There must be better things to protest about

People really put too much stuff on facebook.

40. 37 of them being blokes hoping to get a look at a headlamp. The other three being the mothers in the slideshow.

Fair play to them I wish them all the breast

fair play to them, the amount of people on here saying enough is enough, time for a revolution etc.who don’t bother to protest about anything themselves. I wouldnt post a pic on my page but it like to know if I did my account wouldnt b deleted.

I had a picture of me defecating taken down also. Just like breast feeding, it is a natural process. I am going to have to protest also.

God love them not being able to upload pics of their baps…its a hard life.

What a bunch of tits! Really milking it!

IT’S A DISGRACE JOE!!!

What about children’s rights??? Seriously. I wouldn’t be impressed if I knew there was a pic of me as a child getting breastfed floating around the net.

This crowd need to grow up.

I really don’t get Facebook’s prudishness. Sexual images abound on the site, yet pics of tots at teat are removed?

All we need now is a ban on breastfeeding outside Leinster House.

Instead of protesting, how about just NOT just Facebook, simple!

Someone once said that children are like farts, you can only every stand your own…….,

Why would you want to share a picture of that anyway? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to breastfeeding in public or anything, but I just can’t see why someone would feel the need to post a picture of it on a site like Facebook.. or anywhere else.

I would opine that the ladies out protesting today are the type to do things like that just because they know that it gets other people’s goats up.

I like the cut of your jib, Debbie

every site has a right to have policies, if Facebook doesn’t want pics of people breast feeding then that’s fair enough if you don’t like that policy then use a site that does allow it. Facebook are not infringing on your human rights nor are they disagreeing with people breast feeding its simply a policy! go protest about real issues!

Way to go supporting mothers Debbie, I guess you are really progressive in your thinking. Ticks are tiny little insects by the way so I assume you drop your aitches and meant thick?

They are not putting up pictures of themselves breastfeeding for all and sundry to view but only those who are linked to them. Perhaps they think it is a cute picture of their little one and they just happen to be breastfeeding or it could be a family shot where mum just happens to be feeding the baby. Would it be more acceptable to you if they stuck an artificial teat into the mouth of the baby and filled it up with the artificial crap produced by formula manufacturers? You can feed your baby that shite but I made the choice to breastfeed mine and if I want to share a picture with my mum who lives in another country then why shouldn’t i? I’m not asking you to look but these women are asking Facebook to realise that a breast is for feeding a baby and in these pictures the breast is seen being used for the function it was designed, feeding human young.

As for “REAL MEN”, I can only assume you are stuck in yesteryear with a comment like that, many men want the very best for their children and real men would understand that breast is best and that breastfeeding does not need to be hidden away. Hide the bottles and formula from pictures then if we are going to be fair? Finally, for your information it is illegal to ask a woman to stop breastfeeding in public so they can hang from the streetlights if they wish with their breasts bared to the world and there is eff all you or the rest of the ignorant bigots here on can do about it!

Facebook provide a free service for those of us that choose to use it. FREE, therefore if they don’t want breasts, dogs,cats or whatever else takes their fancy that’s entirely up to them. For goodness sake……..

Michael Heggarty you are wrong. Accounts have been deleted as well as suspended. To all of you who liken breastfeeding to deficating, I issue you one challenge. The next time you take a dump, eat it, then make the comment again. Both myself and my husband have photos of us as infants at the breast, neither of us have an issue with that because guess what, it’s normal. Breastfeeding is normal. End of.

Huh?

What don’t you understand Cpm?

EmD shut up i am a mother myself and am not against breast feeding at all I am allowed an opinion and what crap are you going on about formula milk !!!! Did I mention it ?? No I was clearly stating what a waste of time it was !! Like fb give a shit about them or their stupid protest I guessing you were one of those fools !!! You can post pics of your baby without it hanging out of your breast !!!

I wasn’t one of those ladies at all as unfortunately my children are older and past being breastfed. Telling someone to shut up just because they take issue with your lack of support, name calling and ignorance towards a group of mothers trying to help normalise breastfeeding and stop it being seen as something taboo. No one is posting pictures for all to see of the baby hanging out of their breast, they want to share what are normal, natural photos of a baby who just happens to be feeding at the time with THEIR friends/families on Facebook. Facebook remove these pictures as they label them as nudity, obscene content etc. which they clearly are not!

I mentioned formula feeding because if people were having photos removed of them feeding their babies with bottles and formula then everyone would be up in arms about how dumb that is.

Calling someone a fool is not a great way to make people listen to you particularly as you state you have an opinion but it got lost in amongst your nasty comments.

The bit from the start, right to where the end bit is,EMD

Exactly Joanne !!!

Why is it necessary to call them bitches? You have ur opinion (which I dint agree with) but you are the second woman to comment here and cool these woman bitches…

Why is it necessary to call them bitches? You have ur opinion (which I dint agree with) but you are the second woman to comment here and call these woman bitches…

And debbie you are the other one.

I suppose the point was that in furthering the effort to “normalise” breastfeeding in society, which judging by some of the comments still has quite a long way to go, removing photos from fb, which is now such a large part of our society, seems like a backwards step and to some, reinforces the idea that it is still a taboo in public. For the record I personally never had a problem breastfeeding in public, nor has anyone I know. I do think however that the perception that it is frowned upon puts especially young mothers off trying in the first place and that is something that needs to be tackled.

i never said i disagree with breast feeding in public or otherwise! i breast fed one of my children unfortunately i couldn’t continue for health reasons but that has nothing to do with it. if the picture shows a woman’s breast then it is nudity and Facebook have a right to take it down or suspend the account etc. Im absolutely not disputing that its not natural to breast feed! as someone else pointed out its also natural to go for a poo. its Facebook get over it! nobody is denying a woman’s right to breast feed and Facebook is not obligated to advertise it either.

@cmp
I know exactly how ya feel. I just gave up half way through ;-)

It’s completely natural and I’m 100% pro breast feeding but I’m still wondering why people upload such personal photos to Facebook.

The ignorance of some of these comments is alarming

If showing breasts is the only issue, I hope Facebook also takes similar action for those who post pics of Lady Gaga and the like…….. I haven’t heard of anyone being banned for posting up celeb pics, regardless of the amount of flesh on display.

Secondly, I personally don’t find breasts “sexual” objects – they are there for breastfeeding, serve no other purpose

Well done to the women who went out there today. I was not one of them but support them fully.
Everyone has their own passions and convictions we feel are worth fighting for, who is anyone on here to judge?

there’s a few ‘tits’ on my friend list I want to get rid of too :-)

but really that’s a form of nudity and if I’m correct you agreed not to share anything of that nature on the site when you first start.

Jesus EMD post a comment not your life story, thumb is sore trying to scroll past them!

Joe post something intelligent will you and maybe I wouldn’t have to write such long posts!

As someone obviously took issue with my earlier comment, I’ll say it again:

Live and let live. Breastfeeding is a natural thing, get over it. There were WAGONS (and this is used to describe females who are particularly annoying, there are male equivalents as well) on 2FM having a go the poor woman who only wanted to be able to share an intimate moment with her close friends and family. If you have an issue with breastfeeding, fine. Noones forcing you to look at the pictures. But considering that a mother goes through the pain and struggle of childbirth and raising a child, it is entirely up to her how she shares moments of that upbringing. Even other mothers should keep their f”"king opinions to themselves.

Jeeez Debbie
CALM DOWN GIRL!
I think it’s time to hop down off your band wagon and get yourself a hobby. People are fully entitled to put up pictures of what ever they want. No one is holding a gun to your head to force you to look at these pictures.
I find it offensive that you call these women bitches when you don’t know them as individuals.
Is it not a tad bit aggressive????

Wonder why this is such an issue in Ireland?

Well, you opine wrongly, mart-n. There are plenty of things I would have preferred to be doing. As the chair of Friends of Breastfeeding said at the opening of her speech, none of us wanted to be there – we’d far prefer that there was no reason to be. Breastfeeding should be something that’s normal and that nobody reacts to. Sadly, we haven’t quite reached that state of enlightenment yet.

Mothers who breastfeed don’t see those photos as nudie pictures in the same way so many people here seem to.
They might want to put those pictures up to share them with their friends and family.
They might want to try and communicate a fraction of the love and bond they feel for their baby as they feed them.
They might want to share a little of the pride they feel in the fact that they’ve nourished their child with their own milk – perhaps after a painful struggle to do so.

We went there today to try and underline the fact that there is nothing shameful about the image of a mother feeding her child. Nothing obscene. It’s not linked to sex just because there’s a boob involved. It’s not linked to defacation in any way as there is no waste product involved. There is nothing unpleasant about it, any more than those pictures people like to post of their newly weaned child covered in pureed veg.

We don’t want people’s goats up, because then we have to suffer through the hate filled moronic comments directed at us like the ones above. But it’s time for change.

Michael,
I think that a lot of it harks back to the days when it was seen as something poor people did and also to do with the taboos around bodies, sexuality etc. which was led by the church.

‘but a pump’ unfortunately for you small minded, idiots not all mums are able to pump. If I want to give my daughter the best start in life then I will. I’ll feed her wherever and whenever she wants feeding and I couldn’t give two hoots if that offends anyone and if I’m feeding her and someone takes our photo then I will upload it to Facebook. I’m shocked that there are so many people who find photos of breast feeding offensive!

Did you get offered any support, Joanne? Did you know where to go for help? This is one of the major problems we have in Ireland – people are pushed to breast feed, but then when they encounter problems, there’s no one there to help, or no one with any real knowledge about problem solving, other than to give formula.

I’m sorry you had that experience – one thing Friends of Breastfeeding is trying to do is make sure everyone has more access to informed support and assistance, so they can have the breastfeeding experience they want. You know not everyone has the same experience you did? But in Ireland it can really be the luck of the draw because no one values it, many dismiss it and demonise it, and this rolls down to lack of investment in education and support services, leaving women feeling negative like you did, or worse still, feeling guilty, because of a health system that has failed them.

Did you get offered any support, Joanne? Did you know where to go for help? This is one of the major problems we have in Ireland – people are pushed to breast feed, but then when they encounter problems, there’s no one there to help, or no one with any real knowledge about problem solving, other than to give formula.
I’m sorry you had that experience – one thing Friends of Breastfeeding is trying to do is make sure everyone has more access to informed support and assistance, so they can have the breastfeeding experience they want. You know not everyone has the same experience you did? But in Ireland it can really be the luck of the draw because no one values it, many dismiss it and demonise it, and this rolls down to lack of investment in education and support services, leaving women feeling negative like you did, or worse still, feeling guilty, because of a health system that has failed them.

Ann – oh my god! ‘Buy a pump’ are you for real? How would you feel if someone here told you to feed your baby at home instead of using a bottle in public! That is such a ridiculous comment.

Breastfeeding is 100% natural and best for baby – but some people try to make out as if it’s wrong or common. Thats why we have such low rates in this country. Most women who breast feed in public do so discreetly and you wouldn’t even know and if you figure it out – what a terrible image that must be! Unless there is a room full of women with their breasts out feeding hungry children – look somewhere else!

Re facebook – if someone chooses to put those pictures up then they should be allowed – they aren’t asking everyone to view them

What is with all the name calling here…????. It’s embarrassing!!!

So why not an issue in Italy, Spain, France, Southern Germany, Southern NL, Poland? Poor people there too. Predominantly Catholic to boot…

Warmer country….more used to seeing skin….not as prudish…stronger women….more respect for the effort and understanding of the benefits…. In hungary you can only get formula on perscruption, that its how seriously they take breastfeeding (think that is but extreme but people think here that breastfeeding women are shoving it down people’s throats, how would they feel in that situation?).

I’m astounded by the amount of people that are appalled by a bit of boob on show, feeding a child. Are these people reacting the same when a woman wears a mini skirt, or a bikini? Or a man goes topless?
The prudish attitudes here are sad. I wouldn’t mind, but when breast feeding, the nipple is covered by THE BABY! You’d see more skin just walking down the street on any weekend evening.
The human body is not something to be ashamed of. These are clearly sex-with-the-lights-off people.

EMD,
So is that what these woman are protesting at? Because what they are protesting about in this article makes them sound really stupid. Facebook does a lot more wrong than that and they can do whatever the f••k they want, the only think that will stop them doing things is everyone that didn’t agree with this cancelled their Facebook page in protest. Protesting outside their office is a waste of time. Facebook owners are looking at the news laughing at them, giving them free advertising on national television channels, while they make billions advertising on your Facebook pages.

Do people understand that porn sites steal people’s private Facebook messages for there sites?

Naimh,
Everybody knows that my wife breastfeed’s, we don’t hide it, we just don’t do it in public. I don’t agree with breastfeeding in public but I’m never going to tell somebody not to, it’s their choice. As far as I’m concerned everybody is free to do whatever they want as long as they don’t intentionally mean to hurt somebody (including themselves) physically or mentally and seeing a woman breastfeeding will do neither.

I think you misunderstand a lot of what I say Naimh or maybe I’m misunderstanding a lot of what you’re saying?

I love tities, if you can just keep the babies head out of the shot were laughing

Isn’t “making love natural”? wouldnt want to see it on facebook though!

Ive breast fed in public and was sitting down talking to an elderly woman while doing it and she didn’t even realise I had a child in my arms. When you breast feed you can be discreet and not show off your breasts. Ive seen some awful pictures on facebook that are still there now of fellas balls naked or young girls flashing their tits. These are photos that should be removed.

And for those saying there must be something better to protest about why dont ye get out there and protest. This is an issue close to these peoples hearts. If you have a problem with something else in the country then go do something about it. Some have complained about the housing tax, would you go protest against it or would you just sit on your ass waiting for someone else???

A big problem in this country is that people moan and complain about the state of the county and do nothing to help change it. One person also said that the people protesting must not work and must be bored to do it, well it seem like a lot of people on here must be bored if they have spent the last 5 hours commenting on the post.

Ye need to grow the hell up.

i breastfed my 2 babies and had support from all my family and friends, although my mother in law was a bit “ugh” about it. she thought i was great to do it but a bit disgusted at the thoughts of it. she is deeply religious so i always said to her “do u think baby jesus drank SMA from a tommy tippee bottle?!” :-)

I can’t believe there’s so much being made about this. You all have very little to be worried about if all you care about is what photos you can put on Facebook. Get a life

I can’t believe all this fuss over what photos you are and aren’t allowed to put up on Facebook. Is it really that big of a deal! Grow up!

My wife has. Breastfeed all four of our kids and it is brilliant. Most natural thing in the world. I know women that really wanted to breastfeed and failed and are so disappointed. Keep up the good work moms.
Don’t mind these other uneducated clowns.

Masturbation is a perfectly natural and beautiful thing. Can I now post pictures on facebook of me masturbating?

Sad comment…………, but I can see why you have too

Go on the lacavists…

I don’t see much wrong with breastfeeding in public however I do think there’s a small percentage of women that whip them out in public to prove a point and I think a compromise would be good as in fairness it does offend some people.

What I would say is that a cover type thing would be a good idea in some cases for example in a restaurant. A light little cover isn’t going to be that much hassle considering the amount of equipment a dragged around for a baby.
Everyone would prefer a baby to be breastfed rather than listening to the shrill cry of a baby while trying to eat at a restaurant but a cover would make for a fair compromise.

Anyway why do women want to take pictures of themselves breastfeeding, upload them and share with the world? Who knows!
On the other hand I’ve seen far worse pictures and even status updates on Facebook and I’d argue that fair is fair, as long as pictures of ‘Tony having a slash on the Molly Malone statue at 3am’ or ‘Mary’s latest love life crisis’ status update exist then Facebook shouldn’t block pictures of women breastfeeding.

Would someone please think of the children?

I was breastfeedingmy children but… I wouldnt show picture of me doing that to anyone, quess sometimes maternal instincts take over brain for some mothers :)

First of all Niamh I Said nothing about it making me barf!! second of all Niamh I didn’t say that the pictures bothered me I said that MY PERSONAL opinion is that i would not like pictures of myself Breastfeeding on the Internet. I said the word personal opinion because I speak for no one else except myself.