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Most Excellent Commentary
Thursday, March 15, 2007
I am so HAPPY and relieved to have read thoughtful commentary about public breastfeeding that echoes my same sentiments on the matter. In "Why are we at war over breast-feeding?", opinion columnist for the News Journal Rhonda Graham, speaks up for breastfeeding moms (like her and me) who don't hold their rights as nursing moms over everyone else's.As the Constitution guarantees, everyone has certain basic rights and just because we're dealing with babies and their overall welfare and optimal nourishment doesn't mean that some breastfeeding moms who nurse in public do not take away the rights of others not to witness the act. This may come as a shock to some moms, but everyone is not enamored by public breastfeeding, no matter how good it may be for babies.
As a nursing mom, I was always cognisant about where I breastfed my babies, and for the record, it was always in an intimate setting where my babies and I were most comfortable. It's unfortunate that there are some mothers who feel they need to force their choices upon the masses. I think they're wrong and those of us who feel this way should consistently speak our opinion as loudly as those who believe otherwise.
Labels: breastfeeding in public
posted by Jennifer James @ 1:46 PM,
1 Comments:
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At March 15, 2007 7:25 PM,
Micky said...
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I feel like I need to respectfully disagree with you on the "nursing in public issue" but I also feel we are closer to agreement than it seems. I do not hold my right to breastfeed over the rights of others. However, I do not schedule my baby's feedings. Since it is not always predictable when he will eat, I can not nor do I need to run and hide when he gets hungry or wants to nurse. It is easier and often more comfortable for everyone around if I quickly and without any fanfare latch my baby on. No screaming, minimal fussing and everyone is happy. I have been nursing on and off for the past six years and have NEVER been asked to leave a restaurant, a mall, a store. People have asked if my baby is sleeping or start to touch him/her because they don't even realize he is nursing. Being discreet AND breastfeeding are NOT exclusive. You can do both. Most of the time, no one knows that my baby is eating and when they do, I am so covered (most of the time not using a blanket or cover) that it is not offensive or uncomfortable for anyone. I have nursed around my inlaws, friends, family and strangers. I have to say, even people who may not have been comfortable with it before, now think it is no big deal. I have NORMALIZED breastfeeding for the family and friends that I nurse around. I don't make a big deal about it. I just do it. Breastfeeding is not a sacred, intimate event each time. It is just the way a baby gets nurishment. Perhaps in making it so "special" we have made it more taboo. I think when we cover with a big huge blanket (like we don't know what you're doing) or we go to a special place we are saying - this is something that is not appropriate to do in front of other people. It should be separated from the rest of human life. I don't want to send my children that message, or other young people or anyone for that message. The basic message is that it is something to be ashamed of if it has to be hidden. The opposite of that is not that you should disrobe from waist up each feeding in the mall, you can latch your baby on without showing any more skin than a bikini top and no one is the wiser.
I don't think you consider breastfeeding something to be hidden or ashamed of, but I am afraid that is the vibe your stance gives off. On the other hand I don't think either one of us is advocating women throw their shirts over their heads and nurse in the local pizzaria. I just don't think we are going to truly affect breastfeeding rates and encourage more moms to breastfeed if they have to stay at home for the first 2 years of their babies lives.
And just for the record, I sometimes use a blanket for partial cover, I sometimes go to my car, I sometimes go sit somewhere else, I sometimes wait till someone leaves and sometimes I just nurse at the table at the restaurant. I think as mom, it is my responsibility on how, when and where to feed my baby. And anywhere it is appropriate to bottle feed, it is appropriate to breastfeed. Period.
