’s fine, done modestly and quietly. When some women call too much attention to themselves, or do not cover up, then I think it’s inappropriate.
2. Yes, but not in my current church, but maybe only because we have no babies that regularly attend.
3.I am unsure what the attitudes toward breastfeeding in our church would be.
Of course it’s appropriate. We all suckle at G-d’s breasts, why shouldn’t a baby suckle at mothers breasts. Feed the flock. Worship must rise above the neurotic hang-ups of a few.
Besides, it is a beautiful thing to see.
Certainly better that allowing guns in church.
1. Yes.
2. Yes
3. Most often, the mother wishes some privacy (to enjoy feeding and talking to her baby without others intruding) rather than some other disapproving person making their opinion known. Our church’s “narthex” is set up like a family living room where a child can easily be fed more privately and mom can still hear the service.