Don’t be a boob: Breastfeeding etiquette for guys

It’s no secret that men, in general, have a love affair with breasts. For guys who like them big, a breastfeeding woman may seem like the ultimate gawking target … until, that is, you end up looking like a freakish voyeur for looking a little too closely.

The best advice for how to act when a woman – whether it’s your wife, a friend, a stranger or even your friend’s wife – is nursing a child is to nonchalantly look away and act like it’s no big deal. But some men are either too curious, too embarrassed or too dense and end up acting like a boob as soon as there’s a real boob in sight. Here are some tips on how to avoid looking and feeling foolish or making anyone else uncomfortable.

Keep your eyes above the neck

Eye contact is your best bet. Don’t initiate a conversation with a stranger who’s breastfeeding and no matter what don’t let your eyes linger anywhere below her chin. This is not a time to comment on how cute her baby is!

Never comment on their size

While some men might beg to differ, breasts were created to feed babies. While you may certainly agree with your wife when she comments on how huge they are, men should never utter the words, "Wow, they’re huge!" This especially holds true when the breasts in question are a stranger’s or your friend’s wife.

Be helpful

If you can master the "getting on with your business" act when there are boobs on display and the eye contact required to hold a conversation with a breastfeeding mom, offering to get her a drink can be immensely helpful. This does not mean you should fetch her a beer!

If the woman (and baby) in question is someone you know, you can also offer to burp (the baby, not you!) or change the baby’s diaper after he/she is done eating.