Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Here we go again...

BREASTFEEDING IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL. For goodness sakes. It is getting downright outrageous out there. 

This article here discusses how, once again, a picture of a breastfeeding mother has sparked public debate. Except this time the picture is of military servicewoman who are breastfeeding...in uniform. GASP. The horror of it. Allegedly it has been compared to urinating or defecating in public in uniform.

I think it is disgusting how the media seems to be portraying breastfeeding as a controversy, even if it is, in fact, a controversial issue, the media is playing a huge role in are really fueling fire lately. And, if it is a fact, that the military prefers women NOT breastfeed in uniform, then I'm disgusted at them as well. Why must women be made to feel that breastfeeding is something to be ashamed of? That there is even a question as to when and where is "appropriate" to feed your child.  I don't think it is ANY different that a woman in uniform sitting and bottle feeding her child. Same thing, different vessel.

I just don't understand it and I'm SO tried of it. What about you?

"Controversy equalizes fools and wise men - and the fools know it."
Oliver Wendall Holmes


11 comments:

Allyson said...

I'm pregnant and fully intend to breastfeed. But here's the thing- I don't want to see anyone's boob in public, whether they are breastfeeding or not. Call me a prude or modest or whatever. We had puppies for sale and a potential buyer came over to our house, with her sister and her sister's 18 month old-ish child. The child indicated that s/he (not sure) wanted to be fed, and the mom, sitting on our couch, whipped out her boob and started feeding. I'm sorry, but I don't think that's appropriate. Just because you are breastfeeding doesn't mean you get to ignore social norms.

Beverley said...

I think the supposed social norms are the problem, in my mind there is nothing socially unacceptable about feeding your child, regardless of the type of feeding you choose (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, formula feeding).

I, myself, choose to be discreet when I nurse, it is personal preference that it is something that I choose to do in a quiet place, just myself and my baby.

BUT I don't fault anyone for feeling as if they can nurse in public.

That being said, even if I bottle fed my child I wouldn't sit down on some strangers couch to do it, that would be like whipping out a snack for my toddler at some strangers table and I don't feel like that is acceptable either.

Does that make sense?

I think there are social norms that you follow in a strangers home that go beyond breastfeeding!

Unknown said...

I agree with your comments that our current social norms are more than a little bit mucked up.

I partially breastfed. I have a severe milk supply issue, so I had to mostly formula feed. I can tell you that there is ridiculous garbage coming from both sides. I've been accused of poisoning my child for giving formula, and of being "creepy" for breastfeeding.

IMO, the bigger issue is moms being at war with each other. It doesn't even matter what the issue is - people can find a problem with anything if they look hard enough!

Wiz said...

I was never good at breast feeding so I didnt ever last very long but I certainly don't care how others feed their kids. I saw the article and was shocked it was compared to deficating or urinating on a uniform. I just dont get that at all.

Brandi said...

I think it's disgusting that people even make it an issue. It's 110% completely natural and up until the last 50 years, if you didn't breastfeed your baby your baby died of starvation. Why are people so dense?

I breastfed my daughter for 19 months, using a cover sometime when I was in public, but not always. And never ever at home or at friends house, even with company was over. Heck, I don't even think I wore a shirt or bra for the first 2 weeks of her life, even when my FIL came to visit. Frankly, it's nobody else's business but my own where or when I feed my child and especially not if my breast is exposed.

I will end now, because I can go on forever about how sick it makes me. Very sad.

Bld424 said...

I am tired of it, but maybe because I've finished nursing two babies in the last three years, and so I feel like this issue is a little less personal. I think that photo of the mom with twins and her inside cleavage MIGHT be a little too much for a guy who hasn't seen boobs in a sexual way for awhile because he is a soldier, but I don't think that it ruins the photo. I personally think boobs while breastfeeding are super unsexy, or at least mine seem so, even though my husband disagrees. I think anything sexy in a uniform is inappropriate, like a pinup in a uniform, but this doesn't seem to meet that for me.

Jeni said...

I'm with you, Beverly. As a culture we have over-sexualized breasts to the point that people do get offended when they see a child nursing. But that's what they're there for - nursing. I use a cover when nursing, but it's more so you can't see my giant stretchmarks! LOL.

I have zero issue with women nursing, covered or uncovered, anywhere they need to. You can't tell a baby to wait until mom is in a convenient place, it just doesn't work like that. If someone's offended by that, they can just turn their head.

Queenie. . . said...

I agree that the media is fanning the flames! It's so annoying. I breastfeed. I breastfeed in public. I throw a blanket over my shoulder, but I can tell that some people are still horrified. I don't really care, though! Baby's got to eat.

dani said...

Moms need to do what they feel is right for them and their family. I am still currently nursing my 21 month old son. down to morning and night but I have always nursed in public and never covered up. I am with you Queenie...if you are offended then turn your head. This is the way I choose to feed, nurture, and comfort my kids and I am not ashamed. And honestly, my boobs and my baby and I don't really care what anyone has to say about it. I have nursed my babies in airplanes, walking down the aisle at Target, you name it, I have nursed there and I will continue to nurse until it no longer works for us. We as moms should stand behind one another.....bottle or breast, we are all just trying to do what feels right for all of us.

Anonymous said...

Happy for you guys!! We are still trying that perfect home for our family. We are looking at short sales and bank owned, and it seems like we need to go way above and beyond the asking price to even be taken seriously. I'm talking about $15k over aksing price, and we still didnt get the house!! starting to lose patience, but then I read this... I know the right one will come along to us too.

Bren said...

I've nominated you for an award (details on my own blog). I can't wait until your next post!!!

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